Introduction
If you are there, you have probably tried looking for TikTok in the App Store or Google Play Store and found it is no longer there. Frustrating, right? The US government has recently made moves towards TikTok and removed it from several app stores. However, do not worry. There are ways to get it back, and we will help you with that.
So, Why Was TikTok Banned in the First Place?
The main reason is national security concerns. The US lawmakers believe that TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, could potentially share user data with the Chinese government. While TikTok has repeatedly denied these claims, the US government took action and removed the application from Apple and Google stores to comply with the new law.
Here is the good news, however: If you have already installed TikTok, you can still use it on your phone. The ban mainly affects new downloads and people who have deleted TikTok and want it back after the ban.
If you’re one of them, don’t worry! There are still ways to reinstall TikTok on both iPhone and Android, whether changing your App Store region, using a VPN, or downloading the APK version on Android.
Keep reading to learn the exact methods that are working!
How to Download TikTok Again on iPhone
We provided two methods here to help you get TikTok back on your iPhone devices.
Method 1: Reinstall TikTok from Your Purchase History
If you have downloaded TikTok on your iPhone in the past, you might be able to restore it from your App Store purchase history. This is the simplest method because it does not require any setting changes.
Step-by-Step Guide:
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Open the App Store and tap on your profile picture in the top right corner.
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Select Purchased, and then tap My Purchases to see a list of apps you’ve downloaded before.
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Use the search bar to look for TikTok. If it appears, simply tap the cloud download icon to reinstall it.
If TikTok shows up here, you are in luck! Just wait for it to install, and you will get TikTok back on your iPhone.
But if you don’t see TikTok in your purchase history, or if the download button is grayed out, then you will need to try another method because the application has been completely removed from your region.
Method 2: Change Your App Store Region (VPN Optional)
If TikTok isn’t in your purchase history, the next best option is to change your App Store region to a country where TikTok is still available, like Canada, the UK, or Mexico. This tricks the App Store into thinking you’re in a different country, allowing you to download TikTok like normal.
Step-by-Step Guide:
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Open Settings on your iPhone and tap your Apple ID at the top.
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Select Media & Purchases, then tap View Account.
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Tap Country/Region and select Change Country or Region.
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Choose Canada, the United Kingdom, or Mexico—any country where TikTok is still available.
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Accept the terms and conditions.
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When asked for a payment method, select None (if available). You’ll also need to enter a local address—if you don’t have one, you can use a random address found by searching on Google.
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Once your region is changed, open the App Store, search for TikTok, and download it.
What If TikTok Still Doesn’t Show Up?
Most users will see TikTok in the App Store immediately after switching regions, but if it still says “Not Available in Your Region”, you may need to use a VPN to refresh the store.
Step-by-Step Guide:
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Download a free VPN app (such as VPN Super Unlimited Proxy or ProtonVPN).
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Connect to a server in the same country you switched your App Store to (e.g., Canada).
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Close and reopen the App Store, then search for TikTok again.
Once you’ve successfully downloaded TikTok, you can switch your App Store region back to the US without deleting the app. TikTok will continue to work as long as you don’t uninstall it again.
If you’re still confused about what to do, you can check the following YouTube video for more detailed guidance:
How to Download TikTok Back on Android
If you’re an Android user wondering how to download TikTok back if you deleted it, you still have a couple of solid options. Even though TikTok is no longer available in the US Google Play Store, you can either restore it from your previously installed apps or manually install it using an APK file.
Let’s go over both methods.
Method 1: Reinstall TikTok from Google Play (If You’ve Downloaded It Before)
If you’ve installed TikTok in the past, you might still be able to reinstall it from your Google Play history.
Step-by-Step Guide:
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Open the Google Play Store on your Android device.
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Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
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Select Manage Apps & Devices, then go to the Manage tab.
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Tap Installed and change the filter to Not Installed to see apps you’ve downloaded before.
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Scroll through the list or use the search bar to find TikTok.
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If TikTok appears, tap Install and wait for the download to finish.
If you’re lucky, this method will work, and you’ll have TikTok back in minutes. However, if the app doesn’t show up, it means that Google has completely removed it from your account, and you’ll need to use an alternative method.
Method 2: Install TikTok Using an APK File
If TikTok is no longer available in your Google Play history, you can download and install it manually using an APK file. APKs (Android Package Kits) are files that let you install apps outside the Play Store. This method is widely used in countries where certain apps are restricted.
Step-by-Step Guide:
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Open your browser and go to a trusted APK website, such as:
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APKMirror
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APKPure
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Uptodown
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Search for TikTok and download the latest official version.
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Once the file is downloaded, go to your phone’s Settings → Security → Install Unknown Apps (or Allow from This Source, depending on your Android version).
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Open the APK file and tap Install.
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Once installed, open TikTok, log in, and you’re ready to go!
Warning: Be very careful where you download APK files from. Some third-party sites bundle malware or modified versions of apps that can compromise your security. Stick to well-known APK providers to avoid any risks.
Conclusion
Even though TikTok is banned in the US, you can still download it back using a few simple workarounds. iPhone users can change their App Store region, while Android users can install the APK manually. If you had TikTok before, you might also be able to restore it from your purchase history.
To keep TikTok running, avoid deleting it again, and stay updated on any new restrictions. If this guide helped, share it with others who need it!