List of Banned Apps in the US You Can Access Now!
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By Farrukh Mushtaq
Farrukh Mushtaq
See author profileFarrukh Mushtaq, a digital marketer at PureSquare, possesses a keen interest in cybersecurity and enjoys writing about it. With several years of experience in the digital marketing industry, he brings expertise and passion to his work.
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22 January 2025
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17 mins read
President Donald Trump came for the TikTok rescue and delayed the nationwide ban for 75 days to give time to ByteDance to sell a stake in the platform or agree a deal with Trump. With ByteDance under fire due to privacy concerns, many other apps developed by the company, including some with the potential to leak data, went dark, leaving users disappointed.
This blog covers a comprehensive list of banned apps in the US and discusses a reliable way to access them without being banned and detected
15 Useful Apps Banned in the US
The US is vigilant when it comes to data privacy and national security. Banning applications may affect users, but on the whole, it prevents stealing of sensitive data. Here's a list of apps that are banned in the US:
1. CapCut
Developed by ByteDance, CapCut is an AI-powered valuable video editing tool compatible with all major operating systems. CapCut has viral video templates integrated with TikTok. After TikTok ceased its operations in the US, CapCut also stopped working.
2. Lemon8
Lemon8 is a social media platform that combines the features of Pinterest and Instagram and is known for its lifestyle, fashion, and travel content. ByteDance also developed the app, but it went dark, too. As of now, some of the users have reported that they can access it, while others still cannot.
3. Gauth
A popular app among students, Gauth is an AI-powered homework help application that helps millions of students perform better in the classroom. Gauth was removed from the app stores and banned in the US due to privacy concerns that affected TikTok. While TikTok has become functional, students are still waiting for their favorite platform to return.
4. Hypic
Hypic is a free AI-powered photo editing and art generation tool developed by ByteDance. The main features of this app include advanced image editing and AI-driven features for creators, designers, and social media enthusiasts. The app is still on the Google Play store but works with restrictive access. Even on the website, the request to generate an image shows the message' server busy.'
5. Lark
Lark is a team and business solution that helps them to communicate, design, and plan work. According to the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, Lark was also restricted on January 19 and is still inaccessible in the US.
6. Melolo
Melolo is a mobile application for streaming short movies and TV shows, focusing on genres like romance, revenge, and fantasy. The app can’t be found on Google, and we are unsure about its availability.
7. Fizzo
Owned by ByteDance, Fizzo is loved by book readers. With the app, you can read, write, and share novels and stories across multiple genres like romance, adventure, and fantasy. As part of a major crackdown, the app has restricted features but is available on the App Store and Google Play Store.
8. Tokopedia
Tokopedia has an Indonesian origin, and the app was acquired by TikTok in 2024. Tokopedia is one of the leading e-commerce platforms in Indonesia, and it was suspected of being banned, but it is still working in the US.
9. Marvel Snap
It is a digital collectible card game that engages players to build decks from the Marvel Universe. As the app publisher is a subsidiary of ByteDance, it also suffered a ban. Marvel Snap is now accessible in the US, but you might still face temporary slow speed or lags.
10. WeChat
WeChat was included in the ban affecting TikTok, but as of January 21, it is working in the US. It is a messaging and social media application; due to its Chinese ownership, it also faced backlash.
11. Shein
Shein is an affordable, fashion-forward e-commerce platform of Chinese origin. While there has been discussion about scrutinizing all Chinese-owned apps, Shein wasn't banned or shut down operations. You can access the app in the US, but we don't know about the future!
12. Temu
A Chinese e-commerce platform with an extensive user base was also scrutinized due to its origin but did not face a ban. The app is fully functional, and you can access Temu in the US.
13. RedNote/Xiaohongshu
It is a social media platform that's famous among the new generation. As of January 21, 2025, RedNote/Xiaohongshu has not been officially banned in the US, but it is under scrutiny similar to TikTok. Following the ban on TikTok due to national security concerns, many people have migrated to RedNote.
14. ReelShort
The app specializes in ultra-short forms of videos. While many Chinese-owned apps faced restrictions, ReelShort did not receive the same level of scrutiny or legal challenges that led to TikTok's potential ban, but due to Chinese origin, one can not be sure about the future.
15. BytePlus Insights
BytePlus is a data analytics platform owned by ByteDance. The app is an enterprise-level platform for business solutions and faced the same scrutiny as TikTok. You can still access BytePlus with your company's credentials as long as there's no executive order of its ban.
Here's how much the US ban on Bytedance will impact its mobile game portfolio every 30 days (figure from Sensor Tower: app store fees not included)
— Mat Ombler (@MatOmbler) January 19, 2025
If we take 30% store fees into account, estimated losses of $5 million every month for Bytedance pic.twitter.com/ZXSLZdgUA6
What were the Reasons Behind the Chinese App Ban in the US?
