TikTok madness: Clients in US ready to pay as a lot as $5 million for smartphones with pre-installed app

Days after TikTok was rapidly banned throughout the US and reinstated by newly inaugurated President Donald Trump, prospects who had uninstalled the app in the meanwhile are ready to pay steep prices for smartphones with TikTok pre-installed. Whatever the ban being lifted, the app stays unavailable for acquire on the Google Play Retailer and Apple Retailer, leaving prospects looking for choices.

Telephones with TikTok listed at exorbitant prices

Consistent with a report throughout the New York Submit, an iPhone 15 Skilled with TikTok put in was listed for virtually $5 million on eBay. The business described the system as: “Show display screen protector is simply hurt phone good and has TikTok.”

Completely different prospects took to social media to specific their desperation. A publish on X be taught: “I deleted TikTok and now I can’t get it once more! I’ll pay any person $5,000 for an iPhone 16 Skilled Max with TikTok nonetheless put in. DM me.”

One different individual highlighted the spike in demand on eBay, stating: “That’s INSANE! eBay is stuffed with telephones with TikTok already downloaded on it selling for a whole lot!!”

Why TikTok stays unavailable for acquire

The app grew to develop into inaccessible for downloads following a ban enacted on January 19. Although the ban was reversed inside hours, prospects attempting to acquire or substitute TikTok now face restrictions. Android prospects acquire a message stating: “Downloads for this app are paused ensuing from current US licensed requirements.” Equally, iPhone prospects encounter a message saying: “TikTok and totally different ByteDance apps aren’t obtainable throughout the nation or space you’re in.”

Every platforms direct prospects to help pages explaining the unavailability. Apple’s message reads: “Apple is obligated to watch the authorized pointers throughout the jurisdictions the place it operates.”

Licensed challenges delay app entry

Though President Trump extended the timeline for ByteDance, TikTok’s father or mom agency, to resolve licensed factors, Google and Apple are awaiting extra readability. Analysts cited by Reuters advocate the companies are concerned about potential penalties for distributing the app with out passable licensed protections.President Trump has indicated the extension permits additional time to finalize the sale of TikTok’s US operations. He moreover hinted at attainable patrons, along with billionaire Elon Musk.

The continued uncertainty spherical TikTok’s availability has fueled a black market for devices with the app pre-installed, reflecting the app’s enduring recognition no matter licensed roadblocks.