There are times when Do Not Disturb (DND) mode is enabled, yet WhatsApp calls and notifications can still come through.
WhatsApp voice and video calls seem to be able to unblock themselves and bypass DND restrictions.
This is a common problem faced by both iPhone and Android devices.
This article will focus on preventing WhatsApp calls from ringing when DND mode is enabled and how you can troubleshoot it using different troubleshooting methods.
How to FIX and Mute Whatsapp Notifications When Do Not Disturb is Enabled
Here are the seven (7) ways to do so.
Method 1. Set Focus Mode
You can set a focus mode on Android if you need time to focus and do not want any distractions. In this way, you can pause distracting apps and hide their notifications.
You can use it on WhatsApp notifications when the Do Not Disturb mode is not working.
On your Android phone, go to Settings > search for “focus mode” and click on it.
Add <WhatsApp> as one of the distracting apps and click <Turn On Now>
From now on, WhatsApp notifications will be hidden.
Method 2. Disable Android Notifications on WhatsApp
Make sure WhatsApp is not permitted any call notifications.
On your Android phone, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > select WhatsApp > select Notifications.
Disable <Call notifications>.
Method 3. Check DND Settings
Ensure that your Do Not Disturb (DND) Settings are correctly configured by following the steps below;
Go to Android Settings > search for “Do Not Disturb” and click on it.
Select Exceptions > People
Choose <None> for Conversations, Calls, and Messages
Go back to Exceptions > Apps and make sure WhatsApp is NOT allowed to interrupt
Go back to Exceptions > Alarms & other interruptions > and disable all options.
The important option here is disabling media sounds.
Method 4. Disable WhatsApp Conversation tones
This is a quick way to make sure Whatsapp does not play any sound tones for incoming and outgoing messages.
Go to WhatApp > Settings > Notifications.
Disable <Conversation tones>.
Method 5. Check if Contact is added to your Favorite list
If the Contact is inside your phone’s favorite contact list, they can bypass certain DND restrictions, e.g., ringing when using WhatsApp voice call.
You should remove these contacts from your favorite list.
Go to your phone dialer, select <Favourites>, and remove the Contact (if not all of them) from your list.
Method 6. Reset App Preferences
Sometimes the only way is to give your phone and WhatsApp a fresh restart.
You can try to reset app preferences, such as disabling app notifications, default apps for action, etc.
You will not lose any app data, as this only applies to app settings.
Go to Android Settings > System > Reset Options.
Choose <Reset app preferences> and confirm using <Reset apps>.
Method 7. Clear Whatsapp Cache
Clearing the WhatsApp cache may allow the app to refresh itself from previous configurations.
Go to Android Settings > Apps & notifications > select WhatsApp > click Storage & cache
Choose <Clear cache>.
Finally, as a last resort, you may want to consider re-installing WhatsApp again.
Your data will not be deleted as your phone has local storage of all chat messages. This applies to both iPhone and Android devices.
How to Bypass or Increase the WhatsApp Video Size Limit
Here are the five (5) ways you can send large video files over WhatsApp.
Method 1: Send via Video Streaming
You will upload your video to a cloud service that supports video streaming and share the link with the WhatsApp recipient.
There is no limit to the file size and video resolution (e.g., 4K or 8K) when you choose this method, as long as the cloud service you chose allows for it.
pCloud
pCloud is a cloud-based online storage service that allows users to upload media files (photos and videos) for storage backup and file-sharing purposes.
The cloud storage service is free to register and comes with 10 GB of free storage space.
When sending the recipient a pCloud link, they can watch the video through web streaming using pCloud’s built-in media player.
pCloud works directly with iOS, Android, Windows, macOS & Linux devices.
You can sign in to pCloud quickly using your existing Apple ID, Gmail, or Facebook account or a separate email account.
iDrive
iDrive is an online backup storage solution with a built-in media player for video streaming.
You can stream video files (i.e., MP4, WebM, and FLV file formats) directly from the iDrive link using your web browser.
