• TikTok prepares a US-only app with a separate algorithm as ByteDance races toward the September deadline amid Trump’s push for an American ownership deal.
• The new standalone application could pave the way for sale while addressing national security concerns over Chinese algorithm control.

TikTok is said to be developing a standalone US-only app with separate algorithms and infrastructure as the company prepares to meet a September deadline for potential divestiture, according to a detailed report by the South China Morning Post.

The Chinese-owned social media giant has been working “under tight deadlines” to build a completely separate version of its platform specifically for American users, sources familiar with the matter told SCMP. This US-only app initiative, known internally as “M2,” represents the most significant technical separation between TikTok’s American operations and its global business to date.

The separate algorithm could address core concerns

The TikTok US-only app strategy centers on creating an independent recommendation system that would operate entirely apart from ByteDance’s global infrastructure. The new app is expected to use only data from US users to train its recommendation algorithms, further distancing it from TikTok’s global systems, according to the SCMP report.

This algorithmic separation addresses the heart of Washington’s national security concerns. US officials have consistently argued that TikTok’s Chinese ownership makes it susceptible to Beijing’s influence, potentially allowing the Chinese government to manipulate content recommendations or access American user data.

The move could open the door to resolving years of debate over whether the company would share what is considered the crown jewel of the ByteDance-owned short video-sharing platform—the recommendation algorithm, SCMP noted.

September deadline adds urgency

The M2 project faces a September deadline. Reports suggest that TikTok is building a new version of its app for users in the US ahead of a planned sale of the app to a group of investors. The company has developed a plan to launch the new TikTok app, known internally as “M2,” to US app stores on September 5, according to The Information.

This timeline aligns with the current September 17 deadline that President Donald Trump has set for ByteDance to complete a divestiture of its US operations. ByteDance is required to hand over control of TikTok’s US operations by that date, CNN reported.

The urgency reflects the complex technical challenges involved in replicating TikTok’s entire codebase, including AI models, algorithms, features, and user data systems for the American market.

Impact on users and creators

The transition to a TikTok US-only app structure would fundamentally change how America’s 170 million TikTok users interact with global content. Under the new system, American users would primarily see content generated within the United States, as the algorithm would be trained exclusively on domestic user data.

This shift raises questions about content diversity and the platform’s global appeal. The change is expected to impact how 170 million US users access global content and how non-US creators make money on the platform, according to SCMP’s sources.

International creators who have built audiences among American users may find their reach significantly diminished, while US-based content creators could see increased visibility within the domestic market.

The new app would perhaps function similarly to Douyin, TikTok’s China-specific version, creating three distinct platforms: the global TikTok, Douyin for China, and the new US-only version.

Political dynamics and sale negotiations

The separate app development occurs alongside ongoing sale negotiations that have become intertwined with broader US-China trade relations. US President Donald Trump told Fox News in an interview aired on Sunday that he has a group of “very wealthy people” ready to buy TikTok, whose identities he can reveal in about two weeks, CNBC reported.

The proposed buyer consortium includes several prominent American investors. According to SCMP, the consortium, which has emerged as the front runner, includes ByteDance’s current shareholders Susquehanna International Group (SIG), General Atlantic, and KKR, as well as new investors such as Blackstone and Andreessen Horowitz. Oracle is also likely to take a stake.

However, significant hurdles remain. Any deal requires approval from Chinese authorities, who have historically shown reluctance to allow the export of recommendation algorithms. In 2020, when the Trump administration first pushed for a sale of TikTok’s US business, China updated its export control rules to cover technologies such as recommendation algorithms, effectively giving the government a say over any transfer.

Legal and regulatory framework

The app separation strategy stems from the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, passed with bipartisan support in 2024. This legislation required ByteDance to divest TikTok’s US operations by January 19, 2025, or face a nationwide ban.

President Donald Trump has extended the deadline for TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the short-form video app to an American owner by another 90 days, NBC News reported—marking the third extension granted.

The law specifically prohibits any ongoing operational relationship between a divested US TikTok and ByteDance, making the creation of a completely separate infrastructure essential for compliance.

Looking ahead: Uncertainty remains

While TikTok’s US-only app development suggests progress toward resolving the platform’s American future, significant uncertainties persist. Beijing’s approval remains the most critical factor, with Chinese officials showing little public indication of their position on the proposed arrangements.

Now, the talks on TikTok’s fate are also part of Trump’s broader trade negotiations with China over tariffs, SCMP noted, highlighting how the app’s future has become entangled with larger geopolitical considerations.

The success of this strategy will ultimately depend on whether the new US-only application can maintain TikTok’s addictive user experience while satisfying American national security requirements. For the millions of American users who have made TikTok central to their digital lives, the coming months will determine whether they’ll need to adapt to an entirely new platform or bid farewell to the app altogether.