The Reality of TikTok Shutting Down is Becoming More Real

After a year of back and forth and uncertainty, it looks like the TikTok ban is moving forward, and this is how creators are preparing.

Author

Shira Lazar
December 15, 2024

We’ve talked about this before, and after months of back and forth, it looks like the TikTok ban is really happening. A federal appeals court denied TikTok’s request to delay the January 19, 2025 deadline, which requires ByteDance, its Chinese parent company, to sell its U.S. operations or face a ban. The app, with 170 million U.S. users, faces allegations of posing security risks, though ByteDance denies these claims.

The app’s fate now rests with the Supreme Court and possibly the incoming Trump administration, which has now shown support for saving TikTok. While January 19 is the target date, there’s always a chance of delays or last-minute deals. Either way, the clock is ticking. Meanwhile, creators are preparing for life after TikTok. Let’s break down what this means and what you can do to stay ready.

Will TikTok Disappear from Your Phone?

Not immediately. While the app won’t vanish overnight, it will slowly degrade over time. Updates will stop, and certain features could become buggy or unusable. Internet providers and app stores like Apple and Google will face penalties if they allow TikTok to remain accessible or offer updates. This gradual breakdown means it’s best to prepare now.

You should be able to access it through a VPN, but that can always get tricky. The caveat would be that you’ll already need to have the TikTok app installed prior to the ban.

How to Protect Your TikTok Account

If you want to keep using TikTok while it’s still available, take steps to secure your account now. Security experts like Jake Moore recommend enabling two-step verification using an authenticator app, which is safer than SMS. You can also review your trusted devices and remove any you’re no longer using.

However, the most secure option is to delete your account and remove the app entirely—though this isn’t ideal for most creators and fans. If you choose to stick with TikTok, make sure your account is locked down to prevent potential cyberattacks as the ban approaches.

What’s Next for TikTok?

The app’s fate now rests with the Supreme Court and the incoming Trump administration, which has shown little enthusiasm for TikTok. While January 19 is the target date, there’s always a chance of delays or last-minute deals. Either way, the clock is ticking.

Many creators are already telling their audiences to follow them on other platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Threads. The reality of losing TikTok has hit hard, especially for those who have built their businesses and communities on the app.

When the conversation around the potential TikTok ban started to take place, I dove into some strategies that creators could look into to diversify their income and reach in case the platform fails. 👇

Survive TikTok's Uncertainty: 7 Strategies to Diversify 🚀

Web3, AI, and the creator economy in under 3 minutes per week!

shiras-newsletter.beehiiv.com/p/survive-tiktoks-uncertainty-7-strategies-diversify

Under the Desk news, also shared some tips on how they are preparing for the ban, including jumping onto other platforms.

🔥 My Hot Take 🔥: While this latest news, has many freaking out, I did chat with a TikTok staffer on Friday who assured me they are continuing business as usual.

That said, make sure you archive your content and posts off of the platform. While it can be stressful, many creators experienced this with Vine back in 2017 and have continued to grow their careers since.

This is clearly an opportunity to explore other platforms, strengthen your audience and explore other mediums in content creation.

Shira Lazar
@franchesca_leigh

Why the impending tiktok ban has me thinking about vine #fyp #fypシ

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P.S. Keep an eye out for my creator gift guide; I’ll be sending it to your inbox later this week. 😉

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