TikTok Music is set to close its doors, announcing that all user accounts will be deactivated by November 28. This move follows the platform’s attempts to leverage TikTok’s massive user base into a music streaming service, which ultimately failed to gain traction in a competitive market.
Users of TikTok Music will see their accounts and all associated data permanently deleted by the closure date. For those who subscribed through Google, refunds will be automatically processed for subscriptions ending after November 28. Users who subscribed through Apple must act quickly; they need to request a refund through Apple Support before the shutdown to receive their money back. However, users are advised to think twice before initiating a refund, as once it’s processed, access to the premium service will no longer be available.
For users looking to retain their playlists, time is running out. Playlist transfers must be completed by October 28, just a day before the official closure. This deadline is crucial for anyone who wishes to migrate their music collections to another streaming service.
TikTok Music first launched in July 2023 in Indonesia and Brazil, replacing ByteDance’s previous music platform, Resso. Following its initial rollout, the service entered a closed beta phase in Australia, Mexico, and Singapore, eventually launching fully in those markets by October. Despite ByteDance’s ambitions—including a trademark application for “TikTok Music” filed in May 2022—the service never made its way to the U.S. market, highlighting potential challenges in establishing a foothold against established competitors like Spotify and Apple Music.
For further details on this closure and refund processes, visit Engadget. As TikTok Music exits the streaming scene, it underscores the difficulties of breaking into a saturated market, even for platforms with a robust user base.
