Signulous has assisted more than 120,000 individuals in the United States in installing TikTok on their iPhones, despite the app being unavailable on the Apple App Store. The company streamlines the process for iPhone users to create iOS developer accounts, allowing them to download apps onto their devices without going through the App Store. Apple’s own TestFlight service enables iPhone users to install apps that have not been added to the App Store, with limitations.

Signulous informed the BBC that at certain times, more than 2,000 people have used its service to download TikTok within a one-hour period, highlighting the popularity of the app among the younger generation. This trend suggests that Gen Z does not prioritize US policymakers’ focus on national security concerns related to China. Recent studies support this notion, indicating that Gen Z is willing to overlook fears that the Chinese Communist Party could use TikTok to manipulate discourse in the United States. The app provides significant value to its users, and the majority of national security concerns remain speculative.

Legislators have expressed reluctance to support TikTok’s continued availability, allegedly due to the concern that it may be censoring or manipulating speech. However, this decision has been largely bipartisan, with both Trump and Biden seeking divestment from Chinese ownership. Trump initially granted TikTok a 90-day reprieve to negotiate with US owners, allowing the app to remain active during this period. Despite this, Apple and Google have not permitted the app to re-enter their respective stores.

Although the law banning TikTok went into effect in January, some service providers like Oracle have chosen to trust Trump’s assurance that he will not penalize them for supporting the social network. Apple and Google have, however, taken a more cautious approach. Interestingly, TikTok has begun instructing Android users on how to sideload the app, indicating the company’s confidence in Trump’s commitment to its continued availability.

TikTok’s decision to instruct Android users on how to sideload the app demonstrates the company’s faith in Trump’s promise. President Trump’s ability to temporarily reverse President Biden’s ban on the app enhanced his popularity among the younger generation, making him appear as a savior. In contrast, President Biden’s decision to direct his Justice Department to give TikTok more time to spin off from its Chinese owner, ByteDance, has been viewed as a negative stance towards America’s youth.

Pause lmao 35k??? pic.twitter.com/XOm8fFL5r1

— Megan Nyvold (@MeganNyvold) January 27, 2025

There have been reports that Trump’s right-hand man, Elon Musk, might acquire TikTok, which could further expand his empire. However, Musk recently stated that he has no interest in purchasing the company, leaving it unclear whether ByteDance will sell or whether the Chinese government will allow a deal. Given TikTok’s immense popularity globally, the company may choose to withdraw from the American market and maintain the app in the rest of the world.