TikTok Develops New App Version Ahead of Anticipated US Sale

Popular video-sharing platform TikTok is reportedly developing a new version of its app specifically for users in the United States. This is in anticipation of a potential sale of the app to a group of investors, according to a report by The Information, citing unnamed sources.

This news follows a statement from US President Donald Trump, who mentioned on Friday that he would initiate discussions with China on Monday or Tuesday regarding a possible TikTok deal.

He indicated that the United States is “pretty much” close to finalizing a deal for the sale of the TikTok short-video app.

According to reports, TikTok aims to launch the new app in US app stores on September 5.

Last month, Trump extended the deadline for China-based ByteDance to divest TikTok’s US assets to September 17.

As per the report, TikTok users will eventually need to download the new app to continue using the platform, although the current app will remain functional until March of next year, subject to changes in the schedule.

TikTok has not responded to Reuters’ request for comment, and the agency has been unable to verify the information immediately.

Earlier this year, there were plans to separate TikTok’s US operations into a new company, primarily owned and operated by US investors. However, this was put on hold after China indicated it would not approve the deal following Trump’s announcement of steep tariffs on Chinese imports.

Trump mentioned that a deal would likely need approval from China.