Why was Mobile Legends: Bang Bang banned in the United States?

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang was actually banned in the United States for a short bit, but it's been back since February 2025. 

Now why the heck was the most popular mobile esport ever banned in the United States!? 

Why was Mobile Legends: Bang Bang banned? 

MLBB was banned in the United States on January 19th, 2025. This followed the banning of TikTok, a short-form video social media platform owned by Bytedance, a Chinese technology company. President Donald Trump had previously announced that TikTok had to be banned to protect users' information and data being stolen by China. The only way to bring it back? If Bytedance would sell it. 

Come to find out, Bytedance owns a ton of popular game studios and apps. This includes MOONTON, the developer and publisher of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. This mean that MLBB was also banned alongisde TikTok that night. 

When was Mobile Legends: Bang Bang unbanned? 

Trump signed an Executive Order on January 19th that allowed the apps owned by Bytedance to return. They were given 75 days to be sold to an American company or American investors. TikTok was ultimately purchased by Oracle and a few other American tech companies and firms. 

Meanwhile, MLBB was still missing from app stores and not working despite TikTok's return. It took until the morning of January 21st for it to return. 

“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.”

Due to the inconvenience, MLBB devs offered players a gift and also gave them the rewards they would have earned during those few days.