TikTok is developing a new version of its app for U.S. users as it prepares for a potential sale to a group of American investors, according to The Information. The move comes as tensions between the U.S. and China continue to escalate over the popular short-video platform.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Friday that he would begin discussions with China about a possible TikTok deal this week, suggesting that an agreement is nearly finalized. A previous deal to spin off TikTok’s U.S. operations into a separate, U.S.-controlled entity was halted after Beijing pushed back, especially following Trump’s imposition of steep tariffs on Chinese goods.
According to the report, TikTok plans to launch the new U.S.-specific version of its app in app stores by September 5. Users will eventually be required to download the new version to continue accessing the platform. However, the current app will remain functional until March of next year, though this timeline may be subject to change.
Last month, President Trump extended the deadline for ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, to divest its U.S. assets to September 17. This extension has given TikTok more time to finalize its restructuring plan and potentially ease regulatory concerns.
The aim of this revamped app is to ensure compliance with U.S. regulations and enable a smoother transition of ownership. However, the final deal may still require approval from the Chinese government, underscoring the complexity of the ongoing negotiations.
TikTok has not yet issued an official comment on the matter, and Reuters has been unable to independently verify the details of the report. The outcome of this high-stakes tech and geopolitical standoff remains uncertain.