The Biden administration might place a nationwide ban on TikTok. Though there are legal complications that stand in the way of a full ban, a growing number of politicians is in support of making the Chinese-owned social media app inaccessible to American users.
Should TikTok be banned, the best way to unblock it is by using a VPN. Not only can a VPN get around geographical restrictions, but it also keeps your data encrypted. Since TikTok collects a lot of data, this is a great security benefit!
Here’s how to set up a VPN to access TikTok from anywhere:
- Subscribe to a trusted VPN provider, such as NordVPN.
- Download the right software for your device.
- Log in and connect to a server in a country where TikTok is accessible.
- Open the app!
The #1 VPN we recommend for unblocking TikTok is NordVPN.
NordVPN has many security features and has made a name for itself when it comes to unblocking all sorts of apps, websites, and streaming services! They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try out the VPN for yourself.
Want to know more about the potential TikTok ban in the US and what it means for you? Read the full article below.
Despite its global popularity, TikTok is not available everywhere. Most recently, it seems the United States might ban the app. Already, TikTok is banned on federal government devices. Politically, there is growing bipartisan concern over TikTok’s potential ties to the Chinese government. Additionally, TikTok is known to gather huge amounts of private user data.
Now, the Biden administration is threatening to ban TikTok for all users in the United States, unless the Chinese owners of the social media platform divest their shares.
Luckily, even if TikTok gets blocked, there are safe and easy ways to get around the restrictions and unblock TikTok. With a VPN (virtual private network), you can access TikTok from anywhere in the world, including the United States, while also protecting yourself against part of TikTok’s data-gathering practices.
In this article, we tell you how!
Catching You Up: Why Is the United States Banning TikTok?
TikTok is one of the most popular apps in the world, with over 100 million users in the United States alone. Countless users are taking part in viral TikTok trends, videos are shared far and wide, and there are few people who haven’t heard of the app. However, since the app is developed and owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company, a growing number of US politicians have expressed concerns.
The United States is not alone in its distrust of TikTok. Recently, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom have moved to ban the TikTok app from government phones. In India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, TikTok is banned completely. Many other countries, including Russia, have temporarily banned TikTok at some point.
In 2020, the Trump administration already tried to put a nationwide ban on TikTok, which failed. Now, President Biden is attempting to do the same. In March 2023, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew had to testify before Congress to address concerns regarding the app.
The main justification for banning TikTok seems to be protecting national security. There is a growing fear that sensitive data from US users could be passed on to the Chinese government. Considering the various privacy risks of TikTok, some have gone as far as to call it a spy app for the Chinese government — an attitude that falls in line with the United States’ general anti-China policies.
But is TikTok that dangerous?
While it’s true that TikTok collects large amounts of user data, there is no proven evidence that TikTok is a national security risk. In fact, even in terms of data collection, TikTok isn’t much worse than Instagram or Facebook.
That’s not to say that the app isn’t risky. There are plenty of reasons to be cautious when you’re using TikTok (a VPN will help!), but to say that TikTok is a malicious spy app is most likely an exaggeration, as TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has emphasized in his testimony.
This begs the question: can the US government really go ahead and ban TikTok?
Can the United States ban TikTok?
At the state level, TikTok users in the United States already have to jump over some hurdles to access the app. Several institutions, schools, and universities do not allow the app on their Wi-Fi networks or campus devices. As stated before, TikTok is also already banned on government devices.
The question is, can the United States government put a nationwide ban on TikTok over national security concerns? When it comes to jurisdiction, it might prove difficult. In 2020, the Trump administration attempted to block TikTok, but the move was blocked by courts.
National security concerns aside, a full ban on TikTok would be a form of US censorship. The First Amendment, which protects freedom of expression, will legally stand in the way of a full ban. Reuters has reported that a potential ban would depend on the creation of new legislation, such as the RESTRICT ACT. This bipartisan bill would grant more power to the Commerce Department to ban foreign technology.
Should TikTok get banned, either by the government or by your school or workplace’s firewall, and you don’t want to try out any TikTok alternatives, it’s good to know that a VPN can help you bypass the restrictions.
How to Access TikTok From Anywhere (Including the US!)
