Unofficial TikTok Downloads on the Rise in the U.S.

Getty Images The uncertain future of TikTok in the United States has led to an increase in people downloading the app through unofficial means, according to BBC reports. Despite President Donald Trumps executive order allowing its use in America following a Supreme Court decision upholding laws that could result in the platform being sold or banned, Apple and Google are preventing new downloads on their official stores.

This has led users to resort to a method called “sideloading,” which involves downloading software from third-party sites often referred to as black markets rather than through official retailers. One such company, Signulous, reports that 120,000 people have used its services to get TikTok on iPhones. Neil Pomperleau, the founder of Signulous, shared screenshots showing up to 2,000 downloads per hour at times.

“One of the most popular apps in the world can only be sideloaded in the US so it’s been a good thing for us with record traffic to our site and a spike in customers,” he told BBC. Additionally, people are turning to virtual private networks (VPNs), which allow users to appear as though they are located elsewheresuch as Canada where TikTok is not banned.

Search engine queries related to “VPN” reached an all-time high last month according to Google data. YouTube guides about this method have also garnered hundreds of thousands of views in the past three weeks. These trends indicate how difficult it would be for any potential ban on TikTok, which must be decided by April.

Current laws prohibit distributing TikTok in the US, although both President Trump and his predecessor Joe Biden stated they would not enforce this law. Unofficial app shops like Signulous operate in a legal grey area by registering customers with software developer accounts. These firms often charge fees for helping users through the sideloading process, which increases risks of downloading faulty or malicious apps due to lesser resources compared to official stores.

Pomperleau admits his company is operating on what he calls a “pinky swear” from two US presidents who promise not to enforce the law. He also believes that Google and Apple’s risk-averse nature, combined with the unpredictable situation, poses significant challenges.

TikTok has released its own download kit for Android users to sideload the app more easily on devices. Sideloading is more common on Android phones than iPhones. Another iPhone sideloading company called AppDB reports nearly 95,000 TikTok downloads and a doubling of membership since March last year.

One user who downloaded TikTok through this process, Dewayne Puckett, described it as “an experience” but added that the app works normally. Apple argues against sideloading apps due to security risks and insists on apps being vetted and verified via its official App Store. Although controversial for charging an average 30% commission on these transactions, Apple is more successful in keeping malicious apps out compared to other marketplaces like Googles Play Store.

Since March last year, Apple has been compelled by new EU laws to allow competing app stores onto iPhones. TikTok itself seems confident about President Trump’s promise and continues with plans for easier access through sideloading methods on Android devices.

Data suggesting four British teens’ information may have been removed from the platform further complicates the situation surrounding TikTok in many countries, including the US.