Why and How Is TikTok Banned in Russia?

Online censorship in Russia has risen throughout recent years, even more now as it bans most international news channels, social media channels, and sites for civil society. After the war in Ukraine, more than 4,000 sites have been blocked in Russia, including TikTok, Facebook, X, Instagram, BBC News, and so on.

Russia has undertaken several initiatives in response to the prohibition of TikTok. For now, although Russians are still free to download the TikTok software from stores, like Google Play and App Store, no Russian TikTok user will be able to use the software to broadcast a live stream or upload a new video. And, all non-Russian content will also be blocked.This also means that whether you’re a local living in Russia or a tourist on vacation here, as long as your current IP address is in Russia, you won’t be able to watch the latest TikTok videos, Lives, or post your own TikTok updates from Russia, and will only be allowed to repeatedly browse through a history of content uploaded by domestic account.

Note: If you don’t know how to find your IP address, just click the link to use this free but efficient IP address checker.

However, while the current Russian ban on TikTok continues, there are still ways to get around it. In the following, we’ll show you how you can easily watch foreign TikTok videos easily with the best helper – VPN.

How to Watch TikTok Videos in Russia?

Yes, the best and most efficient way to bypass the TikTok ban is to use a VPN, with the power of which we can change the IP address of the device we use to virtually locate ourselves in other countries or regions where there is no banned policy. This will allow Russian users to bypass the restrictions and successfully access any websites, streams, and apps like TikTok that are banned in Russia.

PotatoVPN is a completely free VPN service that not only allows users to cross geographic restrictions, but also speeds up your network and reduces lag, and it is also an effective solution for protecting data privacy.We Due to its reliable performance and easy-to-use feature, we will use PotatoVPN as a demonstration tool in the following tutorial. Also, to provide you with a variety of information, we have recommended other useful VPNs for you to choose from in the below content of the blog.

Now, let’s figure out how to get around a TikTok ban and watch TikTok videos uploaded from everywhere.

Step 1. Download TikTok and PotatoVPN

No matter what device you are using, iPad, iPhone, or Android phone, you can search for and download the original TikTok software from the store as normal.

After the TikTok download is complete, you will also need to install the PotatoVPN software for your device. You just need to search for the product name in Google Play or App Store to find the target. If you prefer to access the web version of TikTok, don’t worry, PotatoVPN also supports Windows and macOS.

Step 2. Unplug the SIM Card

TikTok has restrictions on SIM cards, and once it detects that your device is equipped with a Russian SIM card, it will directly limit the account traffic and the content displayed.That’s why this is a crucial step, so make sure you remember to unplug your SIM card before launching TikTok. Otherwise, even if you manage to connect to the VPN, you will still only be able to see previous Russian videos.

Step 3. Choose Servers and Connect

Now launch the PotatoVPN you installed before, and select and connect a server located in a country where TikTok is not banned.PotatoVPN provides 5000+ servers worldwide, you can choose the server that is geographically closest to Russia and meets the conditions, which will bring you faster internet speeds.

Step 4. Scroll Through TikTok Video Now

Now open TikTok, and you will find you can freely slide your finger up and down to watch TikTok videos that are currently trending in the region of the server you are connecting to. TikTok will also push you the latest videos or Lives in the country based on its algorithm that analyzes you.

Attention

It’s worth noting that when you only remove your SIM card, you can watch the worldwide TikTok lives and actually see new video content even without the help of a VPN. You can go to a user’s homepage by searching for their name and browse all videos under that account. However, the push function of TikTok is still not enabled.

Only after connecting to a VPN will you be able to use TikTok properly and discover the latest videos at any time. Also, you can make occasional changes to the servers that your VPN is connected to, so that TikTok will also push you videos or live streams that are popular in that region according to the geographic location.

Pro Tip

If you also want to post a TikTok video in Russia, it will be much easier than watching the TikTok videos. You don’t need the help of a VPN at all, all you need to do is to remove your SIM card and you will be able to upload your videos without any problem.

Best VPNs to Access TikTok in Russia Recommended

As mentioned earlier, if you’d like to learn more about the various types of VPN products, we’ve selected for you the 4 best VPNs that are currently competitive in the market – PotatoVPN, ExpressVPN, Planet VPN, and SurfShark.

They have different feature focuses, but all of them guarantee privacy, security, and freedom for their customers. Now go through the reviews we provide and choose the one that meets your needs.

PotatoVPN

PotatoVPN is our preferred VPN service for you. Since its launch in 2020, this free VPN product has quickly come to the forefront with its stable and fast VPN service. Although it can’t offer more advanced VPN features yet, it still manages to protect all users’ privacy, encrypt internet traffic, and change IP addresses with its basic but powerful features. If you’re chasing better services and features, PotatoVPN also offers a paid version to satisfy the needs of different users fully.

For restricted Russian users, with the help of PotatoVPN, you can secretly access all kinds of currently locked social media, video streaming, gaming, and more, in addition to watching TikTok videos or live streams freely. Regardless of the device you use, even if it’s a TV, Potato can play its role with its excellent compatibility.

Of course, PotatoVPN currently has 5000+ premium servers in over 55 countries, so users all over the world can get the best online experience with this extremely user-friendly VPN product.

Compatibility

Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV

Key Features

· Very suitable for beginners. Just click the button to get a reliable and extremely fast connection in seconds.

· The free version has enough features for daily use. Users can get access to 7 free servers in the US, UK, Canada, and so on.

· It has strong security and can encrypt all Internet requests with AES encryption in the 256-bit form to protect your personal/online privacy.

· No-logs policy, no original IP address or data will be saved.

· Provides stable and high-quality streaming service in HD model.