It comes with a free 10 GB of storage with unlimited connected devices. This means you can use and sync it on multiple devices, e.g., mobile phones and desktop computers.
iDrive is compatible with devices running iOS, Android, Windows, macOS & Linux operating systems.
Method 2: Allow the Recipient to Download the Video
If you want your recipient to be able to download the entire video onto their device, then this method is for you.
You upload your video to a reliable file-hosting site and send the link to the recipient. They will then download it onto their device.
Here are some of the file-hosting sites you can use;
MEGA (no upload cap, can be as high as 3TB per file size upload)
FileFactory (max. 5GB per file upload on the free plan)
Method 3: Use an Online Compression Service
There are several online video editors, and the most important criterion is whether they can perform video compression without watermarks and support the most popular video file formats.
Here are some that fit the criteria.
EchoWave
EchoWave is a simple online video editor that supports most video file types and does more than just video compression.
You can add subtitles, add video overlay, add an audio track, edit an audio visualizer, and add watermarks, among many other features.
Video Compressor
AnyMP4 Video Compressor is a free video compressor that helps to reduce file size while keeping the original quality.
The free online service shrinks video size with no watermarks and has no upload file size limit. You can upload gigabytes of the video file and use it for video compression.
Method 4: Use Video Compression Apps
For mobile devices, consider installing the following apps;
VLC player is a popular lightweight and universal player. It can be installed on PC, Mac, iOS, and Android devices.
Go to <File> and choose <Convert / Stream>
Click <Open Media> and select the video file you want to compress
Choose a Profile preset
Click <Customize> to adjust the bitrate and video codec settings
Click <Apply> and <Save as file> to save your compressed file.
QuickTime (for Mac)
For macOS users, you can use the built-in QuickTime player to do a simple video compression on your video.
Open the video file with the QuickTime player
Go to <File> and choose <Export As>
Choose the resolution (e.g. 4K or 480p)
Method 5: Trim the Video Length
Depending on your preference. sometimes the best way is to trim (edit) it slightly to reduce the video file size. This is typically done at the beginning or toward the end of the video to have minimal impact on the video’s content.
Filmora
For both desktop and mobile devices, you can try Filmora. The video editing app is available on PC, macOS, iOS, and Android platforms.
Besides basic editing and video compression features, the app also offers the following;
When registering for a new Telegram account, the app requires you to provide a phone number to verify you with a five-digit one-time password (OTP) via SMS text message.
Currently, the only way to activate a new Telegram account is by providing a valid phone number.
Sometimes, there are valid reasons why we do not want to give our personal mobile number, e.g., for privacy and work-personal separation.
There are different ways to bypass the need to use a SIM phone number to receive the Telegram SMS verification code.
How to Receive Telegram Verification Code Without Using a Personal SIM Phone Number?
Here are the three (3) ways to do so.
Method 1: Use a Virtual Number App
Several secondary phone number apps on the AppStore or Playstore offer a virtual second-line number for your calling and texting needs.
These second-line apps are installed onto your phone, and you can have multiple (as many as you like) phone numbers as you want.
Here are some virtual number apps you can use;
Hushed
Hushed offers several features, including call forwarding, custom voicemail greetings, receiving SMS verification codes (OTP), and making and receiving phone calls.
The second-line app allows users to get their chosen mobile number for a very short time, e.g., seven days.
This is suitable for those who want to register accounts on social media and email accounts within a few days.
OnlineSIM (Free to try, rent a virtual number per day)
Keep in mind that mobile numbers on free sites tend to run out quickly, and these sites don’t offer new numbers very often.
Consider getting a paid virtual number service because it is a more reliable approach, as you are the only one using that number. OnlineSIM offers such a personalized virtual number service.
Telegram may occasionally require its users to confirm their cell phone numbers. Therefore, if you intend to use your Telegram account for a long time, you might want to think about renewing these virtual phone numbers.
