TikTok Website Back in India!
- Reappears After 5 Years
- App Still Under Ban
The Chinese short-video platform TikTok, banned in India in 2020, has made a comeback through its website. On Friday, August 22, 2025, some users reported being able to access the TikTok website, though the mobile app remains unavailable on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. This development has sparked discussions about whether improving India-China relations are behind this move. However, there is still no official confirmation regarding TikTok’s full return to India.
Why Was TikTok Banned?
On June 29, 2020, following the India-China border clash in the Galwan Valley, the Indian government banned TikTok along with 58 other Chinese apps, citing threats to data privacy and national security. At the time, TikTok had over 200 million users in India, making it the platform’s largest market outside China. The ban caused significant losses for ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, prompting Indian users to shift to alternatives like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.
Post-ban, the TikTok website also became inaccessible in India by 2023. However, recent improvements in India-China relations, including several rounds of border talks and a statement from the Chinese envoy about a “Dragon-Elephant Tango,” indicate a thaw in tensions. An upcoming meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month is also seen as a contributing factor.
Website Accessible, App Still Unavailable
Reports suggest that TikTok’s official website is now functional on both mobile and desktop devices for some users. However, certain subpages are not yet operational, and access is not universal, with some users reporting issues on X (formerly Twitter). This is believed to be a phased rollout or a testing phase.
The return of TikTok’s website has generated excitement among users, but for a full comeback in India, the platform must address data security concerns and secure approval from the central government. For now, the app remains banned, and TikTok faces challenges in other countries as well, including a ban in the United States set for 2025.