Want to make sure you’ll always have access to TikTok, even when it’s banned or blocked? There’s an easy solution: Use a VPN.
A virtual private network is a software application that can change the IP address of your device. Your IP address is used by internet service providers (ISPs) to determine your location. If a website or app is banned in your country, your ISP will often use your IP and location data to make sure you can’t access it. If you change your IP to one in a country that doesn’t block TikTok, you can get around the ban.
The best VPN providers have VPN servers all around the world. Once you connect to one of these servers, for example in France, your real IP address will be masked by the French VPN server. Virtually, you’re located in France, where TikTok isn’t banned. All you need to do is go to the app, and voilà! TikTok is unblocked.
What’s even better, is that a VPN has a ton of extra security benefits:
- It encrypts your data. One of the most important advantages of a VPN is the fact that a VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet. This prevents others, including hackers, from getting their hands on your private information.
- It helps you stay safe online. A VPN increases your online security a lot. Most VPNs have added features to keep you safe online, including ad blockers, obfuscated servers, dark web monitors, and an automatic kill switch.
There are many more advantages to using a VPN. However, for TikTok users, the main reason to invest in a VPN is that it allows you to unblock TikTok (and many other apps and websites) from anywhere in the world.
Interested? Let’s get you started!
How to Set Up a VPN to Unblock TikTok
If you’re a TikTok user, chances are you want to keep using it. Should TikTok get banned, setting up a VPN is quick and easy. We detail all the steps below.
1. Get a VPN subscription
The first thing you need to do, is sign up with a VPN provider. There are countless options out there, but, if you ask us, the best VPN for TikTok is NordVPN. This provider offers excellent deals and will have you back on TikTok in no time. You can choose your subscription on the NordVPN website.
Not sure if you want to commit to the VPN service yet? NordVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try the VPN for yourself. Not happy? Just let NordVPN know and you’ll get a full refund.
2. Download the VPN software
After signing up on the website and creating an account, you can download the software for the device you want to use. Since TikTok is a mobile app, you’ll likely be sent to one of the app stores (Google Play Store or Apple App Store) to download NordVPN. No worries — all it will take is a click or two, and you’ll be all set.
If you’d like a little more help with downloading and installing, we have detailed guides on setting up a VPN on iOS and on Android you can use. If you want to be able to gain access to TikTok on your PC too, all you need to do is download the right software from the NordVPN website.
3. Connect to a VPN server
Once you’ve got NordVPN installed, you can log in with the account you created in step 1. All that’s left to do after that, is connect to a VPN server in a country where TikTok isn’t banned. Since a VPN can slow down your connection a little bit, it’s always best to choose a server in a country that’s relatively close to your real location.
Unblocking TikTok from the US? Connect to a server in Canada or Mexico. Simply click on one of those countries and wait for the software to establish the connection.
4. Enjoy TikTok
Once connected, your VPN will allow you to enjoy TikTok as you normally would. Simply go to the app and open it. You should now be able to watch videos, post your own content, and stay up-to-date with the latest viral challenges.
Best VPNs to Unblock TikTok in the United States
Not all VPNs are the same. The best VPNs in the industry are secure, affordable, and offer excellent features. However, there are various providers out there that aren’t able to unblock TikTok or do more harm than good, since they collect your personal information.
So, what should you pay attention to when choosing a VPN for TikTok? First of all, a VPN should be able to do what it promises. We test VPNs 24/7 to make sure we only recommend the very best VPN services that actually work. Secondly, since your personal data is at stake, it’s essential that your VPN doesn’t log your data. These VPNs are called zero logs VPN providers. Finally, you want to make sure your VPN is fast enough that you don’t notice the software is running in the background.
As a nice extra, a VPN with a large server network will allow you to access much more than just TikTok. Want to stream foreign Netflix libraries or access BBC iPlayer without any issues? The more server locations a VPN has, the better you’ll be able to bypass geo-restrictions.
Below, we’ve listed the best VPNs that can unblock TikTok.
