TikTok: Website Returns in India After 5 Years, But App Still Remains Unavailable. After 5 years of total silence, TikTok's website is mysteriously BACK in India!
✅ Website accessible
❌ App still banned
🤐 No official word from govt or ByteDance
200M former users left wondering. Is this the beginning of a comeback or just a glitch?
TikTok: Website Returns in India After 5 Years
In a notable turn of events, the official website of TikTok, the globally popular short video platform from China, has become accessible to Indian users for the first time since its ban in June 2020.
However, the mobile app remains absent from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, marking this development as a partial digital return rather than a full-fledged comeback.
Sudden Website Accessibility Sparks Buzz
Reports started emerging on August 21-22, 2025, when users across India noticed they could access TikTok’s homepage.
While this has generated a wave of excitement and speculation on social media about TikTok’s return, many users still reported that several subpages—and for some, even the homepage—remain inaccessible, hinting at a staggered or experimental rollout.
Tests by media outlets revealed that while the main page loads, attempts to navigate to sections like the Newsroom or Careers result in messages such as “Our services aren't available in your country or region” or server errors, confirming that the platform’s digital infrastructure is not fully restored yet.
The 2020 Ban: A Quick Recap
TikTok, along with 58 other Chinese apps (including Shareit, Club Factory, and CamScanner), was banned by the Indian government in June 2020.
The Centre cited concerns over national security, privacy, and data sovereignty under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, noting that these apps were “engaged in activities which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order.”
This decisive move followed deadly border clashes in the Galwan Valley and coincided with a substantial deterioration in India-China diplomatic relations, leading to over 200 million Indian TikTok users instantly losing access.
ByteDance and Official Statements
Despite the buzz, ByteDance—the parent company of TikTok—has so far remained silent about plans for an official relaunch or any future operations in the Indian market.
There has also been no comment from India’s Ministry of Electronics and IT or any change in the legal status of the ban.
Industry experts have warned that until there is a public statement or government notification, TikTok’s return cannot be considered official or permanent.
Diplomatic Backdrop: Is Thawing Ties Behind the Move?
Interestingly, the partial return of TikTok’s website coincides with a warmer phase in Indo-China relations.
Recent diplomatic meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior Chinese leaders have focused on easing tensions, restoring trade, and reopening flight services. Some analysts speculate this improved climate may have encouraged TikTok’s parent company to test the waters for a re-entry.
What’s Next for TikTok in India?
At present, the TikTok website’s accessibility seems to be in a limited or trial phase, with no official confirmation from either the company or government authorities.
The actual app remains unavailable on Indian app stores, and core features of the site are not functional for most users. Given the sensitivity around data security and national sovereignty, any formal return would likely require clear governmental approval and significant changes to TikTok’s data policies or ownership structure.
For now, fans will have to wait and watch whether this surprise digital appearance paves the way for a real comeback, or if it remains a technical anomaly amid changing geopolitical winds.
