Popular video sharing platform TikTok is developing a new version of its app for users in the United States, in anticipation of a planned sale of the application to a group of investors, The Information reported, citing unnamed sources.
This development comes as US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he would begin discussions with China on Monday (today) or Tuesday regarding a possible TikTok deal. He indicated that the United States “pretty much” has a deal in place for the sale of the short-video app.
According to the report, TikTok has devised a plan to launch the new app on US app stores by September 5. Last month, Trump extended the deadline for China-based ByteDance to divest TikTok’s US assets to September 17.
The report further stated that TikTok users will eventually need to download the new app to continue using the service, although the existing app is expected to function until March of next year; however, this timeline could change.
TikTok did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment, and Reuters could not immediately confirm the report.
Earlier this year, a deal was in progress to spin off TikTok’s US operations into a new US-based firm, which would be majority-owned and operated by US investors. However, that agreement was put on hold after China indicated it would not approve it, following Trump’s announcements of steep tariffs on Chinese goods. Trump noted that the United States will likely need to secure China’s approval for any finalized deal.
