How to access TikTok anywhere with a VPN

Are you looking for the best VPN for TikTok? Many countries have blocked TikTok, leading users to wonder how to access TikTok anywhere. This guide can help you bypass TikTok bans in the USA, India, Australia, Pakistan, and more. Learn to unblock TikTok content no matter where you are.

In this article, we’ll cover the best VPNs that offer a fast, secure VPN connection to avoid buffering while maintaining your privacy. We will explain how to use a TikTok VPN to overcome geo-restrictions and avoid getting a shadow ban. You’ll also find out about VPN obfuscation and which providers can best help you unblock TikTok from the US or elsewhere.

You can see the full details of our testing process later in the article. If you just want a quick VPN recommendation, here’s a summary of our top picks:

These are the best VPNs for unblocking TikTok:

1. NordVPN 1 choice VPN for unblocking TikTok. Can access almost anything, including other social media apps, news sites, and streaming platforms. Top-of-the-line security and the fastest tested speeds. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for TikTok.
2. Surfshark: The best budget VPN that can unblock the TikTok app even in countries on the blocked list. Works with other social media networks and its strong encryption protects your internet traffic.
3. IPVanish: Robust security and unlimited devices on a single plan. Perfect for watching or sharing content on TikTok, even in places where the app is blocked.
4. ExpressVPN: Unblocks TikTok on school networks and in restrictive countries like China. Has advanced security features, including a no-logs policy and always-on obfuscation.
5. CyberGhost: An array of servers in more than 100 countries, so you can watch your favorite viral videos from anywhere in the world. Great for streaming and suitable for those with no VPN experience.

How to unblock TikTok with a VPN

A country might enforce a TikTok ban in a couple of ways. In China, for example, internet service providers block TikTok servers, making it impossible to access TikTok or watch TikTok videos.

If your internet service provider or network administrator is blocking your TikTok account or restricting access to TikTok videos, you can bypass the TikTok ban with a VPN. Simply sign up for one of the recommended VPNs below and follow the instructions to access TikTok securely and without restrictions.

Here’s how to unblock TikTok:

1. Download and install a TikTok VPN app onto your device. We particularly recommend NordVPN.
2. Open the VPN app and select a location in a country where TikTok is not blocked
3. Connect to the VPN
4. Open TikTok and start using it as you normally would

If TikTok is unavailable in your app store, see sections further down on how to change app store locations on iOS and Android.

Key criteria for TikTok VPNs

Not all VPNs are equal. To unblock TikTok in the US, India (or any other country where it’s blocked), you’ll want a VPN that performs well in the following areas:

• Speed: Fast speeds mean you’ll be able to enjoy uninterrupted video streaming. We carried out several speed tests before recommending any VPN providers.
• Features: We looked for VPNs with plenty of servers in countries where TikTok is not banned. We also looked for providers that had some form of obfuscation. This could be necessary for users in countries where the VPN software might itself be restricted.
• Security and privacy: To make sure your connection is safe from interested third parties, we only recommended providers that scored highly on 16 different security and privacy criteria.
• Ease of use: Many people will be turning to VPNs solely to get around TikTok bans. With this in mind we looked for hassle-free VPNs by scoring them against 10 criteria related to user-friendliness.
• Streaming: Some providers get blocked far more easily than others. We used nine different metrics for measuring VPNs’ ability to work consistently with a range of platforms on a range of devices.

You can read more about this testing process and see the results of those tests in the methodology section below. First, let’s take a closer look at the providers that impressed us.

Best TikTok VPNs: At a glance

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for TikTok.

Best VPNs for TikTok

Here’s a detailed list of the best VPNs to unblock TikTok from India, China, or any other country:

1. NordVPN

Mar 2025 unblocks TikTokTested Mar 2025

NordVPN is our top VPN recommendation for unblocking TikTok. One of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested, it’s perfect for streaming endless TikTok videos no matter where you are. It even works in China and is a great option to bypass the TikTok ban in the USA.

Speeds were outstanding during our tests. The provider averaged 223.02 Mbps overall, which makes it suitable for just about any online task you can think of.

