TikTok in India: Rumors vs Reality

TikTok India Comeback 2025? Company’s Official Statement Clears Rumors

For the last few days, the internet has been buzzing with one big question: Is TikTok finally coming back to India in 2025? On 22nd August 2025, several reports claimed that TikTok’s official website was suddenly accessible in India without VPN. This sparked excitement among fans who have been waiting since 2020.

But before you get too excited—here’s the reality.


TikTok Responds to Comeback Speculation

After the rumors went viral, TikTok had to step in and clear the air. In an email statement to TechCrunch, a company spokesperson confirmed:

“We have not restored access to TikTok in India and continue to comply with the government’s ban order.”

This makes one thing clear: TikTok’s official India comeback in 2025 has not happened yet. The app remains unavailable on Google Play Store and Apple App Store in India.


Why Was TikTok’s Website Accessible?

The sudden accessibility of TikTok’s website left many confused. However, experts suggest this was not a sign of its return. Instead, it was likely caused by a network-level misconfiguration.

Something similar happened back in September 2022, when some internet service providers mistakenly unblocked TikTok and other banned websites while updating their systems.

The IT Ministry has also confirmed that the ban under Section 69A of the IT Act is still in effect. No official changes have been made regarding TikTok’s status in India.


The TikTok Ban in India: A Quick Recap

TikTok, along with 58 other Chinese apps, was banned in June 2020. This move came at a time of rising tensions with China along the Ladakh LAC border. The Indian government cited national security and data privacy concerns as the primary reasons behind the ban.

Later, in 2022, another wave of bans targeted apps like PUBG Mobile and Garena Free Fire. Interestingly, PUBG returned the following year as Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) after Krafton rebranded the game and complied with Indian regulations.


Other Apps That Managed to Return

A few banned apps have already made their way back into India with new strategies:

  • Shein re-entered in 2025 as SHEIN India Fast Fashion.

  • Xender (file-sharing app) and TanTan (dating app) also came back with fresh branding and approaches.

This shows that a comeback is possible if companies work within the government’s framework.


Will TikTok Ever Return to India?

The big question is: Is a TikTok India comeback in 2025 really possible?

Right now, it seems uncertain. ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has held multiple discussions with Indian authorities, but no agreement has been reached. Unlike PUBG, which quickly adapted to regulations, TikTok faces larger concerns related to data storage, user privacy, and security compliance.

Until those issues are resolved, Indian users may have to continue using alternatives like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Moj, and Josh for their short-video entertainment.


Final Thoughts

The sudden accessibility of TikTok’s website was more of a technical glitch than a sign of its comeback. While the demand for TikTok in India remains massive, the ban is still firmly in place.

As of now, the TikTok India comeback in 2025 is not happening, and fans will have to wait for ByteDance and the Indian government to find common ground.

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