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TikTok not working with a VPN: why changing the IP is not enough

VolnaLink editorial team
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If TikTok does not work with a VPN, changing the IP address alone may not be enough. The problem may be that the app is not connected to the VPN, or with the region of the account, the SIM card, the app store or the device. First check the system VPN and the public IP, and then the regional settings.

Why changing the IP is not enough

CauseHow it shows upWhat to do
The VPN is on only in the browserThe TikTok site opens, but the mobile app does notUse the system VPN app for Android or iOS
Part of the traffic goes outside the VPNAfter connecting, the public IP did not change or the app is excluded from the tunnelCheck the public IP, turn off split tunneling or add TikTok to the list of apps that run through the VPN
The current IP address or region does not pass TikTok's checkA captcha, an unavailability message or an empty feed appearsChoose another nearby location and repeat the check. If the problem persists, check the regional settings
The region of the account or device does not match the chosen VPN locationNothing changes after switching serversCheck the account region, the App Store or Google Play country, the SIM card and the device settings

The check order

  1. Connect the VolnaLink system app on the phone. A browser extension does not affect the TikTok mobile app.
  2. Check the public IP. The country should match the chosen VPN location.
  3. Open TikTok over a different network and compare the result.
  4. If changing the VPN location does not help, check the TikTok account region, the App Store or Google Play country, the SIM card and the device's regional settings.
  5. Clear the cache and update TikTok. Reinstall the app only after checking the regional settings: the reinstall itself does not change them.

TikTok help on the account region: https://support.tiktok.com/en/account-and-privacy/account-information/account-region

TikTok and YouTube — different tasks

YouTube and TikTok may work differently, since they use separate apps, connections and regional settings. If YouTube works through a VPN, that does not mean the TikTok app is also connected to the tunnel or correctly determines the region.

Both services use one VolnaLink subscription. For the TikTok mobile app you need a system VPN, not a browser extension. The app chooses the connection protocol automatically.

See also: YouTube not working with a VPN · VPN for Android · VPN for iOS · Buy VPN

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FAQ

The cause may be that the app is not connected to the VPN, or a mismatch of the region of the account, the SIM card, the app store or the device. Check the system VPN, the public IP and the regional settings.
A VPN extension routes only the browser's traffic through the tunnel. For the TikTok mobile app use a system VPN for Android or iOS.
Changing the location can help if the problem is tied to the current IP address. If several locations give the same result, check the account region, the SIM card, the app store and the device settings.
The cause may be an incomplete VPN tunnel or a mismatch of the chosen location with the region of the account, the SIM card or the app store. Check the public IP and all regional settings.
Reinstalling may clear part of the app data, but it does not change the account region, the SIM card and the app store country. Check these parameters first.
The services use separate apps, connections and regional settings. Check whether the TikTok app is connected to the system VPN, and check its regional parameters separately.
No. Buy VPN — on the plans.
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