In a recent development that may not be on the radar for many people, TikTok has made the decision to shut down its separate “TikTok Music” streaming app. This move comes after facing several operational challenges and struggling to attract a significant user base.
TikTok Music was originally launched in India back in late 2019 under the name “Resso” but failed to gain much traction despite TikTok’s popularity in the region. Even after TikTok was banned in India in 2020, Resso managed to escape the same fate.
However, with limited interest from Indian users, the eventual ban of the app earlier this year signaled the end of TikTok Music as a viable streaming option in the country.
Renamed as “TikTok Music” last year, the streaming service made a comeback in Brazil and Indonesia and conducted closed beta tests in Australia, Mexico, and Singapore. Despite these efforts, music licensing disputes and tough competition in the industry prompted TikTok to refocus on its main app.
According to TikTok, the decision to close TikTok Music was made to concentrate on enhancing the platform’s music experience within the main TikTok app to benefit artists, songwriters, and the music industry as a whole.
The announcement of TikTok Music’s closure is posted on the TikTok Music website, informing users of the impending shutdown by November 28, 2024.
Users have until October 28th to transfer their playlists from the app and can request refunds until November 28th. After that date, all user account information will be deleted.
While the closure of TikTok Music may not shake up the social media or music landscape significantly, TikTok’s decision reflects its commitment to refining its music strategy and focusing on its core platform.
Although TikTok Music did not succeed as a standalone streaming service, TikTok’s experimentation highlights its dedication to engaging with the music industry, albeit through different avenues.