TikTok is a popular short-form video app with over 1 billion monthly active users globally. iOS 16 is Apple’s latest mobile operating system for iPhones, which introduced increased privacy protections that have caused issues with TikTok’s functionality.
When iOS 16 launched in September 2022, many TikTok users found the app would crash immediately on launch. TikTok relies heavily on Apple’s Accessibility API to support its core features, but access was restricted in iOS 16 as part of Apple’s ongoing efforts to improve user privacy. This caused TikTok’s key features like scanning and filtering video effects to break, leading the app to crash repeatedly.
The incompatibility between TikTok and iOS 16 highlights the challenges of balancing app functionality with user privacy. While Apple aims to protect user data, TikTok depends on access to operate properly. This has led to tensions as the companies each try to satisfy their user base.
TikTok’s Dependence on Accessibility API
TikTok heavily relies on Apple’s private Accessibility API to function properly on iOS devices. The Accessibility API allows apps to integrate with features meant to assist users with disabilities, like VoiceOver. However, TikTok uses it for tracking and data collection purposes.
Specifically, TikTok taps into the Accessibility API to access detailed information about what users are doing in other apps on their device. This grants TikTok insight into user behavior beyond just the TikTok app. Apple intended this API to be used ethically by developers to improve accessibility, not exploit privacy.
Apple’s Increased Privacy Protections
A major reason why TikTok is having issues working properly with iOS 16 is due to Apple’s increased focus on user privacy protections. With the release of iOS 16, Apple has limited third-party apps like TikTok from accessing the Accessibility API without explicit user permission.
The Accessibility API allows apps to interact and control your iPhone, such as reading text on screen or tracking user interactions. TikTok heavily relied on the Accessibility API to provide smooth in-app functionality, but now requires user consent each time in iOS 16 before accessing it.
This change is part of Apple’s larger push in recent years to give users more transparency and control over their privacy. Other efforts include requiring apps to get opt-in permission for tracking user data starting in iOS 14.5, and providing privacy nutrition labels in the App Store so users can understand how apps use their data.
According to an Apple press release, “New developer tools will empower developers to bring more privacy innovations to users.” Restricting broad Accessibility API access is part of prompting developers like TikTok to find more privacy-focused solutions.
TikTok’s Workaround Using Custom Browser
In an effort to bypass the new restrictions that come with iOS 16, TikTok has implemented its own in-app browser rather than opening links in Safari or other outside browsers (1). This proprietary browser allows TikTok to avoid the new privacy limitations Apple has put in place.
However, this workaround leads to a frustrating user experience. Links opened in TikTok’s in-app browser lack certain features that users expect, like the ability to open multiple tabs. The browser is also much slower than Safari or Chrome (2). These limitations make it more difficult for users to seamlessly browse the web from within TikTok.
While TikTok’s motivations are clear – maintaining access to user data – the method seems questionable. As one Reddit user said, “PITA I know, but it’s crappy on TikTok” (3). The company’s unwillingness to adapt to iOS 16 has led to a clunky workaround at the expense of user experience.
Calls for TikTok to Fix Issues
Many developers and users have strongly urged TikTok to update its code so that the app functions properly with iOS 16 without violating user privacy. When iOS 16 was first released in September 2022, users quickly noticed that after updating their iPhones, TikTok was no longer able to access the clipboard to paste text or make phone calls from within the app.
Developers examining TikTok’s code found that it was using deprecated APIs in iOS 16 that allowed excessive access to user data that Apple purposefully restricted in its latest update. Rather than update its code to use Apple’s new restricted APIs, TikTok tried circumventing the privacy protections by opening links in its own in-app browser. This sparked outrage among privacy advocates.
Numerous calls have been made for TikTok to fix its issues and update its code according to Apple’s guidelines to work properly with iOS 16. Developers have provided suggestions and guidelines to help TikTok make its app compatible while protecting user privacy. However, so far TikTok does not appear to have fully addressed the underlying issues. Many are urging TikTok to take the necessary steps to come into compliance and restore functionality for users in a way that respects their privacy.
TikTok’s Response
TikTok has acknowledged the issues caused by iOS 16 but has not provided a timeline for a fix. In a statement, TikTok said “We are aware that some users are experiencing app crashes after updating their iPhone software to iOS 16. Our team is working quickly to address this.”
TikTok indicated they are focused on transitioning to Apple’s new restricted Accessibility APIs over time, saying “TikTok relies on a core iOS API that Apple restricted in the latest iOS update, and we are working urgently to find alternative solutions.”
While TikTok aims to fully adopt Apple’s new APIs, it requires updating significant portions of TikTok’s code. Given the scope of the changes, TikTok has not provided an ETA for when issues will be resolved across all devices and versions of iOS (source).
Impact on TikTok Usage
Many users have complained about bugs and glitches with TikTok after updating to iOS 16. Posts on Reddit like this one describe significant battery drain and background usage from TikTok after updating to iOS 16 https://www.reddit.com/r/ios/comments/12f6h4f/help_a_tiktok_update_now_runs_at_all_times_in_the/. This raises concerns over the long-term viability of TikTok on iOS if these issues persist.
Without the ability to rely on Apple’s Accessibility API in the background, TikTok experiences more bugs and glitches that degrade the user experience. Videos may not load properly, notifications are delayed, and the app crashes frequently according to user reports.
If TikTok cannot develop workarounds for the loss of background functionality in iOS 16, many users may find the app too frustrating to use regularly. This could lead to decreased engagement and fewer iOS signups in the future if the issues remain unresolved.
Potential Antitrust Issues
Critics argue that Apple is unfairly disadvantaging TikTok and other third-party apps by restricting their access to certain iOS APIs, potentially violating antitrust laws. TikTok’s parent company ByteDance has filed an antitrust complaint against Apple in the EU over these restrictions.
However, Apple claims these API restrictions are necessary to protect user privacy and security. Apple points out that TikTok presents national security risks, with the US government previously calling for a TikTok ban over data privacy concerns. By limiting TikTok’s access to certain iOS features, Apple argues it is safeguarding users.
What Users Can Do
In the short term, there are a few fixes that users can try to get TikTok working again on iOS 16 devices, according to sources like Tenorshare (https://www.tenorshare.com/ios-16/fix-ios-16-tiktok-crashing-on-iphone.html). This includes reinstalling the TikTok app, restarting your iPhone, and resetting all settings. However, these are just temporary workarounds.
The core issue lies with changes Apple made in iOS 16 related to privacy protections around the Accessibility API that TikTok relies on. Until TikTok updates how its app functions and Apple addresses TikTok’s concerns, users will continue experiencing crashes and other issues. So the ability to use TikTok normally on iOS 16 is ultimately dependent on changes made by TikTok’s developers and Apple.
Long-Term Outlook
The long-term outlook for TikTok’s compatibility with iOS 16 remains unclear. As of now, TikTok has not provided any timeline or commitment to fully support the latest iOS 16 features and restrictions 1. This is likely dependent on Apple’s ongoing privacy stance and how much access they allow third-party apps like TikTok to user data and device functionality going forward.
TikTok’s reliance on collecting user data for advertising makes it difficult to be fully compatible with Apple’s privacy protections. Unless Apple chooses to ease up on these restrictions, TikTok may continue having issues supporting iOS updates down the line. For now, users shouldn’t expect TikTok to work seamlessly with iOS 16 anytime soon.
