Access to TikTok is currently limited in Russia. While there’s no outright TikTok ban, you’ll only see old content created by Russian TikTokers. There have been reports of such channels being used to spread propaganda and discredit anti-war rhetoric.
Do you want access to the full, uncensored version of TikTok in Russia? You need to get a VPN (virtual private network) to change your IP address. Here’s how to access TikTok in Russia:
- Download Surfshark. It’s one of the few VPNs that still work in Russia.
- Install Surfshark on your mobile device (or desktop if you’re accessing TikTok on a browser).
- Connect to a server that isn’t located in Russia.
- Now, you should be able to access TikTok content from other countries. You can change servers again if you want to see content from another region.
Surfshark is the best VPN for unblocking TikTok in Russia — it only takes a few clicks to access TikTok. There are manual workarounds if you’re struggling to connect automatically. Surfshark’s also one of the cheapest VPNs available right now. And if you can’t connect in the first 30 days, you can get a full refund!
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Continue reading the article below for step-by-step instructions on how to unblock TikTok in Russia, along with manual workarounds if you can’t connect automatically.
Is TikTok banned in Russia? Despite numerous social media bans in Russia, TikTok remains partly accessible. As of 2024, Russian TikTok users can only see old content uploaded by other Russian users. In other words, if you’re trying to access TikTok in Russia, you’ll get a heavily restricted version of the app.
The only way to get the full TikTok experience in Russia is by using a virtual private network (VPN) to get past internet blocks. But, not any VPN will do. The Russian government has a list of approved VPNs. However, using a state-sanctioned VPN service most likely means your data will be freely available to the government.
This is likely why secure VPN services like Surfshark and NordVPN are not approved — they refuse to intrude on your privacy. Based on our tests, Surfshark is the best VPN to access TikTok in Russia. It easily unblocks TikTok and ensures you aren’t tracked online.
How to Access TikTok in Russia
Need a VPN that can unblock TikTok in Russia on both mobile and desktop? Surfshark is your best bet. We’ve tested it and can confirm that Surfshark is working in Russia.
Follow the simple steps below to access TikTok in Russia:
- Get a Surfshark account. This VPN is super fast and is dedicated to privacy. It’s one of the few VPNs that still works in Russia and doesn’t share your data with third parties.
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- Install the Surfshark mobile app or get the desktop version to access TikTok on a browser.
- Connect to a VPN server outside of Russia. Connecting to a VPN server in a country near you usually ensures better speeds, but Surfshark offers excellent speeds worldwide — including on servers in the US.
- If you’re using a desktop device, clear your browser cache and start a private browsing session.
- Log into TikTok, and you should be able to see an unfiltered feed.
Surfshark offers a 30-day risk-free trial, so you can get a refund if you aren’t satisfied with the service. If you have trouble setting it up, Surfshark has a guide on how to set it up manually (we provide more information on this below).
Is TikTok Shadowbanned in Russia?
Based on users’ experience and our research, it appears TikTok is shadowbanned in Russia. While Instagram, Facebook, and other social media apps have been banned in Russia, TikTok remains accessible.
A report on TikTok in Russia found that there are content limitations in place — a “shadow ban” in effect. So, while you may still have access to the app, you’ll only see old content from Russian TikTokers.
You’ll need a VPN to access foreign apps like TikTok in Russia. Aside from bypassing the TikTok ban, Surfshark can also allow you to access unfiltered news and information.
Why You Need a VPN to Access TikTok in Russia
The Kremlin maintains a high level of censorship in Russia, but the invasion of Ukraine made things worse. According to NPR, there was a flood of misinformation immediately following the invasion, with TikTok users uploading scenes from movies, previous conflicts, and even video game clips as if they were actual footage of the Russian invasion.
This prompted Russia to pass a new law criminalizing “false information about the invasion of Ukraine under the penalty of imprisonment.” TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, also banned anyone using a Russian IP address from seeing any non-Russian content or uploading new content on TikTok.
