TikTok Opens APK Downloads Of Its Android App After Play Store Removal

Following the brief ban of TikTok in the United States, the popular app is now available for direct download as an APK while it remains blocked from the Google Play Store.

When TikTok was shut down in January, the app only stopped working for a few hours before coming back online. However, it’s been removed from the Google Play Store ever since, with a message saying that the app “isn’t available” showing up when searching for TikTok.

That remains the case today, a few weeks later, meaning that Android users are unable to use the app unless it’s already installed, as new downloads are still blocked.

In a post on Twitter/X, TikTok has announced that it has opened up direct APK downloads for its Android app, as well as a “Lite” version.

TikTok explains:

Since TikTok is temporarily unavailable to download in app stores in the U.S., we’re enhancing ways for you to continue using TikTok if you don’t have the app installed on your mobile device.
We’ve made an Android Package Kit (APK) for TikTok and TikTok Lite available to download on Android devices. TikTok Lite is an app that offers an alternative way to experience TikTok on your mobile device, with fewer features to optimize performance and save storage. You can watch, follow, and interact with creators or create your own posts, but some features such as LIVE and TikTok Shop are not available.

Sideloading Android apps does come with its share of potential security risks, so users should ensure they’re only downloading directly from TikTok’s website.