TikTok Not Working on iPhone? 11 Ways to Fix it

Encountering TikTok problems on iPhone can be a frustrating experience, especially when you’re geared up to create, share, or enjoy content on the platform. This guide aims to provide you with comprehensive solutions to effectively resolve TikTok not working on iPhone issue.

The incredibly popular short-form video app, TikTok, has become a significant part of our digital life. However, like any other application, it’s not immune to issues and bugs. You might encounter problems like TikTok not loading videos, crashing abruptly, or even refusing to start up. Let’s explore the steps to resolve these TikTok issues on iPhone.

How to fix TikTok not working on iPhone

1. Restart TikTok

Sometimes closing the TikTok app and starting it up again is all it takes to resolve the issue. Don’t just swipe to go home on your phone; close the app entirely before relaunching it.

• On an iPhone with Face ID: Swipe up from the bottom edge and pause in the center of the screen.
• On an iPhone with a Home button: Double-click the Home button.
• swipe right to find TikTok, then swipe up on the app to close it.

To reopen the app, go to the Home Screen, or App Library then tap TikTok.

If quitting and reopening the app doesn’t resolve the issue, try the next solution.

2. Restart Your iPhone

Restarting your iPhone is a universally recommended step to troubleshoot most problems, including TikTok issues on iPhone. This simple action refreshes the device’s memory and often fixes minor software hitches that could cause apps to malfunction.

Here’s how to restart your iPhone:

1. Press and hold the side button along with either of the volume buttons until the power off slider appears on the screen.
2. Drag the slider to the right, effectively turning off your device.
3. After about 30 seconds, press and hold the side button again until you see the Apple logo, signifying that your device is restarting.

3. Check Your Internet Connection

TikTok is a data-intensive application that requires a robust internet connection to function optimally. If TikTok is not working on your iPhone, it could be due to an unstable WiFi or cellular data connection.

1. Try switching between WiFi and mobile data to see if one works better than the other.
2. If you’re on WiFi, move closer to your router to get a stronger signal. If that doesn’t work, try resetting your router.
3. Check if your device is on "Airplane mode." If it is, disable it to restore your internet connection.

4. Update TikTok Application

Updating your TikTok app regularly is essential. With each new update, developers introduce bug fixes and performance improvements. An outdated TikTok version could be the reason why TikTok is not working on your iPhone.

To update your TikTok app:

1. Open the App Store on your iPhone.
2. Tap on your profile icon on the top right to access the account page.
3. Scroll down to the Available Updates section. If an update for TikTok is available, tap the Update button beside it.

5. Clear TikTok Cache

As you use TikTok, the app accumulates cache data. While these temporary data help speed up certain processes, they can also bog down the app and cause it to malfunction. Clearing the TikTok cache may just be the solution to your TikTok problems on iPhone.

Here’s how to clear your TikTok cache:

1. Launch TikTok and tap on the profile tab at the bottom right screen.
2. Tap on the three-dot icon at the top right corner.
3. Tap to open Settings and Privacy.
4. Scroll down to Cache & Cellular.
5. Tap on Free Up Space.
6. Tap on Cache, then tap Clear.

This action should delete temporary files and free up some storage, potentially improving the app’s performance.

6. Check if TikTok is down

The other reason why TikTok might not be working on your iPhone is that the app itself might be down. In that case, it’s not just you who is experiencing problems. We recommend visiting DownDetector, which provides 24h volumetric data on the most reported issues.

You can also see a map of live outages in your area and track progress updates for when TikTok is back up and running.

7. Reinstall TikTok

If updating the app and clearing cache don’t fix your TikTok issues on iPhone, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the TikTok app. This process can eliminate any corrupt data that might be causing the app to malfunction.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Press and hold the TikTok app icon on your home screen until it starts to jiggle.
2. Tap the icon at the top of the app.
3. Tap on Delete App.
4. Tap on Delete to confirm the uninstallation.
5. After that, go to the App Store, search for TikTok, and tap Get or the cloud icon to download and install the app again.

8. Update iOS

An outdated operating system can lead to compatibility issues with certain apps. If TikTok is not working on your iPhone, it’s worth checking if your device’s iOS version is up to date. Apple regularly releases updates to enhance system stability, improve performance, and patch software bugs.

To update your iPhone’s iOS:

1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap General, then select Software Update.
3. If an update is available, tap Download and Install.

9. Turn Off VPN

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, reroutes your internet connection through a server located elsewhere. While this can enhance privacy and even allow access to region-locked content, it can also sometimes interfere with certain apps, including TikTok.

If TikTok is not working on your iPhone, and you’re using a VPN, try turning it off temporarily to see if that resolves the problem. Here’s how:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on VPN (if you’re using a third-party VPN app, you might need to open the app instead).
3. If the status is "Connected," tap on the "i" info icon next to it.
4. Toggle the Status switch to off, effectively disconnecting the VPN.

After turning off the VPN, try to launch TikTok again. If the app works fine without the VPN, you might want to consider disabling your VPN while using TikTok, or exploring other VPN options that work well with the app.

If you prefer to use a VPN for privacy or other reasons, make sure to use a reliable and well-reviewed VPN service. Some VPNs are better optimized for streaming and can offer more stable connections, potentially minimizing issues with apps like TikTok.

10. Reset Network Settings

Sometimes, network-related issues could be at the heart of your TikTok problems on iPhone. Resetting network settings to their default might help. This action will erase all network settings, including WiFi passwords, VPN, and APN settings.

Here’s how to reset your network settings:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap General, then scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
3. Tap Reset.
4. Tap Reset Network Settings, then confirm the action.

11. Contact TikTok Support

If you’ve tried all the above steps and TikTok is still not working on your iPhone, it might be time to contact TikTok Support. They can provide further guidance and help identify if the issue is with the app itself.

To contact TikTok Support:

1. Open TikTok and tap on your profile.
2. Tap on the three-dot icon at the top right.
3. Tap Settings and Privacy.
4. Scroll down and tap Report a problem. Follow the on-screen instructions to report your issue.

In conclusion, encountering TikTok issues on iPhone can be quite frustrating, but these problems are usually solvable with a few simple steps. Whether it’s restarting your device, updating the app, or even reaching out to TikTok Support, you have several options to restore the fun and excitement of using TikTok. Happy TikToking!