The start of 2025 has been quite turbulent for TikTok. Following its prohibition in the United States, the platform temporarily became inaccessible but has since reappeared. While new users are unable to download the app due to its absence from U.S. app stores, those who previously installed it or access it through the website can keep streaming content as if the ban never occurred—at least, for the time being.

Notably, ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has managed various applications in the U.S. Recently, other widely-used apps vanished from stores alongside TikTok, although they weren’t central to the ban discussions. The situation suggests that they may share similar concerns that prompted the government’s action against TikTok. Being a Chinese-based entity, ByteDance could be compelled to comply with requests from the Chinese government for data pertaining to American users.

The implications of the ban extend beyond TikTok. The legislation explicitly indicates that no applications from ByteDance can be considered secure. The law’s primary aim is “to safeguard U.S. national security from threats posed by applications controlled by foreign adversaries, including TikTok and any subsequent applications or services provided by ByteDance Ltd. or any entity influenced by ByteDance Ltd.”

Consequently, all applications listed under the ban have been eliminated from various app stores, and while many can still be used by users who already have them, only a single app has returned to the market.

TikTok

Undoubtedly, TikTok is the main player involved in this security saga, capturing the fascination of a substantial audience. Its origins trace back to a different platform, known as Musical.ly, which enabled users to share brief videos while lip-syncing to popular tracks. As it grew in popularity, ByteDance recognized its potential and sought to expand its own short-form video app, Douyin, internationally. In 2017, ByteDance launched TikTok globally and shortly thereafter acquired Musical.ly for nearly $1 billion.

Since then, TikTok has evolved into a global sensation, amassing a community exceeding one billion users, with 170 million of those based in the U.S. This raises concerns regarding how a potential ban might influence TikTok’s financial health.

TikTok Lite

If you’re an Android user, you may have encountered TikTok Lite, a more streamlined version of TikTok. Intended for devices with limited resources, this “lite” version is optimized for users with lower RAM, limited data, or unreliable internet connections.

However, TikTok Lite hasn’t gained significant traction compared to the primary app, boasting only 100,000 downloads versus TikTok’s vast user base. Although it was overlooked during the ban discussions, it remains unavailable on the Play Store.

TikTok Studio and TikTok Shop Seller

TikTok Studio is aimed at content creators, enabling them to oversee their posts effectively. Alongside this, the TikTok Shop Seller Center serves sellers wishing to manage their online storefronts directly through TikTok.

CapCut

Previously, entering the realm of video production required a hefty investment in equipment and editing tools. Nowadays, anyone with a smartphone can create videos, and many aspiring creators have turned to CapCut, also under the ByteDance umbrella.

Describing CapCut’s popularity is an understatement; the app has surpassed a billion downloads on Android alone, and is available on iOS, Mac, and Windows—provided users had it installed before the ban. CapCut provides an array of editing tools, including templates, effects, music integration, stock footage, and more, all designed to enhance the video creation experience.

The app’s widespread appeal can be attributed to its affiliation with TikTok, which streamlines the editing and posting process. TikTok users naturally promote CapCut, and ByteDance capitalizes on advertising it through TikTok itself. For those unable to access CapCut now, there are several alternative editing apps available.

Hypic

On the photography front, Hypic serves as ByteDance’s photo editing solution. Though it hasn’t reached the same level of popularity as CapCut, it still boasts over 10 million downloads on the Play Store. The app offers standard photo editing features complemented by AI-driven tools like background removal, cutouts, and filters, in addition to makeup effects and various stickers and templates.

Lemon8

As users protested against the TikTok ban, many flocked to other Chinese social media platforms, including Lemon8, which presents itself as a lifestyle-centered social media app. While it incorporates video sharing similar to TikTok, it also permits image posting and carousel features akin to Instagram, allowing for diverse content interactions reminiscent of Pinterest. According to Jessica Maddox, a digital media technology associate professor, “If those three apps had a baby, it would be Lemon8.”

Its current popularity is uncertain, especially now that it’s also unavailable in app stores.

Marvel Snap (Returns to App Stores)

Marvel Snap, a dynamic card game featuring characters from the Marvel franchise, challenges players to control three locations using decks of 12 cards. Players strive to gain control of at least two locations after six rounds to win. While Marvel itself is an American-based entity, the game operates under Nuverse, a ByteDance subsidiary, which led to Marvel Snap being removed from app stores during the ban.

However, as of January 28, the game has resurfaced. According to reports from The Verge, the developers are transitioning many operational responsibilities in-house, collaborating with U.S.-based Skytone Games. This makes it the first ByteDance app to restore its presence in app stores post-ban.

Land of Empires

Land of Empires, another title under Nuverse, is a strategy game that pits players against demon armies. Players can fortify their territories and engage in significant battles. While it is not as well-known as Marvel Snap, it has garnered over a million downloads on the Play Store but has not yet reinstated its presence in stores.

Lark

Many may not be familiar with Lark, which provides a suite of business applications. It features a stand-alone app for both iOS and Android, marketed as a collaborative “team collaboration” tool, positioning it as a competitor to services like Microsoft Teams or Slack. Lark is equipped with features such as internal messaging, video conferencing, and options for collaborative document sharing.

This app is likely to be used primarily in a corporate setting rather than by individuals, making its impact from the ban relatively minimal.

Tokopedia and Tokopedia START

Tokopedia is an Indonesian-based shopping platform that offered its services to U.S. users prior to the enactment of the law. The company also released Tokopedia START, an app intended for a technology conference in 2022. Tokopedia operates as a subsidiary of ByteDance.