"TikTok Refugees" Flock To Chinese App RedNote, Catapulting It To No. 1 On The App Store

Americans may have to say goodbye to TikTok forever. 

As the Supreme Court inches closer to a decision that could force TikTok’s China-based owner, ByteDance, to sell the app or face an outright ban, American users are already scouting for alternatives. Ironically, many are now downloading RedNote, a Chinese app also known as Xiaohongshu, which recently skyrocketed to the number one spot on the Apple App Store.

But what’s driving this unexpected migration, and why is RedNote the new safe haven for "TikTok refugees"?

The Clock Is Ticking

In case you haven’t been keeping up with the news, TikTok’s fate in the U.S. hangs in the balance as lawmakers weigh concerns over national security. With over 170 million American users, the app’s popularity with American citizens is undeniable. However, critics argue that ByteDance’s ties to China pose significant risks. TikTok’s possible departure has prompted users to look into other alternatives, including RedNote.

RedNote offers a mix of features, including photo sharing, short videos, and text posts, organized across “follow,” “explore,” and “nearby” feeds. According to Bloomberg, the app boasts over 300 million monthly active users and raked in more than $1 billion in profit last year.  

The app went viral on TikTok, and the Chinese users on RedNote welcomed the so-called refugees. “I downloaded the app and checked it out, and it’s currently thousands of people from America and China all laughing and memeing together,” tweeted @theserfstv. Another user, @Rox_my_socks, quipped, “American government: We’re banning TikTok ‘cause it’s a Chinese app and your data needs to be protected. American citizens: Fine, we’re going over to RedNote, a Chinese app based in China.”

In a live chat titled “TikTok Refugees,” more than 50,000 U.S. and Chinese users swapped notes on topics ranging from food to memes. Chinese students were receiving help with their English homework, and jokes were made about stealing data from citizens. TikTok users are also sharing videos of themselves learning basic Mandarin to connect with RedNote’s core audience.

RedNote saw more than 700,000 new users in just two days, and U.S. downloads surged over 200% compared to the previous year, according to Sensor Tower. ByteDance’s other apps, like Lemon8, are experiencing similar spikes.

The irony here is that American users are flocking to a Chinese app amid concerns about national security. The question is, when will the U.S. decide to get rid of RedNote as well? Only time will tell. 

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