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TikTok has decided to shut down its Instagram competitor, TikTok Notes, on May 8. Recall that the photo-sharing app launched in testing in Canada, Australia, and Vietnam last year.
The company informs users that TikTok Notes users will be shut down and directs them to another app, ByteDance-owned Lemon8. Unsurprisingly, the apps are similar and offer the same functionality.
A TikTok spokesperson confirmed they are excited to bring the feedback from TikTok Notes to Lemon8 as we continue building a dedicated space for our community to share and experience photo content designed to complement and enhance the TikTok experience.”
While they didn’t provide a specific reason for the TikTok Notes shutdown, it’s likely that the company didn’t see much adoption for TikTok Notes and is deciding to push Lemon8 instead, which had around 12.5 million global monthly active users as of December 2024.
A notice to TikTok Notes users reads that TikTok says the decision for the TikTok Notes shutdown “was not made lightly.” The notice encourages users to download and save their TikTok Notes data and “continue sharing your creativity on Lemon8.” TikTok says that “Lemon8 is a lifestyle app that offers a similar experience to TikTok Notes,” but with “even more features.”
Lemon8 was launched in Japan in 2020 and later expanded to the U.S. and Southeast Asia markets. The app is similar to Instagram and Pinterest, letting users share slideshows and photo collections and browse content through “Following” and “For You” feeds. Lemon8 offers users access to creative tools, filters, effects, stickers, text templates, and more.
While TikTok is pushing Lemon8 as an alternative after TikTok Notes shutdown, ByteDance has also tried to position the app as an alternative to TikTok itself in the face of a potential U.S. ban.
Last November, the company made it possible for users to directly access Lemon8 with their TikTok accounts and rolled out the ability for users to cross-share photo content between the apps. The move was seen as a way for ByteDance to move creators onto the new platform without getting them to sign up for it separately in case TikTok were to go away.
Today, TikTok continues to promote Lemon8 in its app as it faces a new ban deadline of April 5.
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