How to Unblock TikTok in the USA — Easy Access in 2025

The TikTok app is already off-limits on government devices in the US¹, but new laws seek to ban the app nationwide. While Trump intervened in 2025 to restore the app², he advocated for a TikTok ban himself in 2020³. So, TikTok may become inaccessible at any time in the future.

How can I unblock TikTok in the USA if the ban takes hold? A VPN (a virtual private network) can bypass the blocks, letting you securely download and use the TikTok app from the US. Additionally, quality VPNs protect your data from prying eyes with military-grade AES 256-bit encryption and prevent your ISP from throttling your streaming speeds. So, creators can keep creating content and interacting with their followers, and businesses built upon TikTok can keep earning revenue and promoting their brand without security risks.

How Can I Unblock and Use TikTok in the USA?

Installing the TikTok app in countries where it’s blocked isn’t that challenging. On the contrary, even beginners who have never used a VPN can do it in a few minutes. All you need to do is follow the steps below:

1. Download a VPN

Get a VPN that has fast servers in countries where TikTok is allowed. Your VPN should also offer AES 256-bit encryption and robust IP/DNS leak protection to bypass tough geoblocks and ISP blocks.

Installing a VPN should only take a few minutes. Simply follow the on-screen prompts and allow the necessary device permissions. Then, register and set up your VPN account.

2. Connect to a Server

Pick a server location in a country where TikTok is accessible (the closer it is, the better your speeds will be). This lets you "borrow" an IP address from your chosen region. That way, TikTok can’t tell that you’re in the US, so it won’t block your access. Servers in Canada and Mexico are ideal since they're nearby and have no TikTok restrictions.

3. Install the TikTok App (or Visit the Website)

If TikTok is already on your device, you can start using it right away. Just access your FYP and begin scrolling. Alternatively, you can visit the TikTok website (I recommend using Incognito mode so your browser data doesn’t give away your real location). However, you may need to download the app to get the full TikTok experience.

For new installations, you may need to change your device's region to download TikTok from an app store where it's available (or create a new Apple ID in a different region). Here’s how:

• On Android: change your Google Play Store country/region.
• On iOS (iPhone & iPad): change your App Store country/region.

4. Start Using TikTok in the USA

Open TikTok and enjoy scrolling privately. The VPN will protect your data against tracking and monitoring while maintaining fast speeds for smooth video playback. Keep the VPN connected whenever using TikTok to maintain secure access.

With most VPNs, you can set your most-used servers as favorites for quick connections. This makes it easier to switch between servers if one becomes slow or stops working. Thankfully, the best VPNs have thousands of servers worldwide.

If TikTok remains inaccessible or shows an error, even though you’re using a VPN, try the following:

• Change the server location.
• Adjust the VPN’s security settings (encryption level, protocol, extra privacy features, etc.).
• Clear your browser data and cache.
• Restart the device.
• Change the device’s location and time.
• Contact VPN support.

Why Is the United States Banning TikTok?

The US government's push to ban TikTok comes from national security and data privacy concerns. In fact, the US has already taken legislative steps to limit or ban the Chinese app’s operation within the country in the past. The No TikTok on Government Devices Act and the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act reflect the bipartisan concerns over TikTok's operations and its implications for national security.

The situation became particularly tense when TikTok temporarily went dark on January 19, 2025, following new legislation. The app’s 170 million users in the US were immediately blocked from accessing the app and hit with the following error message:

US visitors to the TikTok website also saw similar messages:

US users couldn't access TikTok during the ban unless they used a VPN

While President Trump's intervention restored access, the app's future in the US remains uncertain as Republican senators continue opposing this reprieve. TikTok has made offers of increased transparency and a shift to storing American user data within the US, but plenty of officials remain unconvinced. During his first term, Trump himself attempted to block TikTok⁶, citing the same national security concerns.

Other ByteDance-owned apps remain banned in the States too. CapCut, Lark, Gauth, Lemon8, and Hypic have all faced the same treatment as TikTok for the same reasons.

So, this isn't the first nor the last attempt to ban TikTok in the US. And, given the fact that more countries are banning the app, TikTokers should be ready for it to become inaccessible in the USA at any stage.

