If TikTok plays normally on WiFi but struggles or refuses to load when you switch to mobile data, the app itself usually isn’t broken. In most cases, the issue comes from how your phone or carrier handles background data, network routing, or data restrictions.
The quick answer: mobile data settings — either inside TikTok or your phone — are limiting how the app connects. Fixing those usually restores normal playback within a few minutes.
Check whether TikTok is allowed to use mobile data
This sounds basic, but it’s one of the most common causes. Phones sometimes block apps from using cellular data after updates, battery-saving changes, or manual permission tweaks.
On iPhone:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Cellular.
- Scroll down and find TikTok.
- Make sure the toggle is turned on.
On Android:
- Open Settings.
- Go to Apps → TikTok.
- Select Mobile data & Wi-Fi (or Data usage).
- Allow background and unrestricted data access.
If this setting was off, videos should begin loading immediately after reopening the app.
Disable Data Saver or Low Data Mode
Both Android and iOS include data-saving features that quietly limit video-heavy apps. TikTok depends on continuous streaming, so these modes can cause endless loading circles or blurry previews that never start.
iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Options → turn off Low Data Mode.
Android: Settings → Network & Internet → Data Saver → turn it off or allow TikTok unrestricted access.
After changing this, fully close TikTok and reopen it.
Reset the mobile connection
Sometimes the phone stays connected to a weak data route even though signal bars look fine. Refreshing the connection forces a new network handshake.
- Turn on Airplane Mode.
- Wait about 20–30 seconds.
- Turn Airplane Mode off again.
Open TikTok before launching other apps and test playback.
Check TikTok’s in-app data settings
TikTok has its own data optimization option that lowers bandwidth usage. When combined with slower carrier speeds, videos may fail to start at all.
- Open TikTok.
- Go to your Profile.
- Tap the menu (three lines).
- Open Settings and privacy.
- Find Data Saver and turn it off.
Rule out carrier throttling or weak coverage
If everything above looks correct, the issue may simply be network quality. Some carriers slow video streaming after certain data limits or during congestion. A quick test helps confirm this:
- Open a different video app using mobile data.
- If videos buffer there too, the problem is network speed rather than TikTok.
Switching briefly between 5G, LTE, or 4G in your cellular settings can sometimes stabilize the connection depending on coverage in your area.
One practical tip
If TikTok works right after toggling Airplane Mode but breaks again later, your phone may be holding onto unstable towers while moving. Restarting the device once usually clears that behavior.
After correcting permissions or data restrictions, TikTok should load videos normally on mobile data the same way it does on WiFi.