TikTok recently faced a tumultuous period in the U.S., where it was temporarily banned until former President Donald Trump intervened with an executive order, granting a 75-day reprieve. Amidst this uncertainty, opportunistic sellers on eBay have found a novel way to cash in—by listing iPhones pre-installed with TikTok at exorbitant prices. Incredibly, one such listing has reached a staggering $75,000, not even for the newest model, but for last year’s iPhone 15 Pro Max.
In a blatant display of avarice, several vendors have been advertising these TikTok-enabled iPhones at jaw-dropping prices, with many starting around the $50,000 mark. The most extravagant listing, selling for $75,000 by a seller with the handle ‘busybee31286’, boasts a 100 percent positive feedback rating. This offer includes an iPhone 15 Pro Max with 256GB of storage that’s been kept pristine in an OtterBox case.
The big question is whether TikTok would still function on these pricey devices if the ban were to take full effect? According to tech sources, there is a glimmer of hope. Due to how iCloud handles app installations, if one user downloads an app using their Apple ID, it remains on the device even if a different user logs in with another Apple ID. However, should the ban be officially enacted, users might see a discouraging message stating that TikTok cannot be accessed, while hinting at potential negotiations for its reinstatement.
In instances where a second user wishes to use the iPhone without transferring their iCloud backup, the trick of keeping TikTok running might just work. But if they restore their own backup, previous apps, including TikTok, would be wiped. As time has elapsed since these speculative listings went live, there’s been little evidence to show any eager buyers have fallen for these pricey offers. It appears the inflated prices may soon drive sellers to reconsider their ambitious pricing strategies and potentially remove the listings altogether.
