What’s Going on with TikTok?
Do you need a VPN to get on TikTok? With the TikTok ban law passed in April 2024, many users are wondering how to keep access to the app—or download it again if they’ve deleted it.
📌 Right now, TikTok is NOT completely banned in the U.S.
📌 However, it has been removed from the Apple App Store & Google Play Store in the U.S.
📌 When a full ban takes effect, U.S. accounts may be blocked—even if you use a VPN.
So, will a VPN help? Yes, but only in certain cases. Let’s break it down.
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Why Can’t I Download TikTok Anymore?
The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, signed in April 2024, requires TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell TikTok by April 2025 or face a full U.S. ban.
📌 What’s happening now?
- TikTok is still working in the U.S. if you already have the app.
- It’s removed from U.S. app stores, so new users can’t download it.
- If you delete TikTok, you can’t reinstall it unless you find a workaround.
📌 What will happen in April 2025 if TikTok doesn’t sell?
- TikTok may stop working entirely for U.S. users.
- The block will likely be enforced at the account level—not just IP addresses.
- Even with a VPN, a U.S. TikTok account may not be able to log in.
Can I Use a VPN to Download TikTok in the U.S.?
Right now, TikTok is no longer available in the U.S. app stores, but there are two main ways people are using VPNs to download TikTok:
Method 1: Switching App Store Regions (Best for iPhone Users)
📌 How it works:
✅ Use a VPN to connect to a country where TikTok is still available (Canada, UK, Mexico, etc.).
✅ Change your Apple App Store region to match the VPN location.
✅ Search for TikTok in the foreign app store and install it.
⚠️ Caution: Apple may require a valid foreign payment method to change regions.
🔹 Source: Apple Support – Changing App Store Country
Method 2: Sideloading TikTok (Best for Android Users)
📌 How it works:
✅ Use a VPN to connect to another country where TikTok is available.
✅ Search for and download the TikTok APK file from a trusted third-party app site.
✅ Install the APK manually on your device.
⚠️ Caution:
- Download APKs only from trusted sources (e.g., APKMirror, not random websites).
- APK versions may not receive automatic updates like official app store versions.
🔹 Source: APKMirror – Safe APK Downloads
Can I Use a VPN to Keep TikTok After a Full Ban?
If TikTok remains blocked in the U.S. in April 2025, a VPN alone may not be enough to keep access to TikTok available.
📌 Here’s why:
🔻 The U.S. ban may be enforced at the account level, not just by blocking IPs.
🔻 TikTok could detect your U.S. account and restrict access, even if your IP is masked.
🔻 If the app is removed from app stores, it won’t receive updates, causing it to stop working.
✅ What Might Work Instead?
✔️ Create a TikTok account in another country NOW (before bans take effect).
✔️ Use a foreign phone number & email to register.
✔️ Always log in from a VPN with a non-U.S. location.
⚠️ Warning: If TikTok strictly enforces account bans, even foreign accounts could be flagged for activity in the U.S.
Best VPNs to Use for TikTok Access
Read our recommendations for Best AI-Powered VPNs for Privacy in 2025, but here is more specific guidance for a VPN to get on TikTok.
1. NordVPN – Best for bypassing app store region locks
⭐ Works for switching app store regions & unblocking TikTok
💰 Price: $3.79/month
🔹 Features:
✔️ Obfuscated servers (hides VPN use)
✔️ No-log policy & AES-256 encryption
2. ExpressVPN – Best for speed & security
⭐ Works in restricted regions like China
💰 Price: $6.67/month
🔹 Features:
✔️ Fast servers in 94+ countries
✔️ TrustedServer technology
3. Surfshark – Best budget option
⭐ Unlimited devices for one price
💰 Price: $2.49/month
🔹 Features:
✔️ Camouflage mode (hides VPN use)
✔️ No-log policy
👉 Try Surfshark Here
Final Verdict: Can a VPN Help You Access TikTok?
A VPN can help you download TikTok today and might keep it running after a full ban—but it isn’t foolproof.
✅ You can use a VPN to download TikTok from foreign app stores.
✅ A VPN may help you keep TikTok working after a ban—but only with a foreign account.
❌ If TikTok blocks U.S. accounts, you won’t be able to use a VPN to get on TikTok.
🔹 Next Steps: What to Read Next
📌 Best AI-Powered VPNs for Privacy in 2025
📌 DeepSeek vs ChatGPT: How the Chinese AI Model Stacks Up
📌 Is TikTok Safe in 2025? How to Protect Yourself & What the App Stores Don’t Tell You
