TikTok Ban Looming: Are RedNote and Lemon8 the New Social Media Haven?
As TikTok faces a potential ban in the United States, something unexpected is happening: two other Chinese social media apps are climbing to the top of the App Store charts. RedNote (also known as Xiaohongshu) and Lemon8, both with ties to China, have become the most downloaded free apps, showing an interesting shift in user behavior.
TikTok’s owner ByteDance has until January 19th to sell the app, or it will face strict limits in the US. Many American users are responding by downloading these Chinese apps. Some want a backup plan for sharing their content, while others are doing it to protest the potential TikTok ban.
But there’s more to this story. A new law called the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act might affect all apps from certain foreign countries. This means RedNote, Lemon8, and even the video editing app CapCut could face the same problems as TikTok. The big question now is whether these new apps are real alternatives for users, or if they’re just a distraction as TikTok fights for survival?
Current Status of TikTok Ban
The fate of TikTok in the United States now rests with the Supreme Court, which recently heard ByteDance’s arguments against the impending January 19 deadline. If ByteDance fails to sell TikTok to an American company and the Supreme Court doesn’t block the law, the app will face significant restrictions. While existing users won’t immediately lose access, the app will gradually become less functional without updates. App stores could also face hefty fines for allowing new downloads.
The U.S. government emphasizes this isn’t a complete ban, but rather a push for ByteDance to sell TikTok. As Justice Barrett clarified, the law focuses on ByteDance’s divestment rather than shutting down TikTok entirely. However, early signs from the Supreme Court hearing suggest the justices may not be convinced by TikTok’s First Amendment defense, leaving the platform’s future uncertain.
Why Are American TikTokers Flocking to Chinese Social Media?
As the potential TikTok ban in the US approaches on January 19th, users are actively seeking new social media homes. Many are gravitating towards Chinese platforms like RedNote and Lemon8, both of which share connections to ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company. This migration reflects users’ desire to maintain their online presence and stay connected with their communities, while remaining within a familiar technological ecosystem. The transition has been particularly noticeable as these platforms offer similar features and experiences to what users have come to love about TikTok.
What is RedNote?
RedNote is a popular Chinese social media app that’s like a mix of Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok all in one. Since it started in 2013, it has grown to reach over 300 million people each month, mostly in Chinese-speaking countries.
The app lets you watch short videos, read posts, and shop – all in one place. You need to sign in before you can start browsing, which makes it different from TikTok where videos play right away. The content is well-organized and easy to find.
Many Americans are downloading RedNote now because they’re worried about TikTok being banned. Even though the app started in Chinese, it’s now easier to use in English. But like TikTok, RedNote might face problems in the US because it’s owned by a Chinese company.
William Wong, who creates content on RedNote, says people like the app because it offers more variety than TikTok. Instead of just videos, you can find all sorts of content. The app became especially popular during COVID when people were looking for new ways to connect online.
What is Lemon8?
Lemon8 is a content-sharing platform that launched in 2020, but it’s only recently gained significant traction, particularly in Western markets. The app has been designed to create a unique social media experience by blending the best features of Pinterest’s visual discovery, Instagram’s photo-sharing capabilities, and TikTok’s engaging content format.
The platform primarily focuses on lifestyle content, including fashion, beauty, food, and wellness, presenting it in a visually appealing and easily digestible format. What sets Lemon8 apart is its emphasis on high-quality, curated content that aims to inspire and inform users while maintaining a polished, magazine-like aesthetic.
Use GeeLark for Your Social Media Migration
While the timing of the Supreme Court’s final ruling remains uncertain, the ban is scheduled to take effect on Sunday, January 19—one day before the presidential inauguration.
Whether you think TikTok’s staying or going, there’s no harm in growing your social media presence while these new platforms are still fresh. Maybe you’re a TikTok user looking for a new home, or just someone who wants to get ahead of the game — either way, GeeLark makes it easy to manage all your social media accounts in one place.
Check out how GeeLark can help you run multiple accounts on Lemon8 and other mobile-centric social media:
First, visit GeeLark’s website to download the app and sign up. After signing in, create cloud phone profiles for your social media accounts—the free plan includes two profiles.
Input the required proxy credentials for each profile.
Then, navigate to the Applications menu to search for and install Lemon8.
You can install Lemon8 on all your cloud phone profiles simultaneously through the Team’s application.
Lastly, launch your cloud phone profiles and use Lemon8 as you would on any Android device.
Final Thoughts
Whether TikTok stays or goes, platforms like RedNote and Lemon8 are already making their mark, showing that users will always find new ways to connect and create.
For content creators and casual users alike, this period of uncertainty could be seen as an opportunity rather than a crisis. Think of it as a chance to try new apps and reach people in different ways. Social media isn’t going anywhere – it’s just changing. The only question is: where will you be when the next chapter begins?