TikTok was launched internationally in September 2017, following the launch of its Chinese sister app Douyin in September 2016.

Quick Scoop: When Was TikTok Made?

If you’re asking “when was TikTok made,” there are really two key dates:

  • September 2016 – ByteDance launches Douyin in China, the original version of what becomes TikTok.
  • September 2017 – The separate, global app TikTok officially launches for international markets outside mainland China.

A bit later:

  • August 2018 – TikTok merges with Musical.ly, bringing over millions of users from that platform and supercharging its global growth.

So, for most people around the world, the practical answer to “when was TikTok made” is September 2017 , but its roots go back to Douyin in 2016 and to Musical.ly (founded in 2014).

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