Important!
As of February 14, 2025, TikTok is (temporarily) back in the App Stores in the United States. It seems that TikTok will be available for download again, until the TikTok ban is officially imposed. This ban was postponed by 75 days on January 21.
If you’re surprised the TikTok ban is lifted, you are not the only one. On January 19, TikTok was removed from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store, but now the app is back — that is, users who kept the app installed can access it.
However, redownloading TikTok is a bit of a challenge. I’m here to help! If you’re looking to redownload TikTok in the US, you can do so with a VPN. A VPN lets you change your virtual location to a country where TikTok is still available.
Using a VPN is a quick and easy way to get back on TikTok, but you have to follow the steps outlined below!
Can I Redownload TikTok After the Ban?
Right now, the fate of TikTok in the United States is in legal limbo: following the original ban on January 19, TikTok was removed from app stores. However, with President Donald Trump lifting the TikTok ban, the service has become accessible again.
The main issue is that users who deleted the TikTok app are now unable to redownload it. Luckily, there are two workarounds:
- Change your app store location and get back to your original account.
- Create a new account from a different region.
In both cases, you’re going to need a virtual private network (VPN). This is because your location is connected to your TikTok account.
There are some differences to take into account depending on your device. Ready to get started?
How to Redownload TikTok on Your iPhone
If you’ve got an iOS device, you have two different options at your disposal. You can change your App Store region or use a new App Store account. Since changing your region is pretty straightforward, I recommend you start there.
Option 1 – Changing your current App Store region
- Set up your VPN. I’ve tested multiple VPNs for TikTok and found NordVPN to be the most reliable one to unblock the TikTok app.
- Go to your iPhone settings and tap your name to access your Apple Account.
- Go to Media & Purchases and tap “View Account.”
- Tap “Country/Region” — Apple will prompt you to submit a payment method but since you’re using a VPN, you can select “None.”
- Set up your new region by choosing a country from the list where TikTok is still available. This needs to be the same country as your established VPN connection! When asked for your billing address, submit a random address (you can find one online!).
- Open the App Store and look for TikTok. You’ll now be able to download it again!
As you can see, as long as you use a solid VPN like NordVPN, it’s pretty easy to change your Apple App Store country on your iPhone or iPad. However, if you find yourself struggling for whatever reason, there’s another option you can try.
Option 2 – Using a new App Store account
Another option you have to get back on TikTok on your iPhone is to create a new App Store account. You need the following things before you get started:
- An email address that is not yet registered with Apple
- A phone number you can use for verification — this doesn’t have to match your chosen App Store country
- An active VPN subscription
- Install and open your VPN. I recommend NordVPN, which is fast and reliable on any device.
- Connect to a VPN server in a country where TikTok is available.
- Go to Settings on your iPhone and tap your name at the top.
- Scroll down and tap “Sign Out” to sign out of your Apple ID. Complete sign out fully.
- Go back to Settings and tap “Sign in to your iPhone” > tap “Don’t have an Apple ID or forgot it?”.
- Select “Create a Free Apple ID” and follow the steps. Use your new email and phone number for verification.
- Set up your region by choosing a country where TikTok is available. This needs to be the same country as your established VPN connection! For payment method, select “None.”
- Open the App Store and look for TikTok. You’ll now be able to download it again!
Expert tip: Make sure you keep the credentials of your main Apple ID saved somewhere so you can switch between accounts easily.
After downloading TikTok
Once you’ve downloaded TikTok, make sure you keep an eye on the following things:
- After you’ve installed the app, you should be able to switch back to your main Apple ID, so make sure you save your original credentials somewhere.
- You should be able to log into your main TikTok account without issue.
- Should TikTok not be available in the US App Store for a while, I recommend repeating these steps once in a while, so as to not miss out on crucial app updates.
How to Get TikTok Back on Android
For Android, there are a few different options you can try to redownload TikTok. I’ve listed them on level of difficulty.
Option 1 – Use a new Google Play account (simple)
This is the most straightforward solution. You will need the following:
- An email address not yet associated with any Google Play account
- The credentials of your current Google Play account (back them up somewhere!)
- An active VPN subscription
Optionally, if you have a spare phone, you can use that one to create a new Google Play account.
- Install and open your VPN. For Android, I recommend NordVPN as your best option.
- Connect to a VPN server in a country where TikTok is readily available.
- Tap on your profile and log out from your current account.
- Select the option to create a new account and complete the steps. Make sure your location matches the one of your established VPN connection.
- Open the Google Play Store and look for TikTok. You’ll now be able to download it again!
Option 2 – Install the app through its APK (advanced)
While the steps for this option are easy enough to follow, it’s best suited to advanced Android users. If you’ve never heard of an APK, it’s best to try the first option instead.
Also, keep in mind that this solution comes with a few risks:
- You will need to change some important security settings.
- Cyber criminals have noticed interest in TikTok APKs, so the risk of your phone being infected with malware is higher.
