TikTok has been targeted by the US government for months now. However, January 19th was D-Day when the US TikTok ban finally stepped up. Influencers who enjoyed this social media site found that they could no longer use TikTok in the USA much to their dismay.
There’s a lot at play here but the main culprit is the law that the government enacted in 2024. ByteDance, the company behind this social media, had to sell its stake in the app or be eliminated from the US. The outcome of this condition is well-known to the public.
In any case, most people don’t care about political stuff.
They simply want to know how to unblock and use TikTok in the USA. Rightfully so. The workaround is straightforward. You need a reputable TikTok VPN, which will change your IP to a country abroad and unblock the app. We’ll explain everything in the following guide.
Quick Summary: Unblock TikTok in the US With These Steps
- Subscribe to NordVPN, the best VPN for bypassing the US TikTok ban in 2025. In addition to being highly reliable, it will guarantee excellent speeds and access to servers in over 110 countries. Needless to say, you’ll have no trouble making it appear as though you’re in a country where TikTok is accessible.
- Set up NordVPN on your device – phone, tablet, laptop, computer, …
- Open NordVPN and connect to a server outside the USA (Canada, UK, Europe, etc).
- Visit TikTok, sign in, and use it as you would normally.
How Can a VPN Unblock TikTok in the US?
To know how a VPN can help you unblock TikTok in the USA, you must know how the ban works. Right before the 19th of January, TikTok voluntarily shut down its service to people in America. This is accomplished by preventing all people with the US IP from accessing the app.
Those in any of the 50 states reported seeing the error message akin to this:
Users who enjoy TikTok on their computer see something like this instead:
Within the blocked mobile app, TikTok clearly states that it won’t work because of the law enacted by the US government. However, there’s a glimmer of hope in the form of Donald Trump, who seems to want to bring back TikTok to the US and make it available again.
We’ll see how realistic that is once he takes office in 2025.
The fact that TikTok blocks users with a US IP makes it susceptible to the good, old VPN. A provider like NordVPN is efficient here, with its ability to quickly modify your IP address and make you look like you’re in another country.
This exact method is paramount to success.
Once TikTok sees an IP from somewhere else and not the US, in 99.99% of the cases, you’ll be able to use the app and indulge in associated content.
How to Use a VPN to Unblock TikTok in the US?
You know all about theory but it’s time to switch gears and move to the practice.
First of all, you need a VPN and there’s no better option than NordVPN. It offers 7,100+ worldwide servers and comes with apps for all devices. This is crucial to using TikTok in the US, as you can then unblock it on your phone, tablet, laptop, computer, etc.
NordVPN also sports 10 simultaneous connections for added convenience.
The first step is to subscribe to this VPN (you can also read our NordVPN test beforehand). Simply click the red button below, choose the cheapest Basic plan at 70% off, and pay as little as ~$3.4/mo (prices vary, depending on the time of the year).
Subscribe to NordVPN Risk-Free
Once subscribed, install NordVPN on your device. It’s as simple as any other “normal” app.
Finally, open the app and sign in:
We’re using our Windows PC but the trick to unblocking TikTok in the US works on all devices, as hinted at before. The goal is to connect to a server in the country where the app is working – avoid India because TikTok is not working there.
For this guide, we connected to a server in Australia by clicking once on it from the server list. You can pick the UK, European countries, Japan, or any other “eligible region”.
Now, when you visit TikTok, you’ll realize it’s working again normally. Here’s proof:
And if you’re using a VPN on your iPhone or Android device, you’ll see the same:
Best VPNs to Unblock TikTok in the US
Whenever you hop on TikTok in the USA or abroad, you want to keep your privacy intact. Social media can be a nasty place riddled with snoopers and scammers looking to rob you of your data and steal your valuable information. The solution?
A reputable VPN service! Here are our 3 favorite VPNs for unblocking TikTok in America:
1. NordVPN
Logically, we put NordVPN at #1 because of its unblocking prowess and over 118 countries on the list. It’s people’s favorite US VPN that can also unblock porn sites in all states and allow access to Netflix US to Americans overseas. Simultaneously, it’s the fastest pick.
