TikTok, the widely popular video-sharing app, experienced a major outage across the United States on May 15, 2025, affecting thousands of users who reported problems accessing the platform.

Data from Downdetector, a real-time outage tracking website, showed a sharp increase in complaints starting around 4:30 p.m. ET, with reports peaking at 32,000 by 4:45 p.m. About 79% of users reported issues with the app itself, while 19% experienced server connection problems.

The service disruption was most acute in cities like New York, Washington, D.C., Houston, and Seattle. Some users reported temporary access before the app went offline again, leading to widespread frustration.

Many took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to voice their complaints. Interestingly, TikTok’s official support account on X has not posted since July 2021, and the company has yet to make a formal announcement about the outage.

By 8 p.m. ET, reports indicated that TikTok service was largely restored, although some users still experienced sporadic issues.

Since its U.S. debut, TikTok’s user base has surged dramatically. As of 2024, about 170 million Americans use the app, according to Pew Research Center. This represents nearly one-third of American adults, up from 21% in 2021.

TikTok’s future in the U.S. is clouded by regulatory challenges. In April, former President Donald Trump extended a deadline giving TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, 75 more days to find a U.S.-based buyer to avoid a ban.

Trump initially delayed a ban via executive order, with a deadline of April 5 for the sale. However, negotiations were halted by the Chinese government after additional U.S. tariffs were imposed.

A bipartisan bill signed by President Joe Biden requires ByteDance to sell TikTok to a U.S. company, or the app will face removal from U.S. platforms like the App Store and Google Play.

By Hamza | DigitalNomadDiary.xyz | May 15, 2025

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why was TikTok down in the U.S. on May 15, 2025?
Thousands of users reported app and server issues, resulting in widespread outages across major U.S. cities.
2. How can I check if TikTok is down in my area?
Websites like Downdetector provide real-time outage reports based on user submissions.
3. What is the status of TikTok in the U.S. regulatory environment?
TikTok must find a U.S.-based buyer or face a ban, as mandated by bipartisan legislation focused on national security concerns.
4. How many people use TikTok in the U.S.?
As of 2024, roughly 170 million Americans actively use TikTok, representing about one-third of U.S. adults.
5. Where can I find official TikTok support updates?
Currently, TikTok’s official support on X has been inactive since 2021; users should check the TikTok app or website for announcements.