TikTok announced on March 26, 2025, that it will discontinue its TikTok Notes app, a photo-sharing platform designed to compete with Instagram. The app, which was launched in testing phases in countries like Canada, Australia, and Vietnam, will officially shut down on May 8, 2025.
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Reasons behind the shutdown
The decision to retire TikTok Notes is primarily attributed to its low adoption rate. Despite its launch, the app failed to gain substantial traction, leading TikTok to redirect users to Lemon8, another ByteDance-owned app with similar functionalities.
Lemon8, which has around 12.5 million global monthly active users as of December 2024, is seen as a more viable alternative for users seeking a photo-sharing experience.
"We're excited to bring the feedback from TikTok Notes to Lemon8 as we continue building a dedicated space for our community to share and experience photo content designed to complement and enhance the TikTok experience," a TikTok spokesperson stated. This move indicates that ByteDance is focusing on consolidating its resources and user base into more successful platforms.
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TikTok notes shut down after user loyalty struggle
The shutdown of TikTok Notes highlights the challenges faced by new social media platforms in gaining user loyalty. Despite its similarity to Instagram, TikTok Notes struggled to carve out a niche.
Users are encouraged to download and save their data from TikTok Notes and transition to Lemon8, which offers a broader range of features and a more established user base.
As TikTok navigates its uncertain future in the U.S., the company remains active in developing new collaborations and maintaining business as usual.
However, creators are diversifying their presence across platforms like Snapchat and YouTube to prepare for potential outcomes. The decision to discontinue TikTok Notes reflects ByteDance's strategic approach to managing its portfolio of apps and focusing on those with more significant potential for growth.
