TikTok ban ignites pricey iPhone offerings on black market
Americans have limited access to the TikTok app due to nationwide restrictions. Consequently, offers for iPhones with TikTok installed have started appearing, with some prices being downright surreal.
On January 19, 2025, TikTok stopped working in the U.S. However, this unavailability was only temporary, as Donald Trump granted ByteDance an additional 75 days to finalize a sale agreement in the U.S.
iPhone with TikTok for a fortune
TikTok is operational again but is currently not available for download on Apple's App Store or Google Play. As a result, new users or anyone who uninstalled the app earlier are facing significant challenges.
The most desperate might consider purchasing an iPhone with TikTok already installed. Naturally, for the privilege of using the app during such uncertain times, one should expect to "pay a bit extra."
On platforms like eBay, an iPhone 16 Pro Max with TikTok installed is listed for 7,000 CAD, while an iPhone 16 Plus is over 4,300 CAD. That's not all—older models are available at even higher prices. The scale of this phenomenon is noteworthy.
Not only TikTok
It is important to mention that TikTok is not the only app under scrutiny by the U.S. administration. Other apps belonging to ByteDance's parent companies, such as Lemon8 and the popular CapCut used for video editing, are also being targeted.
The fate of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain, and the situation is in constant flux. Crucially, the app is experiencing "problems" not only in the U.S. For example, the Albanian government has decided to impose a one-year ban on TikTok for all citizens.
