How to Use TikTok in India After Ban in 2025

Are you excited about your upcoming trip to India but disappointed that you won’t be able to document your adventures to share with your friends on TikTok due to a government ban?

Don’t give up; remove TikTok from your phone just yet. I have some good news: Despite the Indian government’s ban on the TikTok app, you can still freely use TikTok in India as long as you have a reliable VPN.

Keep reading to learn more about how to use TikTok in India despite the national ban.

Key takeaways

1. If you try to use TikTok in India, you’ll find the app unusable.
2. You can work around this TikTok ban most securely by using either a permitted equivalent app or an external VPN server to access TikTok.
3. For more detailed information on how to use TikTok in India, keep reading this article!

Why is TikTok banned in India?

In India, TikTok is banned, and TikTok servers don’t work. Why, you ask, would India ban TikTok?

India actually ordered two TikTok bans on the Chinese app, first temporarily in 2019 because the TikTok app promoted lewd material and again in 2020 for more political reasons. Essentially, India banned TikTok again due to major national security concerns regarding Chinese apps. The conflict even involved Indian and Chinese troops fighting one another for a period of time.

That year, under an online censorship law created by the Indian government called the Information Technology Act, several Chinese apps were banned in India for the sake of national security.

Ever since the ban, Indian users have tried to get around it to still use TikTok in India- some simply use alternative equivalent apps, and others turn to third party stores to buy modified versions.

Different methods to access TikTok in India

When it comes to accessing TikTok in India, there are a few different approaches you can take:

VPNs

The safest and most reliable approach to accessing TikTok in India is using a VPN. A VPN connects a user to an internet server located in a country where TikTok is permitted. By doing so, the VPN spoofs the user’s IP address, making it appear that he or she is located in that country.

Foreign SIM cards

If you download TikTok on your phone before heading to India and keep your original SIM, there’s a chance you’ll still be able to use the app.

Sometimes, TikTok users who are traveling in India discover that the app actually works on their phones if they leave their home countries’ SIM cards inside, set their phones to airplane mode, and then connect to a nearby wi-fi network. This happens because foreign SIM cards are not under the control of Indian law and can therefore evade the ban.

This doesn’t work 100% of the time, but it’s worth a try.

Proxy servers

You can also use something called a proxy server for accessing TikTok in India. A proxy server is a sort of intermediary between your phone and the greater internet that accesses the internet for you, pushing past existing geo-blocks.

Bear in mind that a proxy server is usually not encrypted and can be a security risk.

Modded app

The riskiest (and, in my opinion, least-recommended) approach you can take is using something called a modded app. This is when a third-party developer creates a custom version of an existing application and modifies it. If you’re an Android user, you can download a TikTok APK from third-party app stores.

These apps are not regulated, and using one poses a higher risk than other methods of accessing TikTok.

Why you should use a VPN to access TikTok in India

Of all the access methods I’ve just discussed, a VPN is by far the safest and most reliable option.
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, and using one gives you exactly that – a private and protected virtual connection from your device straight to a company-owned remote server.  Using a VPN allows you to change your perceived IP address and shields your online activity from being exposed to or accessed by your internet service provider or network administrator by creating a secure tunnel around your internet traffic.

Relying on your SIM card, using a proxy server, or downloading a modified version of the TikTok app is simply less effective at unblocking TikTok at best and a risk to your online safety at worst.

How to install TikTok in India

There are many ways to install the TikTok app in India. I strongly recommend using a VPN app. Keep reading for more details.

What makes a good VPN for unblocking TikTok in India

Not all VPNs work in India, so it’s important to research ahead of time to figure out which is the best VPN for you. When I rank my top VPNs, I consider all of the following:

Pricing. Obviously, I don’t want to overpay, but I also want to purchase a quality product, and I’m sure you do, too. For this reason, I suggest VPNs that offer 30-day trial periods.

Security features. It is crucial that the VPN encrypts my browsing data and keeps it private, out of the reach of unauthorized third-party entities.

Speed. I only recommend VPNs that are capable of reaching and maintaining incredible speeds.

Unblocking. Since the main reason I use a VPN is to unblock geo-restricted content, I require a VPN with a vast server network.

Compatibility. I look for an app that is easy to use and runs smoothly on whatever device I have.

3 best VPNs to access TikTok in India 

If you want to use Tiktok in India or any other area where it is not available, you need a premium VPN. Here are my top picks:

1. ExpressVPN

I believe that ExpressVPN, well known for its speedy connections and rock-solid security features, is the best VPN to help you use TikTok in India.

Features: Express keeps you protected online with its ad-blocker, malware protection, password manager, split tunneling, military-level encryption, leak protection, and verified no-logs policy.

Speed: Express reaches and maintains incredible speeds thanks to its Lightway protocol.

