TikTok’s absence from app stores in the US has sparked an unusual trend: phones with the app pre-installed are being sold on eBay for exorbitant amounts. Some listings are priced as high as $50,000, reported The Independent, with sellers capitalising on the scarcity of the popular short-video platform following its removal.
The app’s unavailability stems from a US law requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell its operations to an American entity or face a ban. Although TikTok briefly disappeared from app stores last weekend, it returned to functionality shortly after. However, the app remains inaccessible for new downloads on both Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
eBay’s 'TikTok Phones' Market Soars
A simple search for “phone with TikTok installed” on eBay brings up tens of thousands of listings, with prices ranging from $2,000 to an eye-watering $1 million. While many of the phones are pre-owned, a few new ones are also on offer, all touting one key feature: TikTok is pre-installed and ready to use.
An iPhone 15 Pro Max, which typically retails at $1,599, is listed for as much as $5,000 if it comes with the app. Some sellers claim to have already sold devices at prices over $50,000, though it’s unclear whether final bids matched the ambitious asking prices.
Why The Rush?
Current TikTok users can continue to use the app if it’s already installed on their devices, but new users have no official means to download it. Updates for bug fixes and security improvements are also unavailable, raising concerns for existing users. For those who deleted TikTok or missed downloading it before the ban, these pre-loaded phones have become the only solution — albeit at a steep cost.
What’s Next For TikTok?
TikTok’s future in the US remains uncertain. While President Donald Trump extended the deadline for ByteDance to divest its US operations, there’s no clear indication that a sale is imminent. If ByteDance doesn’t secure a deal, further legislative action may follow, leaving TikTok in a precarious position.
Meanwhile, tech giants Apple and Google face potential penalties if they reinstate the app without government approval. Both companies have declined to comment on TikTok’s removal but have confirmed the removal of other ByteDance apps like Lemon8 and Marvel Snap.
Workarounds For TikTok Fans
Although the app is unavailable for download, TikTok enthusiasts in the US can still access the platform through web browsers. However, for those who want the convenience of the mobile app, the pre-installed phone market on eBay is currently the only option — provided they’re willing to pay the hefty price.
With TikTok missing from app stores and no timeline for its return, the demand for “TikTok phones” seems poised to grow, further fueling this unexpected niche market.