TikTok Notes Shutting Down: TikTok's Instagram Competitor Ends

TikTok Discontinues TikTok Notes, Shifts Focus to Lemon8

TikTok is set to cease operations of its TikTok Notes application on May 8th. This photo-sharing app had been undergoing testing phases in Canada, Australia, and Vietnam since its initial launch last year.

Redirecting Users to Lemon8

Users of TikTok Notes are being informed of this decision and are being directed towards Lemon8, another application owned by ByteDance. This transition isn't unexpected, considering the functional similarities between the two platforms.

A TikTok representative communicated to TechCrunch that insights gained from TikTok Notes will be integrated into Lemon8. This aims to cultivate a dedicated space for photo content sharing, designed to both complement and enrich the overall TikTok experience.

Reasons for the Shutdown

Although TikTok has not explicitly stated the reason for discontinuing TikTok Notes, it is probable that the app did not achieve the desired level of user adoption. Consequently, the company is prioritizing the promotion of Lemon8, which boasted approximately 12.5 million global monthly active users as of December 2024.

Encouraging a Smooth Transition

In a notification to its users, TikTok emphasized that the decision to shut down TikTok Notes was carefully considered. Users are encouraged to download and preserve their data from the app.

The notification further suggests continuing creative expression on Lemon8, describing it as a platform offering a comparable experience to TikTok Notes, but with an expanded feature set.

Lemon8: A Closer Look

Lemon8 was initially launched in Japan in 2020, subsequently expanding into the U.S. and various Southeast Asian markets.

The app shares characteristics with both Instagram and Pinterest, enabling users to share photo collections and slideshows. Content discovery is facilitated through “Following” and “For You” feeds.

Lemon8 provides a suite of creative tools, including filters, effects, stickers, and text templates, enhancing the user experience.

Lemon8 as a Potential Alternative

ByteDance has strategically positioned Lemon8 not only as a successor to TikTok Notes but also as a potential alternative to TikTok itself, particularly in light of potential restrictions in the U.S.

Cross-Platform Integration

Last November, ByteDance enabled users to access Lemon8 directly using their TikTok credentials. They also introduced the ability to seamlessly share photo content between the two applications.

This move was interpreted as a strategy to facilitate a migration of creators to the new platform, mitigating potential disruption should TikTok face a ban.