With the potential TikTok ban on the horizon, U.S. users are migrating to Xiaohongshu, propelling it to the top spot among free apps on the U.S. App Store.

Dubbed “TikTok refugees,” many users see the Chinese app as a protest against the ban. The U.S. Supreme Court is set to decide whether TikTok must separate from its Chinese parent company ByteDance by 19 January to avoid a national security-related ban.

Following indications the court may uphold the law, TikTok users have flocked to Xiaohongshu, popularising hashtags like #tiktokrefugee and #tiktok. The app, which translates to “Little Red Book,” combines e-commerce with video and social media features. It boasts 300 million monthly active users, particularly young women in China and the Chinese diaspora.

American users are adapting to Xiaohongshu, referred to as “RedNote,” sharing posts under the #tiktokrefugee tag, which has already amassed over 160,000 entries. Many users have shared tips and introductions on navigating the platform.

Alexis Garman, a 21-year-old TikTok user from Oklahoma, joined Xiaohongshu, noting her positive experience so far despite concerns about data privacy. Her interactions include playful comments from Chinese users, with one jokingly calling themselves a spy.

Garman laments the potential loss of TikTok, saying it’s more than an app—it’s a community. Others echo her sentiment, using Xiaohongshu to voice their opposition to the ban.

In a video addressing Chinese users, an American user explained the situation, stating, “Our government is banning TikTok, claiming it’s owned by you, trying to paint you as the enemy.”

Xiaohongshu has yet to comment on its sudden rise in popularity in the U.S.