Method 3: Receive Phone Call Verification
An alternative way is to get Telegram to call you instead of receiving the SMS OTP code on your phone.
You will retrieve the OTP code when you listen to the automated phone message.
During registration, you provide Telegram with the virtual mobile number
When asked to verify and enter the 5-digit SMS OTP verification code, select the option <Didn’t get the code>.
Telegram will attempt to call you on the number you provided.
For that, there are several online international phone calling (and voicemail services) that you can use.
Talkroute
Talkroute is a virtual phone system suitable for businesses and individuals who are always on the move.
Users can make and receive international phone calls, manage SMS texts, and reply to voicemail messages using desktops, computers, web browsers, and mobile devices.
To receive verification OTP code from Telegram, you can use Talkroute to receive and listen to incoming phone calls.
How to Register WhatsApp Without Using Your Personal Phone Number?
Here are the three (3) ways to do so.
Method 1. Use Voicemail
During registration, you provide WhatsApp with a virtual mobile number from Talkroute.
When asked to verify and enter the 6-digit SMS verification code, please select the option <Call me>.
WhatsApp will attempt to call you on the Talkroute number you provided.
You can either;
Pick up the phone call and listen to the verification code or,
WhatsApp’s automated system will leave you a voicemail with your code on it after the 5-minute countdown.
Talkroute is a virtual phone system suitable for businesses and individuals who are always on the move.
Users can work using their desktop computers, web browsers, and mobile devices to make & receive calls, manage SMS texts, and respond to voicemail messages.
Alternatively, if you can use a landline number or use a payphone if you know the number, you can provide that to WhatsApp and choose the <Call me> option to listen to the verification code.
Method 2: Use a Virtual Phone Number
You will be getting a virtual mobile number to register and activate WhatsApp.
You must install a secondary phone app on your mobile device and choose your temporary number from the available countries.
Here are some of the reliable virtual number apps you can consider;
Hushed
You can use Hushed to receive SMS verification codes (OTP), make calls, have custom voicemail greetings, call forwarding, and many other features.
You can get a single mobile number for as low as $1.99 for a limited number of days (e.g., 7 days)
Choose the country of the mobile number you want, e.g., from Canada or the U.K.
Every purchased mobile number is renewable before the expiry date.
Numero eSIM
Numero eSIM acts as a secondary mobile number for users to make cheap calls with the ability to send and receive SMS messages. In addition, you can use it to get SMS verification codes for WhatsApp.
Users receive free incoming calls anywhere when using Numero eSIM.
You can choose virtual numbers from over 80+ countries and over 4000+ cities.
Make calls and receive SMS messages.
International WiFi calling at local rates with Local calling plans.
Voicemail and Call forwarding features
Privacy Caller-ID (hide your number) for local and international calls
Method 3: Receive SMS Code Online
Some websites offer ready-made virtual phone numbers so users can receive SMS messages and OTP codes by simply visiting their websites.
Below are some trusted websites where you can receive SMS messages and OTPs.
OnlineSIM (Free to try, rent a virtual number per day)
TextMagic (Free to try, free incoming SMS, pay for only outgoing SMS)
Please note that mobile numbers on free sites usually run out quickly, and these sites do not offer new numbers frequently.
A more reliable method is to use a paid service. For example, TextMagic and OnlineSIM provide a dedicated virtual phone number for your SMS needs.
Keep in mind that WhatsApp may ask its users to verify their mobile numbers from time to time. As a result, consider renewing these virtual numbers if you intend to use the Whatsapp account for the long term.
One (1) mobile number can only register up to four (4) Gmail accounts. If you want to create more, you have to use another phone number.
Phone number verification is required for Gmail account creation, as Google will send a one-time SMS numeric code (OTP) to that number to authenticate the user.
There are several reasons one may want to create Gmail accounts while bypassing phone number verification.
One such reason is maintaining privacy by avoiding using their personal phone number to tie to that Gmail account.
