How to Access TikTok in Countries that Banned it in 2023 (India, Pakistan)

Published on: January 8, 2023
Last Updated: January 8, 2023

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Lockdowns during the recent pandemic have been a difficult time for everyone.

But, besides the anxiety and stress, COVID-19 has also brought joys like TikTok to our lives.

This creative app, used for making short, entertaining videos, has grown to be massively popular since people were looking for a distraction during the quarantine restrictions.

There was a sudden surge seen in the number of downloads of the TikTok app during the year 2020.

However, it soon also gained unfavorable attention, particularly when users began using it dangerously.

Therefore, the Tiktok app was immediately blocked by many governments around the world, necessitating people like you to learn how to unblock it.

This post will cover all the essential information on how to access TikTok.

Reasons Behind the Banning of TikTok

Sadly, TikTok hasn’t been valued sufficiently, even though it was the only source of brightness during those gloomy times.

The reason you are here reading this is that even if the app has grown in popularity, all this fame has not been able to stop several jurisdictions from banning the app.

The majority of such jurisdictions have brought up security issues related to the app’s link with the Chinese government.

In case you still haven’t guessed, TikTok is a social media app launched by ByteDance, a Chinese company.

Therefore, it faces a ban in several countries where users or governments are afraid that the Chinese government could get its hand on their private data.

Governments of various countries are attempting to safeguard their national security and integrity by banning the Chinese app.

The security concerns seem valid at times because the Chinese National Intelligence law has given complete authority to the Chinese communist party to access the customer data of any Chinese firm.

Since June 2020, India’s name flashes on top of the list of those countries.

Whereas many other countries, including Australia, Pakistan, Japan, and the US, are off and on reported to be considering the same.

Rumour has it that in numerous U.S. states, the app has already been prohibited on all devices owned by the government due to security issues.

Despite having a Chinese origin, TikTok is not available in China either. Instead, Douyin, a localized version by the same company, has grown popular.

But this exactly is where we see a ray of hope. The two apps are comparable, but TikTok targets the rest of the globe while Douyin concentrates on the Chinese market.

This means that whereas TikTok’s servers are external and purportedly not subject to the same limitations, Douyin is hosted on Chinese servers and adheres to Chinese regulations.

How to Access TikTok in Countries that Banned it

Why is My TikTok Video Not Showing up For Others

Until recently, if someone had TikTok already installed on their device, they faced no trouble in accessing their content, despite the ban by the government.

However, such users were unable to update to the newer versions of the app, and the older ones started to die on them.

Moreover, the TikTok app is no longer available for download through conventional app stores in countries that have it banned. The blocking of TikTok downloads has been mandated for ISPs in certain nations.

But even in countries where the use of TikTok is prohibited, like India, there are ways to access and use it. Let’s have a look at some easy step-by-step guides to help you with it.

Accessing on iPad or iPhone

For Apple device users, it is a rather straightforward process to install the TikTok app.

The simplest way to download TikTok if you own an iPad or an iPhone and live in a country that has outlawed it is to make a new Apple ID.

By doing this, you’ll be able to select a new country without having to physically relocate or use a local payment method.

Alternatively, you can make a few quick adjustments and switch your existing Apple ID to a different country where the app is available.

Following are a  few simple steps you need to follow:

  • Go to the App Store and select your profile image.
  • Click on your email address and name from the Account Settings window that has opened.
  • Press on the “Change Region or Country” icon after selecting “Region/Country.”
  • Scroll down the list of alternate locations to find one where the app is still permitted.
  • Once you have accepted the T&C, select “None” for the mode of payment and type a valid address in the area of your choice for the billing address.
  • Select “Done” after selecting “Next.”

You should be able to locate and download the TikTok app from the App Store on your Apple device. Once your software has been downloaded, you can sign in by connecting to a VPN service where the app is not blocked.

Accessing on Android Devices

For Android owners, here’s how to access Tiktok from a different country if it has been taken down in yours:

  • For your Android phone, launch the VPN software and join a server in the nation you want to switch to.
  • Launch Google Play.
  • Tap Account from the Menu ( i.e., three horizontal bars).
  • You’ll find the option to shift to the country you’ve selected with your VPN under “Country and profiles.” Select that country.
  • You will be required to choose a local payment method for that country. Consider acquiring a prepaid debit card for the chosen country if you don’t already have one.
  • In the following 24 hours, the Google Play Store will switch to the chosen country automatically.

Accessing on Browser

For TikTok users in countries that ban its use, the easiest method of accessing their account is to avoid using the app at all and instead use a VPN and browser.

