As TikTok’s future in the U.S. hangs in the balance, many users are finding alternative ways to download the app. Despite a Supreme Court ruling upholding a law that could lead to TikTok being banned or forced to sell its U.S. operations, an executive order from former President Donald Trump allows its continued use. However, Apple and Google have blocked new downloads, prompting users to explore other installation methods, particularly sideloading.
Sideloading, which involves installing apps from third-party sources instead of official app stores, has become a popular workaround. These unofficial platforms—sometimes called “black markets”—have seen a sharp rise in activity as users seek ways to get TikTok back on their devices.
Unofficial App Stores Experience Boom
With official app stores restricting access, alternative platforms are seeing a surge in demand. Signulous, one such service, reported that 120,000 users have used its platform to sideload TikTok onto their iPhones. At peak times, it has facilitated over 2,000 downloads per hour.
“Since the ban, our site has had record traffic, and we’ve seen a major spike in customers,” said Neil Pomperleau from Signulous.
Similarly, AppDB has reported nearly 95,000 TikTok downloads and a doubling of its membership since restrictions were imposed.
VPNs Gain Popularity as Users Seek Workarounds
Apart from sideloading, many users are turning to virtual private networks (VPNs) to bypass regional restrictions. VPNs allow users to disguise their location, making it appear as though they are accessing the internet from another country where TikTok is still available, such as Canada.
Google data reveals that searches for “VPN” hit an all-time high last month. Additionally, YouTube tutorials demonstrating how to use VPNs to access TikTok have garnered hundreds of thousands of views in recent weeks.
Experts argue that these trends highlight the difficulty of enforcing a potential TikTok ban. Even if the app is officially removed, users are likely to continue finding ways to access it.
A Legal Gray Area
Currently, downloading TikTok is not illegal in the U.S., but distributing it has been ruled unlawful. However, both former President Trump and President Joe Biden have indicated they would not enforce the law, leading to uncertainty.
Unofficial app stores operate in a legal gray area by registering users as software developers, allowing them to sideload applications. Many of these platforms charge a fee for their services—Signulous, for instance, requires users to pay an annual fee of $20.
Pomperleau acknowledged the risks associated with this model. “The law technically prohibits TikTok’s distribution, but we’re relying on assurances from two U.S. presidents that it won’t be enforced,” he explained.
Tech industry analysts note that major companies like Apple and Google are avoiding sideloading support due to legal and security concerns.
TikTok Supports Sideloading While Apple Raises Security Concerns
Interestingly, TikTok appears to be encouraging sideloading. The company recently released a download kit designed to help Android users install the app without relying on Google Play. While sideloading is more common on Android, Apple users are also turning to services like AppDB and Signulous.
Apple, however, has long warned that sideloading poses security risks. The company insists that its App Store review process protects users from malicious software. Apple has historically been more successful than Google at keeping harmful apps out of its ecosystem, reinforcing its stance that apps should be vetted before being made available to users.
Recent European Union regulations have forced Apple to allow competing app stores on iPhones, increasing consumer choices. However, in the U.S., the company continues to enforce strict security measures against sideloading.