Here are the main reasons behind the US's actions against TikTok:

• Excessive data tracking and collection. TikTok's data collection goes far beyond what many users realize. Based on the platform's privacy policy⁷, the app gathers personal information, device data, location, usage patterns, biometrics, and even keystrokes.
• Data sharing with the Chinese government. ByteDance shares user information with Chinese officials under China's National Intelligence Law. The company even admitted several instances of spying on foreign journalists.⁸
• US-China relations. The move against TikTok is also part of a bigger picture of growing tensions between the US and China. This situation involves trade disputes, competition in technology, and broader geopolitical rivalries. That’s the reason why both administrations moved against TikTok in the past and probably will again.
• Attempts to mitigate foreign influence. The US is exploring the idea of making ByteDance sell TikTok to an American company to keep it running in the States. This would fix the data-sharing issue and reduce the risk of the China administration potentially using the app to spread propaganda. However, both ByteDance and the Chinese government have been hesitant about this approach.

What Countries Have Banned or Blocked TikTok?

TikTok faces varying restrictions worldwide, from complete bans to limits for public workers. Regions that prevent government employees from using TikTok on their devices include the US¹, Canada³, and European Parliament members⁴.

Will TikTok get banned in the US? Both previous and current administrations from all parties advocated for a country-wide TikTok ban. Even Trump, who restored access to the ByteDance app in 2025, publicly supported banning TikTok in 2020. So, there’s no guarantee against another full block in the future, which would harm businesses and creators alike.

Here is a complete list of locations where TikTok has been banned or restricted:

What US States Have Banned TikTok?

Montana is the only state that has banned TikTok.⁵ While it's common to see restrictions on using TikTok on government devices and campus networks across the country, Montana's approach is different. The state aims to prevent app stores like Google and Apple from offering TikTok to its residents, and it threatens hefty daily fines of $10,000. It's important to note, though, that this ban doesn't penalize individual users of the app.

Here’s a list of the US states that have blocked TikTok from government-issued devices:

FAQs on Unblocking TikTok in the USA With a VPN

Is it legal to use a VPN to unblock TikTok in the USA?

Yes, it’s legal to access TikTok in the USA via a VPN. The US TikTok bans target the app’s parent company ByteDance and app stores (such as the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store) — not individual users. In fact, using a VPN for TikTok improves your online security and privacy.

While VPNs are legal in most countries, using them to bypass government-imposed bans may violate local laws. It's crucial to check and understand regulations where you are, as these rules can change and vary significantly from one region to another.

Is TikTok blocked in the US?

TikTok has been banned and reinstated in the US, with further bans possible in the future. There are restrictions and ongoing debates about a nationwide TikTok ban. Most states have banned TikTok on state government-issued devices, while some public universities have also restricted TikTok's use on campus networks. These measures reflect ongoing security and privacy concerns due to the app's connections to China.

Why is TikTok blocked in schools, and how can I unblock it?

TikTok is often blocked in US schools to prevent distractions and protect students from inappropriate content. To unblock it during your breaks, you can use a VPN that works on restrictive networks. This should allow you to access TikTok on the school Chromebook and other devices.

How do I unblock Lives on TikTok?

You can use a VPN to access TikTok Live in the US. Choose a service, install it on your device, and connect to a server to start using TikTok safely.

If you cannot access TikTok Live in a country where the app operates without restrictions, first ensure you meet TikTok's age and account criteria for live streaming. If you've instead been blocked by a moderator due to a policy violation, wait for the temporary block to lift. If the block persists, contact TikTok support for assistance. Ensure your account is in good standing and adheres to TikTok's community guidelines to avoid future blocks.

Can I use a free VPN to access TikTok in the US?

Possibly, but it’s not recommended. These free services often don't have enough servers or the capability to get around the tough network blocks that could be keeping TikTok out of reach. Also, they are generally slower and less reliable, with bandwidth restrictions that can hamper the TikTok experience — especially in regard to streaming live videos or uploading content. It's far better to use a reliable premium VPN with a trustworthy money-back guarantee.

Many free VPNs also have a bad reputation for snooping on your online activity and selling your info. Worse still, some might even sneak malware into their apps. So they can often be worse for your online privacy than not using any protection at all.

References

1. https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2023-02-28/why-tiktok-is-being-banned-for-some-government-employees
2. https://www.reuters.com/technology/tiktok-goes-dark-us-users-trump-says-save-tiktok-2025-01-19/
3. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/government-tiktok-phones-ban-1.6761737
4. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tiktok-banned-us-government-where-else-around-the-world/
5. https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/why-tiktok-s-victory-in-montana-might-be-bad-news-for-the-platform
6. https://apnews.com/article/trump-tiktok-ban-da11df6d59c17e2c17eea40c4042386d
7. https://www.tiktok.com/legal/page/us/privacy-policy/en
8. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/dec/22/tiktok-bytedance-workers-fired-data-access-journalists