Updated on: October 8, 2024
Only 3 Steps (Quick + Easy) to Unblock TikTok in the US in 2024:
- Download and install a VPN. My #1 pick is ExpressVPN because it works with TikTok 100% of the time, has great speeds for watching videos on the platform buffer-free, and comes with super strong security.
- Connect to a VPN server. I suggest picking a server in a nearby country where TikTok is available, like Canada or Mexico, for the best speeds and a stable connection.
- Log into TikTok. That’s it! You can now safely scroll on TikTok from the US.
The best way to unblock TikTok in the US is with a VPN, which offers servers across the entire country. When you connect to a VPN server in the US, it encrypts your online traffic, so your internet service provider (including your cable company, a public Wi-Fi network, or even your school or workplace network) and the government won’t be able to see that you’re using TikTok.
In addition, a VPN replaces your real IP address, which reveals your general location, with an IP address that matches your server location. If TikTok gets banned in the US, you can use a VPN to connect to a server in another country where the social media app is allowed.
I tested and researched dozens of the top VPNs on the market and found the best ones to unblock TikTok in the US. My top recommendation is ExpressVPN, which has a massive server network in the US, the best-in-class security and privacy features, and the fastest speeds out there. That said, the other VPNs on my list are excellent alternatives for unblocking TikTok in the US.
IMPORTANT: Keep in mind that using a VPN to access an app in locations where it’s blocked can come with legal consequences. All the VPNs on this list have strict no-logs policies, which means that they don’t keep track of your online activities. While TikTok isn’t banned in the US, please be responsible and keep yourself informed of any updates to applicable laws and regulations.
Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
How to Unblock TikTok in the US on Any Device
1. Subscribe to a VPN that works well with TikTok.
My top pick for unblocking TikTok in the US is ExpressVPN — it has servers in nearby countries where TikTok is available and lightning-fast speeds.
2. Download and install the VPN onto your device.
Launch the installer and then simply follow the instructions provided by the installation wizard.
3. Connect to a VPN server and log into your TikTok account.
You’ve successfully unblocked TikTok in the US. Log into your TikTok account and enjoy!
Best VPNs for Unblocking TikTok in the US in 2024
Quick summary of the best VPNs for unblocking TikTok in the US:
- 🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN to unblock TikTok in the US (many servers + fast speeds).
- 🥈2. Private Internet Access — Privacy-friendly VPN for unblocking TikTok in the US.
- 🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — User-friendly VPN for unblocking TikTok with intuitive apps.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Unblocking TikTok in the US in 2024
ExpressVPN is my top recommendation for unblocking TikTok in the US. It has a very large server network across 105 countries, including neighboring countries like Canada and Mexico, as well as nearby Caribbean nations such as the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, and Jamaica, where TikTok isn’t banned. This way, you’ll easily find a close by location to connect to for the best possible speeds. If you want to connect to a US server, ExpressVPN offers them in 25 locations and 17 different cities (some cities have multiple server locations).
ExpressVPN has the best speeds in the industry. In my tests, I was able to scroll on TikTok without any slowdowns and watch videos without any buffering. I also uploaded a 3-minute video in just a couple of seconds, and I didn’t notice any slowdowns when chatting on the app.
It has easy-to-use apps for all of the popular devices that work with TikTok. To help you find the best server, ExpressVPN gives you multiple 1-click options to connect to a server and even the TikTok site or app. For example, there’s a list of recommended servers and you can mark servers as a Favorite. I also like its Shortcuts feature, which allows you to create a TikTok shortcut on the main screen in the app.
ExpressVPN offers plans starting at $4.99 / month. It backs all purchases with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try ExpressVPN out without risk.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — High-End Privacy Features for Unblocking TikTok
Private Internet Access is great for protecting your privacy on TikTok in the US. The VPN uses RAM-only servers, comes with full leak protection, its no-logs policy has passed independent audits, and its apps are open-source, meaning anyone can inspect them for security vulnerabilities.
In terms of its server network, there are servers in 91 countries, including Canada, Mexico, and the Bahamas. What I find most unique about PIA is it’s the only VPN that has a server in all 50 states, allowing you to connect to the closest server based on your location.
I’m a huge fan of PIA’s ad and tracker blocker, called PIA MACE. It’s the best ad blocker from a VPN and prevents those annoying ads from popping up while scrolling through TikTok. PIA also has an Identity Guard feature, which alters you if your email address or other personal data is involved in a data breach.
Private Internet Access has affordable plans, starting at $2.19 / month. It backs all purchases with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Beginner-Friendly VPN for Unblocking TikTok
CyberGhost VPN is a great VPN for beginners who want to unblock TikTok in the US. It’s super simple to find and connect to any of its server locations in 100 countries — there’s a search function, a tab for servers selected as Favorites, and a very cool Smart Rules feature, which lets you customize your connections. For example, you can set it up to automatically connect to a specific server as soon as you open the app, or you can pick an app to open as soon as you establish a connection to the VPN.
I’m pretty impressed with CyberGhost’s server network. In addition to offering servers in Mexico and Canada, it has them in the Bahamas and Dominican Republic, as well as 11 locations in the US. It CyberGhost has dedicated IP addresses, too, from 10+ countries, including the Netherlands, Canada, Switzerland, and the UK, for a small extra cost.
CyberGhost VPN’s plans start at $2.19 / month. It offers a generous 45-day money-back guarantee on long-term plans, and a 14-day money-back guarantee on its monthly plan.
Read our full CyberGhost VPN review
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Quick Comparison Table
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
I compiled this list by testing 30+ VPNs following our proven testing methodology. I tested each VPN for ease of use and its compatibility with TikTok and checked its security and privacy, among other things. Here are some of the key points I took into consideration while testing:
- I made sure every VPN works with TikTok. Every VPN I recommend here works with TikTok without any issues.
