TikTok goes dark in the United States — but here's how to access it

Popular video-sharing social network TikTok has officially gone dark in the United States, as a federal ban on the app took effect on Sunday, January 19, 2025 – after several months of legal battles and heightened scrutiny over TikTok's Chinese ownership.

As a result of the ban, existing users cannot access TikTok content, and new users won't be able to download the app from the official app stores for Android and iOS.

If you live in the United States, there are still ways to access TikTok content, although using any of these methods to bypass the ban may have legal and security implications.

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How to access TikTok in the U.S.

• Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): VPNs route your internet traffic through a server in another country, masking your IP address. By connecting to a VPN server outside the U.S., you can bypass the ban and access TikTok as if you were browsing from another location. But, if you try to use a VPN with the TikTok app installed in the U.S., you won't be able to, unless you access tiktok.com and create a new account – not one registered in the U.S. or one linked to a U.S. phone number.
• Unofficial App Stores: Some unofficial app stores may still offer older versions of the TikTok app that haven't been blocked. But, downloading apps from unofficial sources can pose security risks.
• Web Browsers: While the TikTok app is unavailable, you may still be able to access some TikTok content through a web browser. But, the functionality may be limited compared to the app.

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It is unclear how long the platform will remain switched off in the United States in compliance with the law, although President-elect Donald Trump has said that he'll likely grant TikTok a 90-day reprieve after he resumes office on January 20, 2025.

We'll keep our ears to the ground to know how the situation will unfold and whether alternative solutions will be found to allow users to continue accessing the platform.