The provider has an impressive network, comprising more than 7,300 servers in 117 countries. There are plenty of options in countries where TikTok has very little chance of ever being banned. Users can browse available locations using the map, search bar, or scrollable list.

In addition to its regular servers, NordVPN has servers that can obfuscate traffic; provide one-click access to the Tor network; or create a multi-hop connection. The provider also has a MeshNet feature that makes it easy to set up private networks of trusted devices.

If you begin craving long-form video, it’s worth noting that NordVPN is one of the best streaming VPNs there is. In our tests it worked with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Hotstar, and Disney Plus without issue.

Furthermore, the provider offers a smart DNS service that enables VPN-incompatible devices to stream geo-restricted content.

The provider has two of its own connection protocols. NordWhisper is ideal for users who don’t want to reveal that they’re connecting to the internet using a VPN. If it’s raw speed you want, then NordLynx is the better option. NordLynx also has the additional ability to protect your traffic against decryption in future attacks by quantum computers.

Other features include split tunneling for apps; a kill switch; and built-in leak protection — all of which serve to ensure that you can use TikTok without risk of exposing your true location.

The provider adheres to a strict no-logs policy and has had multiple third-party audits to prove it.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, and Linux. These are a pleasure to use — even the command-line only Linux app. Subscriptions allow up to 10 simultaneous device connections, though you can get even more by configuring a router connection.

FASTEST SPEEDS:NordVPN offers one of the best user experiences and excels at streaming. Great value and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

unblocks TikTokTested Mar 2025

Surfshark was made to unblock region-locked content, and has no problems accessing TikTok from anywhere.

The provider has more than 3,200 servers in 100 countries, all of which are RAM-only for additional security. Users can scroll through a country list to choose a server, and the provider makes it clear when virtual servers are being used.

Unusually among VPN providers, Surfshark has static IP addresses available. These are useful if you need the same IP address between sessions.

Other privacy and security features include the ability to rotate user’s IP addresses without them having to disconnect and reconnect; and an effective ad, tracker and malware blocker.

Multi-hop connections are possible for for those who want additional protection, with users able to choose their own entry and exit servers. Users connecting from restrictive countries like China can enable the NoBorders mode to access TikTok whenever they want.

Our favourite Surfshark feature is its Alternative ID tool. This enables you to set up a proxy email address as well as create an entirely new identity. These are useful when you don’t want to use your actual personal information when signing up for transient online services.

Speeds are excellent, with the provider averaging 214.38 Mbps in our tests. This was more than 50 Mbps faster than the combined average speeds of the other providers.

Surfshark is another solid choice for accessing geo-restricted content. In our tests, we had no problems accessing popular platforms such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus. Like NordVPN, Surfshark has a smart DNS feature suitable for VPN-incompatible devices like games consoles.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. These are well-designed and come with a particularly user-friendly GUI (even the Linux app). As you might expect, their features include a kill switch; split tunneling; and leak protection.

Surfshark subscriptions are competitively priced and made all the more sweeter by a lack of a device connection limit. This makes it a great choice for a family or group of housemates who want to share an account.

ACCESS TIKTOK ANONYMOUSLY:Surfshark lets you stream video from TikTok and other sites safely and privately. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full SurfShark review.

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3. IPVanish

unblocks TikTokTested Mar 2025

IPVanish is a VPN that emphasizes privacy and security above all else. It includes the latest, strongest encryption without sacrificing speed or ease of use. While connected, users can safely access TikTok from the US.

The provider has more than 2,400 servers available in 140+ locations. The map available on the app’s dashboard makes it easy to connect to a particular location right away.

However, navigating to the location page gives you far more data and control. For a start, it shows the number of servers available in each country. The drop-down menu provides access to each of these servers and lists their relative load and ping time.

Available protocols include the lightweight WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN. While WireGuard is the fastest, you’ll need to use OpenVPN to enable the Scramble function. This obfuscates traffic and can come in useful when accessing TikTok from restrictive countries. Note, however, that it doesn’t work in China.

Other features include split tunneling for apps and domains; a kill switch; and optional DNS and IPv6 leak protection.

