When will TikTok come back? Americans turn to VPNs with mixed results

Americans faced the stark reality of the TikTok ban Sunday as ByteDance blocked access to the app in the United States.

Users in the U.S. who open the app now are greeted with a popup that reads, "Sorry, TikTok isn't available right now."

Searches for "how to get around TikTok ban US," "how to bypass TikTok block," and "TikTok VPN" spiked immediately after the app went dark, according to Google Trends data.

Americans turning to VPN to get around TikTok block

VPNs are a great tool to hide your IP address by connecting you to a secure server in a location of your choosing. Theoretically, that means you would be able to use a VPN to retain access to TikTok. And while the cybersecurity risks of using TikTok have been well-documented, that isn't going to stop the most dedicated users.

The surge in VPN interest sparked so intensely as the ban went into effect that NordVPN issues were immediately reported, according to Ziff Davis-owned site Downdetector.

VPN not working for TikTok, many users report

Despite attempting to use a VPN to bypass the ban, users flooded social media early Sunday morning with memes and complaints that the tactic did not work for them.

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Theories on how to get TikTok running in the US also began to circulate on social media. Some X users are reminding people to make sure the VPN is set to a country where TikTok isn't already banned, and others are saying that you have to use VPN to create a new account that isn't in the U.S.

While Mashable has not put any of these theories to the test, it's important to note that the best way to regain access to TikTok could simply be to wait. President-elect Donald Trump has said he will likely give TikTok a 90-day extension to avoid a permanent ban, NBC reports.

In the popup explaining the ban, TikTok notes that "President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office."

Trump will be sworn into office on Monday, which means it's possible an extension arrives swiftly. Until then, creators and users alike have to adjust to life without TikTok.