Persons are uninstalling TikTok and downloading an indie competitor

TikTok’s newly fashioned US entity is off to a really bumpy begin. Because the app continues to face technical points affecting the advice algorithm, view counts and different options, TikTok can be seeing a wave of annoyed customers uninstalling it, in line with new knowledge.

Analytics agency Sensor Tower, which tracks downloads and different app store-related metrics, informed CNBC that there was a 150 p.c rise in uninstalls of the TikTok app in the USA in contrast with the final three months. An analyst at Sensor Tower informed Engadget that TikTok’s US day by day energetic customers (DAUs) have elevated about 2 p.c in the identical time interval, and are flat week-over-week. TikTok has blamed a power outage at an information middle for “a number of bugs,” together with these affecting view counts and cargo occasions. The corporate hasn’t mentioned when customers can anticipate a repair.

On the identical time, an unbiased app referred to as UpScrolled has seen a surge in curiosity over the previous few days. The app is at present the ninth most-downloaded app within the US App Retailer and the second hottest social app (Meta’s Threads is at present within the primary spot for social apps). The app has additionally reached the highest 5 within the UK and Australian app shops. In the USA, its sudden reputation appears to be carefully tied to latest adjustments at TikTok.

UpScrolled has seen 41,000 whole downloads between Thursday (the day the US three way partnership was formalized) and Saturday, in line with estimates from App Figures. The app, which was first launched final June, has been downloaded about 140,000 occasions between Apple and Google’s app shops, in line with App Figures. Previous to final Thursday, the app was averaging lower than 500 downloads a day, in line with the corporate. The fast improve in downloads has apparently brought about some points for the corporate which requested customers to “bear with us” on Monday.

Created by an Australian developer, UpScrolled seems a bit like Instagram. Customers can share images and shortform movies. The app defaults to a chronological “following” feed, although it does additionally advocate content material to customers. The app is “privately funded by its founder, Issam Hijazi, along with a small group of particular person buyers who share our mission and values,” in line with an FAQ on UpScrolled’s web site. It at present has no advertisements, although the corporate says it “in all probability” will sooner or later.

This is not the primary time turmoil at TikTok has benefitted a beforehand little-known app. Chinese language app RedNote briefly grew to become the top app in the USA early final 12 months as TikTok confronted a possible ban. RedNote’s reputation proved to be short-lived, although, because the 2025 TikTok “ban” ended up lasting solely a few hours.

However with new house owners at TikTok and rising frustration over technical points with the app, there may very well be a possibility for a brand new shortform video service that is not managed by an enormous company. And that is what UpScrolled appears to be betting on. “Too usually, customers are left unsure about whether or not their voices can be heard or quietly suppressed,” the corporate writes on its web site. “UpScrolled adjustments that by guaranteeing each submit has a good likelihood to be seen, creating an atmosphere that’s genuine, unfiltered, and equitable for all.”

Replace, January 26, 2026, 4:28PM PT: This submit was up to date to mirror the most recent particulars from TikTok in regards to the ongoing points affecting the US model of the app.