Short Answer: No, CapCut is not not banned in the US anymore. It is fully functional for the general public.
For now, CapCut remains available to every user in the US.
CapCut is back online as of January 21st, 2025 on all devices in the US.
Users can now access the app without restrictions, and downloads/updates are available again in app stores. ByteDance has not issued an official statement yet, but it appears that recent negotiations have led to a temporary reversal of the ban.
If you switched to an alternative during the downtime, you might still want to consider options like SendShort for faster, automated short-form content creation.
On the 20th of January 2025, CapCut was completely banned in the United States. The app has been removed from U.S. app stores, and users can no longer download or update it.
Those who still have CapCut installed may experience service disruptions, as ByteDance servers could start blocking U.S.-based connections.
Access to CapCut now requires a VPN set to a country outside the U.S. However, this workaround may not be reliable long-term if further restrictions are enforced.
In response to the ban, President-elect Donald Trump has reiterated his intention to revisit the law that led to the removal of ByteDance apps, including CapCut and TikTok. Negotiations are ongoing, but as of now, CapCut remains inaccessible in the U.S. without a VPN.
As of January 19th, 2025, CapCut is officially “temporarily” banned for the general public in the United States. ByteDance, CapCut’s parent company, failed to divest its U.S. assets by the deadline, leading to the app’s removal from U.S. app stores.
This means new downloads and updates are no longer available.
Users who already have CapCut installed may still be able to use it temporarily, but without updates, functionality will likely degrade over time. The ban applies broadly, restricting CapCut from being legally distributed within the U.S.
If you rely on CapCut for content creation, now is the time to switch to alternatives like SendShort to avoid disruptions.
Trump’s Plan to Reverse the Ban
President-elect Donald Trump has stated that he intends to fix the TikTok and CapCut bans in the U.S. Following the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the law requiring ByteDance to divest its U.S. assets, both apps were removed from U.S. app stores.
Trump has indicated that he is willing to work with ByteDance to restore access to these platforms. He has suggested the possibility of granting a 90-day extension to the divestiture deadline, allowing more time for negotiations and potential resolutions.
TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, has expressed optimism, stating, “We are encouraged by President-elect Trump’s commitment to work with us to find a path forward.”
@tiktok Our response to the Supreme Court decision.
♬ original sound – TikTok
While it is unclear exactly how Trump will proceed, his statements suggest a proactive approach to reversing the ban and balancing national security concerns with the interests of U.S. users.
As of January 17, 2025, CapCut remained available in the United States. However, recent developments suggested that its status could have changed. In April 2024, a law was passed requiring ByteDance, CapCut’s parent company, to divest its U.S. assets by January 19, 2025, or face a ban.
While the law primarily targets TikTok, it also covers other ByteDance-owned applications, including CapCut. The Supreme Court recently heard arguments about the law and is expected to uphold it. If enforced, this could lead to CapCut being removed from U.S. app stores, preventing new downloads and updates, which may cause functionality issues over time.
Summarized: For now, CapCut remains functional, but creators who rely on it should be prepared for potential restrictions. Exploring alternative video editing tools such as SendShort help ensure uninterrupted content creation.
This information reflects the situation as of January 17, 2025.
Stay updated for any changes.
CapCut is currently banned in India and Aghanistan.
Here’s why the app is banned in these 2 countries:
Other regions might have specific restrictions or bans due to content policies, but these are the primary countries known for outright bans.
There have been concerns regarding apps developed by Chinese companies, primarily due to data privacy and national security issues.
These concerns have led to discussions about potential bans on various apps, including TikTok, but CapCut has not been subjected to such measures.
While the US government has taken actions against some Chinese apps, including executive orders and legislative discussions, CapCut has not been specifically targeted.
Regulatory bodies continue to monitor and review apps for compliance with privacy and security standards.
Media outlets and the public have speculated about potential bans on apps like CapCut + TikTok, especially during heightened geopolitical tensions.
However, these remain speculative unless backed by official announcements or actions.
Users in the US can freely download and use CapCut for PC and mobile on app stores like Google Play and the Apple App Store.
You can read more about that in our CapCut review.
There have been no reports of restricted access or functionality within the app due to regulatory issues.
With CapCut’s future being uncertain, you can use SendShort as an alternative for creating engaging short-form videos. SendShort is designed to transform long videos into concise, captivating content, making it ideal for platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts.
It offers features such as automated video editing, customizable captions, and a variety of transitions and effects.
Additionally, SendShort provides built-in templates for quick edits and supports faceless AI video generation, allowing for efficient content creation without the need for extensive editing skills.
We’ve actually got an guide on the best apps like CapCut, however here are 3 best picks for general video editing purposes.
Let’s talk about them.
SendShort is a powerful tool designed for transforming long videos into engaging short-form content.
It offers features like automated editing, customizable captions, and built-in templates, making it ideal for platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts.
Adobe Premiere Pro is a professional-grade video editing software widely used in the industry. It offers advanced features such as multi-track editing, detailed color correction, and extensive effects libraries, suitable for both seasoned editors and beginners looking for high-quality results.
Veed is an online video editing platform that provides a simple and intuitive interface for creating and editing videos. It offers features like subtitles, effects, and templates, making it accessible for content creators looking to produce polished videos without extensive technical skills.
Read more about VEED in our review.
Thanks a lot for reading this,
David Ch
Head of the Editing Team at SendShort
David leads the editing team at SendShort. With this help, the team delivers the latest guides on using your favorite social media apps and creating short-form content.
