Hajra Naz
TikTok may soon look different for users in the United States.
A new report from The Information says the company is developing a separate version of the app exclusively for the U.S. market. Internally dubbed “M2,” this latest build is expected to roll out in early September.
The move comes as TikTok aims to comply with the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. This law places strict rules on foreign-owned platforms operating in the U.S.
Once “M2” is live, American users will need to download this separate version to keep using TikTok. The transition period will run until March 2026, giving users ample time to switch over.
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Details on how the U.S.-only version will differ from the global app remain limited. But it appears the plan would allow ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to retain full control over the app internationally while meeting U.S. legal requirements, particularly around ownership and control of the algorithm.
That last part is critical. China has made it clear that TikTok’s algorithm isn’t up for sale. So this spin-off could be structured in a way that separates the algorithm from the transaction, possibly limiting what U.S. entities get access to while still making the app compliant enough to stay in American app stores.
This development comes shortly after Donald Trump stated that a potential TikTok buyer has been identified—a group described as “very wealthy people.” While the former president has previously extended the sell-off deadline multiple times, current signs point toward a deal being finalized before the September cutoff.
Whether this U.S. version can maintain the addictive nature of the original app without its core algorithm remains uncertain. But with both TikTok and lawmakers signaling forward movement, the groundwork for a compromise appears to be taking shape.
