Following TikTok’s recent US takeover, many users are flocking to a new alternative social media platform called UpScrolled. Available on both Android and iOS, the app has surged to 12th place in Apple’s App Store but is struggling to handle the sudden influx of traffic.
In a post on Bluesky, UpScrolled said, “You showed up so fast our servers tapped out,” and reassured users that efforts are underway to restore full functionality. According to Appfigures data, the app saw 41,000 downloads between Thursday and Saturday, compared with its previous daily average of 460 — a nearly 29-fold increase.
The surge comes after Oracle and a group of investors took over TikTok’s US operations last week, sparking concerns over potential censorship. Many US-based users reported problems accessing TikTok following the takeover, which TikTok attributed to a power outage at one of its data centers.
UpScrolled, founded in 2025 by Palestinian-Jordanian-Australian technologist Issam Hijazi, aims to provide users with a platform for free expression where “every post has a fair chance to be seen.” The platform pledges to remain politically neutral, avoid shadowbanning, and uphold social responsibility. Its interface blends features of Instagram and X, allowing users to post photos, videos, text, and send private messages.
This isn’t the first time users have turned to alternative networks following turbulence on major platforms. Apps like RedNote, Bluesky, and Mastodon previously saw user spikes when TikTok faced bans or when X users sought alternatives.