Its NordLynx protocol paired with unlimited bandwidth makes NordVPN an ideal VPN to use for TikTok in the US. We should mention its no-logging policy, which isn’t only audited by PwC and Deloitte but also proven many times during NordVPN’s lasting career.
The VPN works on every platform you can imagine, even supporting Smart TVs, routers, and gaming consoles. We also appreciate its advanced features such as a Double VPN, Obfuscated servers, and Onion Over VPN connections, which add to variety.
Despite its qualities, NordVPN costs very little if you pick any of its 2-year plans. With 70%+ discounts and prices that start at just over $3/mo, you’ll always fail to find a better option.
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is just a bit more pricey but oh boy, this thing is extremely powerful. People use it to unblock TikTok in the US through simple apps that allow for one-click connections. ExpressVPN has 105 countries and 10 Gbps servers, all making huge performance leaps.
We love ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol too, which combines speed and security. A no-log policy is another perk, with over 10 audits from multiple third parties. ExpressVPN is a great VPN for torrenting, but it also works for streaming, gaming, and anonymous browsing.
It’s safe to say the service has the best 24/7 live chat support amplified by other features, such as Threat Manager, dedicated IPs, and 256-bit encryption. All of this can be yours at under $5/mo in a 2-year plan with 4 free months – grab your 61% off below.
3. CyberGhost
CyberGhost caps this list off with over 12,000 servers made for unblocking TikTok in the USA. Looking to bypass the US TikTok ban promptly? CyberGhost and its fast WireGuard speeds have you covered. On top of that, you can enjoy dedicated servers that work really well.
P2P servers are made for torrenting while streaming servers will swiftly unblock popular streaming platforms. Additionally, CyberGhost strikes gold with its capable ad blocker which also blocks trackers, keeping snoopers far away. One of its main perks is the price.
CyberGhost is only about two monthly dollars, with a gigantic 45-day money-back guarantee. This very plan includes CyberGhost’s best features like RAM-only servers, Private DNS, Perfect Forward Secrecy, unlimited bandwidth, 24/7 support, and dozens more.
Is Using TikTok in the USA With a VPN Legal?
Well, sort of.
TikTok and the USA have a relentless conflict. The former is a bit of a victim, as the US government has been harsh on it for alleged spying and data-collection attempts. You know the drill – China is always on the radar for such practices, as if other countries are “naive”.
Whatever it is, the new anti-TikTok law doesn’t say this application is illegal.
In other words, people who use it won’t be kicked in the butt and led to jail. Using a VPN to unblock TikTok in the USA is your free will and if you’re not worried about these allegations or simply don’t care about ByteDance’s spying practices, you’re free to do what you want.
We discussed the legality of VPNs here. In the USA specifically, it was never illegal to use a VPN to unblock websites and apps, download legal torrents, and play games. Take into account that TikTok pulled the trigger first and banned itself from the country.
That said, nothing that the US government did says this social media is illicit. You can freely subscribe to NordVPN, connect to a server, and enjoy a world of entertainment or revenue, depending on how you were using the platform previously.
What About CapCut? Can a VPN Unblock It?
The US government “bundled” up CapCut and TikTok in a massive ban streak.
Since both apps belong to ByteDance, it’s not strange that the former is also affected. In fact, the reason for banning CapCut is the same as TikTok. This app is also accused of collecting user information, posing a threat to national security. Can a CapCut VPN help?
No doubt.
You can again use NordVPN to unblock CapCut and TikTok in the USA the same way. In doing so, you can enjoy its video-editing abilities and be able to make social media videos that you can post on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and other social networking channels.
Summary
Investing in the right VPN goes a long way in ensuring your online freedom, safety, and security. Blocking social media apps is, in a way, endangering your freedom of speech. Moreover, influencers who earn from TikTok are bereft of their, perhaps, primary income.
Luckily for them, they can always rely on a top-tier VPN such as NordVPN to overcome the US TikTok ban. A simple connection to the server is all they need to access not only TikTok but also CapCut, which is many people’s video editor for short-form social media content.
