Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) has returned to the US market following a temporary ban.
With the ban lifted on the mobile MOBA title, players can now play matches and re-download the game on their devices.
Why was Mobile Legends: Bang Bang banned?
MLBB was banned in the United States on January 19th, 2025 following the ban of short-form video platform TikTok. MOONTON, the developer and publisher of MLBB, is a subsidiary of Chinese technology company Bytedance, the owner of TikTok.
The video platform restored its services hours later on January 19th due to an Executive Order from President Donald Trump. However, MLBB’s services only just returned in the early hours of January 21st (in the UK timezone).
“Great news! Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is officially back after a brief pause,” confirmed MLBB in a statement on social media.
“Simply open the app as usual, no additional action is needed, and jump right back into the fun. Thank you for your patience and support during our brief pause. We’re thrilled to have you back.”
As a result of the downtime, MOONTON has offered returning players ‘a small gift’ and their in-game rewards that would’ve been available during the temporary shutdown.
MLBB’s return to the United States ahead of the 2025 MPL season which is set to begin in several regions in February. Whilst the US is smaller in popularity compared to its core market in Southeast Asia, Mobile Legends does operate US tournaments to qualify for the game’s major international events.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang wasn’t the only game affected by TikTok’s temporary ban. Digital card game Marvel Snap was also banned but has since returned on January 21st.
The Executive Order prevents the enforcement of TikTok’s ban for the next 75 days. This means there’s a chance that MLBB and Marvel Snap could shut down in the future if a similar pattern follows.
