 "Used iPhones preloaded with TikTok fetching as high as $50,000 on eBay, app still missing from app stores")
Used iPhones preloaded with TikTok are being sold for huge sums as the app remains unavailable on major app stores. Since the app was briefly taken offline last weekend due to an impending US ban, TikTok is no longer available for download from the App Store or Google Play, even though the apps services has been reinstated.
This has created a lucrative market for unlocked phones with TikTok already installed, with some listings reaching as high as $50,000 on platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace. The scarcity of the app has turned these phones into rare commodities, prompting buyers to pay sky-high prices to get access to TikTok.
While TikTok is still functional for users who had it installed before the ban, those who deleted it can no longer re-download the app. Sellers are capitalising on this by listing phones with the app preinstalled, which has led to eye-popping prices for second-hand devices. Some sellers are even offering to install TikTok on other phones for a fee, bypassing the app store restrictions with workarounds. The ongoing uncertainty around TikTok’s future, as President Trump pushes for an American buyer, is driving the demand for these devices.
eBay listings reach up to $50,000
The most extreme examples of this trend can be found on eBay, where used iPhones with TikTok preloaded are being listed for as much as $50,000. The high prices are largely driven by the fear of TikTok becoming unavailable for US users if the app is permanently banned.
While actual transactions at these prices remain unclear, many sellers are betting that the demand for a preloaded version of TikTok will continue to soar. As users rush to secure access to the app, the second-hand phone market is booming with these heavily marked-up listings.
Workarounds to access TikTok
In addition to selling preloaded devices, some entrepreneurs have found ways to offer TikTok installation services for those who don’t have it yet. Sellers on Facebook Marketplace are offering to install TikTok for around $50, claiming to have discovered a way to download the app directly from Apple’s servers.
This method bypasses the usual restrictions imposed by the App Store and allows users to still access TikTok despite its absence. While these services may seem like a workaround, they highlight the growing demand for the app as its future remains uncertain.
TikTok’s future and Trump’s negotiations
The uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future is due to ongoing negotiations over its potential sale to a US-based company. President Trump has temporarily delayed the ban on the app while discussions continue. Trump has stated that a deal could be finalised within the next 30 days, with Oracle being mentioned as a potential buyer.
However, Trump clarified that no deal had yet been reached, with multiple parties still in talks to take control of TikTok. If no agreement is made, TikTok could be banned, and the market for preloaded phones may see even more price hikes as users scramble to secure their access to the app.
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