What Is UpScrolled? The New App More Popular Than TikTok in 2026

If you checked the Apple App Store charts in late January 2026, you may have noticed a surprising name climbing into the Top 10, even ranking above TikTok. That name is UpScrolled.

Seemingly overnight, this Australian-made social media app has become a digital refuge for millions of users frustrated with mainstream platforms. After a massive surge in downloads that briefly overwhelmed its servers, UpScrolled is now one of the most talked-about apps on the internet.

But what exactly is UpScrolled, and why are so many users leaving TikTok for it?

What Is UpScrolled?

UpScrolled is a social networking app that blends features from early Instagram and modern short-video platforms. It supports short videos, image posts, and text updates, but its biggest appeal lies in what it intentionally avoids.

UpScrolled promotes itself as an anti-algorithm social platform.

Instead of pushing content using aggressive recommendation systems, the app focuses on transparency and user control. Posts from people you follow appear in the order they are published, not based on engagement manipulation or hidden ranking systems.

Key features include:

Chronological feed with no forced recommendations
No shadowbanning, unless content violates clear legal rules
No user data sales, according to its public privacy policy

The explosive rise of UpScrolled in January 2026 is closely tied to growing dissatisfaction with TikTok.

Earlier this year, TikTok underwent major changes to its ownership and moderation systems in response to new United States regulations. Shortly after, creators began reporting sharp drops in views, especially on political and activist content.

Many users accused TikTok of silent censorship through algorithm suppression.

As frustration grew, creators on X began recommending UpScrolled as an alternative platform that does not manipulate visibility.

Viral posts described it as a censorship-free social network
Download numbers skyrocketed within 48 hours
The app jumped from outside the Top 300 to the Top 5 in multiple countries

Who Created UpScrolled?

UpScrolled was created by Issam Hijazi, an Australian-Palestinian software engineer.

He began developing the platform in 2025 after becoming disillusioned with platforms like Meta and TikTok. According to Hijazi, algorithmic suppression disproportionately affected minority voices, activism, and social justice movements.

His vision was to create a neutral digital town square where reach is decided by people, not automated systems.

UpScrolled vs TikTok: Key Differences

Feature	TikTok	UpScrolled
Feed Type	Algorithm-driven For You page	Chronological or user-ranked
Content Suppression	Common shadowbans	None except illegal content
Content Formats	Short videos only	Video, images, and text
Privacy Model	Heavy data collection	Privacy-first approach
Overall Focus	Virality and trends	Community and expression

Should You Download UpScrolled?

If you are tired of algorithms deciding what you see and who sees your content, UpScrolled offers a refreshing alternative. The experience feels closer to social media from the mid-2010s, slower, more personal, and less chaotic.

That said, the app is still scaling. Due to its sudden popularity, users may experience occasional lag or downtime while the development team expands infrastructure.

For many users in 2026, that inconvenience is a small price to pay for transparency and control.

Source - forbes.com , dailydot.com , upscrolled.com