Updated on: September 6, 2024
Only 3 Steps (Quick + Easy) to Access TikTok From India in 2024:
- Download and install a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN, as it has a vast server network, including servers near India for accessing TikTok reliably. It also has fast speeds and a user-friendly interface.
- Connect to a VPN server. Choose a server in a nearby country, like Nepal, Sri Lanka, or Bhutan.
- Log into your TikTok account. You can now watch and create videos on TikTok.
The social media platform TikTok is banned in India. So if you’re an Indian resident or are traveling to India, you won’t be able to access the TikTok app.
Luckily, there’s an easy solution to this problem — using a VPN. It has servers located all over the world, and when you connect to a server, the VPN changes your real IP address to one that matches your new server location. This way, you can connect to a server in a nearby country that allows access to TikTok. What’s more, the VPN encrypts your traffic, so your internet service provider (ISP) or government won’t be able to see your online activities.
However, not all VPNs are good for accessing TikTok from India. Many of them don’t have a good server network, preventing you from accessing a server in a neighboring country to get the fastest speeds. This means that you’ll experience buffering when watching videos on TikTok.
I spent a few weeks testing and found the best VPNs for accessing TikTok from India. ExpressVPN is my top choice because it’s good at getting around government restrictions, has servers in countries near India, and has the fastest speeds on the market.
IMPORTANT: TikTok might be limited in your area. Before using TikTok, check that it’s permitted in your location and always comply with applicable local rules and guidelines. Neither I nor anyone at SafetyDetectives.com condone using a VPN to circumvent any local laws.
Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
How to Access TikTok Content in India on Any Device
1. Subscribe to a VPN that works well with TikTok.
I recommend ExpressVPN — it has multiple servers near India, very fast speeds, and user-friendly apps.
2. Download and install the VPN onto your device.
Launch the installer and the on-screen instructions will guide you through the installation process.
3. Launch the VPN app and connect to a server.
Open your VPN app and select a server in a location near to India.
4. Download the TikTok app (if you don’t already have it).
Search for the TikTok app in the App Store or Google Play Store and download it to your device.
5. Enjoy watching TikTok!
Simply sign into your TikTok account, and you’re all set to enjoy watching from India.
Best VPNs for Accessing TikTok from India in 2024
Quick summary of the best VPNs for accessing TikTik from India in 2024:
- 🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for accessing TikTok from India (large server network).
- 🥈2. Private Internet Access — Great privacy for TikTok (with customizable apps).
- 🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — User-friendly VPN with intuitive apps + automation rules.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Accessing TikTok From India in 2024
ExpressVPN is my favorite VPN for accessing TikTok from India because it has a vast server network in 105 countries, including ones near India that haven’t banned TikTok, like Bhutan, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.
I like that the VPN supports obfuscation on all of its servers and protocols. Obfuscation disguises your VPN traffic, making it look like regular traffic. This helps to evade government VPN detection since the sites you visit can’t tell you’re using a VPN.
It’s great that ExpressVPN comes with a split-tunneling feature. It allows you to choose which apps use the VPN and which ones bypass it. This way, you can route just TikTok through your VPN and avoid slowing down your other internet traffic.
ExpressVPN offers several plans with prices as low as $4.99 / month. Each plan has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Great Privacy & Highly Customizable
Private Internet Access (PIA) has great privacy features for TikTok. Its no-logs policy has passed an independent audit, and its apps are open-source, meaning anyone can look at the code for cracks in security.
I really like how PIA’s apps are highly customizable. For example, you can set the VPN to automatically connect to a server if it detects an unsecured Wi-Fi network. In that way, your data will be protected when scrolling on TikTok at hotels or cafes.
This VPN offers extra features, like obfuscation and split-tunneling. It offers obfuscation through its Shadowsocks protocol, but you’re restricted to 5+ countries to route your traffic (including nearby Israel, Switzerland, and the Netherlands which all allow TikTok). What’s more, its split-tunneling feature lets you exclude IP addresses, which can be useful for desktop users since you can tunnel only the TikTok site rather than your entire browser.
Private Internet Access has plans starting at $2.03 / month. All purchases come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Beginner-Friendly VPN With Automation for TikTok
CyberGhost VPN is ideal for users who are new to VPNs. It has a user-friendly interface, which makes it easier to connect to one of its servers in 100 countries. It also has servers in countries near India, like Myanmar, Thailand, and Singapore.
I really like CyberGhost’s Smart Rules feature, which is very helpful if you want to access TikTok on your desktop. This feature allows you to set up the VPN, so it automatically opens the TikTok app when you connect to a specific server, like a server located in a country where TikTok is available.
CyberGhost VPN has affordable plans starting at $2.03 / month. Long-term plans have a 45-day money-back guarantee and monthly plans have a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full CyberGhost VPN review
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Quick Comparison Table
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
How to Choose the Best VPN for Accessing TikTok in India in 2024
- Choose a VPN that works with TikTok. The VPNs I recommend can reliably access TikTok 100% of the time. TikTok blocks access to the app if it detects you’re using a VPN.
- Consider nearby servers. For smooth messaging and sending and uploading videos, I only recommend VPNs with servers in nearby countries, like Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Thailand.
