Ing. Pietro Maiorana
TikTok has quietly launched a shopping-only app called TikTok Shop for iOS and Android. For now it is available in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines, according to TechCrunch and Engadget. The move matters because it separates commerce from video and puts TikTok in more direct competition with Amazon and Temu. There are no dates for Europe or the United States.
A few terms, before we get into the facts. GMV (gross merchandise volume) is the total value of goods sold on a platform, before subtracting costs and commissions. Social commerce is selling that starts inside a social network, between videos and live streams. Livestream commerce is video selling in real time, with a host showing the products. Douyin is the Chinese version of TikTok. In-app purchases are purchases made inside the app, here virtual coins.
What is the new TikTok Shop app?
According to the official App Store listing, it is the official TikTok Shop app, free, in the Shopping category and published by TikTok Pte. Ltd. It weighs 809.8 MB and requires iOS 14.0 or later.
According to TechCrunch it offers personalised recommendations, purchases through live streams and short videos, exclusive deals, in-app payment, order tracking and customer support. The listing also mentions free shipping and benefits on the first order.
Where is it available and where is it not?
The app is present in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines, on both iOS and Android. The report came from consultant Matt Navarra.
For other markets there is nothing official. Engadget points out that the American TikTok is a different company from the global one and has asked for clarification on US plans. TechCrunch writes that TikTok did not respond to a request for comment.
Why does TikTok want a separate app?
According to Social Media Today, in China Douyin has succeeded with in-app sales. Citing KrAsia, the site reports nearly 500 billion dollars of GMV in 2025. TikTok globally, citing Marketing Maze, generated 26.2 billion dollars of GMV in the first half of 2025.
The site notes that many users prefer to watch videos in one app and buy in another, for example on Amazon. A separate app could accommodate this habit while staying within the TikTok ecosystem. This is the site's reading, not a data point.
What data does the app collect?
The App Store listing lists the data that can be linked to the user's identity. It includes purchases, financial information, location, contacts, address book, user content, search history, identifiers, usage data and diagnostics. Identifiers may also be used to track the user across apps and websites of other companies.
This is the developer's declaration, useful to read before installing. Anyone following age ratings and shared location descriptors knows how much weight Apple is giving this information. The app is rated 13+ and offers coin purchases, from 25 coins for 0.48 Singapore dollars up to 17,500 coins for 349.98.
Limits to know
We do not know if and when the app will arrive in Italy or Europe, or in the United States. TikTok has not commented on the launch. There are no download or sales figures for the app. The numbers on Douyin and global GMV come from KrAsia and Marketing Maze, cited by Social Media Today, and we have not verified them. Features and terms may change before any expansion.
What changes for those working in digital
For now, nothing immediate in Italy. If the app arrived, anyone selling online should consider a channel where the customer already comes in intending to buy, not to watch videos. That would mean carefully curated product pages, and managing shipping and customer support. If you run an online shop, keep catalogue and order data separate so you can move them across multiple channels. Those who manage profiles, such as a social media manager, will also need to distinguish between content that inspires and content that sells.
Our take
The move is logical, but the outcome is not guaranteed. An app that asks for 809.8 MB and collects a lot of data has to convince users to keep it alongside Amazon and Temu. The idea of moving purchases out of the feed implicitly admits that the cart inside the video is not enough. Even the example of Meta's Style Sketch shows that social networks are looking for vertical apps. The real test will be whether customers come back without the pull of the videos.
Frequently asked questions
Is TikTok Shop available in Italy?
It does not appear to be. Sources only mention Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. There are no announcements for other countries.
Is the TikTok Shop app free?
Yes, the download is free. There are in-app purchases, that is coin packs priced from 0.48 to 349.98 Singapore dollars.
Which devices does it work on?
On iOS and Android. On iPhone it requires iOS 14.0 or later, as indicated on the App Store listing.
What does it offer compared to the TikTok app?
It is focused on shopping. It offers personalised recommendations, live streams, short videos, exclusive deals, in-app payment, order tracking and customer support.
Will it come to the United States?
Unknown. TikTok did not respond to TechCrunch and Engadget is awaiting a reply. The American version is run by a different company.
Signals to watch before the app reaches Europe
The launch is partial and quiet, so the coming months will show whether it is a test or the start of an expansion.
- Check whether the app appears on the Italian App Store and which languages and countries the listing adds.
- Watch the official sales and download figures in the four Asian markets.
- Read updates to the privacy section of the listing, since declared data can change.
