The situation is really bad: TikTok went offline in the US on the night of the 18th, less than two hours before the TikTok ban took effect. Many TikTok users say they can’t accept life without TikTok. So, after the TikTok ban takes effect, can we still use TikTok in the US like before? At this point, a VPN is your best friend.
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Is TikTok Getting Banned? TikTok Ban Update
In the last few days, have you been seeing new news about the “TikTok ban”? So, what’s been going on these past few days? Let’s go through the timeline:
> December 6, 2024: The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld a ruling. This law requires TikTok to either separate from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a ban across the country.
> January 10, 2025: The nine justices of the US Supreme Court held a 2.5-hour oral debate on whether to enforce new regulations restricting TikTok. After the debate, most media outlets believed the Supreme Court seemed inclined to support the “ban-or-sale” law.
> January 14, 2025: A large number of “TikTok refugees,” apparently protesting the TikTok ban, flocked to another Chinese app, RedNote. On that day, RedNote became the #1 app in the Apple App Store.
> January 15, 2025: Sources revealed that TikTok is planning to voluntarily shut down its app for its 170 million US users on Sunday, January 19, the day the ban is set to take effect. According to the plan, users attempting to open the TikTok app will see a pop-up message directing them to a website explaining the ban.
> January 15, 2025: According to two insiders, Trump is considering issuing an executive order after taking office. The order would reverse the Biden administration’s nationwide ban on TikTok, which was set to take effect on the 19th.
> January 18, 2025: Late at night on January 18 (EST), TikTok notified its US users that the app would temporarily stop providing services due to the official ban taking effect on January 19.
> January 19, 2025: TikTok officially suspended all its services in the US, including app functionality and website content.
Why does the US want to ban TikTok?
- Data and national security worries: The US government is concerned about how TikTok handles data and its connection to the Chinese government. They think TikTok might be a threat to national security and users’ data safety.
- Algorithm control and information manipulation: There are concerns that the Chinese government could use TikTok’s algorithm to influence what information Americans see and think, especially during elections and policy decisions.
The big question for us now is: How can we keep using TikTok after the ban takes effect?
Can a VPN Get Around the TikTok Ban?
The TikTok ban seems to be moving ahead. If it goes into effect, how can we still use TikTok in the US like before? In many cases, a VPN is the go-to solution.
Think about the TikTok ban in India. Some people there can still use TikTok because they have a VPN. VPN isn’t a new trick. People in places with strict internet rules have been using VPNs to get around restrictions for a long time.
So, things may not be that bad. If you want to get ready before the TikTok ban starts, here’s what you can do:
1. Install a TikTok app from another country. If the US bans internet services for TikTok, the US version of TikTok may not work properly. You may need to download a version from another country and use a VPN to access it.
2. Have a reliable VPN that can help you bypass the TikTok ban. A VPN can set your virtual location to another country/region, helping you get around geographic restrictions.
So, which VPN is the best for TikTok among so many options?
What Is the Best VPN for TikTok?
If your VPN doesn’t work with TikTok, or you’ve never tried one, X-VPN is your perfect choice. It can help you use TikTok from anywhere while keeping you safe and private online.
X-VPN’s obfuscation and disguise features make it hard for third parties, like ISPs, to detect you using a VPN. It disguises your VPN traffic as regular traffic. And they often update their IP addresses to ensure you can always get on TikTok.
Even better, X-VPN offers a free plan with unlimited data, so everyone can try out their service. It also offers a premium plan for those who want more features.
| X-VPN Free | X-VPN Premium | |
|---|---|---|
| Works Seamlessly with TikTok | ✅ | ✅ |
| Benefits | No data limits | 30-day VPN free trial |
| Server Network | 1,000+ servers in 17 countries | 8,000+ servers in 65 countries |
| Manually Select Server Location | ❌(Automatic connection) | ✅ |
| Dedicated Servers for Streaming/Gaming | ❌ | ✅ |
| Streaming Quality | Average | Excellent |
| Speed | Average, with limits | Super fast |
| Security Features | Limited | Obfuscation protocol, kill switch, double VPN, DNS leak protection, and more |
| Strict No-Logs Policy | ✅ | ✅ |
| Device Compatibility | iOS, Android, Windows, MacOS, Chrome, Linux, Router, Chromebook, and more | iOS, Android, Windows, MacOS, Chrome, Linux, Router, Chromebook, and more |
| Simultaneous Connection | 5 | 5 |
| 24/7 Live Chat Support | ✅ | ✅ |
Both the free and paid versions of X-VPN can help you access TikTok in the US. However, the paid version is faster, has better video quality, and more security features. Click below to try X-VPN Premium for free for 30 days!