Following are some straightforward steps you can follow:

  • Pick the best VPN.
  • Download and install its app for your device after successfully purchasing a subscription.
  • Open the list of servers and establish a connection with a server in any TikTok-friendly country.
  • After that, simply go to the TikTok website. At this point, you can access your current account or create a new one. Just keep in mind that whether using a PC or a mobile device, you must accomplish this using a browser like Chrome or Safari.

Best VPN to Access TikTok in 2023

Now that you have been educated about all the possible ways to access TikTok in countries that have banned its use, you might be able to identify that one tool crucial in all.

It’s a VPN (or Virtual Private Network) that is equally essential in all of the methods mentioned above. Therefore, it makes it extremely important to choose your VPN after complete scrutiny.

This can be a long and tiring process, but it doesn’t mean you should skip it. If you need help, we are glad to give you our recommendations.

Following are the names of three VPNs on top of our list for helping you access TikTok:

  1. NordVPN – 🏆 Winner!
  2. Surfshark
  3. Atlas VPN

1. NordVPN

NordVPN

Recommended Guide: NordVPN Review

Locating the Panama-based NordVPN at the top of our list should come as no surprise.

Not only does this VPN for TikTok meet all our criteria, but it attempts to constantly improve and exceed user expectations.

The very first persuasive fact is that it comes from a privacy-friendly country. Therefore we can be confident that its no-logging claims are trustworthy.

NordVPN’s extensive network of more than 5400 servers enables you to practically travel to 60 different countries without having to move an inch.

Unblocking Tiktok from anywhere is made easy with NordVPN. It only requires a few clicks to do so due to the vast network of lightning-fast servers that makes up this VPN service.

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  • DoubleVPN, double privacy
  • 6 simultaneous device connections
  • Great for: Safety, security, anonymity & peace of mind
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Their Nordlynx protocol, built around the well-known Wireguard standard, is to be given credit for the fast connection speed.

Consequently, this VPN provider will not only help you unblock TikTok seamlessly, but the process of browsing the available videos is also made simpler and faster.

If you want to watch your favorite shows via one of the restricted streaming services, the fast speeds will be helpful there as well.

NordVPN also boasts a fantastic collection of security features if you want to stop your ISP or the government from tracking your online activities.

It guarantees that only RAM-based servers are used in its network, uses military-grade encryption, protects against DNS breaches, and ensures complete anonymity.

It also ensures that no information is disclosed in the event of an unanticipated VPN dropout by having a trustworthy internet kill switch, which is enabled by default.

NordVPN offers the “Double VPN” feature for individuals who are extremely concerned about their identity being revealed.

By passing user data across two servers and encrypting it twice, the Double VPN function doubles the level of online protection.

Its outstanding compatibility with Android and iOS devices, alongside browser extensions, is primarily what distinguishes it as the best VPN.

Since Tiktok is primarily utilized on mobile platforms, NordVPN triumphs in the competition by providing spick-and-span apps for every device.

With a single subscription, you can use NordVPN on six of your devices simultaneously. Better yet, you can claim a refund within 30 days if the service fails to meet your expectations.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark

Recommended Guide: Surfshark VPN Review

Surfshark is another popular VPN for accessing Tiktok when it comes to affordability. The ability to support an endless number of simultaneous connections is the aspect for which it is best known.

This implies that a single subscription can provide access to its top-notch services for the entire family.

Among its many commendable characteristics are its RAM-based server fleet, use of cutting-edge encryption techniques, reliable kill switch, and defense against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks.

With its Double VPN feature, which provides an additional layer of encryption to ensure user anonymity, it also increases online privacy and security.

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  • Surfshark is the best budget VPN
  • 30-day risk-free trial
  • Strict no-logs policy
  • 3200+ servers in 95 countries
  • Unlimited simultaneous device connections
  • Great for: private browsing on a budget
  • Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone & iOS, Linux, FireFox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and more

In case you were curious, this VPN service, which is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, also strictly adheres to the no-logs rule.

Although it focuses on delivering total online safety, this does not imply that its performance is subpar.

In fact, it provides excellent speeds for all sorts of activities on the internet, such as streaming, gaming, and flawless scrolling on Tiktok by employing the venerable Wireguard protocol.

You won’t ever question the inclusion of this name in our list when you take into account such speeds combined with its exceptional unblocking powers.

With 3200 servers spread across over 65 nations, Surfshark gives you a lot of options and can quickly unblock Tiktok and any other geo-restricted content.

Overcrowding on servers is also not an issue due to the vast server network.

The only aspect that can cause some consumers to have reservations is the relatively pricey monthly subscription plan.

A longer-term commitment is encouraged, though, as it enables you to take advantage of unparalleled pricing and cost-to-functionality ratio.

3. Atlas VPN

Atlas VPN

Recommended Guide: Atlas VPN Review

The last name on our list of “top three VPNs for TikTok” is Atlas VPN, a lesser-known but is nevertheless a great VPN.