1. NordVPN: Overall best VPN to unblock TikTok
Features:
- Excellent zero-logs VPN
- Unblocks TikTok and streaming services easily
- Very high speeds
- Double VPN (double encryption)
NordVPN is our absolute favorite VPN of this year. We tested it with TikTok, and it worked seamlessly. This provider has servers all over the world (think: thousands of IPs to choose from) and comes with excellent unblocking capabilities. It doesn’t just work with social media apps like TikTok, but also allowed us to watch American Netflix, unblock Peacock TV, and watch all sorts of sports events. Thanks to its high speeds and great performance overall, you don’t have to worry about your connection slowing down. You won’t even notice it’s active, safe for the fact that you’ll be able to access TikTok from the US even in case of a ban.
In terms of security, NordVPN has your back. Your data will be secured with military-grade AES 256-bit encryption. NordVPN runs on the best VPN protocols, including OpenVPN and WireGuard, meaning your information is as safe as it could possibly be. This is great to fight off some of those TikTok privacy risks that have caused countries to block it in the first place.
What’s great about NordVPN, is that the VPN comes with many additional security features. Threat Protection keeps your device safe from all sorts of malicious threats, including phishing and DDoS attacks. Additionally, NordVPN has its own cloud service (NordLocker) and password manager (NordPass), which you can add to your subscription if you’d like.
In short, NordVPN allows you to access TikTok while also giving you a league of other opportunities and protecting your data. If you’re hesitant, you can use the provider’s 30-day money-back guarantee. This allows you to try out the app for yourself without committing right away.
Want to know more about NordVPN? You can read all about our NordVPN tests on our website, or go directly to Nord’s website by clicking the button below.
- Fast and large worldwide network of VPN servers
- Perfect for privacy and streaming
- Trusted by many, with over 14 million users
2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN to access TikTok
Features:
- Affordable subscriptions
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Many extra features
- Unblocks TikTok, Netflix, and other apps
Surfshark is a favorite here at VPNOverview. This affordable VPN offers excellent security and works seamlessly. With over 3,200 VPN servers, you don’t have to worry about whether Surfshark will be able to unblock TikTok in the US. In fact, they have special servers for all sorts of purposes, including torrenting and servers that are optimized for streaming. Since it’s also one of the fastest VPNs around, your connection will always run smoothly, so those TikTok videos will play without a second of loading.
The Android and iPhone apps provided by Surfshark are incredibly straightforward and easy to use. Simply click on the country you wish to connect to and wait for the key symbol to show up at the top of your screen. That means you’re connected and ready to surf the web in all freedom, whether that means scrolling through TikTok or watching the newest blockbusters on Netflix (which Surfshark also works seamlessly with).
In terms of features, Surfshark has got you covered. It has a CleanWeb ad blocker, a NoBorders mode that’s specifically designed to unblock content in regions with censorship, and the option to split-tunnel your VPN traffic so you can use your VPN on some of your apps while others use your regular connection.
Like NordVPN, Surfshark has a 30-day money-back guarantee that allows you to check out everything that Surfshark has to offer for yourself before committing to a lengthy subscription. It’s great for accessing tools like ChatGPT in blocked countries.
You can read all about our experiences with this excellent provider in our full Surfshark review. To try it out for yourself, simply click the button below.
- Very user-friendly and works with Netflix and torrents
- 30-day money-back guarantee. No questions asked!
- Cheap with many extra options
3. CyberGhost: Perfect VPN for beginners
Features:
- Competitive and user-friendly VPN
- Easy to install
- Works well with social media and streaming services
- 45-day money-back guarantee
CyberGhost has a very expansive server network with over 9,000 servers in more than 90 countries. We have never experienced any issues with unblocking content with CyberGhost, even when it comes to streaming platforms. Accessing TikTok from the US, even in case of a ban, should be just as easy.
In terms of security, CyberGhost also measures up to its competitors. The VPN provider supports OpenVPN and WireGuard. For extra security tools, especially for Windows, you can add CyberGhost’s Security Suite to your subscription. This package will allow you to protect your entire device in one go. CyberGhost has also partnered with Intego to keep your devices free from malware, adware, and ransomware.
Like Surfshark, CyberGhost is a very affordable and beginner-friendly VPN. The installation process is very straightforward and the customer support team is always willing to help you out. Although, in our experience, it generally isn’t quite as fast or reliable as Surfshark and NordVPN, it is still an excellent choice. It’s also the VPN with the longest trial period: since CyberGhost has a 45-day money-back guarantee you can really give this VPN a proper try!
