Why Can’t I Redownload Tiktok After Ban​? What to Do?

If TikTok isn’t redownloading after you removed it earlier from your device, there could be several reasons behind it. One possibility is that it has been removed from your country or region’s App Store or Play Store. Another common reason is that your Apple ID or Google account is set to the United States, where TikTok is banned. 

Sometimes, parental controls may prevent certain apps from being installed. Issues like an old phone, outdated software, or a full cache can lead to redownload problems. In this guide, we’ll explain all the common issues step by step so you can understand why TikTok isn’t downloading—and how to fix it.

Why Can’t I Redownload TikTok? Possible Reasons

TikTok is Banned in the U.S.

At the end of 2024, the U.S. passed a law requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok’s American operations to a U.S.-based company. Until that happens, the app remains banned. As a result, TikTok was removed from U.S. app stores in January 2025.

When Donald Trump took office again, he lifted the ban for 75 days. That grace period ended on April 4, 2025. Since no sale has been finalized, it has again been banned from U.S. app stores. So, if you’re in the U.S. and uninstalled the app, you can’t download it again through official channels.

Why TikTok is Not Showing Up on Your iPhone or Android

For iPhone Users:

• Apple ID Logged Out: Go to Settings > click your name > Sign Out, then sign back in.
• Region Set to USA: If your Apple ID region is set to the U.S., TikTok won’t appear in the App Store due to the ongoing ban.
• Family Sharing Restrictions: Someone in your family group might have blocked TikTok. Check if restrictions are active.

For Android Users:

• Play Store Cache Issue: Go to Settings > Apps > Play Store > Storage and tap Clear Cache.
• Google Account Region Set to USA: TikTok may not appear in the Play Store if your Google account is linked to the U.S.

How App Store Country/Region Affects TikTok Availability

TikTok’s availability depends on your App Store or Play Store region. If your account is set to the United States, the app won’t appear because it has been removed.

For iPhone Users:

• Go to Settings > Apple ID > Media & Purchases > View Account > Country/Region.
• Change the region to the UK, Canada, or Australia.
• You can use the gift card method instead of a real address for billing.

For Android Users:

• Open Play Store > click your profile > Settings > Account & Device Preferences > Country.
• You might need a VPN and a foreign payment method to switch regions.

Parental Controls and Age Restrictions Can Also Block TikTok

Parental control settings are designed to protect younger users, which can stop app from appearing or being installed.

On iPhone (iOS):

Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps and check if it is restricted.

On Android (Family Link):

Open the parent’s account in the Family Link app and see if TikTok is blocked. These restrictions are common on devices used by teens or children and can prevent the app from being downloaded.

Device Compatibility and Software Issues

This app may not work or appear if your device doesn’t meet the minimum requirements.

• iPhone: Requires iOS 12.4 or later.
• Android: Requires Android 7.0 or higher.
• Storage: You need at least 300MB of free space.
• Jailbroken or Rooted Devices: These can interfere with TikTok and may prevent it from downloading.

How to Redownload Tiktok After Ban​: Step-by-Step Guide

Update Your Phone First

Before trying anything else, ensure your phone runs the latest software version.

• For iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install the latest iOS update.
• For Android: Go to Settings > System > System Update (or the appropriate update section for your device).

Change Your Region or Apple ID Country If it is Banned in Your Country.

If your Apple ID is set to the U.S., open the App Store and change your country to Canada or the UK. Go to the Google Play Store > Account > Country and profiles on Android, and add a new country. You’ll need a local address and postal code from the selected region.

Turn Off Parental Controls

On iPhone, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and ensure app downloads are allowed.

Check Settings > Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls on Android to see if there are any active restrictions. If necessary, disable them or remove the passcode. After that, try searching for TikTok again.

Use a VPN

If TikTok still doesn’t appear in your store, use a VPN for TikTok to temporarily set your location to Canada, the UK, or another country where this app is still available. Trusted VPNs like ProtonVPN, Windscribe, or TunnelBear work well for this purpose.

After connecting to the VPN, reopen the App Store or Play Store and search for TikTok. Alternatively, you can visit www.tiktok.com directly from your browser. Be aware that using a VPN may involve legal risks depending on your region.

Try Alternate Sources (Android Only)

Android users can install this app from trusted third-party stores like Amazon Appstore, APKMirror, or Aptoide. Only use reputable websites to avoid malware. After downloading the APK, go to Settings > Security and enable the Install from Unknown Sources option to proceed with the installation.

Wait and Watch

If none of the methods work, an official solution may not be. The U.S. Congress enforced the ban in January 2025 (see Wikipedia), but things could change. Watch for official updates from TikTok via press releases or credible news outlets. The situation might shift depending on government decisions or legal challenges.

Try Alternate Apps

While TikTok remains unavailable, you can use alternatives like Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts, which allow you to create and share short-form videos. If you’re an adult content creator, TikTok18 might be a better option. This version offers unique features not found in the regular app version, giving creators more freedom and flexibility. That’s why more content creators are turning to TikTok18 during the ban.

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