Due to TikTok’s ongoing absence from Apple’s U.S. App Store, iPhones with the app still installed are being sold for extraordinarily high prices on eBay. Some listings are even reaching up to $50,000, reflecting the growing demand for devices that offer access to the popular social media platform. As TikTok faces regulatory challenges and restrictions in the United States, many buyers are turning to these rare iPhones as a workaround, seeking to bypass the app’s unavailability on newer devices.
Sellers are taking advantage of this scarcity by offering brand-new or lightly used iPhones that still have TikTok pre-installed, capitalizing on the desire for the app. The listings often highlight the fact that these devices come with TikTok already active, making them highly sought after by TikTok enthusiasts, influencers, and content creators who rely on the platform. The price spike is further fueled by the limited availability of these phones in the U.S. market, as newer models no longer support TikTok due to the app’s removal from the App Store.
For many, purchasing an iPhone with TikTok already installed has become a way to circumvent the restrictions imposed by Apple, allowing them to continue using the app on their devices without waiting for it to return to the App Store. This phenomenon reflects how app-related limitations can drive secondary markets, creating opportunities for sellers to capitalize on what was once considered a common app. As the situation with TikTok and Apple continues to unfold, it’s likely that the demand for these rare iPhones will remain strong, keeping prices high for the foreseeable future.
