UpScrolled returns to Google Play after temporary removal

ISTANBUL

UpScrolled, an app developed by Palestinian-Australian software engineer Issam Hijazi as an alternative to TikTok, was reinstated on the Google Play Store Sunday after a brief suspension.

"It's official… We're back together! Google Play reinstated," the platform said on its official account on US social media platform X.

On Saturday it wrote: "Looks like Google Play put our relationship on pause this Valentine’s Day. Our app is currently unavailable for download on the Play Store.

"We are taking this seriously and working closely with the Google Play Team to resolve this."

Hours later, the platform said it was "currently experiencing server issues due to an incredible surge of new users," which were later fixed.

The app drew widespread attention in the digital sphere after its user base surged from 150,000 to millions within just one week.

Launched in June 2025, its rapid rise came amid growing criticism of mainstream social media platforms. Some TikTok users have alleged pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel content was being subjected to “shadow banning” on the platform.