TikTok’s website is back in India after 5 years, app yet to return

TikTok has made a quiet comeback in India, at least partially. After five years of being blocked, the short-video platform’s website is now accessible to several users in the country. However, the app remains unavailable on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

India had banned TikTok along with 58 other Chinese apps in June 2020, citing national security concerns following the Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops. The ban on TikTok was one of the most high-profile moves at the time, given that India was its largest overseas market with over 200 million users.

The abrupt exit of TikTok created a vacuum that was quickly filled by Indian short-video platforms such as Moj, Josh, Chingari and MX TakaTak, while global players like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts also capitalised on the opportunity. 

However, over the past couple of years, several apps in the space have discontinued operations, pivoted, or consolidated with larger players.

In recent months, ties between India and China have shown signs of improvement, and some previously banned Chinese apps such as Shein, Xender and TanTan have returned to Indian app stores. TikTok’s website becoming accessible again could be an early step towards a larger comeback, though there is no clarity on when or if the app itself will be reinstated. A full return soon seems implausible frankly, considering the considerable advantage and consequently, the ability of the app to mould public perception if allowed in. It is this power to influence and deep inroads into  US audiences that has allowed it to survive even President Trump’s initial threats to shut it down. We doubt the Indian government will want to find out just how far it can go in India now. 

With its different versions for China and the rest of the world, TikTok has proven adept at building vast audiences wherever it has had free rein. So much so  that most India focused digital  media properties would be happy to see it kept out.