TikTok Discontinues Photo App TikTok Notes After Just One Year

TikTok has announced the discontinuation of its photo-sharing app, TikTok Notes, effective May 8, 2025. The decision follows a year of operation since its initial launch in April 2024 in select markets including Canada, Australia, and Vietnam. TikTok Notes was designed to compete with Instagram, the popular photo-sharing platform owned by Meta Platforms.

While TikTok primarily focuses on video content, TikTok Notes aimed to provide a dedicated space for sharing photos, creating a distinct experience from the main app. However, the integration of the two apps did not yield the expected results. Users recently began receiving notifications regarding the upcoming shutdown, prompting them to download their data before the app becomes unavailable. They are encouraged to continue their photo-sharing activities on Lemon8, another app operated by TikTok's parent company, Bytedance.

Although TikTok did not specify the reasons for shutting down TikTok Notes, the company stated that the decision was not taken lightly. Bytedance has positioned Lemon8 as a lifestyle app that supposedly offers similar features to TikTok Notes but with enhanced capabilities. Lemon8 allows users to share photos and image collections, similar to Instagram and Pinterest, and includes various tools for creating visually appealing content, such as filters, effects, stickers, and text templates.

According to TikTok, the feedback gathered from users of TikTok Notes will be utilized to improve the Lemon8 experience, which aims to complement TikTok's overall offerings. Lemon8 has also emerged as a potential alternative for TikTok users amid ongoing discussions regarding the app's continued operation in the United States, where it faces scrutiny and possible restrictions.

As TikTok navigates a challenging regulatory environment in the U.S., the deadline for a potential sale of the app is approaching. Previous discussions indicated that TikTok might need to divest its American operations to continue operating in the region. The parent company, Bytedance, and the Chinese government have both expressed reluctance to approve such a sale, adding further uncertainty to TikTok's future.