Chinese short-video service TikTok will shut down its TikTok Notes section on May 8. The photo-sharing app, launched in beta testing in Canada, Australia, and Vietnam last year, was similar to Instagram. Users received a notification about the closure and were encouraged to switch to Lemon8, another ByteDance-owned platform with similar functionality.
A TikTok spokesperson told TechCrunch, “We’re excited to bring reviews from TikTok Notes to Lemon8 and continue to create a special space for our photo-sharing and viewing community that complements and enhances TikTok.”
Why Is TikTok Notes Closing?
TikTok did not provide an official reason for the shutdown, but it’s likely the app struggled to attract a large enough audience. Instead, the company is now focusing on promoting Lemon8, which had 12.5 million active users worldwide as of December 2024. The closure “wasn’t an easy decision,” according to the notification sent to TikTok Notes users, who were advised to save their content and move to Lemon8, which offers more features.
Lemon8 as a Possible Alternative
TikTok has positioned Lemon8 as an alternative to TikTok Notes, but some speculate it could also serve as a backup if TikTok itself gets banned in the U.S, reminds NIXsolutions. Lemon8, which debuted in Japan in 2020, has expanded to the U.S. and Southeast Asia. The app combines elements of Instagram and Pinterest, allowing users to create slideshows, browse feeds, and use creative tools, filters, and text templates.
Last November, Lemon8 introduced cross-posting with TikTok accounts, a feature implemented in case TikTok faced a ban in the U.S. According to recent reports, this ban could take effect as early as April 5. We’ll keep you updated on any further developments.