The key concern mentioned by the US government regarding the Chinese company's ban was privacy management, which might lead to national security challenges.
Data Exploitation
TikTok has 170 million US users, and data exploitation is possible. Also, the Chinese government has a share in ByteDance, which has raised eyebrows about data exploitation and access to extensive personal information. Senators like Josh Hawley claimed the app can track user locations, read text messages, and monitor keystrokes.
Government Manipulation
The US government is being proactive as they fear the app algorithms can affect public opinion and there's a chance of geopolitical propaganda. The Supreme Court unanimously found Congress had "good reason" to take action and that the ban was justified.
With TikTok, many other apps that were not even owned by the parent company ByteDance but were Chinese-owned faced the same music.
How to Access Banned Apps in the US with PureVPN
Despite the ban, you can still access your favorite apps with PureVPN. Here's what you need to do:
- Try PureVPN and download the app for your device.
- Open the PureVPN app and connect to a server in a country where the app you want to access is not banned.
- Once connected to the VPN, visit the app store or official website to download the app. You should now be able to access it as if you were in a different country.
Keep your VPN active when using the app to avoid location conflict!
Best VPN to Access Banned Apps in the US
When accessing an application that is banned in your region due to regulatory framework or government decisions, you must choose a VPN with advanced security protocols. PureVPN offers the best industry protocols and security features to protect your data and online identity.
- Connect to 6000+ optimized servers to use apps around the world.
- Keep your data safe with an internet kill switch and DNS leak prevention.
- Change your IP address without the risk of being banned and detected.
- Maintain stable connections while downloading or using prohibited apps.
What Do People in the US Feel About the Ban?
People have mixed feelings! Some feel that the American government is too stringent as it can ban applications from other countries and might affect the credibility, even if they have no intention to exploit data.
People on Reddit also feel that Facebook and other Chinese apps work the same way, and we can’t be sure if our data is safe.
Some Americans want every Chinese app to be banned! I can't judge if they have their reasons for that!
One of the tweets expressed concerns about how Chinese people would feel after the ban.
Well TikTok should be banned in all Chinese apps should be banned all over the world and then it wouldn't be anything about freedom of speech it would be showing China that the world is United against them! And that's what needs to happen
— Overseas American Fedup with USG Hypocrisy (@FedupUSExpat) January 21, 2025
Even people on Twitter feel that anyone, not just the Chinese, can practice the mishandling of data.
Yes agreed about foreign aggressor apps. Being polluted by American aggressor opinions and apps is dangerous to other countries. Americans are about control not freedom. Our data should not be in American hands. American social media apps should be banned outside the US.
— My Word (@somuch2019) January 21, 2025
It's not that. A lot of us are against censorship because we ourselves have been censored many times before. Also by banning TikTok you're setting up precedent for apps like rumble and even X to be banned or divested in the future..
— Skye Gunn (@Skye_Gunn) January 21, 2025
What is your opinion? Should data not be in the hands of the Chinese, but Americans should have the right to get access to it? Or do you support the decision of the US Federal government?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Is my data secure after a ban?
No. You can’t guarantee the security of data even after the platform is banned. TikTok collects your data in the same way as other applications, irrespective of the country of origin. So, staying vigilant when you share your data online is essential.
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What will happen if the ban is not lifted in the US?
Nothing much would happen if the ban is not lifted. Many applications and services face scrutiny when they work in other countries. If the ban is partially lifted or imposed, new alternatives will exist, and people will shift to those apps.
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Is TikTok working now in the US?
Yes, TikTok is working in the US after President Trump gave ByteDance a 75-day period to either find an American buyer or reach a specific agreement that might fit both parties.
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Who will buy TikTok?
Well, we do not have the final names of the buyers of TikTok in the US. Some potential buyers are Elon Musk, Frank McCourt, Microsoft, Amazon, and other tech giants.
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Can I access banned apps in the US with a free VPN?
Yes, you can, but they are not recommended. Free VPNs are not safe, have fewer servers, and can reveal your identity. Plus, if you want to access a banned platform, you must never use a VPN that itself can leak your data.
Wrap Up
We are not sure about the privacy of our data if it is in the hands of any application developer or government. Talking about this legislation, there's a criteria for banning certain apps. US legislation mandates heavy scrutiny for mobile apps exceeding 1 million downloads and operates in the US without an American ownership, leading to a potential ban. The bill designates China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia as "foreign adversaries." This time, the target was TikTok, but it broadly applies to other apps.
