TikTok Plans New US App Launch Ahead of Potential Sale, Report Says

TikTok is preparing to launch a new version of its popular short-video app specifically for users in the United States, ahead of a possible sale to a group of American investors, according to a report by The Information on Sunday.

The move comes as US President Donald Trump confirmed he plans to resume discussions with China early this week regarding TikTok’s future. Speaking on Friday, Trump said a deal over the platform’s sale was “pretty much” in place, though final details remain under negotiation.

According to The Information, the new version of TikTok’s US app is expected to be released to American app stores on September 5. Eventually, users will be required to download the updated app to continue using the service, though the existing version will remain functional until March 2026. However, sources cautioned that the timeline is subject to change.

The plan is seen as a proactive step by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, which is based in China, to comply with a US order to divest its American operations. In August, President Trump issued an executive order citing national security concerns over TikTok’s data practices, giving ByteDance until September 17 to finalize a deal.

Efforts earlier this year to spin off TikTok’s US assets into a new entity majority-owned by American investors stalled after the Chinese government signaled opposition, especially following Trump’s announcement of new tariffs on Chinese imports. Those trade tensions have complicated negotiations over the social media app’s fate.

President Trump acknowledged those complications on Friday, noting that China may still need to approve any deal. “The United States will probably have to get a deal approved by China,” he said, adding that talks would begin Monday or Tuesday.

TikTok has not publicly commented on the report, and Reuters said it was unable to independently verify the claims.

TikTok remains one of the most downloaded apps in the US, with millions of users and widespread cultural influence. However, its Chinese ownership has placed it at the center of a growing tech and trade standoff between Washington and Beijing.

With the September 17 deadline looming, the coming days are expected to be pivotal for TikTok’s operations in the US. If a sale is not finalized or approved, the app could face restrictions or potential bans from US app platforms.