This is the only way to beat the ban
TikTok has gone dark—Even before the midnight deadline, users opening their apps in the US saw the now-infamous window explaining that TikTok is gone, but may return when the Trump administration takes office. Suddenly, all the speculation about “obfuscation” versus app updates and whether VPNs would solve the problem became real. And all of this was bad news for American users. The solution IS there – but it’s painful.
It is not illegal to have or use TikTok in the US, the law falls on the service providers, not the users. This is why Google and Apple have removed the app from the stores and even the beta app has been blocked. This is also why the platform is completely obscured in the US, given the data storage providers and the wider US ecosystem that supports the platform.
This is why VPNs don’t work—they can mask the origin of traffic, but if you have a US account or a US app or a US mobile phone number, then TikTok will block you from using its service. This is extreme adherence to the ban, but you can understand TikTok taking that approach given the publicity and political sensitivity.
Working around the ban – if you can – isn’t illegal, as long as you don’t do anything wrong in the way you actually do it. The problem for US users will be that you won’t be able to do this with your existing account. You also can’t do this from the US or possibly even with a mobile phone that holds a US-registered SIM or eSIM.
TikTok offers a website with limited features and functionality. This allows you to log in, but creating an account from the website is difficult. Remember, you also can’t use a non-US App Store or Play Store unless you have an Apple or Google account in that different country. Android users may be able to download a new app, but I would strongly advise against it. If you can’t live without your TikTok fix — at least until the policy becomes clear in the coming days — stay on the web.
You can try setting up a new account on the web with a non-US email address or mobile phone number. Beware, TikTok will likely redirect you to the app “for security reasons” and stop the registration process midstream. I said this is painful.
What you need is a new account setup outside the US If you have someone you trust in another country, have them do this for you and set up an account with an email address rather than a phone number. It may be your email address and you will need to give them the code you were sent. They will need to sign out of their regular account first.
Then, with a new valid account that’s set up outside the US, you can use TikTok from inside the US Here’s where your VPN starts, just set the territory to somewhere in Europe. Just be careful which VPN you choose – free ones are dangerous. I would also advise using the same country where your new account is registered from within. In theory, your SIM country identifier will still be visible, as will territorial markers in your browser. But private browsing and a VPN should suffice. If not, log in from a tablet or PC without a cellular connection.
While this allows you to play with the app, your account will not be accessible in any way until the ban is lifted or TikTok provides some way for registered users in the US. There really was no real reason for the platform to go so far, so quickly, since it was clear there would be no enforcement until the administration changed. But it has generated the right level of headlines and is well set up for a heroic rescue mission next week to massive public appreciation. Job done.
