If you’re one of the unlucky people who deleted TikTok recently, you probably feel some sort of withdrawal since it’s become impossible to redownload it from the App Store. While the future of TikTok in the U.S. is unclear for now, here’s a quick list of some similar apps you might want to consider downloading in the meantime.
Xiaohongshu, or RedNote
Xiaohongshu, more commonly known to Americans as RedNote, is a Chinese social media app many people immediately gravitated toward once the TikTok ban became imminent. While the app was founded in 2013, its popularity rose in the U.S. during the weeks leading up to the short-lived TikTok ban. Like most social media apps, RedNote showcases lifestyle videos, including advice for those interested in fashion and travel, as well as reviews for every type of product. The user interface is designed for Chinese-speaking users, so keep that in mind and adjust your language preferences.
Pinterest is a unique social media platform centered on an endless variety of aesthetically pleasing photographs, vision boards and motivational quotes. As a quieter version of TikTok and Instagram, Pinterest is best described as “anti-social social media,” a site generally devoid of comments and discourse. The app is well-known for its feature of creating virtual boards where users can easily organize saved images into separate categories and view them as collages. Whether you’re looking to unwind by scrolling through pretty pictures or find fresh inspiration for your next week of outfits, Pinterest is the place to be.
Bluesky
If you enjoyed the many short quips that flooded your “For You” page on TikTok, consider checking out Bluesky, an app that closely resembles Twitter before Elon Musk acquired the app. The app offers countless modes of customization, including the choice to view numerous different feeds and control what content you consume. If you’re looking to read the latest celebrity gossip, get live updates on sports and award shows or simply have a good laugh, Bluesky is the app for you.
Substack
If the text aspect of Bluesky sounds appealing to you, but you’d rather engage in material that’s slightly longer and of more substance, Substack‘s right up your alley! It’s the perfect place for ex-TikTok users who enjoyed watching and creating multiple-part-long video essays on everything from the best Trader Joe’s snacks to discussions surrounding current political affairs.
Coined as an “economic engine for culture“, Substack encourages its writers and readers to engage with material that appeals to their interests, ensuring that all voices have a space to be heard. Whether you have years of writing experience or none, pursuing the modern blog is a fantastic endeavor to express your creativity and connect with new people over shared interests.
YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels
Scrolling through TikTok’s short, captivating videos with comments, likes, shares, streaks and reposts is a form of social media that’s hard to beat. The closest substitutes to the app’s routine scroll are YouTube Shorts, embedded in the YouTube app itself, and Instagram Reels, also included within the Instagram app. If you’re worried about missing your favorite TikTok-er’s posts, rest assured that many of them are still uploading their regular content onto these platforms.
Both YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels hold their own unique features. Instagram Reels displays an image of your friends’ profile pictures who liked the video you’re watching, while YouTube Shorts allows you to collaborate with the original creator by “remixing” their video with your own.
While there’s truly no replacement for TikTok at the moment, there’s no harm in giving these alternative apps a shot. Try them out, and maybe you’ll become the next big influencer!
