TikTok building new US app ahead of forced sale deadline

TikTok is developing a new US app ahead of a planned sale, with launch set for Sept 5 as divestment deadline looms.

TikTok is developing a new version of its app specifically for US users as part of a planned sale to American investors, according to a report by The Information.

The move aims to comply with the "divest‑or‑ban" law requiring ByteDance to sell its US operations or face a shutdown.

Sources indicate the updated US version, internally referred to as “M2,” is set to launch on September 5, while the current app will remain functional until March 2026—though these timelines could shift.

The report comes as former President Donald Trump confirmed that negotiations with China will begin imminently over the proposed deal. Trump described the sale as “pretty much” agreed upon, with a divestment deadline extended to September 17.

Under this evolving plan, US users will need to transition to the new app, while the original TikTok continues to operate until the rollout is complete. However, the company did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.

The push for a US-based TikTok follows earlier attempts to establish an American-controlled entity, which were stalled due to China's concerns over tariffs and technology transfer.

As political and legal pressure mounts, a new version of TikTok could satisfy both national security concerns and users’ needs. Yet, both US and Chinese government approvals will be required before the sale can proceed — and new timelines depend heavily on that cooperation.