TikTok is one of the world’s most popular social media apps, with 170 million users in the U.S. alone. But now, a looming ban might cut Americans’ access to the app if TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, does not divest the app. Americans are understandably concerned about keeping access to TikTok. Want to know how to stay in touch with your favorite content creators? The good news is there are a few ways to do this, and a VPN for TikTok can help.
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Why is TikTok getting banned in the U.S.?
How will the TikTok ban in the U.S. work?
How to use TikTok if it gets banned in the U.S.?
Bypass the TikTok ban with ExpressVPN
Why is TikTok getting banned in the U.S.?
Lawmakers in the U.S. are concerned that ByteDance could be forced to share user data with the Chinese government or influence the content Americans see. TikTok has taken some steps to alleviate these fears, such as moving U.S. user data to American servers and promising greater transparency. However, lawmakers’ are still concerned about data privacy and foreign influence.
Read more: Everything you need to know about why the U.S. is banning TikTok
How will the TikTok ban work in the U.S.?
Under the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, it would be illegal for TikTok to be distributed via app stores in the U.S. If the ban goes into effect, the app will be removed from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, preventing new downloads and updates from January 19. Without new updates, the app’s performance would most likely degrade over time and could possibly put users at risk of cyber threats.
The law would also apply to ISPs, which could mean that Americans are likely to be blocked from accessing TikTok from internet browsers. That said, if you already have the app installed on your phone, you’ll be able to continue to use it as normal—at least until the lack of updates breaks it.
How to use TikTok if it gets banned in the U.S.
Download the app before January 19, 2025
If the ban takes effect on January 19, the TikTok app will no longer be available to download from U.S. app stores. Downloading the app before the ban date will allow you to keep access to TikTok for the near future, as long as you’re not planning on switching to a new device.
Note that if the ban occurs, you won’t be able to update the app via U.S. app stores. This means there will be no performance fixes, no new features, and no security patches. It’s likely that the lack of updates will eventually degrade the app as compatibility issues arise, making it unusable.
Change your app store location
The ban will effectively block new TikTok downloads and updates in the U.S. If your app store location is set to the U.S., you won’t be able to download TikTok onto new devices or update it on existing ones.
If your app store location is set to a country other than the U.S. and TikTok is available in your country, these download and update restrictions won’t affect you. If you are in the U.S., you could change your Apple App Store country to one that is outside the U.S. to bypass these restrictions but note that this comes with some complications. For example, you’ll need a local payment method for the new country, and you may lose access to some of your existing downloaded apps and content.
Access TikTok through a browser
While it is likely that Americans would be blocked from accessing TikTok through their browsers by their ISPs, there is a workaround—using a VPN. When you connect to a VPN server in a country where TikTok is not banned, you get an IP address based in that country, which would allow you to bypass any location-based TikTok block.
Note that the browser experience for TikTok is not nearly as seamless as the app. However, if you’re in the U.S. and can’t download the app because of the TikTok ban, this is probably the easiest solution.
Unblock TikTok with a VPN
Currently, the TikTok ban does not block access to the app in the U.S. If you’re a U.S. resident or traveling to the U.S., as long as you already have TikTok on your device, you should be able to access TikTok as you normally would.
If you’re using a public Wi-Fi network that is restricting access to TikTok, like at your college campus or workplace, ExpressVPN can help you get around that. By masking your IP address and encrypting your online traffic, your location and activity remain hidden, allowing you to bypass local restrictions. For example, if you select a UK VPN server location, you can sign in and use TikTok as if you were there, no matter where you actually are in the world!
Read more: The complete list of countries that have banned or restricted TikTok
How to bypass the TikTok ban with ExpressVPN
One way of bypassing the U.S. TikTok ban is by using ExpressVPN to change your app store location.
- Sign up for ExpressVPN, the best VPN for TikTok.
- Download the ExpressVPN app on your device and connect to a server location in the country you want to use as your new location. Keep in mind that you will need a payment method and billing address in that country and that you may lose access to certain apps and downloaded content.
- Follow the instructions to change your account location for the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. You may need to cancel some of your existing subscriptions to other apps before doing so.
- Once you’ve changed your region to a country where TikTok is not banned, all that’s left to do is visit the App Store or Play Store and download TikTok to your device.
- Create a new TikTok account or log in to your existing account, and start scrolling!
Why you need ExpressVPN for streaming
Even after you’ve changed your app store region and downloaded TikTok to your device, you’ll want to keep using ExpressVPN to protect your privacy. When you’re connected to a VPN server, your online activity is hidden from any snoops—including your ISP—so no third party will be able to see what you’re doing online.
ExpressVPN keeps you safe while providing blazing-fast speeds, so you can avoid lag and long download times and watch TikToks smoothly and securely from anywhere.
Key features:
- High-speed servers in 105 countries across the globe, all optimized for speed and security
- One subscription works on up to 8 devices at once
- Customer service with 24/7 live chat support
- Strict privacy policy: We don’t record your activity or VPN connections
- Comprehensive support site filled with DIY troubleshooting articles, handy video tutorials, and more
- Our advanced server system, called TrustedServer, ensures data is wiped on every reboot
- Extra features to block display ads, adult sites, and malicious trackers
- Next-gen Lightway protocol offers greater speeds, security, and reliability, especially on mobile
FAQ: About using TikTok if it gets banned in the U.S.
Can you still use TikTok if it gets banned in the U.S.?
Yes, you can still use TikTok in the U.S. if you already have it on your device. The ban essentially prevents new downloads and updates of the TikTok app. The inability to update the app means it may eventually stop working as compatibility issues arise.
If you’re traveling to the U.S. from a country where TikTok is not banned, the U.S. ban will not affect your access to or use of the app on your device.
Will TikTok still be on my phone after the ban?
Yes, if you have the app on your phone before the ban goes into effect, the app will remain downloaded and installed. Your phone will not automatically delete the TikTok app. You can still use it, but it will no longer be updated.
Why is TikTok getting banned?
U.S. lawmakers are banning TikTok over national security concerns. Lawmakers are worried that the Chinese government could pressure ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to hand over data about U.S. citizens or use the app to influence them.
What can I do if TikTok gets banned?
One thing you can do is to get ExpressVPN and use it to change your Apple App Store or Google Play Store region. This can be a complex process and it’ll require a payment method and billing address for your new region, but if TikTok is a big part of your life, it might be worth it.