Every feature that a premium VPN service offers to users is available with Atlas VPN. For instance, lightning-fast connection speeds are achieved using the widely used Wireguard technology.

Atlas VPN’s performance won’t let you down whether you want to watch TikTok’s constantly engaging video feed, upload short and creative videos, or play around with filters.

Although Atlas VPN is a new provider that joined the industry in 2019, it already competes with industry leaders on several fronts, beginning with a stringent policy against logging users’ data.

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  • Atlas VPN is the best free VPN
  • Privacy Pro servers
  • 750 servers in 40+ locations
  • Unlimited simultaneous device connections
  • Great for: people seeking a freemium VPN
  • Compatible with: Windows, MacOS, Android, iPhone & iOS, Android TV, Fire TV Stick

Additionally, it provides a vast array of world-class security tools that solve privacy issues regarding Tiktok usage and aid in minimizing users’ digital traces.

Some of its most notable security features include military-grade encryption of data, defense against data leaks of all kinds, and an automatic internet kill switch to avoid IP leaks in case the VPN connection fails unexpectedly.

It even features a Tracker Blocker which, when activated, blocks any bothersome advertisements and potentially harmful websites.

Additionally, like Surfshark, Atlas VPN provides unlimited concurrent connections with a single account.

The fact that Atlas VPN has made available a free version, too, with all these premium features, makes it even better. This is also why we like to refer to it as a “freemium” VPN.

Unfortunately, the free version only allows connections to three servers, two of which are in the United States, which is said to be considering banning Tiktok very soon.

However, there’s no need to get discouraged so quickly! With an Atlas VPN membership, you can still unblock Tiktok and other restricted content with ease, thanks to access to more than 750 servers in 30+ countries.

FAQs

How Long Will TikTok Remain Banned?

Since every country’s scenario is dependent on the intricate politics of that region, it is difficult to predict if TikTok will continue to be prohibited.

For instance, TikTok was considered for a ban in the United States but was never put into practice.

However, Pakistan has repeatedly outlawed TikTok and lifted the restrictions every time. In India, things appear to be different, and it appears that the ban will last for a long time.

If other countries decide the app poses a genuine security risk to their citizens, they may also opt to impose similar bans.

Ultimately, the findings of the research being conducted and TikTok’s response to these issues will most likely determine how long these prohibitions remain in effect.

Can I Use any VPN to Unblock TikTok?

The best and safest way to access TikTok in any country where it is banned is, without a doubt, with the use of a VPN.

It’s advisable to select the best VPN among the VPNs listed in this post because not all VPNs provide total digital anonymity.

Can TikTok be Unblocked with a Free VPN?

Many free VPNs assert to have the ability to unblock TikTok. But you need to avoid falling for their tricks.

A free VPN typically features poor servers, lax security, and a plethora of privacy regulations that only reveal your private data to third parties for commercial gain.

Additionally, there’s a good probability that you’ll get inundated with pop-up ads, most of them exposing your device to malware and trackers.

Therefore, for the protection of your device, TikTok account, and sensitive information, you should invest in the finest VPN, like NordVPN.

Is it Illegal to Access TikTok via a VPN if Your Country has Banned it?

Even in jurisdictions where TikTok is prohibited, accessing it is most likely not against the law.

Usually, these prohibitions do not apply to individual users. Rather, only the app stores and internet service providers are subject to them.

However, it is still advisable to check the local laws in your country before attempting to unblock TikTok.

How Safe is it to Use TikTok?

In general, TikTok poses risks comparable to those of other popular social media networks.

In general, TikTok poses risks comparable to those of other popular social media networks.

However, there are several options you may change within the app if you want to continue using TikTok while remaining as secure as possible.

Some of them are as follows:

• Convert to a private account.
• Uncheck from personalized data.
• Activate the restricted mode.
• Uncheck the “allow others to find me” box in the settings.
• Change every security setting to “Friends.”

In Summary, the best VPNs in 2023 are;

Conclusion

As evident from this post, TikTok can still be made accessible even if it has been banned in your region. You can easily modify App Store or Google Play settings by following the given instructions.

Simply by acquiring and using a reliable VPN like NordVPN, you can change your location and access TikTok in no time.

👉 Get NordVPN’s FREE Trial

It’s important to understand the privacy risks associated with TikTok, though. Be careful with anything you share online, whether it’s on TikTok or somewhere else, and safeguard your data on the app.

You can enjoy watching and uploading your creative videos as long as you follow these guidelines.

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Written by Trevor Cooke

Trevor Cooke is an accomplished technology writer with a particular focus on privacy and security. He specializes in topics such as VPNs, encryption, and online anonymity. His articles have been published in a variety of respected technology publications, and he is known for his ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and accessible manner.
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