If I update my iphone to 18.2.1 will it delete TikTok off my phone?

Mine needs an update as well. I am also putting it off due to concerns.

I’ve seen mixed reports. A lot of people seem to be fine, but I feel like I’d somehow be one of the unlucky ones, and I’m really hesitant to take that chance

I updated and still have the app

No, only if you get a new phone 

Upgrading is never a problem. It’s only a problem if you switch to a completely new iPhone and do a transfer restore

Me personally I'm not doing anything to my phone that can risk me losing TikTok until they get this ban cleared up. I'm not upgrading, updating anything if I want to keep TikTok it's too much of a risk