TikTok's Return to the App Store Imminent

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that a letter from Trump-era Attorney General Pam Bondi to Apple allows the restoration of TikTok on the App Store. Currently, iPhones with TikTok can continue using it, and a web version exists. However, updates and re-downloads are blocked, and transfer between iPhones (crucially impacting Apple's upcoming low-end launch) is impossible. Apple confirmed TikTok's return for Thursday evening. Previously, Apple and Google were legally obligated to remove TikTok due to ByteDance's failure to divest. Despite a bill passed and signed by President Biden, his administration delayed enforcement, leaving the decision to the Trump administration. Trump, after initially pushing for a ban, later supported TikTok's continued availability, granting ByteDance a 75-day extension to negotiate with US firms and potentially the government.