As TikTok remains unavailable on U.S. app stores, some iPhone users who never deleted the app are taking advantage of the situation by selling their devices for thousands of dollars on eBay. With uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s return, desperate users are willing to pay hefty sums for iPhones with the app already installed.
Why Are iPhones With TikTok Selling for So Much?
TikTok Remains Absent From U.S. App Stores
Following a temporary ban on TikTok in the U.S., many users who deleted or never downloaded the app can no longer access it. Although President Donald Trump signed an executive order delaying the ban’s enforcement, the app is still missing from Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store in the U.S.
Users Who Kept the App Can Still Use It
For those who had TikTok installed before the ban, the app continues to work normally. This has created a unique opportunity for some iPhone users to sell their devices at inflated prices, as they now hold an app that millions of users can’t easily reinstall.
eBay Listings: iPhones With TikTok Selling for Up to $25,000
Massive Price Tags for iPhones With TikTok
Several eBay sellers have listed iPhones with TikTok installed, with prices ranging from $500 to an astonishing $25,000, depending on the model and condition.
- A seller in Whittier, North Carolina, listed an iPhone 16 Pro Max with TikTok installed for $25,000.
- Another seller in Ruskin, Florida, is auctioning an iPhone 15 Pro Max for $10,000.
- A seller in Raleigh, North Carolina, went even further, listing an iPhone 15 Pro (128GB) with TikTok and CapCut for over $4.5 million.
Are People Actually Buying These Phones?
While some phones have received thousands of views, the majority of listings do not have active bids. However, older iPhone models with TikTok installed are selling for around $100 to $200, indicating that some users are willing to pay extra for access to the app.
Will TikTok Return to the App Store Soon?
Trump’s Plan to Bring Back TikTok
Former President Donald Trump has proposed a joint venture where the U.S. would own 50% of TikTok, which could potentially bring the app back to app stores. He has also expressed openness to tech billionaires like Elon Musk or Larry Ellison purchasing TikTok, a move that could accelerate its return.
Negotiations Underway
General Atlantic CEO Bill Ford, who sits on Byte Dance’s board, recently stated that discussions are ongoing between the Chinese government, the U.S. government, and TikTok’s parent company. He believes negotiations could progress as early as the end of the week.
As TikTok remains missing from U.S. app stores, some iPhone users are cashing in on the demand by selling their devices for thousands of dollars. While most listings aren’t attracting buyers, the desperation of some users is evident. The future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain, but ongoing negotiations may bring it back soon. Until then, those who kept the app installed might continue profiting from its scarcity.