How to Bypass Phone Number Verification When Creating A New Gmail Account?
Below are the five (5) methods, starting with the most successful in method 1.
Method 1. Use a new Android Phone (or hard reset)
From our testing, this method always works, and Gmail never asks for any mandatory phone number.
Android belongs to Google, and it encourages users to create new Gmail accounts without asking for verification of their phone numbers.
You will not encounter the page where you must provide a phone number.
You need a new or clean, hard-reset Android phone to do this.
Follow the simple steps below.
When setting up a new phone for the first time, choose <SKIP> to avoid inserting any SIM cards.
Just connect the phone to a wireless network, e.g. your residential home or office.
Android will ask you for your Gmail account and offer you to create it if you do not have one. Select <Create a new account>.
You will not be asked to provide any phone number.
Sometimes, you may come across the page asking for your phone number, but you can skip or use an email address. Look at the bottom of the page for these options.
How to factory hard reset your Android phone?
Go to Settings and search for the word “factory“.
Select the one that says “factory reset“. Every Android search settings may differ, but the correct one will always clearly display “factory reset“.
Note that this action will erase all user data, and you cannot recover them back. So make sure you either back up all your data or do not need these data anymore.
Method 2. Connect the VPN location to a lesser-known Country
If you are from certain countries, it may have fewer restrictions when creating new Gmail accounts.
A VPN service allows you to connect anywhere in the world and make Gmail think you reside in that country.
This method requires using a VPN service and connecting yourself to the country where Gmail is currently “friendly” towards.
Try to use lesser-known countries such as Myanmar and Laos. Choose from Asia and Middle East countries.
Avoid connecting to the USA, U.K. and European countries.
Choose the following reliable VPN services;
ProtonVPN (free plan available for iOS, Android, Windows & macOS)
NordVPN (most number of servers in different countries)
IPVanish (supports all platforms, routers and T.V.s)
When you find that using a VPN service is convenient in creating Gmails and other online accounts, consider getting the paid plan as it usually means having more countries and locations to connect to and faster speeds.
Click on the <Settings> at the bottom of the page and select <Search Settings>.
Choose the same lesser-known country here as the one you selected in your VPN app.
Connect to the same country in your VPN app.
Lastly, go to the Gmail homepage and create your new Gmail account.
Always look at the bottom of the registration page to see if you can have the option to <SKIP> phone verification.
Method 3. Get a Secondary Prepaid Mobile Number app
You can get a second phone number that does not tie to your current SIM number.
Hushed is one of those apps that you can use to buy a prepaid mobile number online. You can receive SMS OTPs, make calls, have custom voicemail greetings, call forwarding, and many other features.
The reason for getting a secondary phone number is to provide Gmail with the phone number verification.
Note that once Gmail is verified, Gmail may occasionally ask users to authenticate themselves again through SMS verification. Thus it is advisable to retain or renew your secondary prepaid number for as long as it takes.
Method 2. Unblocking Sensitive Content in Telegram
In the past, Telegram used to have a <Disable Filtering> option to allow unblocking sensitive content. Disabling Filtering option is no longer available in the Telegram app now.
The workaround now is via using the Nicegram Bot method.
This new method will bypass the restriction, allow the showing of sensitive content and acknowledge that you are above 18+ years old.
Note that this new setting will also affect your Telegram Desktop app once restarted.
Follow the steps below on your Android & iOS mobile device
Open the Telegram app and click on the magnifying glass icon on the top-right.
Type “Nicegram Bot“
Select <Nicegram Bot> and click <Start>
Click <I’m 18+ Years Old> and <Show sensitive content>.
Click <OK>
Quit the Telegram app (kill the background app) and restart Telegram again.
Now try visiting the Telegram Channel this time.
Method 3. Create a new Telegram account using a Foreign Number
Telegram is registered using your mobile number through SMS verification code authentication.
Telegram knows the country you are from based on the country code you provided.
