Unofficial TikTok Downloads Surge in the U.S. Amid Ban Uncertainty

The ongoing uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future in the United States has sparked a massive increase in people finding alternative ways to install the app, bypassing traditional app stores. With Apple and Google blocking new downloads, users are turning to sideloading—a method of installing apps from third-party sources rather than official app stores.

This shift has led to a booming underground market for unofficial downloads, with services like Signulous and AppDB reporting record numbers of TikTok installations. As debates over the ban continue, users are proving that when access is restricted, they’ll find creative ways to get around it.

Hacker in a mask quietly tapping into TikTok systems, surrounded by glowing computer screens.

Why Are People Sideloading TikTok?

The U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld a law that could either force TikTok to be sold to an American company or ban it outright. However, despite the ruling, the platform remains functional due to an executive order from President Donald Trump that has temporarily delayed enforcement.

Since Apple and Google have already removed TikTok from their official app stores, users who need to install it on a new device or redownload it are left with limited options. This has led to a surge in sideloading, a process where apps are installed manually from third-party sources instead of through the App Store or Google Play.

Sideloading is especially common among tech-savvy users but has now become a mainstream solution for TikTok fans who refuse to lose access to the app.

Third-Party App Installers See a Surge in TikTok Downloads

With sideloading on the rise, alternative app distribution services have seen a massive influx of users. One such service, Signulous, reports that over 120,000 people have used its platform to install TikTok on their iPhones. The company’s dashboard data showed TikTok being downloaded at rates of over 2,000 installs per hour at peak times.

Neil Pomperleau, a representative from Signulous, described the situation as "a record traffic spike" and a major opportunity for sideloading services. "One of the most popular apps in the world is now only accessible through unofficial channels in the U.S.," he noted, highlighting how this restriction has driven users away from traditional download methods.

Another third-party platform, AppDB, has also reported nearly 95,000 TikTok downloads since the ban took effect, with their membership doubling in response.

How Users Are Getting Around the Ban

For those unwilling to risk sideloading, VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) have emerged as another popular workaround. By using a VPN, TikTok users in the U.S. can mask their location and make it appear as though they are accessing the app from a country where TikTok is still available, such as Canada.

Google Trends data confirms that searches for "VPN" hit an all-time high last month, as thousands of users scrambled to find ways to continue using TikTok without disruption.

YouTube has also played a key role in spreading awareness, with dozens of tutorial videos on sideloading and VPN usage amassing hundreds of thousands of views in the last few weeks. These videos provide step-by-step guidance on how to download TikTok despite the restrictions.

A person using a laptop to connect to a VPN, with a cozy setup including a smartphone, flowers, and a cup of coffee on the wooden table.

Is Sideloading Safe? The Risks and Rewards

While sideloading provides a way to access restricted apps, it comes with serious security risks. Apple and Google strictly control what apps are available on their platforms to prevent malware, scams, and privacy violations. By downloading from unofficial sources, users risk installing altered versions of TikTok that could contain spyware or malicious code.

Apple has long opposed sideloading, citing security concerns. The company maintains that apps should only be downloaded through official channels, where they undergo strict vetting processes. Apple’s App Store policies are designed to protect users from security vulnerabilities, and bypassing them opens the door to potential threats.

Sideloading services like Signulous charge users a fee (typically around $20 per year) to facilitate downloads, making it a profitable but legally questionable business. Pomperleau himself acknowledges that his company is operating in a legal gray area, stating, "Technically, distributing TikTok in the U.S. is against the law, but we've received unofficial assurances from multiple administrations that it won’t be enforced."

TikTok’s Own Response: Encouraging Android Sideloading

Rather than simply waiting for a legal resolution, TikTok itself has taken proactive steps to help users continue accessing the app. The company has recently released a sideloading toolkit for Android users, making it easier than ever to install TikTok outside of the Google Play Store.

Unlike iPhones, which have strict restrictions on sideloading, Android devices allow apps to be installed manually with minimal effort. This move by TikTok suggests that the company expects ongoing restrictions and is preparing for a future where sideloading might be the only way for U.S. users to keep the app.

While this strategy does not fully address Apple users' challenges, it shows TikTok’s commitment to keeping its U.S. audience engaged despite regulatory hurdles.

Can a Ban Even Be Enforced? The Challenges of Blocking TikTok

The explosion in sideloading and VPN usage highlights a fundamental issue: enforcing a ban on a digital platform is incredibly difficult. Experts argue that, even if TikTok is officially removed from U.S. app stores and internet service providers attempt to block access, determined users will always find ways to work around restrictions.

Aleksei Borodin, a developer from AppDB, believes that bans on popular platforms are largely ineffective. "People will always find a way to get what they want," he says, pointing to the sheer number of workarounds already in use.

Furthermore, U.S. lawmakers face a legal challenge in enforcing a ban, as existing laws do not make it illegal for individuals to download or use TikTok—only for companies to distribute it. Without strict enforcement mechanisms, the law’s impact may be more symbolic than practical.

The Bigger Picture: Apple’s App Store Monopoly and the Future of Sideloading

This situation also plays into a larger debate about Apple’s control over the App Store. Apple has long maintained that its strict app policies are designed to protect consumers, but critics argue that the company uses these rules to maintain a monopoly over app distribution.

In response to regulatory pressure, Apple was forced to allow third-party app stores in the EU last year, raising questions about whether similar changes could happen in the U.S. in the future. If Apple were required to allow alternative app stores globally, sideloading could become a mainstream option, potentially weakening Apple’s grip on the market.

Final Thoughts: TikTok’s Future Remains Uncertain, but Users Are Adapting

While the debate over TikTok’s future in the U.S. continues, one thing is clear—people are not giving up on the platform without a fight. Whether through sideloading, VPNs, or unofficial app marketplaces, users are finding creative ways to keep TikTok on their devices.

The surge in unofficial downloads demonstrates the power of digital communities and how efforts to restrict popular platforms often backfire, leading to even more innovative workarounds.

With the final decision on TikTok’s ban set for April, all eyes are on the U.S. government, Apple, and Google to see how this battle over digital access and app distribution unfolds.

One thing’s for sure: if TikTok disappears from official channels, users will keep finding ways to bring it back.