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Manus Splits from Meta, Users Must Backup Data by August 23

Manus, the general-purpose AI agent platform, has officially cut ties with Meta and is returning to its roots as an independent company. The announcement came on August 11, with the company revealing its new headquarters in Singapore. This move brings an end to a seven-month saga that began with a high-profile acquisition and ended with a government-mandated breakup.

For users, the most pressing issue is data. If you started using Manus on or after December 29, 2025—the day Meta announced the acquisition—your data will be deleted between 08:00 and 24:00 Singapore time on August 23, 2026. That's a narrow window, and you'll need to act fast.

Here's the timeline: affected users must back up their data using the official tool before 07:59 on August 23. After that, the data is gone. But there's a silver lining—from 08:00 on August 25, you can restore your data. The backup period is free, and once you restore, you'll get a "return reward" as a thank-you for sticking around.

If you're not affected, you don't need to do anything. Manus says it's preparing new features and aims to push the boundaries of what a general agent can do.

The Backstory: A Merger That Wasn't Meant to Be

Let's rewind. On December 29, 2025, Meta announced it was acquiring Manus for over $2 billion. It seemed like a perfect match—Meta's resources, Manus's innovative platform. But the deal hit a wall. On April 27, 2026, China's Office of Foreign Investment Security Review, under the National Development and Reform Commission, legally prohibited the investment and ordered the transaction to be revoked.

The reason? Likely national security concerns, though the official statement didn't elaborate. What followed was months of complex separation—dividing data, business operations, and infrastructure. Now, both parties are finally at the finish line.

What This Means for Users

For the millions of Manus users worldwide, this split brings both uncertainty and hope. On one hand, the data deletion is a hassle. On the other, Manus is back to being independent, which could mean more agility and innovation.

Manus's statement emphasized its commitment to serving global users, with data now stored in the US and Singapore. The company also hinted at new features on the horizon, suggesting that this independence might be a fresh start.

Key Points

  • Manus is now independent, with headquarters in Singapore.
  • Data deletion: Users who joined on or after Dec 29, 2025, will have their data deleted on Aug 23, 2026.
  • Backup deadline: Before 07:59 Singapore time on Aug 23.
  • Restoration window: From Aug 25, with free backup period and a "return reward."
  • Unaffected users: No action needed.
  • Background: Meta's $2B acquisition was blocked by Chinese regulators in April 2026.

As Manus charts its own course, the tech world will be watching. Will this independence lead to greater things? Only time will tell. For now, if you're a Manus user, mark your calendar—August 23 is a date you can't afford to miss.