Is Mobile Legends Banned In Us? Mobile Legends: Bang Bang was officially banned in the United States in early 2025, and for players like me, it was a shocking moment. The game suddenly disappeared from app stores, in-app purchases were disabled, and US players found themselves locked out without warning. What made it even more frustrating was the reason—it wasn’t about gameplay, servers, or community issues, but politics. Mobile Legends became collateral damage in the US government’s crackdown on ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns both TikTok and Moonton, the developer of MLBB.
The US government framed the ban as part of a broader move against apps linked to foreign ownership, particularly those connected to ByteDance. Because ByteDance owns Moonton, the studio behind Mobile Legends, the game ended up caught in the crossfire.
From a government perspective, it was about “national security” and concerns over how user data is handled. But let’s be honest—Mobile Legends wasn’t the direct target. The crackdown was aimed at TikTok, and MLBB was collateral damage. That’s the part that frustrated a lot of us: players who just wanted to enjoy the game were suddenly impacted by politics.
What fascinated me was seeing how differently each party reacted.
And then there were industry voices—analysts, esports organizers, and sponsors—all weighing in on how a ban in the US could ripple through global esports. If you think about the millions invested in tournaments, teams, and streaming rights, the uncertainty was massive.
This wasn’t the first time Mobile Legends faced regulatory issues. Back in 2020, the game was outright banned in India during a wave of restrictions against Chinese apps. Players there never got it back, and that set a worrying precedent.
The US situation felt different though, because Mobile Legends was restored quickly after an executive review. Still, the parallel is hard to ignore. It highlights just how fragile the future of any game can be when politics and tech regulations collide.
Here’s the core truth: Mobile Legends wasn’t banned because of poor gameplay, toxic community issues, or pay-to-win mechanics. It was banned because of who owns it. That’s a reminder that no matter how big or popular a game gets, it’s never completely safe from external forces like international policy.
For me, it reinforces the idea that as players we’re always at the mercy of decisions made way above our heads. It also shows that developers need long-term strategies—like local publishing partnerships or independent entities in key markets—to avoid being wiped out overnight.
Looking back, the US ban on Mobile Legends in 2025 was less about the game itself and more about a clash of global powers. The fact that the game came back so quickly is reassuring, but the risk hasn’t disappeared. If anything, it’s a warning shot for what could happen again in the future.
As a player, I’ll keep enjoying the game while staying realistic about its vulnerabilities. And as someone who follows the industry, I’ll keep an eye on how Moonton adapts to this new world of regulatory uncertainty.
For now, all we can do is play, compete, and stay informed.
Read the latest gaming news on Topup Storm to stay updated on Mobile Legends, esports, and the wider gaming world.