The good news is that there’s a workaround to get the full, uncensored version of TikTok in Russia. All you need to do is download a reliable VPN.
A VPN changes your IP address, making it seem like you’re logging into TikTok from another country. This allows you to bypass the Kremlin’s online restrictions and access TikTok or other apps and websites that are blocked in Russia.
The Best VPNs to Access TikTok in Russia
Important:
In March 2024, we expected to see Russia issue a blanket ban against the use of VPN services. Instead, the state banned advertisements from VPN providers that are not state approved. If you use a VPN service that’s on Russia’s approved list, expect your data to be no more protected than if you used no VPN at all.
Our experts have run tests, and we can confirm that some unsanctioned VPNs still work in Russia. We strongly advise sticking to the services we recommend below or checking out our guide to the best VPNs for Russia for more options.
1. Surfshark: Secure and fast VPN with manual workarounds to bypass restrictions
- Manual setup is possible to circumvent potential VPN bans
- Full 256-bit data encryption and zero data logging
- Massively discounted, with a 30-day money-back guarantee
- Subscribe with crypto for complete anonymity
Surfshark often tops our best VPN rankings. It’s fast and secure, and its powerful NoBorders mode can bypass blocks in the strictest countries, including China and Russia. Surfshark has a dedicated Shark China page (in Russian) to help netizens find a solution that still works. It’ll guide you to manually set up this VPN if you find yourself struggling to connect.
Anonymity isn’t a concern when you use Surfshark. Russia’s new law banning the promotion of unsanctioned VPNs means that you need to choose a provider that won’t leak or log your data. Surfshark keeps zero logs and offers features like MultiHop, which lets you route your internet traffic through two VPN servers, ensuring it stays private.
You can get a 86% discount on Surfshark and pay with crypto for complete anonymity. Download Surfshark and follow the instructions on the Shark China page if you run into any issues.
2. NordVPN: Secure VPN with advanced privacy features
- 6441 servers worldwide to bypass government-imposed blocks
- 256-bit data encryption and zero-logs policy
- Our best VPN to buy with cryptocurrency — subscribe anonymously
- Advanced privacy features, including obfuscation and double VPN
NordVPN is another top-rated VPN that offers excellent speed and security. For a while, it wasn’t working in Russia — the company pulled out after the conflict with Ukraine began. But our experts have confirmed that it’s working again.
Like Surfshark, NordVPN takes privacy and anonymity seriously. It uses 256-bit data encryption and never logs your data or online activity. This is crucial as the Russian government is cracking down on internet freedom and taking measures to monitor users’ online activities.
Don’t settle for an untested VPN service; download NordVPN and access 3200+ secure servers. You can also subscribe to this VPN anonymously using cryptocurrency.
3. CyberGhost: Alternative VPN for Russia with a vast server network
- 256-bit encryption and won’t log or share your data
- Offers dedicated IP addresses to reduce the risk of detection or blocks
- The longest VPN free trial currently available — 45 days
CyberGhost comes third on our list, offering the second-largest VPN server network. With 11700+ global servers, you have an array of options to find a secure connection.
CyberGhost also boasts dedicated IP addresses. When you use a shared server, you’ll have the same IP as other people on that server. A dedicated IP prevents this. Since IPs can be blocked if websites and services figure out that they belong to a VPN, we recommend using a dedicated server address as it reduces the risk you’ll run into blocks or get detected using a VPN.
If you only need a short-term VPN solution, CyberGhost is an excellent choice. Its 45-day money-back guarantee is the longest that you’ll find. This lets you use the service for up to a month and a half, with a full refund on your initial subscription cost.
Can You Use a Free VPN to Access TikTok in Russia?
We strongly advise against using free VPNs in Russia for the following reasons:
- Free VPNs don’t always protect your data: Some services will log your data and may even resell it. Also, free services generally don’t offer the same robust security as paid services.
- Most free VPNs have data limitations: With one exception, all the free VPNs we’ve reviewed have data limits that prevent you from using data-hungry apps like TikTok. That one exception trades unlimited data for speed.