To find out how fast IPVanish was, we carried out several speed tests over the course of a day. As you can see from the chart below, IPVanish was very fast.

The provider’s average speed was 183.59 Mbps overall, which makes it quick enough for streaming, gaming, and torrenting.

IPVanish works with a large number of streaming sites. We successfully used it to access Netflix, as well as Max, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus. Its fast speeds mean we were able to watch 4K video whenever available.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Android TV and Amazon Fire TV. IPVanish allows an unlimited number of simultaneous connections on a single plan, making it a good option if you want to share with family or friends.

That said, plans are already fairly cheap — a basic subscription costs the equivalent of $2.19 a month. However, for just over a dollar a month more, users get a sandboxed secure browser and 1TB of cloud storage as part of the provider’s Advanced plan.

GOOD VALUE:IPVanish secures your connection and unblocks TikTok without a hassle. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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4. ExpressVPN

unblocks TikTokTested Mar 2025

ExpressVPN has servers in 105+ countries, which gives users plenty of options for unblocking TikTok. Even better, obfuscation is enabled by default. This makes it easy to access TikTok from countries like China or the UAE.

The provider’s apps are ideal for those with no VPN experience. They have a simple dashboard that makes it obvious how to establish a connection.

Features are clearly laid out, and mostly controlled using a fairly rudimentary check-box system. Options include app-based split tunneling; and a kill switch (which ExpressVPN calls “Network Lock”). Its Advanced Protection tab allows users to choose what content they’re exposed to.

Like NordVPN, ExpressVPN has its own connection protocol. Dubbed Lightway, this helps ensure connections are quick to establish and gives users the choice of two encryption ciphers: either ChaCha20 or AES. OpenVPN is also available.

The provider also has its own router firmware. This makes it easy to run the VPN on a home router, without having to undergo fiddly configuration processes.

To find out how fast ExpressVPN was, we carried out speed tests using its UK servers. The provider averaged 95.04 Mbps over all three tests, which is fast enough for using TikTok without issue.

In addition to TikTok, ExpressVPN works with a huge range of region-locked streaming services. During testing we were able to access Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. The service also works with other social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat.

ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer tool provides a smart DNS service for devices that don’t support VPN software natively. It can help games consoles and some smart TVs access geo-restricted content in the UK and US.

The provider has a clear dedication to security and privacy, with a Trusted Server network that involves — amongst other things — reinstalling the operating systems of every server on a weekly basis. Like other top-tier VPNs, it has a no-logs policy that’s been independently audited.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV. Subscriptions — which are fairly pricey — allow up to eight simultaneous device connections. Customer support is available around the clock if you run into any issues.

GOOD FOR TIKTOK:ExpressVPN lets you access TikTok from any country with ease. If you’re not satisfied, take advantage of the risk-free, 30-day, money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review to find out more.

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5. CyberGhost

unblocks TikTokTested Mar 2025

CyberGhost prides itself on its ability to unblock just about anything, and US users will have no problems evading the TikTok ban with it. That said, its lack of obfuscation means that if you’re trying to connect from a particularly restrictive country such as China, you may not be able to get online.

The provider has servers in 100 countries, giving TikTokkers an ample choice of non-US locations. In addition to its regular servers, CyberGhost has a range of streaming servers that list the platforms they’re most suitable for.

As you can no doubt imagine, this hugely simplifies access to your favorite streaming services. We tried out servers for Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu and BBC iPlayer and they worked perfectly.

The provider also has dedicated servers for gaming and torrenting. For the security-conscious user, CyberGhost has servers that it owns and operates from its home country of Romania. These NoSpy servers also provide additional bandwidth and a dedicated uplink.

CyberGhost apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android — all of which are notably user-friendly. They come with features such as a choice of three connection protocols; a kill switch; split tunneling; an ad, tracker and malware blocker; and leak protection.

Users can specify what should happen when the app starts. For example, they can name a website that automatically launches when a VPN connection is established. Alternatively, they can cause CyberGhost to launch and connect when they open a particular app — say TikTok.

You’re unlikely to notice that you’re connected to a VPN while using TikTok, thanks to CyberGhost’s speedy servers. In our tests, these averaged 151.10 Mbps, which is a solid result.

