While the TikTok ban has been suspended for 75 days, thanks to President Trump, the app is still not available in the Google Play Store, nor the Apple App Store. Luckily, on Android, we can sideload the APK and still get the app. But that’s where things get a little tricky. Some websites that host APKs are also blocking downloads of TikTok in the US, due to the ban.
However, we do have a workaround, that is actually not that difficult. Essentially, you’ll need to get a VPN and connect to a server outside of the US, and then sideload the APK. Then everything works as it should. Here’s a step-by-step tutorial on how to do it.
First, you’ll need a VPN. I personally use NordVPN (not sponsored or anything, that’s just my VPN of choice). It is a paid VPN, but there are free options out there like the Opera Browser which has it built-in.
Once you’ve downloaded a VPN app, make sure to login and get connected to a server outside of the US. I personally used one in Canada.
After you’ve done that, head to an APK hosting website like APKMirror. And search for TikTok, or you can click right here.
You will likely get a pop-up saying that the file might be harmful, tap on “Download Anyway” to start the download.
Before you install, make sure to head into Settings and turn off the Auto Blocker that Samsung has included. Go to Settings > Security and Privacy, and tap the toggle next to “Auto Blocker” to off.
Once the APK has been downloaded, tap on it to install. Now, if this is your first time sideloading an app from Chrome, you’ll need to allow installation from Unknown sources. So just click on the “Settings” option in the pop-up and allow it.
Give it about a minute or so, this is a pretty large app at nearly 500MB in file size so it does take a bit to install, and then you can open TikTok and use it just as you normally would.
It’s a few extra steps, but otherwise a pretty easy way to install TikTok onto your Galaxy S25 in the US. At least until the ban does or doesn’t happen in a few months.