- Free services lack server choice: Our top premium VPNs offer thousands of servers, so it’s easy to find a server that hasn’t been blocked in Russia. In comparison, most free VPNs provide less than five to 10 servers.
Generally, free VPNs are unlikely to work in countries with strict censorship, like Russia. If they do, there’s a good chance their poor security infrastructure may lead to data leaks, or they may willingly share your data with the government.
What to Do if Your VPN Is Blocked in Russia
Some of our readers have struggled with VPN services that are blocked in Russia. Fortunately, there is a workaround if you can’t connect to Surfshark in Russia.
- Get Surfshark.
- Connect to a server outside of Russia. If it fails, try servers in different locations.
- If you’re still having no luck, go to the Shark China page — an official Surfshark website.
- Follow the steps laid out on the site to manually set up Surfshark.
- Now, you should be able to connect securely.
How We Chose the Best VPNs for Unblocking TikTok in Russia
There are a few things to consider when choosing a VPN for Russia. Russia is known for its strict censorship and is increasingly cracking down on VPN usage, so you must choose your VPN thoughtfully.
Here are some things we considered when picking the best VPNs for unblocking TikTok:
- A strict no-logging policy: With Moscow’s strict internet censorship and harsh penalties for saying the wrong thing online, you need guarantees that your internet activity isn’t being tracked and logged.
- Servers in other countries: Servers in a country close to Russia will often give you better speeds. However, countries like the US or UK are good options for unblocking TikTok.
- Unblocking tools to get around geo-blocks: The more specialized tools a VPN offers, like multi-hop and obfuscation, the better your chances of accessing content that is blocked in Russia.
More importantly, to access TikTok in Russia, you probably also want a VPN that has a mobile app since TikTok is primarily a mobile app.
Access to TikTok and Other Blocked Platforms With a VPN
Russia continues to block major platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter. If you don’t have a VPN, you’ll be cut off from the global internet and can only access a “splinternet” or heavily censored web.
The Sovereign Internet Law, introduced in 2019, allows Russia to intercept internet traffic directly from internet service providers. And, in March 2024, amid rumors of a VPN ban, the government announced that anyone found guilty of promoting unsanctioned VPNs would be fined up to 4,000,000 roubles (about USD $43,200).
The writing on the wall is clear — if you want to access an unfiltered version of the internet in Russia, you need a secure, tried-and-tested VPN service that won’t monitor or log your online activities. Surfshark still works in Russia and is currently available at a 86% discount.
Check out our other articles on how to use restricted apps in Russia:
- How to Get a VPN in Russia: VPNs That Work in Russia
- How to Use Instagram in Russia: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Censorship in Russia: How to Get Around Online Restrictions
- How to Get Around a TikTok Ban: Access TikTok From Anywhere
Got questions about how to access TikTok in Russia? Check out the FAQ section below or leave us a comment and we’ll get back to you!
Censorship in Russia is increasing, and TikTok is partially banned in the country. If you’re trying to use TikTok in Russia, you’ll only see old content from Russian TikTokers.
We recommend downloading Surfshark and changing your IP address to access the full, uncensored version of TikTok. Surfshark is one of the few remaining VPNs that works in Russia based on our testing.
TikTok is banned in China and India. TikTok is also partially banned in Russia. Russian users can’t upload new content or see non-Russian content on TikTok.
Byte Dance, TikTok’s parent company, enacted these restrictions in response to the Kremlin’s criminalization of “fake” content about the invasion of Ukraine. Online freedom continues to be heavily controlled and limited in Russia. We recommend getting one of our top-rated VPNs for Russia to access the web freely in the country.
TikTok was the 10th most popular app in Russia before the company decided to enact restrictions. Now, Russian users cannot upload new content or see content from users outside of the country. Instead, they’ll only see old content uploaded by Russian users. Want to access TikTok in Russia? You’ll need a VPN that still works in Russia.
