The phrase refers to the process of acquiring the TikTok application on a mobile device without utilizing the official application marketplace provided by the device’s operating system. An instance of this would be obtaining the application via a third-party website or through sideloading methods.
Circumventing the established application stores can offer users access to application versions unavailable in their region, or provide an alternative when facing restrictions within the official store. Historically, such methods were more prevalent during periods of limited app store availability or restrictive policies, serving as a workaround for accessing desired applications.