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The ongoing US ban on TikTok has spurred a surge in demand for iPhones with the app pre-installed, with some devices being listed for thousands of pounds on eBay.
A Unique Opportunity for iPhone Owners
TikTok’s ban in the US, stemming from an executive order under Donald Trump, has left users who deleted the app or never downloaded it without access, as it remains unavailable in US app stores. However, iPhones with TikTok pre-installed are still operational, creating a niche market.
Some iPhone users are taking advantage of the situation, with devices fetching up to £20,297.88 ($25,000) on eBay. Listings highlight the steep demand for these phones. For instance, an iPhone 15 Pro Max with TikTok is listed at £8119.15 ($10,000) by a seller in Ruskin, Florida, with over 1,800 views in 24 hours.
Other listings show prices ranging from $500 to $25,000, depending on the iPhone model and condition. One particularly pricey listing is for an iPhone 16 Pro Max, sold by a North Carolina seller, priced at $25,000.
“This is INSANE! eBay is full of phones with TikTok already downloaded on it selling for thousands!!” tweeted Gentry Gevers.
This is INSANE! eBay is full of phones with TikTok already downloaded on it selling for thousands!! pic.twitter.com/juxXtINQ9z
— Gentry Gevers (@gentrywgevers) January 22, 2025
The Reality of the Market
Despite the buzz, not all iPhones are fetching high prices. While over 2,000 iPhones with TikTok are listed on eBay, many aren’t receiving bids. Most offers are for older models, typically selling between £81.19 ($100) and £162.38 ($200). In an extreme case, a Raleigh, North Carolina seller listed a 128GB iPhone 15 Pro with TikTok and CapCut for over £3.65 million ($4.5 million).
TikTok’s Return Remains Uncertain
Efforts to bring TikTok back to US app stores are ongoing. Recent talks suggest a potential joint venture involving US ownership. However, the path forward and timeline remain unclear.
“They’ll have something that’s actually more valuable because they have the ultimate partner, and the United States will make it very worthwhile for them in terms of the permits and everything else,” Trump remarked following discussions with TikTok’s owners.
The US government has proposed potential acquisitions by tech figures like Elon Musk or Larry Ellison to resolve the ban. General Atlantic CEO Bill Ford, whose firm is a major ByteDance investor, expressed optimism during an Axios event, stating, “We’ll get on with it, as soon as maybe the end of the week in terms of negotiating what might work. The Chinese government, the US government, and the company and the board all have to be involved in this conversation.”
For now, the fate of TikTok in the US remains a waiting game.