Before you get started, make sure you have a trustworthy VPN like NordVPN installed, a back-up of your phone data, and a reliable source for APK files, such as Apkpure.com and AndroidAPKsBox.
- Install and open your VPN — since cybercriminals are targeting TikTok APKs, firing up your VPN’s malware protection is a key step!
- Go to “Settings” > “Security” and look for the option to “Install apps from external sources”.
- Tap on Google Chrome or whichever browser you use.
- Toggle on the switch for “Allow app installs”.
- Now, open your browser and search for “TikTok APK”. Only download files from reputable sites!
- Once the file is downloaded, open it and follow the on-screen instructions to install the app on your device.
Option 3 – Change your Google Play region (has limitations)
If you change your Google Play Store region, you can redownload TikTok again. However, here are a few important restrictions to keep in mind:
- In order to change your Google Play store region, you will have to cancel all active subscriptions.
- You can only change your Google Play Store region once a year!
- Install and open your VPN. For Android, I recommend NordVPN as your best option.
- Connect to a VPN server in a country where TikTok is readily available.
- Open the Google Play Store and tap your own profile.
- Go to Settings > General > Account and device preferences > Country and profiles.
- Choose the country you want to switch to. This needs to be the same country as your established VPN connection. Complete the steps.
- Open the Google Play Store and look for TikTok. You’ll now be able to download it again!
After downloading TikTok
Once you’ve gained access to TikTok again, keep the following in mind:
- You should be able to switch back and forth between different Google Play store accounts quite easily, as long as you’ve saved your old credentials.
- If you’ve downloaded an APK, make sure you restore the security settings to how they were before for optimal safety.
- You should be able to log into your pre-existing TikTok account.
- If TikTok remains unavailable in the US Google Play Store for the next few months, I recommend repeating these steps once in a while, so as to not miss out on crucial app updates. For APKs, you also have to redownload new versions of the app once in a while.
Alternative: Use TikTok in a browser
The TikTok app may be difficult to download, but you should be able to access TikTok in your browser easily. Here’s how!
- Sign up for a VPN. NordVPN is our #1 best VPN to unblock TikTok.
- Download the VPN software from the website.
- Log in with your VPN account.
- Connect to a country where TikTok isn’t banned, for example Canada or Mexico.
- Go to the TikTok website on your phone or computer and enjoy!
Choosing to access TikTok in your browser is also an option if you’re trying to bypass a TikTok ban at work or on your school network.
Will a VPN Always Unblock TikTok?
Yes, a VPN should be able to unblock TikTok, no matter where you are in the world. However, depending on your location, it may require additional steps. On top of that, the TikTok ban in the United States may still come back or be adapted in ways that require new solutions.
Generally, though, a VPN can help you get around all sorts of geographical restrictions. You can:
- Unblock apps and streaming services from different regions
- Get unbanned from social media accounts
- Play games with people around the world
- Save money and shop through cheaper online stores
Always make sure you use a trustworthy and reliable VPN for TikTok to get the best results!
Keeping TikTok at Your Fingertips
Now that TikTok appears to be back online, I recommend using a VPN to redownload it. With NordVPN, our #1 VPN to access TikTok, you will always be able to get around obstacles, whether on iPhone or Android.
Make sure you back up your phone or save your old account credentials before you dive into your settings! It’s also important that you fire up your VPN connection before you start making changes to your region, and that both countries match.
Want to try for yourself? NordVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee that you can make use of right away!
We’re keeping an eye on recent developments around TikTok and will update this page regularly. For more information, check out these related articles:
- How to Access TikTok in the US
- Why is TikTok Bad? Change These TikTok Privacy Settings Now
- The Ultimate Guide to TikTok: Is TikTok Bad for Kids?
Do you have any questions about (re)downloading TikTok? Have a look at our FAQ below!
The easiest way to redownload TikTok on Android or iOS is by changing your region in the App Store/Google Play Store:
- Set up a VPN. We recommend NordVPN as the best VPN for this purpose!
- Connect to a country where TikTok is still available.
- Open your Settings. Change your region to the same country as in step 1. It’s also possible to create a new App Store or Play Store account from scratch. Make sure you’ve got your phone backed-up before you do this!
- Once you’ve changed your region, find TikTok in your app store and download it again!
Before opening TikTok or trying to download it from your app store, make sure you’re connected to a VPN server in a country where TikTok is available, such as Canada or the United Kingdom.
A TikTok APK is a version of the TikTok app that’s available for download outside official app stores. Make sure you only ever download APKs (Android Application Package) from a reputable source and watch out for malware!
If you’re in the United States, I recommend choosing Canada. The more nearby a VPN server, the better the connection. However, you can choose any country in the world where TikTok is still available.
After the temporary TikTok ban on January 19, 2025, TikTok was removed from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. While TikTok is back in service, it’s not yet possible ot download TikTok again — unless you use a VPN.
No, you don’t need your phone number to match your chosen region. Any phone number should work for verification.
