Following TikTok’s recent ban in the U.S., phones with the app already installed are turning into hot commodities. Sellers on eBay are listing these devices for thousands of dollars. Here’s why iPhone users listing phones with TikTok installed for thousands on eBay, and why are they getting so much attention?
- iPhones with TikTok preinstalled are being listed for up to $25,000 on eBay.
- TikTok remains unavailable on U.S. app stores due to national security concerns.
- Buyers should beware as TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain.
As TikTok faces a turbulent time in the United States, some individuals are capitalizing on the chaos by selling iPhones and Android devices with TikTok preinstalled for eye-popping prices. Listings on eBay show these phones going for anywhere between $500 and $25,000, with some sellers hoping to attract desperate TikTok enthusiasts.
The ban on TikTok stems from U.S. government concerns over national security. ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, has been under scrutiny for its potential to share data with the Chinese government.
The app was removed from the Apple and Google app stores in the U.S., leaving users who had deleted it unable to reinstall it. This situation has created a lucrative opportunity for sellers offering phones with the app still installed.
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One eBay user in Ruskin, Florida, listed an iPhone 15 Pro Max with TikTok for $10,000. Another seller in North Carolina has an iPhone 16 Pro Max priced at a staggering $25,000. According to USA Today, some listings have attracted thousands of views, but it’s unclear whether many of these phones are actually selling.
Experts warn buyers to think twice before making such a purchase. Michael Grothaus, a novellist, notes, “While these phones might provide temporary access to TikTok, the app’s future is still uncertain. Buyers risk spending a fortune only to lose access again if the ban is upheld.”
President Donald Trump’s temporary pause on the TikTok ban has brought some hope. He’s proposed a deal where a U.S. company would own a significant stake in TikTok, potentially securing its future in America. Companies like Oracle and even Elon Musk’s Tesla have been floated as potential buyers. However, the resolution of these negotiations remains unclear.
Meanwhile, General Atlantic CEO Bill Ford, a major investor in ByteDance, suggested a deal might be reached soon.
“The U.S. government, the Chinese government, and ByteDance are all part of this complex conversation,” he explained
Still, legal challenges loom large. If the courts invalidate Trump’s pause, TikTok could stop working for U.S. users again, making these high-priced phones a risky investment.
What do you think about the skyrocketing prices of phones with TikTok installed? Is it worth the risk? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