Please follow your local laws and the terms of service of each platform. Use VPNs legally.
How to Access TikTok Anywhere: iOS & Android
As all we know, TikTok is now banned in the US. If you still want to access TikTok in the US, try the steps below to see if it works. These steps also work in other countries where TikTok is banned, such as India and Pakistan.
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Just in case, download X-VPN now. X-VPN works with almost all major devices.
2. Open X-VPN and connect to a server in a country where TikTok isn’t banned. For example, you can connect to UK servers.
3. Change the region of your App Store or Google Play Store to the UK.
- iOS Users: Go to Settings > iTunes & App Store > Apple ID > View Apple ID > Select Country/Region > Change Country or Region > Choose the UK > Agree to the terms and conditions > Select a local payment method for the UK. If you don’t have a local payment method, you can try buying a prepaid debit card from the UK.
- Android Users: Open Google Play Store > Profile icon > Settings > General > Account and device preferences > Change Country to the UK > Add a UK Payment Method.
4. Take out your SIM card and put it back in, or simply switch your eSIM off and then back on.
5. Go to your Apple App Store/Google Play Store and download TikTok UK.
6. Create a new Gmail account and set the region to the UK. Then, use this new Gmail account to log in to TikTok.
7. Enjoy TikTok as usual! X-VPN will encrypt all your browsing and hide your real IP address. No one will know what you’re watching or where you are.
Important Tips
💡 If you don’t want to change the region on your existing App Store or Google Play Store account, you can create a new alt account and set its region to your target country. This helps avoid potential risks.
💡 Keep your VPN on: Always keep your VPN active while browsing and using TikTok to hide your actual location.
💡 The TikTok content you initially see might vary, But TikTok’s algorithm is very powerful. Over time, it learns your preferences and viewing habits, recommending videos you like. So, you’ll still get personalized content—just give the algorithm some time to adjust.
💡 Legality and compliance: When using a VPN to access content from other countries, make sure to understand and follow the laws and terms of service of both your country and the target country.
How a TikTok Ban Could Impact US?
If TikTok does end up being completely banned in the US, what will be affected? Here’s a look at some possible impacts:
- U.S.-China Relations: This ban is part of the tech competition and tensions between the US and China. It could make the conflict between the two countries even worse.
- For ByteDance: ByteDance has put a lot of money and effort into TikTok in the US. If it’s banned, it’ll lose a big market, which would be a huge blow to its global business and strategy.
- For TikTok US Employees: TikTok has many employees in the US who have worked hard for its growth and success. They now face the risk of losing their jobs.
- For US TikTok Content Creators: Many businesses, artists, musicians, and content creators make a living from TikTok. The ban will take away a major platform for their creativity and income.
- For US TikTok Users: Users won’t be able to scroll through videos and have as much fun as they used to. And they’ll not be able to interact and connect with people worldwide on TikTok.
- For TikTok’s Competitors: With people moving away from TikTok, platforms like Instagram, YouTube, or new apps will probably get a lot more users.
Broader Impacts:
- Raises important questions about balancing security and freedom in the digital age.
- Should the government have the power to ban certain platforms based on perceived risks?
- How can platforms handle privacy issues without infringing on users’ rights?
- Will this ban lead to similar actions against other apps and services?
- And more…
But to be honest, TikTok will be hard to replace anytime soon. People won’t suddenly stop using it overnight. They’ll just look for ways to get around the ban. As mentioned earlier, they can still access TikTok by using a VPN.
Conclusion
The TikTok ban is now in effect. If US users still want to access TikTok in the US, a VPN is one of the easiest solutions. Click below now to get the best VPN for TikTok for free!
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FAQs
Did the Senate pass the TikTok ban bill?
Yes, the Senate passed the legislation that could lead to a ban on TikTok in the U.S. if its China-based parent company, ByteDance, does not sell its stake in the platform within a specified timeframe.
When will TikTok ban go in effect?
The TikTok ban depends on several factors. If ByteDance doesn’t sell TikTok, the ban could start after 9 months, with a possible three-month extension if a sale is happening. The earliest the ban could start is January 19, 2025, but this date might change due to various factors.
Can I still use TikTok after its banned?
Once the TikTok ban is implemented, users in the US won’t be able to download or use TikTok from US app stores and websites. However, users might be able to use a VPN to keep accessing TikTok. However, this could violate local laws and the terms of the platform’s service.
