TikTok is this generation’s favorite platform for creative content, viral trends, and short-form videos. But if you’re in the UK and under 18 or if your age has been flagged incorrectly—new restrictions can restrict access or block features like messaging and livestreaming.
With tighter age checks now in place under UK safety laws, many users are hitting verification roadblocks. There’s a simple workaround, though. In this blog, we’ll show you how to use a VPN to bypass TikTok’s age verification in the UK.
Why Does TikTok Require Age Verification?
TikTok enforces age verification to comply with evolving child safety and data protection laws. The platform is under regulatory pressure to prevent minors from being exposed to harmful content, inappropriate interactions, and invasive data practices. In 2025, new amendments to the UK Online Safety Act further tightened age-related obligations for digital platforms, making verification systems mandatory for high-risk content providers like TikTok.
As part of these efforts, TikTok must protect minors from inappropriate or harmful content, comply with laws that restrict personalized ads for users under 18, and enforce age-based access restrictions, prohibiting users under 13 entirely and limiting certain features for teens. If TikTok detects suspicious age data or receives a report about an underage account, it may trigger a verification request, asking for a government ID and selfie for confirmation.
What Happens If You Try to Use TikTok Without Age Verification?
If you skip age verification or enter a birth date that flags you as underage, you might face one of the following consequences:
- Restricted features: You lose access to features like direct messaging, posting content, commenting, or livestreaming, especially if you’re under 18.
- Account suspension: TikTok may temporarily lock your account until you complete the age verification process.
- Permanent ban: If you repeatedly provide false information or attempt to bypass verification, TikTok could permanently ban your account.
- Data deletion warning: If you’re identified as under 13, TikTok may delete your account and any associated data to comply with child protection and privacy laws.
So, while it might seem minor, failing age verification can lead to losing access or even being locked out of TikTok entirely.
How to Bypass TikTok Age Verification in the UK with a VPN: Full Guide
A VPN is one of the most effective ways for bypassing age restrictions on TikTok. It changes your IP address, masks your location, and can help you create a new account as if you were in another country. Here’s what you need to do:
- Download and install the PureVPN app for your device.
- Connect to a VPN server outside the UK.
- Clear TikTok app data and cache by going to Settings > Apps > TikTok > Storage > Clear Cache and Data. (On iOS, uninstall and reinstall the app.)
- Open the TikTok app while still connected to VPN), and sign up using a birthdate that meets the platform’s age criteria.
- Use an email sign-up instead of Google or Apple to avoid automatically importing your real birthdate.
Pro Tip: If you do use a Google account, make sure it’s a secondary one with an age-appropriate birthdate in the settings.
Is it Legal to Get Around TikTok Age Verification Using a VPN?
Using a VPN isn’t illegal in the UK. VPNs are perfectly legal and widely used for privacy, security, and accessing content from other regions. However, deliberately bypassing TikTok’s age verification process could violate the platform’s Terms of Service.
TikTok has the right to suspend or ban accounts that use false information, fake birthdates, or location spoofing to get around its policies. While the act of using a VPN itself isn’t punishable, using it to misrepresent your age or location may result in penalties on the platform.
For minors, bypassing age restrictions with the help of a VPN can also raise concerns for parents or guardians, particularly if it leads to exposure to content deemed inappropriate for their age group.
Other Methods to Get Around TikTok Age Verification in the UK
There are alternative methods that can help you regain access and bypass TikTok’s age verification in the UK.
Create a New TikTok Account with a Different DOB
Sign up with a birthdate that meets the minimum age requirement. Avoid using the same email address or phone number as your previous account, as that can trigger verification again.
Use TikTok Lite
In some regions, TikTok Lite has fewer verification requirements. While it’s not officially available in the UK, you can try using a VPN and downloading it from international APK repositories. Note that this method may not work consistently, and TikTok may still require age checks.
Use a Parental TikTok Account (Family Pairing Mode)
If you’re under 18, pairing your account with a parent’s through TikTok’s Family Pairing Mode can enable limited access to content and features under supervision, though some restrictions will remain in place.
Reach Out to TikTok Support
If your age was flagged incorrectly, you can appeal the decision by submitting a valid ID. Go to Settings > Report a Problem > Account and Profile > Age Verification Issues to start the appeal process.
Final Word
TikTok’s age verification system exists to meet child safety and privacy laws, but it can be frustrating if you’re wrongly flagged. While protecting minors online is crucial, users should have the ability to correct errors and regain access. If you’ve been unfairly restricted, try using a VPN to change your IP address and create a new account to access TikTok without unnecessary blocks.
Frequently Asked Questions
To comply with child safety and privacy laws, TikTok may request a government-issued ID or selfie to confirm users are above the minimum required age (13 or 18, depending on feature access).
No, using a VPN isn’t against UK laws, but TikTok might restrict accounts that violate its Terms by misrepresenting personal data.
If your account was wrongly flagged as underage, you can appeal through TikTok’s support center. You’ll likely need to upload a valid government-issued ID to verify your age.
Yes, in some cases you can avoid sending your ID by using a VPN to create a new TikTok account with a different email and an age-eligible birthdate. However, avoid signing up with Google or Apple, as they may share your real birthdate with TikTok and trigger the same age restrictions.