These fast speeds and lack of data cap means you can unblock TikTok and watch videos to your heart’s content.

CyberGhost doesn’t store any identifying user logs and has had multiple third-party audits to check that it keeps to its word. The provider also produces quarterly transparency reports where it lists any third-party requests for user information.

Subscriptions start at the equivalent of $2.19 a month for a two-year plan. This includes up to seven simultaneous device connections which, although fewer than competing services, is till more than enough for most people. If it’s an issue, manual router configuration is an option. If you’d like to test the service out, plans come with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

UNBLOCK TIKTOK:CyberGhost lets you access TikTok from anywhere without a hitch. It comes with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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Choosing the best VPNs for TikTok: our methodology

Not every VPN is suitable for TikTok. For instance, some might not be fast enough to stream HD video, and others may not be able to unblock the service in countries where it’s unavailable. That’s why we thinned the list of contenders with a strict set of must-have criteria. Below, you’ll find the characteristics that all of our top VPNs for TikTok share:

Speed

Because TikTok videos are very short, they don’t require extremely fast internet speeds. However, for seamless playback, you’ll need decent performance, which is why we only recommend VPNs that performed solidly in our tests.

We carried out three tests for each provider: one in the morning, one at noon, and one in the afternoon. We used each VPN’s UK servers and a virtual machine for testing. This machine was rate-limited to 250 Mbps, which is the median average of fixed broadband speeds in the US, and thus representative of many of our readers.

As you can see from the chart below, NordVPN was the fastest provider overall — though Surfshark wasn’t far behind.

If neither of these providers appeal, IPVanish is more than capable of streaming 4K video or gaming without interruption.

Features

Generally, the more servers you have to choose from, the better. That’s because closer servers minimize your connection’s latency, resulting in higher overall performance. Further, large networks usually mean more stable speeds at peak times.

We scored providers on the number of servers they had, together with the number of countries they had a presence in. Finally, we scored them on whether they had obfuscation available.

NordVPN excelled in all three areas, with more than 7,100 servers in 118 countries, and powerful obfuscation that is able to bypass stringent blocks in countries such as China. Surfshark and ExpressVPN are good alternatives for obfuscation and server spread, though their networks are less than half the size of NordVPN’s.

Security and privacy

VPNs are primarily digital privacy tools, so we only recommend those with 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and a no-logs policy. The best providers come with other features, too. You can see which VPNs meet additional criteria in the table below.

We assigned a score to each of these criteria so that we were left with an overall score out of ten. This makes it easier to directly compare providers.

NordVPN and Surfshark scored equally highly for security and privacy. Both providers combine strong encryption, independently audited no-logs policies, and multiple anonymous payment options.

Ease of use

We prioritize VPNs that are easy enough for beginners to use and meet the majority of the criteria outlined in the table below.

Providers were scored on each of these criteria, and the scores combined to give an overall score out of 10 for comparison.

NordVPN had the easiest-to-use service overall, with a simple sign-up process and well-thought-out apps. IPVanish and ExpressVPN are also good for those new to VPN software.

Streaming

At some point, you might want to watch something else other than TikTok. We tested providers with popular services like Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu to see just how well they handled strict regional restrictions. We also measured them against several other metrics, as you can see in the table below.

Each of these metrics was given a score, which we combined to create an overall score out of ten. This makes it easier to compare providers.

NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN are all equally solid for streaming. They work with all of the most popular platforms and all offer a smart DNS service for VPN-incompatible devices.

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Why is TikTok banned in the US?

TikTok is banned in the US due to national security concerns over its Chinese ownership (ByteDance). US lawmakers fear that the Chinese government could access user data and that the app could be used for foreign influence and misinformation. The January 19, 2025, deadline requires ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US operations or face a nationwide ban. Unfortunately for American TikTok fans, ByteDance refuses to comply, which means the TikTok ban will likely be enforced from January 19.

How will the US block TikTok?

The US government has given ByteDance several months to enforce divestment. If the divestment doesn’t happen, TikTok will likely be removed from US app stores to prevent anybody else from downloading and using the app. This means you will need a VPN to switch your app store to Canada – or another country where TikTok is still available.