Your mobile number may be blocked from accessing specific channels and material contents if you reside in a country where the content is blocked and censored.
To bypass this restriction, you must use a foreign mobile number to register for a new Telegram account.
Hushed is one of those apps that you can use to buy a prepaid mobile number online. You can receive SMS OTPs, make calls, have custom voicemail greetings, call forwarding, and many other features.
Choose the country of the mobile number you want, e.g. from Canada or the U.K.
You can get a single mobile number for as low as $1.99 for a limited number of days (e.g. seven days)
Every purchased mobile number is renewable before the expiry date.
Payment methods include in-app purchases through PlayStore and AppStore, Bitcoin and credit cards through the Hushed app portal.
Alternatively, you can use online sites offering SMS verification services. These sites provide you with virtual mobile numbers for receiving Telegram verification codes.
AnonymSMS (free online service to receive SMS messages)
TextMagic (virtual number to receive SMS, send bulk SMS and make two-way SMS chat)
OnlineSIM (Mobile numbers from over 30 countries to choose from)
SMS-Man (Russia and China mobile numbers available)
Note that Telegram may, from time to time, ask its users to verify their mobile numbers again. Therefore, retaining (keeping) these virtual numbers by your side is safer through regular renewal.
When a Telegram channel gets deleted, you may find its existence on other platforms, such as Discord, forums, etc.
It is common for a popular Telegram channel to have a mirror or backup channel aside from the main channel.
Two (2) ways to search here.
You should search using the channel URL and full name.
Search mirror or backup channels using the Telegram app (use the magnifying glass on the top-right)
Search Google to see if the channel exists on other online platforms
Method 6. Use different variants of Telegram
Besides using the Telegram mobile app, you can consider trying the different variants;
Telegram Web
Telegram X
Telegram Desktop
Some users have reported that they had succeeded in bypassing and accessing blocked content using these variants of Telegram, other than the mobile app version.
Method 7. Try using a different Telegram account
It is worth a try if you have a spare Telegram account or get someone to access the Telegram channel.
Sometimes the error can get fixed and rectified using another Telegram account.
This is a quick and easy way to see if the troubleshooting method works for you.
Method 8. Try on a different device
For iOS users, Apple has a strict policy on blocking sensitive content, especially those that violate its Terms of Service (ToS).
The way to bypass it is to try using an Android device instead.
Method 9. Re-Install Telegram
As a last resort, after considering all the above troubleshooting methods, it is always advisable to perform an uninstalling and re-installing of the Telegram app again.
This clears the app cache and data storage and allows the app to restart anew.
When you click on a Telegram link and realise that the website cannot be reached, it seems like your Telegram link is not working, and your web browser is not successfully opening the link. The web browser is unresponding at times.
What could be the issue/s here?
There are many reasons why this is happening. In this article, we will look at each and every issue to rectify and troubleshoot it.
What to do when Telegram links do not open and not working
Here are the nine (9) ways you can try to rectify your problem.
1. Copy the link onto another web browser
A quick and easy way is to copy the Telegram link and paste it into your web browser to open it.
You can do this on the mobile or desktop version of Telegram. To do this;
Long-press the Telegram link and select <Copy>.
Paste it on any web browser of your choice. If it does not work, try other web browsers.
2. Open the link using another Telegram account
This may happen if you are being removed or banned from a particular group or channel.
To resolve this, use another Telegram account to open the link if you have a spare phone. You may want to join back the Group or Channel.
3. Use a VPN
Sometimes the external link is geo-restricted or belongs to a blocked site in your country. Therefore, you cannot view the website without finding ways to bypass it.
To bypass this, you need to use an anonymous privacy VPN service.
Choose the following reliable VPN services;
ProtonVPN (free plan available for iOS, Android, Windows & macOS)
NordVPN (most number of servers in different countries)
IPVanish (supports all platforms, routers and TVs)
Connect yourself to a foreign VPN country than the one you reside in, and you can now view the Telegram link successfully.
