On February 8, 2025, TikTok announced that U.S. Android users can download the app directly from its website using Android Package Kits.
This move allows users to bypass restrictions imposed after the app’s removal from the App Store and Google Play Store following a U.S. ban on January 19.
The ban was enacted due to concerns about potential misuse of American users’ data under ByteDance’s ownership.
Read also: Trump open to Elon Musk buying TikTok if he shows interest
According to TikTok, the app remains “safe and secure,” with ongoing reviews of its source code by Oracle and Independent Security Inspectors chosen by ByteDance.
“We’re enhancing ways for our community to continue using TikTok by making Android Package Kits available at TikTok.com/download so that our U.S. Android users can download our app and create, discover, and connect on TikTok,” the company stated.
Users can download either the full version of TikTok or TikTok Lite, which is designed for users with slower internet speeds.
The primary benefit of downloading from the official website is safety assurance without additional security concerns.
How to download TikTok via APK
To download TikTok’s APK (Android Package Kit) from TikTok’s official website, users can follow the outlined steps:
Open a web browser and go to TikTok’s official website.
Find the “Download TikTok” button or the APK download section.
Tap the “Download APK button” to begin downloading the installation file. Confirm the download if prompted.
Before installing, go to Settings > Security on your Android device. Enable Install Unknown Apps for your browser.
Open the Downloads folder and tap on the TikTok APK file.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Open the TikTok app, sign in to your account, and begin using it.
Read also: TikTok operational in U.S. after brief ban
Political and security concerns
The U.S. government has expressed concerns over potential data misuse under ByteDance’s ownership. TikTok has denied allegations regarding its ties with China.
The situation took another turn when President Donald Trump, who assumed office the day after the ban took effect, signed an executive order delaying enforcement for 75 days.
Trump also initiated discussions about a potential sale of TikTok to a U.S. company and proposed creating a sovereign wealth fund to buy the app.
ByteDance repeatedly said that it had no plans to sell the social media app, but one of the company’s biggest investors recently said that a deal is in “everybody’s interest.”
Several companies and individuals, including Perplexity AI and MrBeast, have already expressed their intention to purchase TikTok in the U.S.
Free speech advocates have criticised the ban, arguing that it unfairly targets TikTok while other platforms with foreign ownership operate freely. TikTok has stated that U.S. user data is stored on Oracle-operated cloud servers and that content moderation for American users is handled domestically. The app has around 170 million users in the U.S.