If you’re worried that updating your iPhone to iOS 18.3 will remove TikTok, you don’t need to be. Plenty of users have already updated, and TikTok is still working fine for them.
For those unaware, TikTok disappeared from the U.S. App Store after the brief ban due to ongoing legal disputes. Since then, users who already had the app installed kept using it. But new downloads became impossible. This led some to wonder if updating their phones would wipe TikTok away.
The short answer is no. Updating to iOS 18.3 does not delete apps you already have. TikTok stays put unless you remove it yourself. Multiple users confirmed this after testing the update. One Reddit user said, “Works for me on iOS 18.3 … just launched it to make sure.” Others chimed in with similar experiences, including someone who still has the defunct app Periscope on their phone years after it shut down.
Apple’s updates focus on system improvements, not app removal. Even if an app isn’t on the App Store anymore, like TikTok, your existing version remains untouched. This applies to all apps, not just TikTok.
Some confusion might come from how apps like TikTok can’t be re-downloaded once deleted. If you uninstall it, you can’t get it back unless it’s restored to the App Store or you resort to some workarounds. But updating your iPhone doesn’t trigger this.
A few users called the concern a “dumb question,” but it’s understandable. People rely on TikTok for work, creativity, or connection. Losing access suddenly would be stressful. Thankfully, that’s not the case here.
If you’re still nervous, check online forums or social media. You’ll find plenty of people using TikTok on iOS 18.3 without issues. Just remember — Apple doesn’t remove third-party apps during updates. Your apps stay unless you delete them.
So go ahead and update your iPhone. TikTok isn’t going anywhere. And if you see rumors claiming otherwise, know they’re just that — rumors. Keep scrolling, creating, and sharing. Your favorite app is safe.
Dwayne Cubbins
581 Posts
For nearly a decade, I've been deciphering the complexities of the tech world, with a particular passion for helping users navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From crafting in-depth guides that unlock your phone's hidden potential to uncovering and explaining the latest bugs and glitches, I make sure you get the most out of your devices. And yes, you might occasionally find me ranting about some truly frustrating tech mishaps.
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