- Find a VPN with fast speeds. All VPNs slow down your servers because they encrypt your traffic and route it through their servers, which are usually further away than your local network. However, top brands are able to maintain fast speeds across all servers. ExpressVPN had the fastest speeds in my tests.
- Look for strong security features. All the VPNs on this list have industry-standard VPN security features, like 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch that disconnects your internet if your VPN connection drops, and an independently-audited no-logs policy.
- Get a VPN that’s easy to use. I only recommend VPNs that have a user-friendly interface, which makes it easier to connect to a server for accessing TikTok from India.
- Opt for a VPN that provides the most value. Each VPN on this list allows multiple simultaneous connections (Private Internet Access allows unlimited connections), offers affordable plans, and includes a generous money-back guarantee.
Why You Can’t Access TikTok in India (& Why You Need a VPN to Access It)
India banned the TikTok app in June of 2020 due to concerns over data privacy and national security after a change in its international relations with China. The main concern was that the Chinese app doesn’t have effective data protection policies in place and that the data of millions of users is visible to unauthorized third-party entities — this puts the national security of India at risk.
The app was removed from the Google Play Store and the iOS App Store in India, and ISPs have also been ordered to block access to TikTok servers. So, even if you’ve previously downloaded the app, you can’t update it or use it while you’re in the country.
A VPN allows you to access TikTok from India by assigning you an IP address from a country where TikTok is available. In this way, websites will only see your VPN IP address and it’ll look like you’re actually in that country. For example, if you’re in India but connect to a server in Thailand, it will appear as if you’re in Thailand and you’ll bypass India’s TikTok ban.
Why Is TikTok Restricted in Some Countries?
Certain countries either restrict or outright ban the use of TikTok in their country. Here’s a quick look at some of the countries with current bans/restrictions, and why:
- India. TikTok was originally banned in 2019 when the government claimed that the app promoted “pornography,” displayed “inappropriate content,” and posed potential risks to minors from sexual predators. However, this ban was eventually lifted. The second ban was imposed in 2020 as part of anti-China measures, prompted by a violent clash between Indian and Chinese troops and a resulting concern over national security.
- China. TikTik isn’t accessible in China, even though it was developed by a Chinese company called ByteDance. Instead, people in China can use its twin app called Douyin. Unfortunately, none of the content is shared between the apps because they use different servers.
- Russia. The app has suspended live streaming and new uploads from Russia as a response to Russia’s new law on fake news related to its invasion of Ukraine.
- Canada. Canada has not fully banned TikTok, but in 2023, the government banned the download and use of the app on all government devices due to security concerns over data policies.
- Bangladesh. The country restricted access to TikTok as part of a sweeping internet crackdown in 2018. The reason was mainly to control the availability of content that was considered immoral or harmful to young people.
- United States. Although TikTok has not been completely banned in the US, it has come under intense scrutiny due to national security concerns. The main issue is the app’s Chinese ownership, which has led to fears about the potential misuse of American user data. The state of Montana banned the app, and the US government banned the use of TikTok on federal devices.
TikTok Alternatives in India
- MX TakaTak. Developed by MX Media, this Indian app offers a platform for short video content creation. It provides a variety of editing tools and has gained popularity in India as a homegrown alternative to TikTok.
- Chingari. Another India-based app, Chingari allows users to upload and share short videos, and even earn money based on how viral the content becomes. It also offers features like news updates and quizzes.
- Roposo. This video-sharing app offers a platform for creative people to share videos across various themes like fashion, comedy, and travel. It has a range of editing tools and even offers the opportunity to earn through the platform.
- Dubsmash. Although it started as a lip-sync app, Dubsmash has evolved to include a variety of short video content. It offers a feed where users can discover new videos and engage with the community.
- YouTube Shorts. This is YouTube’s answer to TikTok, offering a platform for users to create short-form videos directly from their mobile devices. Shorts has a dedicated feed and offers a wide range of editing tools.
- Instagram reels. Part of the larger Instagram platform, Reels allows users to create and explore short, engaging videos. It has editing tools, filters, and a dedicated space to discover videos from other users.
- Triller. Primarily focused on music videos, Triller offers robust editing capabilities and is often used to create professional-looking video clips. It also has social sharing and discovery features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a free VPN to access TikTok in India?
Maybe, but I don’t recommend it. Most free VPNs don’t work with TikTok. Plus, they have slow speeds, set a monthly or daily data cap, and often collect users’ data and share it with third parties.
Instead, I recommend purchasing a premium VPN, like ExpressVPN. It has servers in countries near India, allows unlimited data, maintains the fastest speeds on the market, and has user-friendly apps.
Is it legal to use a VPN for TikTok in India?
Yes, it’s legal to use a VPN for TikTok in India. That said, it’s important to follow TikTok’s terms of service so that you’re not breaking any rules. Violating TikTok’s terms of service can result in your account being temporarily or permanently deleted.
What’s the best VPN for accessing TikTok from India?
ExpressVPN is my top pick for accessing TikTok from India. It has a large server network with servers near India, industry-leading speeds, and extra features, like split-tunneling and obfuscation.
If I had TikTok installed before the ban, can I still use it?
You won’t be able to use the TikTok app even if you installed it before India’s ban. The app might still be on your device, but you’ll need a VPN to access the TikTok app. I recommend ExpressVPN as it has blazing-fast speeds, a large server network, and user-friendly apps.
