Angela Lang / CNET
From Sunday, ByteDance's TikTok and WeChat apps will be banned from US app stores. The video app TikTok and the messaging app WeChat are huge global apps: In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, TikTok has over 100 million users in the US and 2 billion downloads worldwide.
In addition, TikTok is the first social network outside of the United States to be successful worldwide. Other apps, like China's Twitter equivalent, Weibo, haven't made the leap to international popularity.
TikTok, WeChat app ban declared
The ban is the latest event in the saga between the popular Chinese apps and the US government. According to a statement by US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, the government's decision "aims to combat China's malicious collection of personal data from American citizens." However, intelligence agencies have determined that while China can collect data through TikTok, there is no evidence that it did.
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This means that from Sunday TikTok and WeChat will no longer be available for download in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. So if you've already downloaded any of the apps, the updates won't be available after this weekend. While the operation of WeChat will largely be suspended under the ban, TikTok has until November 12 to draft a contract with a US partner or to be subject to the same restrictions.
In the meantime, if you're looking for a TikTok alternative, here are some quick video creation apps:
Shelby Brown / CNET
Reels is a video feature that was launched on Instagram in August. Reels allows you to film, edit, and publish 15-second videos (minimum clip length three seconds) in the app. First, make sure you have the latest version of the Instagram app for iOS or Android. You can find roles by swiping right to open the camera and tapping roles. (Read our full Reels tutorial here.)
If you've used Vine or TikTok, Reels should feel familiar to you. On the left side of the screen there are a number of filters, titles to add, timed text options, and other effects.
You can also just swap and post on your Instagram page or story. You can also save a role in your designs to work on later.
Trill / Screenshot by Shelby Brown / CNET
Rival TikTok app Triller gained more exposure this month as members of the Trump family, including the president, joined the TikTok negotiations. Similar to TikTok, Triller offers video and music functions: choose a title from the app library or import your own title, film or upload a video, and edit and share it on various social media platforms. You can also collaborate with friends in the app.
Triller also has a vlog feature that lets you edit your footage in a b-roll documentary style, or create a music video that lets you upload clips without adding audio.
The app has social functions like TikTok with the community and the following feeds. If you have a large enough fan base, you can actually make money with Triller's wallet system. Triller has gold, its in-app currency, that followers can give to one another. When you make enough gold, you will be given gemstones that you can exchange for real money.
Triller is available for iOS and Android.
Although it's not yet available in the US, YouTube is working on a TikTok-style video feature called YouTube Shorts. Shorts allow developers to film fast, catchy videos up to 15 seconds in length. YouTube also has tools for editing multiple video clips at once, as well as speed controls, timers, and countdown options for hands-free recording.
YouTube Shorts is currently being tested on Android phones in Brazil. The company plans to expand to iOS in more countries soon.
Shelby Brown / CNET
Byte was developed by Vine co-founder Dom Hoffman and is currently available for Android and iOS. The app's user interface is similar to that of TikTok. You can either upload a video from your phone or film a new one. It probably has the fewest special effects features in terms of editing. When I made a clip, I could only add text and a song, and the app choices were rather limited for both. One cool feature that Byte has is the ghost mode: tapping the ghost icon while filming will fade your original image and create a dreamy or flashback effect.
Until you follow other users, Byte will display a variety of videos on your home feed. If you tap the magnifying glass, you can start exploring content. The app sorts videos into different categories like trends or genres like comedy, anime, weird things, pets, magic and more instead of hashtags like the one TikTok uses.
Dubsmash / Screenshot by Shelby Brown / CNET
Dubsmash is a video sharing app based in New York. Creators can record new content or upload old content and edit it using filters, stickers, and text. Upload your creation to Dubsmash and build a fan base there or share your clips on other social media platforms. Clips on the Dubsmash platform can be both public and private.
Dubsmash feels the most similar to TikTok to me, with the trending feeds, Explore tab, Direct Message, and preferred features. The app is available for iOS and Android.
For more information, see our statement on what is going on with TikTok in the US, as well as our list WeChat alternatives. You can also check out our list of the best free video chat apps.
The TikTok expert says whoever buys it is playing with fire