Price

· Free version offered

· Premium Service: Monthly – $11.99/Mon, Annual – $5.99/Mon

Pros and Cons

• Easy to use.

• A free but useful version is provided.

• Unlimited usage and bandwidth.

• 5000+ global servers offered.

• High security with tough privacy encryption and private browser.

• 24/7 customer support.

Cons

• Not offering a lot of features.

• Lack of the protocols advanced users need, like OpenVPN or WireGuard.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a well-reputed VPN service that has always held its place in the market for its quality features and super-fast speeds. Compared to the free products, ExpressVPN comes with a larger number of servers, wider coverage, more protocols, and better functionality.

It combines 256-bit encryption, secure protocols, and HMAC authentication with an all-encompassing approach to securing your data privacy by wrapping traffic in encrypted tunnels. Also, its company is located in the British Virgin Islands, which makes it not constrained by data retention or copyright laws and allows customers to enjoy a top-notch data security protection service.

However, as opposed to its great capabilities, ExpressVPN is very expensive. Users need to pay more for all the premium features they enjoy. If you just want to enjoy unrestricted use of TikTok in Russia, and don’t have a particular need for other VPN features, then you can try other less costly options. But if you need a strong VPN to help you with other online activities, then ExpressVPN is a good one to select.

Compatibility

· iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, routers, game consoles, and smart TVs.

Key Features

· Supports high-level VPN features, including kill switch, split tunneling, abundant protocols, etc.

· Superior speeds with TrustedServer technology.

· No-logs policy, no data will be written to any hard drive.

· Strong compatibility. Works on multiple platforms and connects up to 8 devices at once.

Price

· $12.95/mon

· 12 Months Plan + 3 Months Free(specialdeal) – $6.67/mon

· 6 Months Plan – $9.99/mon

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Lightning-fast speeds

• Powerful functions provided

• 10Gbps Servers in 105 countries

• Reliable encryption(AES-256) and strict no-logs policy

• 24/7 customer support

Cons:

• Expensive than other VPN services

• No free version

• No dedicated IP address option

• May be detected by the school network

Planet VPN

Similar to PotatoVPN, Planet VPN is also a free VPN that is currently gaining popularity. Its free version offers access to only 5 server locations, but there are no speed or traffic limits. If you want to access more servers, then the premium subscription it offers is also very affordable. You can subscribe to a 3-year plan of Planet VPN, which will give you unrestricted access to 1200+ servers spread across 60 locations for just $1.99 per month.

With the help of Planet VPN, you can connect to Russian VPN servers from multiple devices with a completely anonymous and secure internet connection. You can use it to change the IP address to easily watch TikTok videos from various countries in Russia. However, it is important to note that Planet VPN is unable to support most streaming services such as Disney Plus or Hulu. If you are a fan of streaming video, Planet VPN might not be a suitable helper.

Compatibility

· Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux

Key Features

· Secure with industry-standard 256-bit encryption and security protocols.

· Works on all major operating systems as well as routers and browser extensions.

· Access to any geo-restricted website while blocking advertisements.

· Supports up to 10 simultaneous connections.

Price

· Free version provided

· $9.99/mon

· 1-year plan – $3.99/mon

· 3-year plan – $1.99/mon

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• The free version provided 5 server locations which are lifetime free and limitless

• Strict no-logs policy with Kill Switch technology

• Supports for all major platforms

• Technical support via chat or email

Cons:

• Speed is not competitive

• Unable to unlock more streaming services

• Lack of more powerful VPN functionality

SurfShark

Surshark is also one of the great helpers that can assist users in watching TikTok in Russia. Being paid software, it doesn’t have the same fast internet speeds as ExpressVPN, but it’s capable enough to take on the task of seed downloads or streaming of all kinds.

Surshark offers features such as split tunneling, DNS leak protection, and kill switch for total data privacy protection with real functional advantages. It can adopt an anti-censorship mode making it impossible for ISPs(internet service providers) to detect that a user is using a VPN to help Russian users access restricted online content.

However, at the moment Surshark does not have an advantage in terms of the number of servers though it has been offered over 3000 servers in 60+ countries compared to other competitors in the same price range. This also leads to slow over longer distances.

Compatibility

· iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, routers, game consoles, and Firestick TV.

Key Features

· 3 versions are offered: SurfShark Starter, SurfShark One, SurfShark One+

· Anti-censorship modes.

· Provides high-techs that help users change their IP every 10 minutes.

· No activity logs, no tracking, no monitor, and no store.

· Provides device protection.

Price

SurfShark Starter:

・$12.95/mon

・12 Months plan + 2 free months – $2.99/mon

・24 Months plan + 2 free months – $2.29/mon

SurfShark One

・$14.95/mon

・12 Months plan + 2 free months – $3.49/mon

・24 Months plan + 2 free months – $2.89/mon

SurfShark One+

・$17.95/mon

・12 Months plan + 2 free months – $5.49/mon

・24 Months plan + 2 free months – $4.49/mon

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Strong privacy and secure features

• Good value for money

• Provide built-in AD blocker

• Has next-generation VPN technology solutions

Cons:

• Speed will be limited by distance

• More features more expensive version

These are the 4 top VPN products we recommend for you. Each of them offers excellent data security and will help you to get around all Internet troubles in Russia.

But if you’re looking for a powerful product that doesn’t cost too much, then the free PotatoVPN will be the one pick.

Conclusion

In 2024, TikTok still has a moratorium on live streaming and new video content in Russian. To bypass the limitations, we’ve shown you detailed guides on how to watch TikTok in Russia.

All you need to do is unplug your SIM card and choose the most suitable VPN service, like PotatoVPN, and you’ll be able to use all the features TikTok has to offer at your own pace.