Want to read more about this provider? We do regular, full tests, which we write about in our CyberGhost VPN review. If you’d rather get started right away, simply click the orange button below.
- Very user-friendly
- High quality for a low price
- Torrents and Netflix possible
Bonus! Proton VPN: A free option that works with TikTok
We realize that not everyone is able to pay for a VPN subscription just to use TikTok. Are you looking for a free option? Then you might want to try out Proton VPN’s free version. Proton VPN is a reputable VPN provider known for its dedication to privacy. It offers a free VPN that everyone can use. It doesn’t have a data limit, which is great, since most free VPNs only allow you to use their connections for a certain amount of MBs before they stop working. With Proton VPN free, however, you’ll be able to watch and upload TikTok videos from the US for hours and hours.
The downside of using a free VPN is that they tend to be slow, meaning you might find yourself spending a lot of time looking at loading wheels. This has multiple reasons. First of all, the servers of free VPNs tend to be very crowded, since so many people are using them at the same time. Secondly, free VPNs, including Proton VPN, tend to have much smaller server networks, meaning your options are much more limited. With Proton VPN Free, you’d have to use a server in The Netherlands or Japan in order to unblock TikTok in the United States. The distance between you and this virtual server might result in even slower connections.
Despite these limitations, a good free VPN can be a great option for unblocking TikTok. We recommend Proton VPN specifically, because it doesn’t harvest your data and has high levels of security. If you’d like to read more about Proton and its premium packages, have a look at our Proton VPN review. Otherwise, you can start using this free VPN right away by clicking the button below.
Get a VPN to Access TikTok Whenever You Want
TikTok might be banned in the United States over national security concerns and the app’s potential ties to the Chinese government. While it’s easier said than done, there is growing support for legislation that will allow a nationwide ban on the app, despite criticism.
Do you want to make sure you always have access to TikTok no matter where you are in the world? The best thing to do is set up a VPN. The top 3 VPNs to unblock TikTok in the United States (or anywhere, really) are:
- NordVPN: Reliable and high level of security
- Surfshark: Affordable and fast
- CyberGhost: Beginner-friendly budget option
The critique of TikTok isn’t entirely unfounded, seeing as the app does come with many privacy concerns. However, a VPN will help you negate many of those, too. In other words: you’ll be able to keep using TikTok in the United States while also safeguarding your privacy and security, all with just one app. That’s why we’d recommend getting a VPN today so you can unblock apps, websites, and streaming services from anywhere!
Still have questions regarding the use of TikTok in the United States? Take a look at the frequently asked questions below. Simply click a question to see the answer.
A TikTok ban would mean that people in the United States are no longer able to use TikTok. The Biden administration has threatened to ban TikTok unless the company’s Chinese owners give up their shares. However, enforcing a national ban is not as easy as it may seem. There are a lot of legal obstacles standing in the way of a full TikTok ban.
New legislation might be created that gives the Commerce Department more control over foreign technology. If TikTok does get banned in the US, you can get around it with a VPN.
Yes, at the moment people in the United States can still use TikTok. It’s not likely that a nationwide ban will be enacted any time soon. However, there are plenty of privacy risks that come with TikTok that any user should be aware of before using it in the US. Should the app be banned, it’s possible to unblock it with a VPN.
As of now, you can still access TikTok in the United States by simply downloading the app from the app store and opening it. However, if the app is banned, you’ll have to use a VPN to enjoy your regular TikTok content. Here’s how:
- Get a subscription with a trusted VPN provider, such as NordVPN.
- Download the right software.
- Connect to a server in a country where TikTok is still available. We recommend Canada.
Once connected, you can use TikTok without issue. Want more information? Read our full guide to accessing TikTok in the US.
The best VPN to unblock TikTok in the United States (and anywhere else) is NordVPN. This is a reliable, secure, and affordable VPN that has a great reputation when it comes to bypassing censorship. It will allow you to keep watching and creating TikTok videos, no matter where you are in the world, even when countries enforce TikTok bans.
