TikTok US is mostly back up and running | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIPolicyHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessSee all techGadgetsExpandLaptopsPhonesTVsHeadphonesSpeakersWearablesSee all gadgetsReviewsExpandSmart Home ReviewsPhone ReviewsTablet ReviewsHeadphone ReviewsSee all reviewsAIExpandOpenAIAnthropicSee all AIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee all shoppingPolicyExpandAntitrustPoliticsLawSecuritySee all policyScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthSee all scienceEntertainmentExpandTV ShowsMoviesAudioSee all entertainmentGamingExpandXboxPlayStationNintendoSee all gamingStreamingExpandDisneyHBONetflixYouTubeCreatorsSee all streamingTransportationExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersSee all transportationFeaturesVerge VideoExpandTikTokYouTubeInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.TikTok US is mostly back up and runningComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...NewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechCreatorsCloseCreatorsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All CreatorsTikTok US is mostly back up and runningAn outage that started Sunday morning got the new US-specific version of TikTok off to a terrible start.An outage that started Sunday morning got the new US-specific version of TikTok off to a terrible start.by Richard LawlerCloseRichard LawlerSenior News EditorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Richard LawlerJan 27, 2026, 5:05 PM UTCLinkShareGiftIllustration by Nick Barclay / The VergePart OfTikTok is still down, here are all the latest updatessee all updates Richard LawlerCloseRichard LawlerPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Richard Lawler is a senior editor following news across tech, culture, policy, and entertainment. He joined The Verge in 2021 after several years covering news at Engadget.As we moved into the third day of the TikTokalypse, the app appears to have finally stabilized in the US, as we verified that it’s possible to consistently publish new videos and even have other people watch them. That hasn’t been a simple task since the service started having problems early Sunday morning, but on Tuesday morning, I was able to post a new short video and watch one published by my colleague in the UK.A statement from TikTok USDS, the new Trump admin-assigned owners and operators of the brand in the United States, said it has “made significant progress in recovering our U.S. infrastructure” with its still-unnamed US data center partner. It also noted that US users may continue to experience some bugs, particularly when it comes to posting new content. While I am able to see videos from outside the US, a newly created UK account failed to load, as well as a number of other profiles.RelatedTikTokers are heading to UpScrolled following US takeoverWhat TikTok’s new owners mean for your feedTikTok USDS has said that the problem started due to a power outage at a data center, followed by a “cascading systems failure.” In the meantime, theories and rumors have swirled about TikTok’s new terms of service, the goals of its new owners, how the algorithm in the US may be manipulated, and the possibility of censorship around topics like ICE’s actions in Minneapolis and Jeffrey Epstein. A number of people have said they’re leaving the service and deleting their accounts, while some have suggested using different apps like UpScrolled.How any of that may have changed behind the scenes or may change in the future is impossible to tell without a much broader analysis, but the service does appear to be operational again, brainrot videos and all.TikTok USDS:We’ve made significant progress in recovering our U.S. infrastructure with our U.S. data center partner. However, the U.S. user experience may still have some technical issues, including when posting new content. We’re committed to bringing TikTok back to its full capacity as soon as possible. We’ll continue to provide updates. Thanks for your patience.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Richard LawlerCloseRichard LawlerSenior News EditorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Richard LawlerCreatorsCloseCreatorsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All CreatorsNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechTikTokCloseTikTokPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TikTokMore in: TikTok is still down, here are all the latest updatesTikTok is still struggling in the US due to a “cascading systems failure.”Richard Lawler4:26 AM UTCIs New TikTok banning the word “Epstein” in DMs? 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TikTok’s US infrastructure has largely stabilized following a prolonged outage that began Sunday morning, according to a report by The Verge. As of Tuesday morning, the popular short-form video platform appears to be functioning again, allowing users to publish and view videos. This follows a “cascading systems failure” triggered by a power outage at a data center, as explained by TikTok USDS, the entity managing the platform in the United States under new Trump-era administration assignment.

However, the user experience remains imperfect. According to TikTok USDS, technical issues persist, particularly when users attempt to post new content. Despite this, the service is operational, albeit with continued bugs, and includes the problematic “brainrot” videos that initially defined a significant portion of its user base.

The initial disruption has spurred considerable speculation and concern among users. Theories surrounding the outage range from technical failures to intentional manipulation by the new owners. Rumors have circulated concerning altered algorithms, censorship related to topics such as ICE’s actions in Minneapolis and the case of Jeffrey Epstein. Consequently, many users have expressed their dissatisfaction and have migrated to alternative platforms, with UpScrolled gaining considerable traction.

TikTok USDS acknowledged the problems and stated its commitment to restoring the platform to its full capacity. The company’s response suggests an ongoing effort to address the technical issues and provide updates to its U.S. user base.

The situation highlights several related issues. The transfer of TikTok’s management to TikTok USDS, appointed by the Trump administration, has added complexity. The immediate aftermath of this transfer, coupled with widespread technical problems, has raised questions regarding the stability of the platform and its operational control. Furthermore, the incident has amplified broader concerns about data security, algorithmic manipulation, and potential censorship within the app’s content moderation processes. The continued speculation underscores the challenges in managing a global technology giant with significant cultural influence and political implications.