Unblocking: With 3,200+ server locations in 105 countries, Express breaks past virtual geographical barriers that are blocking access to apps, as well as movies and TV shows on Netflix, Hulu, Google Play Store, and more!

Compatibility:Express’s app is super user-friendly and highly compatible with gaming consoles, smart TVs, PCs, and routers. You can connect up to 8 devices simultaneously.

Pricing: You can buy a one-year subscription for $6.67/month, plus 3 months free! Additionally, you’ll get 30 days to try it out risk-free.

2. NordVPN

NordVPN is highly regarded by VPN users everywhere, largely thanks to its security, stability, and discretion.

Features: NordVPN prioritizes your security withhigh-end security features likea no-logs policy, military-grade encryption, a Kill Switch, DNS & IP leak protection, Threat Protection, Meshnet, dedicated IP addresses, and more!

Speed: Nord is my runner-up recommendation largely due to the impressive speeds it can reach and maintain thanks to its very own NordLynx protocol.

Unblocking: If you’re looking to access an app or platform that has been completely banned in your region, Nord has your back with a stellar track record of bypassing blocks imposed byNetflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and others. Nord’s network includes 7,100+ servers in 118 countries so you can always locate servers no matter where you are.

Compatibility: Nord lets you use up to 10 devices simultaneously on one account and works seamlessly with desktops, laptops, Smart TVs, gaming consoles, and more!

Pricing: Nord’s two-year plan is available for purchase at $3.39/month plus 4 months free, with 30 days to try it out risk-free!

3. Surfshark

I highly recommend Surfshark to anyone who wants to save money without sacrificing quality.

Features: Though a budget VPN, Surfshark prioritizes your security with a zero-logs policy, a Kill Switch, leak protection, military-grade encryption, split tunneling, ad blocking, malware protection, data breach monitoring, dedicated IP, and more!

Speed: Surfshark also reaches impressive speeds via its WireGuard tunneling protocol.

Streaming:With its 3,200+ VPN servers in 100 countries, Surfshark can help you watch content on platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video that block access based on your region.

Compatibility: Surfshark is compatible with PCs, gaming consoles, smart TVs, mobile devices, and more, and it lets you connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously.

Pricing: You can buy Surfshark’s 2-year starter pack for only $1.99/month and get 4 months free, and try it out risk-free for 30 days.

Can I use a free VPN to access TikTok in India?

While the idea of a free VPN may sound enticing, free VPNs are generally more of a hindrance than a help for several reasons.

First of all, free VPNs tend to lack the power of premium ones, and if you use one in India, you’ll likely find that it fails to unblock TikTok.

Next, free VPNs usually have a more limited selection of servers. This means that you’re likely to experience buffering, lagging, and pixelation due to overcrowded servers.

Additionally, free VPNs are a security risk. They don’t have the same security features as premium VPNs which means that you’re in danger when you browse. Furthermore, free VPN companies need to turn a profit somehow– more often than not, selling your browser data to unauthorized third-party entities will do the trick.

For all of these reasons, my overall advice is that you should invest in a high-quality premium VPN that will keep your online activities private, protected, and running smoothly.

Where is TikTok banned?

Several countries have imposed TikTok bans to varying degrees. For example, Russia has a partial ban in which users may only upload and share TikTok content that was created in Russia. In the US and many European countries, TikTok is banned from all government devices.

Meanwhile, countries like India, China, and Iran have banned TikTok altogether.

TikTok alternatives to use in India

• MX TakaTak. This Indian app is the most popular alternative, including both a video-creation platform and editing tools.
• Chingari. Chingari is another Indian app that lets users create, edit, share, and monetize videos.
• Dubsmash. Dubsmash was originally a lip-syncing app that later became a more complex video-sharing app.
• YouTube Shorts. A worthy competitor to TikTok, this app allows users to create, edit, and share short-form content directly from their phones.
• Instagram reels. Instagram has hopped on board with the short-form content trend, offering content-editing tools and more.

FAQ

Can I use TikTok with a VPN in India?

Yes, you can use TikTok in India with a VPN.

Is it legal to access TikTok in India with a VPN?

Yes, accessing TikTok in India with a VPN is perfectly legal, though many VPNs have revoked their Indian servers due to mandatory data retention laws.

Is TikTok currently banned in India?

Yes, the TikTok app is currently banned in India for both political and security-related reasons.

Is TikTok banned in the USA?

No, it isn’t. You can watch TikTok videos and are currently able to access TikTok in the USA, but the US government is concerned about potential security risks associated with the app and it may be banned in the future.

At present, negotiations are underway for an American company to buy out TikTok’s operations in the USA, which would ameliorate the issues and prevent the USA from joining the banned countries.

Conclusion

In conclusion, TikTok is still perfectly usable in India despite the government’s ban as long as you use a trustworthy VPN.