RedNote’s Popularity Crashes as TikTok Returns to iPhones with Double the Downloads

TikTok has made a triumphant comeback to the Apple App Store and Google Play, and it seems that RedNote (Xiaohongshu), the app that briefly benefited from its absence, is now fading fast. According to Sensor Tower data, in the five days following TikTok's return, downloads of RedNote dropped by a staggering 91%. Once seen as a potential TikTok alternative, RedNote gained popularity when a potential US ban on TikTok loomed. However, now that ByteDance's short-video giant is back, RedNote's surge appears to have been short-lived. 

TikTok's Comeback Sends Competitors into a Decline

While TikTok's downloads more than doubled, all the apps that benefited from its brief removal—including YouTube, Snap, Facebook, and Instagram—saw a decline in downloads.

However, TikTok's absence wasn't without financial losses. Appfigures estimates that ByteDance missed out on approximately USD 142 million (RM627.32 million) in US consumer spending during the time it was off Apple and Google's storefronts.

The Uncertain Future of TikTok in the US

Despite its return, TikTok's future in the United States remains uncertain. President Donald Trump has granted a 75-day extension—until early April—for ByteDance to sell its US operations or face another ban.

So far, ByteDance has refused to sell, but bidders are lining up, including AI startup Perplexity AI and former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt. Trump has stated that he wants a deal that benefits US interests, but the situation remains fluid.

TikTok Still a Dominant Force, But Spending Drops Slightly

Gross consumer spending on TikTok in the US now averages around USD 4.7 million per day, a slight drop compared to pre-removal figures, according to Appfigures.

Nevertheless, TikTok's influence continues to shape the social media landscape, with platforms like YouTube and Instagram adjusting their interfaces and pushing short-video content to compete with its massive popularity.

While RedNote enjoyed a brief moment in the spotlight, TikTok's return has proven that it remains the dominant force in short-form video content. The question now is: will TikTok survive the ongoing US crackdown, or will history repeat itself?