Sat Jan 25 10:50:00 UTC 2025: ## TikTok’s App Store Absence Drives Up Prices for Pre-Loaded Phones
**New York, NY** – The temporary removal of TikTok from the Apple and Google app stores has created a bizarre market: used iPhones with the app pre-installed are selling for exorbitant prices. Following a Supreme Court ruling and subsequent temporary reprieve by President Trump, the app’s availability remains uncertain, leading some users to capitalize on the situation.
One example is Piotr Gustab, a Queens-based IT engineer, who listed his iPhone 15 Pro with TikTok already downloaded for $3,000 on Facebook Marketplace – triple the price of a new iPhone 16 Pro. He received an offer of $1,200, still significantly higher than the market value of a new or refurbished phone without the app.
While the exact number of users who deleted TikTok after its temporary disappearance is unknown, the uncertainty surrounding its return has created a demand for devices that already have the app. This has led to a surge in listings for used phones, with prices varying wildly depending on the phone’s condition. Some sellers are offering new, sealed iPhones with pre-installed TikTok for significantly more than retail price.
The situation highlights the intense user loyalty and reliance on the platform, with some users willing to pay a premium to maintain access in the face of regulatory uncertainty. The future availability of TikTok on app stores remains unclear, leaving the market for pre-loaded phones potentially volatile in the coming days and weeks.
First Piper 