A reliable VPN service can also be helpful in many ways, such as watching Netflix using a Canadian or U.S. VPN service where more movies and shows are available.
Also, check if you reside in a country where Telegram is banned, such as Pakistan, India and China.
Login via the QR code (from your phone) or use your phone number (the one registered to your Telegram account)
5. Clear Cache and Data
Sometimes your Telegram app may get congested with cache files and contain lots of files due to attachments. Clearing your Telegram cache and data may help the app receive a refreshing start.
On Android > Open Telegram app> Tap on the Menu on the top left > Select Settings > Select Data and Storage > Select Storage Usage > Click on Clear Telegram Cache and Clear Local Database.
On iPhone > Open Telegram app > Go to Settings > Select Data and Storage > Select Storage Usage > Click on clear Telegram cache.
6. Check the Telegram Server
Sometimes when you cannot open links in Telegram, the reason could be due to Telegram’s servers. In other words, the fault lies in the link (i.e. the website).
You can use Downdetector to check the current status of the Telegram app.
The image above shows that Telegram is working correctly at the moment.
Suppose you encounter a message that Telegram is experiencing some connection difficulty. In that case, it is best to wait for Telegram to resolve its problems and check Downdetector after a while to see if the issue has been resolved.
7. Check Link Server
Sometimes the issue lies in the website link itself. For example, there is a possibility that the website server is down, resulting in Telegram not being unable to open the website link.
You can use IsItDownRightNow to check any website for any issues of connectivity.
It cannot be resolved on your end if it is a server-related issue. Therefore the best thing to do is to wait it out.
8. Check your Internet connectivity
Use a combination of your mobile data and Wi-Fi connection to test the Telegram link.
Check your Internet and router configurations to see if everything is working fine.
Use another device to connect to the Wi-Fi network and test the external link to see if it works.
9. Restart your Device
Whether you are using the mobile or desktop version of Telegram, sometimes the easiest way is often the easiest.
Restart your device and try opening the link again.
Sometimes you will come across YouTube videos that cannot be played, and you get this error message below.
YouTube’s regional blocking causes this error message, or in other words, it is YouTube’s restricted content based on the geographical locations of the viewers.
This is sometimes referred to as “geo-fencing”.
What is this happening?
YouTube’s publishers may, at their discretion, decide to restrict & block their videos from being viewable by viewers in specific countries due to ownership of rights.
As a result, viewers cannot watch these YouTube videos from where they are physically located.
How to FIX the “Video Unavailable In Your Country” error message on YouTube
In this article, I will show you seven (7) ways that you can use to bypass YouTube’s region-blocked content that is unavailable in your country.
1. Using a reliable VPN to spoof your location
The best-proven way by far is to use a reliable VPN to bypass all YouTube-restricted content.
With a trusted VPN service, you can enjoy all the following benefits and much more.
Watch geo-restricted, unavailable & blocked Youtube video content.
Change your IP address and country to anonymize yourself online
Download bit torrents anonymously
Bypass school-restricted and country-restricted websites, such as the Great Firewall of China.
I have tested several VPN services over the years, and these are the ones you can rely on for all your Youtube needs.
They are;
NordVPN (most number of servers in different countries)
IPVanish (supports all platforms, routers and TVs)
ProtonVPN (free plan available for iOS, Android, Windows & macOS)
You can get some of these proven VPNs for as low as USD 2 per month.
2. Using a trustworthy web proxy server
Like a VPN, a web proxy server acts as a middleman between the world wide web and your digital device.
Proxies servers are mainly free to use, and one can easily configure them to web browsers.
The strength of a web proxy lies in its ability to mask IP addresses, thus suitable for anonymously browsing the internet and circumventing restricted content imposed by, for example, the government.
You need to find some free anonymous proxy lists to set up a proxy server online.
FilterByPass is a free anonymous web proxy service that works most of the time.
