When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Heres how it works.
While TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, beganrestoring the serviceon Sunday, questions remain.
Why didn’t thebest VPNsdo the trick?
What’s more, what might be a solution for Americans should this happen again?
It tricks your internet service provider (ISP) into thinking you’re browsing from somewhere else entirely.
Spikes in VPN usage are very common after widespread social media bans.
In 2024 aloneProton VPN recorded19 VPN spikes across 13 countries worldwide.
So, why wasn’t a VPN enough to bypass the US TikTok ban?
Many American TikTok users have complained that they were unable to access TikTok even when using a VPN provider.
This may also be why people could better access TikTok on a desktop rather than via mobile.
When Venezuela blocked TikTok, for example, the government actively blocked the TikTok domain across the country instead.
VPNs, therefore, had no problems getting users around the ban.
Peterson from Proton recommends people use their VPN and sign up for TikTok from a different country.