UpScrolled: The TikTok Alternative You Need to Know

WASHINGTON, January 29, 2026

TikTok’s Shifting Landscape Fuels Surge in UpScrolled Downloads

A new social media platform, UpScrolled, is rapidly gaining traction as users reconsider their options following recent changes to TikTok’s U.S. ownership.

• TikTok’s U.S. operations completed a ownership transfer to a U.S.-based coalition this month.
• UpScrolled,launched last year,currently ranks as the #1 app on Apple’s U.S. app store.
• The app saw approximately 41,000 downloads between last Thursday and Saturday, nearly a third of its total installs.
• Other platforms, like Skylight Social and RedNote, are also experiencing increased downloads.

Just as TikTok’s U.S. ownership structure finalized this month, a noticeable shift in user behavior began, with many exploring alternative platforms like UpScrolled.The app, created by former Oracle engineer Issam Hijazi, is quickly becoming a frontrunner in the race to capture users perhaps disillusioned with the changes at TikTok. UpScrolled currently holds the top spot on Apple’s U.S. app store, signaling a significant moment for the newcomer.

Did you know? – TikTok’s ownership transfer aimed to address U.S. national security concerns regarding data privacy and potential Chinese government influence.

UpScrolled blends features familiar to users of Instagram and the former Twitter, offering a space to share short-form videos, photos, and text-based posts. Users can also discover new content and engage in direct messaging, creating a versatile social experience.

Pro tip – UpScrolled emphasizes user control and transparency, differentiating itself from platforms reliant on algorithms and external agendas.

Palestinian-Jordanian-Australian developer Issam Hijazi, who previously worked at both Oracle and IBM, launched UpScrolled last year with a clear vision: to provide a platform where users can “freely express thoughts, share moments, and connect with others.” The team emphasizes building “a platform that belongs to the people who use it-not to hidden algorithms or outside agendas,” according to the app’s website.

“UpScrolled is the foundation for a digital ecosystem that puts power back into the hands of the people-not the corporations,” Hijazi stated. “It’s more than just an alternative to meta, X, or tiktok-it’s a reimagining of what social media should be: a space where creators, communities, and businesses thrive independently, with real control, transparency, and accountability.”

Data from market intelligence firm Appfigures reveals that UpScrolled experienced approximately 41,000 downloads from last Thursday-the day the TikTok deal was completed-thru Saturday. This represents nearly one-third of the platform’s total installs since its launch last year.

Reader question – Skylight Social is an open-source platform, meaning its code is publicly available and can be modified by anyone.

Since the TikTok deal went live, UpScrolled has maintained an average of 14,000 daily downloads, a remarkable 2,850% increase. The UpScrolled team reports that the app is successfully scaling its infrastructure to accommodate the surge in demand.

UpScrolled isn’t alone in benefiting from the current user sentiment. Skylight Social, an open-source alternative supported by Mark Cuban, has also seen a significant increase in downloads, recently surpassing 380,000 users. RedNote, described as “China’s answer to Instagram,” has similarly reported a ample rise in downloads and new account registrations.

Photo Credit: UpScrolled