The proxies will fetch the webpage and redirect you to a unique encrypted proxy page containing the page’s content.
You can use it on most social media platforms like Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, and more.
Summary
The best and proven way to bypass Youtube’s geo-restricted content is to use a trusted VPN service like NordVPN or ProtonVPN.
It is a guaranteed way to play these blocked videos.
For a small sum of a few dollars a month, not only using it on Youtube, you can use it anywhere else, be it for torrenting, streaming from Netflix, accessing blocked websites, etc.
If you are looking for a free method, then any of the methods stated here should work for you, as we tested them all.
Why are some Youtube videos blocked?
YouTube videos can be blocked in four (4) different ways.
Firstly, at work where the firewall is used to block Youtube on office networks. Secondly, at school to prevent students from accessing it during class. Thirdly, by the government as a form of internet censorship for political reasons. Lastly, Youtube is also blocked by content creators who intentionally restrict viewers from certain countries due to rights issues.
The Chinese version of TikTok is called Douyin 抖音. You can easily create and get a new Douyin account on your mobile device.
Douyin can be installed easily, and this article will show you how to download and install it on Android and iOS devices.
What is Douyin 抖音 exactly?
Released in 2016 for mainland China, Douyin is a short-form (15 seconds to 10 minutes) video hosting service owned by the China-based company, ByteDance.
Released in 2017, TikTok is a subsequent and separate version of the original Douyin app, developed by ByteDance and is marketed as an international app outside of mainland China.
Both apps mainly allow users to create short-form videos, with slight differences in terms of features. One such difference is Douyin’s ability to buy products and book hotels directly in-app, which are missing features in the international version of TikTok.
The short-form video contents in the Douyin app are entirely different from TikTok. Using Douyin, you can get fresh content ideas, get to know the Chinese influencers and know what is currently trending there.
Here are the steps to install on Android and iOS devices.
Install Douyin on Android devices
Installing Douyin on Android is a relatively straightforward process.
Step 1. Go to the official Douyin website
On your Android device, open your web browser and visit the official Douyin website to download the APK file for installation.
For most people, this should not be a problem. But if you cannot load the website, this means the website is blocking your IP address (based on your location).
You must use a reliable VPN service, such as NordVPN, ProtonVPN or ExpressVPN, and connect yourself to an Asian country server location, such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia or Indonesia.
Click on the first button (shown above) to download the APK file onto your Android device.
You will see this warning message (shown above). Click <Download anyway> to begin the APK download.
Step 2. Install the APK file
Once the app is fully downloaded, click on it to begin the installation.
You will encounter this error notification from Chrome web browser saying, “For your security, your phone is not allowed to install unknown apps from this source“.
This is normal since the Douyin app is not found in the Google Play Store.
Click <Settings> to resume and finish the app installation.
Step 3. Open Douyin app
At this point, the Douyin app installation had been completed. Open the app to start exploring and using Douyin.
You can use Douyin as a guest account or create a new account so you can comment on and like video content.
To create a new Douyin account, click on the last button on the right of the homepage (see the image above).
You will be asked to provide your mobile number for authentication using an SMS text verification code.
When registering, remember to;
Click on the circle to acknowledge the terms of usage
Select your country code and input your mobile number
Click the red button below to complete the verification process.
Install Douyin on iOS devices
You can install the Douyin app on your iPhone and iPad devices.
1. Change your App Store Country or Region
Open the Settings app and follow the steps below;
Select your name and <Media & Purchases>
Select <View Account> and select <Country/Region>
Agree on the <Terms of Conditions>
Select a new payment method, and you are done.
2. Install Douyin from App Store
Search for “Douyin” from the Apple App Store using your iPhone or iPad device and install it.
Like the Android version, Douyin allows you to view as a guest mode or register for a new account.
Registering requires inputting your mobile number to receive SMS text messages as a form of authentication.
Web browsers are generally stable and work right out of the box. However, the common reason for web browsers not displaying a webpage is blocked and geo-restricted content.
