Some other reasons you can’t use TikTok on your phone include your phone having a minor problem, your internet connection being unstable, TikTok’s servers having an outage, and more.
1. Relaunch TikTok on Your Phone
When you experience an issue with an app, regardless of what the app is, it’s always a good idea to relaunch the app to see if that fixes the issue. You can resolve many minor problems by giving your application a restart.
On iPhone and iPad
On Android
2. Reboot Your Phone
If restarting the TikTok app didn’t fix your issue, restart your phone and see if that resolves your problem. Rebooting your device has many benefits, such as fixing many minor glitches with the system. Don’t forget to save your unsaved work on your device before you begin to turn it off.
On iPhone
On iPad
On Android
3. Check Your Internet Connection
TikTok is an internet-enabled app, meaning the app connects to the internet to find and fetch new content. If your internet connection is unstable or isn’t functional, that may be why you’re facing issues with TikTok on your phone. You can check your phone’s internet connection by launching a web browser and opening any site. If the site opens, your internet connection is working fine. However, if the site doesn’t open, you may have an issue with your connection. You can resolve most minor internet connection problems yourself, or seek your internet service provider’s help.
4. See if TikTok Is Down
Like many other online services, TikTok’s servers can go down, causing a platform-wide outage. These issues usually occur when the platform’s servers are facing technical difficulties. That may be the reason TikTok isn’t working on your phone. In this case, you can head to a site like Downdetector to verify if TikTok is indeed facing an outage. If it is, you’ll have to wait until the company brings the servers back up.
5. Clear TikTok’s App Cache on Your Phone
One reason TikTok doesn’t work is that the app’s cache files have become corrupt. Various items can cause these files to go corrupt, including viruses and malfunctioning apps. In this case, you can resolve the issue fairly easily, as all you have to do is clear the app’s cache files. Deleting these files doesn’t remove your login session or any other data in your account.
On iPhone, iPad, and Android
The TikTok app itself has the option to clear the cache files. You can use this option on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.
On Android
6. Update TikTok on Your Smartphone
Outdated apps usually don’t perform well and have bugs. Your TikTok app may be an old version, causing you all sorts of problems. Luckily, you can resolve all those issues by updating the app on your phone. The latest app version should fix your problem and possibly add new features. You can update TikTok for free on your iPhone, iPad, and Android devices.
On iPhone and iPad
On Android
7. Reinstall TikTok on Your Phone
If your TikTok app continues to create problems, the app’s core files might be faulty. You can’t access or modify these files, so your only option is to uninstall and reinstall the app on your phone. Doing so deletes the app’s existing files and installs working new files. You don’t lose any of your TikTok account files, but you’ll have to log back into your account when you re-download the app.
On iPhone and iPad
On Android
8. Utilize a VPN App
One reason TikTok doesn’t work on your phone is that the service is banned in your region or country. In this case, the app won’t load any content as the access to its servers is restricted. One way to get around that is to use a VPN app. Such an app transmits your data through a middle server, allowing you to bypass your country’s internet restrictions. You can get a VPN app of your choice and select a country where TikTok is allowed. Then, launch the TikTok app, and you’ll see all your content as usual.
Getting Around TikTok’s App Problems on Your Smartphone
The TikTok app usually works very well. However, there are times when the app experiences hiccups. Once you identify the cause of the issue and follow the methods above, your issue should be resolved. You can then load your video feed, like and comment on people’s videos, as well as perform all other activities within the app without any issues. Happy watching!
