TikTok's traffic has made a significant recovery, nearing pre-shutdown levels, despite the app's continued absence from US app stores, according to data from Cloudflare Radar. This development comes after the app's abrupt shutdown in response to the US divest-or-ban law, which led to an 85% dip in traffic.

Cloudflare's head of data insight, David Belson, revealed that DNS traffic for TikTok-related domains is currently around 10% lower than the levels before the shutdown. This rebound is a positive sign for the social media platform, but its return to app stores remains uncertain.

TikTok started coming back online on January 19th, but the app has remained unavailable on Google Play and the Apple App Store. This has also affected other apps owned by TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, including Marvel Snap, CapCut, and Lemon8. Although these apps have restored their services in the US, they are not available in app stores, and there is no indication of when they might return.

Many users have resorted to using workarounds, such as VPNs or changing their Apple ID region to Canada, to access the apps. However, this is not a sustainable solution, and the uncertainty surrounding TikTok's future in the US app stores continues to pose a challenge for users and the company alike.

President Donald Trump's executive order delaying TikTok's ban has provided some relief, but the app is still not in the clear. The legal uncertainty might be contributing to Apple and Google's hesitation to bring TikTok and other ByteDance-owned apps back to their stores.

The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by TikTok in the US market. Despite its massive popularity, the app's future remains uncertain, and its continued absence from app stores could have long-term implications for its user base and revenue.

As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen when or if TikTok will return to US app stores. In the meantime, users will have to rely on workarounds or wait patiently for a resolution to this ongoing saga.

The broader implications of this situation extend beyond TikTok, as it raises questions about the role of government regulations in shaping the tech industry and the impact on users and businesses alike.