To bypass this, you need to install and use a VPN service.
The following VPN services are secure, reliable and have a free version for you to use;
It is a well-known issue that specific browser extensions can break your website viewing experience, making it unable to be displayed.
Specific settings made in ad-blocking and web tracker-blocking extensions such as Ublock Origin and Privacy Badger can hinder websites from displaying correctly.
Try to disable those browser extensions and refresh the webpage again.
4. Check if the website is online
Sometimes the problem lies with the website itself. Most websites are hosted with web servers with uptime of about 99% of the time.
The remaining 1% is the downtime where websites cannot be reached. This is commonly due to server failures and website upgrading.
Go to IsItDownRightNow or Downdetector to see if the website is down or if you are the only one encountering this.
5. Clear the browser’s cache, cookies and data
Sometimes the old cache files, cookies and browsing data can stop you from accessing the website. This may be due to a refreshed version of the webpage.
To be sure, always clear your browser cache, cookies and browsing data occasionally.
In Safari, go to the top menu <Settings>, <Advanced> and tick the <Show Desktop menu in the menu bar>.
Now go back to the top menu, choose <Develop>, and select <Empty Cache>.
6. Flushing your DNS cache
When you encounter a 404 error on your browser, it is always advisable to flush your DNS cache to troubleshoot the problem manually.
A DNS cache is a small database of websites’ IP addresses you visited before, which can sometimes get corrupted.
In macOS Ventura, Monterey and Big Sur, copy and paste this command in Terminal and hit <Enter> on your keyboard. You will be asked to key in your Mac password.
To open your Terminal app, go to Spotlight (the magnifying glass on the top-right) and type in “Terminal”.
7. Renew the DHCP lease
You can manually force your Mac to renew a new IP address for your computer. In some cases, renewing your IP via renewing the DHCP lease can resolve specific connection issues, especially on websites not working correctly.
To renew your DHCP lease, click the Apple logo (on the top left) and choose <System Settings>.
Select <Wi-Fi> on the left pane and click on <Details> on the right pane.
Click <Renew DHCP Lease> and click <OK>.
8. Disable IPV6 in macOS
Some internet connectivity issues have been related to and caused by using the IPV6 protocol. This is enabled by default in macOS devices.
The following command will override any settings interfering with your IPV6 being set to OFF mode.
Copy and paste the command in Terminal and hit <Enter>.
networksetup -setv6off Wi-Fi
Restart your web browser and revisit the webpage to see if the error is resolved.
To re-enable back IPV6 in your Mac, use the following commands in Terminal.
Using a new private window will open your webpage in a fresh and clean session while separating the old cache files and data from the old browser session.
In Safari, Opera, Brave and Firefox, go to <File> and select <New Private Window>.
Go to <File> in Chrome and select <New Incognito Window>.
10. Disable Security and Anti-virus software
Certain security and anti-virus software installed on your Mac may hinder the proper display of the webpage you are visiting.
Disable them and revisit the webpage.
11. Check your Internet Connection
Make sure your internet connection is working fine.
Visit other web pages, like YouTube, to verify your connection is stable and does not have an intermittent broken connection.
12. Confirm the correct URL address
Ensure you have the correct URL address.
Sometimes the difference can be the inclusion or exclusion of https (instead of http) and www (instead of not using it).
When keyed wrongly, your web browser will say, “This webpage is not available“.
13. Refresh the Webpage
In the Safari browser, use <Command> + R to refresh the page or go to the top menu <View> and select <Reload Page>.
Try to quit the web browser and restart it again.
14. Update your web browser to the latest version
Try updating your web browser to the latest stable version and try again.
15. Restarting your Mac
As a last resort, try to shut down your Mac properly by clicking on the Apple logo (top-left) and selecting <Shut Down>.
Wait for at least 2 minutes before turning it on again (via the physical Power button on your keyboard).
Try opening your web browser and revisiting the webpage.
