Since the popular social app was shut down, dejected American TikTokers have been looking around for a fix and struggling to avoid a ban.
Users on Sunday were just starting to notice that the Chinese-owned app remained dark even when using a VPN.
Virtual private networks can trick websites and apps into thinking you are in another country. VPN software is commonly used in countries where oppressive governments restrict access to social media, such as Iran, China, and Russia.
However, TikTok ensured that the shutdown would not be so easily avoided.
“Whoever told you you could use a VPN after TikTok was banned, you're going to burn in hell.” One frustrated user I wrote.
One more added: “I went through the process of setting up a VPN to access tiktok, but it still doesn't work.”
TikTok chose to shut down late Sunday rather than sell its U.S. operations and comply with the mandate of a law passed by Congress in April.
When you try to access the app, you won't see a message saying it's working with President-elect Trump to find a solution.
President Trump, who takes office on Monday, has said he intends to suspend the ban until he can negotiate a deal for the U.S. to take over 50% ownership of the app.
Lawmakers who supported the ban said TikTok could not return to the United States unless it was in Chinese hands.
With TikTok's U.S. shutdown, it appears that any accounts created in the U.S. will be banned, even if users turn on a VPN.
The Post also confirmed that attempts to access the site using a VPN from within the United States will not work, even if you do not have an account.
Upset app users took to X and Instagram to air their frustrations after the app went dark for 170 million Americans early Saturday morning. Many were looking for quick fixes or hacks to get around the federal law that banned apps that couldn't find new owners. I'm not Chinese.
“PSA: If your TikTok account was created in the US, the VPN will not work. You will need to create an entirely new account 'in' another country. ” someone wrote to X.
“I just connected a VPN for Canada and TikTok still didn’t work,” says another frustrated TikTok user I wrote it to X.
It looks like there are some workarounds. Some users claimed that using a VPN on their computer allowed them to access the app, but only if the account was created outside the United States.
TikTok's total shutdown is similar to the company's tactics in the Chinese enclave of Hong Kong. It said it was withdrawing in response to the country's strict national security laws, aimed at allaying concerns about Beijing's control.
TikTok is already banned in mainland China, with Chinese citizens using Douyin, a TikTok app with Chinese characteristics, instead.
A simple VPN won't be able to get past the app bans there either.
Both apps are owned by Beijing-based ByteDance.
The app's closure comes after the Supreme Court unanimously voted on Friday to pass a parliamentary law requiring the platform's Chinese-owned parent company to sell its shares by January 19 or face a national ban. This was widely anticipated after the support.