Besides removing TikTok from Google Play and other app stores, US Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will likely be required to block access to TikTok. This will prevent the TikTok app and the browser version of TikTok from communicating with TikTok servers. As a result, US TikTok users will need a VPN to access their TikTok account.

Does TikTok use SIM card region to determine user location?

Yes. TikTok does use SIM card data to detect a user’s location. However, it primarily relies on IP addresses to detect user locations. In countries where TikTok is already banned, such as India, users have successfully bypassed the block using a VPN without changing their SIM card. This suggests that TikTok prioritizes IP-based location tracking (rather than SIM-based restrictions).

If the US ban takes effect, a VPN should allow users to access TikTok by routing their connection through a country where the app remains available. While there’s no guarantee, TikTok has not heavily cracked down on VPN usage in other banned regions, which gives hope that the US will be able to rely on a VPN to use TikTok.

What is RedNote, and why are US TikTok users migrating?

Many US TikTok users, calling themselves “TikTok refugees,” are switching to RedNote (also known as Xiaohongshu). This Chinese social media platform is popular among young people in China, Taiwan, and other Mandarin-speaking regions.

RedNote combines elements of TikTok and Instagram and has quickly become the #1 app on Apple’s US App Store as users search for new places to share content and connect. With 300 million monthly users, it focuses on lifestyle content like fashion, dating, and travel.

The platform has openly welcomed migrating TikTok users, with over 63,000 posts under the hashtag “TikTok refugee,” offering tips on navigating the app and learning basic Mandarin phrases. For some Americans, joining RedNote is seen as a protest against the TikTok ban.

Can I unblock TikTok with a free VPN?

We don’t recommend using free VPNs. They lack the performance and security of paid VPNs and offer far fewer locations to connect to. Many free VPNs monitor your online activity and collect personal data to sell for advertising revenue. They typically impose data caps or bandwidth limits, which can prevent you from using TikTok. This is why we recommend either making the most of free-trials or choosing a low-cost paid VPN provider with a privacy-first policy.

What Countries Have Banned TikTok?

With the exception of India and Afghanistan, few countries have banned TikTok. However, a number of countries such as Norway and the UK) have implemented partial TikTok bans, typically on governmental devices. This is due to security and privacy-related concerns surrounding TikTok’s parent company and its links to the Chinese government (and that user data such as browsing history could be shared between the two).

Here’s a list of countries that invoked either full or partial bans of TikTok:

Full TikTok ban

• Afghanistan
• India
• United States

Partial TikTok ban

• Australia
• Belgium
• Canada
• Denmark
• India
• The Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Taiwan
• United Kingdom

How do I change my Google Play country?

If TikTok has been removed from Google Play in your country, here’s how to switch to another country’s version of Google Play so you can download it:

1. On your Android device, open your VPN app and connect to the country you want to switch to
2. Open the Google Play app.
3. Tap Menu (three horizontal bars) > Account.
4. Under Country and profiles, you’ll see the option to Switch to the country you’ve chosen with your VPN. To do so, you’ll need a local form of payment for that country. If you don’t have one, consider buying a prepaid debit card for that country.
5. The Google Play Store will automatically change to the new country within the next 24 hours.

Note that you can only change your Google Play country once per year, and you may lose access to your account balance and previous purchases.

How do I change my Apple App Store country?

If TikTok has been removed from the App Store in your country, the easiest way to get TikTok is to create a new Apple ID. This will let you choose a new country without being physically present or entering a local payment method.

Alternatively, here’s how to change an existing Apple ID to a new country:

1. On your iOS device, open the VPN app and connect to the country you want to switch to.
2. Open the Settings app.
3. Tap your name, then iTunes & App Store.
4. Tap your Apple ID, then View Apple ID. Sign in if prompted.
5. Select Country/Region > Change Country or Region.
6. Choose the country that your VPN is connected to.
7. Agree to the terms and conditions.
8. Select a local payment method. If you don’t have one, consider buying a prepaid debit card for that country.

Note that you might lose your existing store credit and purchases when switching countries.

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