Is TikTok back in India? The buzz is everywhere—from frantic WhatsApp groups to trending news on every social platform. With the TikTok website suddenly accessible for some Indian users in August 2025, rumors of a TikTok unban are surging across the country. But is the TikTok app really back, or is this just another round of false hope? Let’s break it down.
TikTok in India: The Backstory
TikTok, the viral short video platform, was banned in India in June 2020 along with 58 other Chinese-origin apps. The government cited national security and data privacy concerns, especially after the Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops. Bytedance’s TikTok app vanished from the App Store and Google Play, leaving millions of Indian creators stranded and sparking the rise of homegrown apps like Moj and Josh.
TikTok Website Goes Live — Sparks Unban Rumors
In August 2025, some users in India reported being able to open the TikTok website without a VPN, causing widespread speculation that TikTok might be returning. News quickly spread, fueling searches like “tiktok back in india,” “tiktok unban india,” and “is tiktok back in india?” However, here’s the catch:
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The TikTok app is still not available on Indian app stores.
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The TikTok website is only showing the homepage; users can’t log in, watch, or upload videos.
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Access appears limited or inconsistent, with some users still blocked entirely.
Official News: What the Government Says
Let’s get it straight—there is no official unban. The Government of India has officially declared all news about TikTok’s return “false and misleading.” They confirmed:
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No unblocking order has been issued.
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The TikTok ban under Section 69A of the IT Act remains firmly in place.
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Any “access” to the TikTok website is likely due to a temporary technical glitch or network-level misconfiguration, not a policy change.
“The government of India has not issued any unblocking order for TikTok. Any such statement or news is false and misleading.” — Government sources.
The TikTok App & Indian Alternatives
Despite rumors, the TikTok app is absent from Indian app stores. Logging in or creating a new account on the TikTok website is impossible, and Bytedance has not made any deal with Indian authorities to restore TikTok’s services. Meanwhile, alternatives like Moj, Josh, and Reels continue to serve India’s massive short-video audience.
Conclusion: TikTok News in August 2025
While TikTok’s homepage can be viewed by some, the platform remains officially off-limits in India. There’s no sign the unblocking will be reversed anytime soon, as official policies and security concerns still stand. Don’t fall for rumors—until the government and app stores confirm otherwise, TikTok is still not back in India.
Source:
- https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tiktok-back-in-india-govt-responds-amid-buzz-over-chinese-app-bytedance-return-101755885334258.html
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/tiktok-may-be-back-in-india-5-years-after-ban-website-opens-but-app-unavailable/articleshow/123458272.cms
- https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/tiktok-still-blocked-government-sources-on-buzz-about-ban-being-lifted-9141725
- https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/tiktok-aliexpress-websites-back-in-india-after-5-years-still-unavailable-on-app-2775483-2025-08-22
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