Triller Backs Up TikToks Ahead of US Ban - Save Your Videos!

Triller Seeks to Attract TikTok Creators Amid Potential Ban

Facing the possibility of a TikTok prohibition within the United States, Triller, a competing platform, is actively soliciting content creators to migrate their videos. The company has launched SaveMyTikToks.com, a website designed to facilitate the backup of TikTok videos by uploading them directly to Triller.

Website Functionality and Underlying Technology

The functionality of this site is powered by Amplify.ai, a customer engagement platform acquired by TrillerNet – Triller’s parent company – in 2021. Initially, the acquisition aimed to enhance creator monetization and facilitate connections between brands, advertisers, and content.

Users are required to accept Triller’s terms of service before clicking a “Connect TikTok Account” button. This action grants Triller, through Amplify.ai, access to their video library, profile details, and associated data.

Backup and Account Setup Process

Following account connection, users are prompted to provide their email address to receive notifications regarding the download and saving of their content. Subsequently, they must establish a Triller account and await further instructions concerning the uploading of their preserved videos.

The process, while intended to be streamlined, requires more steps than the simplified “one-click” solution advertised on the website.

Legislative Context of the Potential TikTok Ban

The deadline for a potential TikTok ban is approaching, having been enacted into law by President Biden in April 2024. This legislation garnered substantial bipartisan support in both the House and Senate, stemming from concerns regarding TikTok’s Chinese ownership – its parent company, ByteDance, is based in Beijing.

Legislators expressed apprehension that this ownership structure posed a national security risk to citizens of the United States.

Shifting Political Landscape and Trump's Intervention

However, the likelihood of an immediate ban has diminished. The incoming president, Donald Trump, has requested the Supreme Court to temporarily halt the ban, citing potential interference with the executive branch’s foreign policy management.

Trump’s legal filing also highlighted his substantial following on TikTok – 14.7 million users – leading him to reassess the app’s significance as “a unique medium for freedom of expression, including core political speech.”

Creator Concerns Regarding Revenue and Reach

Despite the shifting political climate, TikTok creators continue to voice anxieties about the potential impact of a ban on their ability to connect with audiences and, crucially, generate income through creator funds, advertising revenue sharing, and brand collaborations.

Social Media Sentiment and Alternative Platforms

Currently, over 543,000 videos are tagged with the hashtag “tiktokban,” with an additional 103,000+ using “tiktokbanned.” Numerous other videos address the issue using broader tags like “social media” or simply “tiktok.”

Creators are predominantly advising their followers to locate them on established platforms such as Instagram and YouTube, rather than newer alternatives like Triller or Lemon8 – another ByteDance-owned application developed as a contingency plan.

Challenges Facing Triller's Attempt to Attract Users

The success of Triller’s appeal to creators remains uncertain. Many creators prioritize migrating their audiences to platforms where they already have an established presence and following, rather than adopting a completely new application.

Triller's Financial and Legal Issues

Triller, which completed its initial public offering (IPO) in October 2024 after multiple unsuccessful attempts, has experienced a decline in its stock value in the subsequent months, currently trading at $2.50.

The company is also involved in ongoing legal disputes, including a case concerning the non-repayment of a $35.5 million promissory note. (Triller previously resolved a $28 million lawsuit with Timbaland and Swizz Beatz in 2022).

Leadership Changes and App Overhaul

In December 2024, Triller appointed Sean Kim, a former TikTok executive, as its CEO to spearhead a comprehensive overhaul of the app. Kim previously held the position of TikTok’s head of product from 2019 to 2022, overseeing the development of features like the “For You” feed, creator monetization tools, and developer platforms.

Triller's User Base and App Download Statistics

According to data from Appfigures, an app intelligence firm, Triller’s application has been downloaded approximately 50 million times across the Google Play Store and App Store. The firm estimates that around 56% of its user base falls within the 18 to 24 age demographic.

TikTok declined to provide a comment when contacted.

This article was updated after publication to include download estimates.