- I tested each VPN’s speeds. VPNs slow down your connection because of the encryption process that scrambles your traffic. However, quality VPNs, like the ones I list here, maintain fast speeds that won’t lead to buffering videos on TikTok.
- I looked into the VPNs’ server networks. All the VPNs on my list have large server networks, including servers near the US like Canada and Mexico, so you can find a nearby server to connect for the fastest possible speeds.
- I checked each VPN’s security and privacy features. I only recommend VPNs with industry-standard security features, such as a kill switch which cuts off your internet connection if the VPN disconnects, bank-grade 256-bit AES encryption, and an audited no-logs policy. Also, all VPNs on my list protect against DNS leaks.
- I considered ease of use. Each VPN on this list has intuitive apps that make it super easy to connect to a server to protect your TikTok activities.
- I looked at every provider’s value. Every VPN on this list has extra features, such as split-tunneling, allows multiple connections on a single subscription, and has a money-back guarantee.
Will the US Ban TikTok?
It’s completely up in the air. The US House of Representatives passed a bill that would force ByteDance, the company that owns TikTok, to either sell TikTok or withdraw it from the US market, with overwhelming bipartisan support. US President Joe Biden has also expressed support for the bill and said he would sign it if it reached his office. The US Senate has to pass the bill before it lands on Biden’s desk, but there is no timetable on when, or even if, the Senate will vote on the bill.
Politicians say they’re concerned that TikTok, which is a Chinese company, may share data with the Chinese government. It’s worth noting that more than half of ByteDance’s ownership is with American investment firms and that TikTok has tried to be transparent about storing user data in the US, Singapore, and Malaysia, not China.
On the off chance that ByteDance decides to sell, it will have 6 months to find a potential buyer for TikTok. If the Senate passes the bill and it gets signed into effect, it seems much more likely that ByteDance will be forced to pull TikTok off the US market entirely.
Where Is TikTok Banned?
Complete Ban
Only a few countries have imposed a total ban on TikTok so far, and the US might be joining them soon. These countries and their ISPs completely block access to TikTok:
- Afghanistan: TikTok is banned in Afghanistan as of October 2022, with government officials insisting the app is “leading the young generation astray”.
- China (Mainland): Despite being developed by ByteDance, a Chinese company, TikTok isn’t available in Mainland China. That’s because people in China use Douyin, which is TikTok’s predecessor. While TikTok was developed as the global version of Douyin, the apps don’t share any content between them, having separate servers.
- India: TikTok is completely banned in India as of June 2020, in the aftermath of military skirmishes on disputed territories along the China-India border.
- Iran: Iranian users have been unable to access the app since October 2021. While the Iranian government has transparently censored other social media networks, it’s still unclear whether Iran implemented the ban on TikTok or ByteDance implemented the ban on Iranian IP addresses.
- Jordan: TikTok was banned in Jordan in December 2022, after protests in Ma’an resulted in the death of a police officer, and videos of the protest were spread through the app.
- Kyrgyzstan: The app was banned in August 2023, amidst concerns about children and teens replicating “harmful trends” they could see on the app.
- Nepal: The Government of Nepal banned access to TikTok in November 2023, citing “disruption of social harmony” as a main reason. After failing to agree with ByteDance, the government also warned that other social media networks like Facebook and Instagram could soon follow suit.
- Senegal: Amid protests surrounding the crackdown on opposition before the presidential elections, the Senegalese government banned TikTok in August 2023, following Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and X/Twitter, which were blocked two months prior.
- Somalia: The Somali government prohibits access to TikTok as of August 2023, arguing that the app “contributes to immorality” and “promotes terrorism”.
Limited Ban
Russia is a unique case, wherein the only content available on TikTok in Russia is videos uploaded within Russia before March 2022. This particular restriction is the result of a compromise between TikTok and the Russian government, which criminalized the spreading of misinformation on social media, with the purpose of avoiding a total ban.
That said, many countries and international organizations (European Commission, European Council, and NATO) have implemented a limited ban that forbids government officials from having the app on their work devices. Here are countries that have instituted a ban or a limited one:
Frequently Asked Questions
If I have TikTok installed before the ban, will I still be able to use it?
Even if you currently have the TikTok app installed, you won’t be able to use it if American ISPs start blocking access to TikTok and ByteDance is forced to block US IP addresses. If the ban passes, TikTok will likely be removed from app stores, and many fake TikTok apps will likely start appearing. The best way to unblock TikTok is with a quality VPN.
Can I use a free VPN to unblock TikTok in the US?
You can, but I don’t recommend it. Many free VPNs aren’t good for TikTok. Many of them have slow speeds, lack essential privacy and security features, and some don’t work with TikTok at all. You’re better off using a high-quality premium VPN, like the VPNs on this list.
What’s the best VPN for unblocking TikTok in the US?
My #1 pick for unblocking TikTok is ExpressVPN. It works reliably with both the TikTok app and website, it has a large server network with locations near the US, and it has fast speeds for smooth scrolling through TikTok. It also has advanced security features to protect your data and maintain your privacy on TikTok.
Can TikTok see that I’m using a VPN?
The short answer is yes. TikTok might be able to figure out you’re using a VPN through a variety of methods. It can cross check the IP address with a list of shared VPN IP addresses or check whether your device’s location matches the location of the IP address you’re visiting the app/site with. A DNS or WebRTC leak will also reveal your true location and signal to TikTok that you’re using a VPN.
All the VPNs on this list worked with TikTok in 100% in my tests. They also protect against DNS leaks, some have built-in WebRTC leak protection, as well as other advanced security features to keep your TikTok activity private.
