What is TikTok?
TikTok is a popular video sharing app owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. It launched in September 2016 and has quickly become one of the most popular social media apps, especially among teenagers and young adults. As of 2022, TikTok has over 1 billion monthly active users worldwide (source).
On TikTok, users can create, watch, and share short 15-60 second videos shot on mobile devices. The app is best known for its huge library of short videos featuring dancing, comedy sketches, talent shows, and more. It has become a platform for trends, memes, challenges and lip-syncing videos set to music (source).
A key part of TikTok’s appeal is its algorithm that learns user preferences to deliver a customized, endlessly scrolling feed of engaging short videos. Overall, TikTok offers a fun and entertaining platform for self-expression through short video creation.
Why Put a Password on TikTok?
There are several important reasons to enable a password on your TikTok account:
Control access to account – With a password, you can control who has the ability to access your account. This prevents unauthorized logins by people who don’t know your password.
Prevent unauthorized use – A password makes it harder for other people to use your account without your permission. This protects your account from improper usage.
Protect privacy – Enabling a password adds an extra layer of security to keep your personal information, content, and account settings private. A password helps prevent unwarranted access.
Additionally, a password protects your account in case your phone or device is ever lost or stolen. Overall, using a unique password secures your TikTok account and everything associated with it.
How to Enable Password on TikTok
Enabling a password on TikTok is simple and can be done in just a few steps:
1. Open the TikTok app and go to your profile page.
2. Tap on the three-dot menu icon in the upper right corner and select “Manage account” from the menu.
3. Select “Privacy and safety” from the account settings menu.
4. Tap on “Enable” under the “Require password for account” section.
5. Enter and confirm a password you want to set. Make sure it’s unique and not used for any other accounts.
6. Toggle on “Require password on login” if you want to be prompted for the password every time you open TikTok.
That’s it! TikTok will now require your password to access the app. You can always disable the password requirement later by going back to account settings and tapping “Disable” under “Require password for account”.
Enabling two-factor authentication provides an extra layer of security beyond just a password. Learn how to enable 2FA on TikTok here.
Choosing a Strong TikTok Password
When setting a password for your TikTok account, it’s important to choose a strong, complex password to maximize security. Weak, easy-to-guess passwords leave your account vulnerable to hacking attempts. According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a strong password should:
- Be at least 8-12 characters long. The longer the better.
- Contain a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters.
- Include numbers and symbols.
- Avoid dictionary words, names, dates, pet names, repeating characters or keyboard patterns.
Some tips for creating a strong TikTok password include:
- Use a passphrase – combine random words together with numbers and symbols (e.g. BananaPiano123!). This creates a long password that’s easy to remember but hard to crack.
- Use the first letter of each word in a memorable phrase or sentence. For example, “I love to dance!” becomes Il2d!
- Substitute letters with numbers or symbols that look similar, like 3 for E, @ for A, $ for S.
The key is to create a unique password just for your TikTok account that nobody else would be able to guess. Avoid using the same password across multiple sites. Password managers like LastPass and 1Password can help you generate and store strong, unique passwords securely.
With a little creativity, you can come up with a memorable, complex TikTok password that will help keep your account secure.
Enabling Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security beyond just a password by requiring a login code sent to your phone when trying to access your TikTok account. This prevents anyone else from logging in even if they have your password. It is highly recommended to enable two-factor authentication, especially if you choose to set a password on your TikTok account.
To enable two-factor authentication in the TikTok app:
- Go to your profile page and tap the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner.
- Select “Privacy and Settings” then tap “Security”.
- Toggle on the button for “Two-Step Verification”.
- Enter your phone number and tap “Send Code”.
- Enter the 6-digit verification code sent to your phone via text.
Once enabled, you’ll need to enter a code sent to your phone each time you log in to TikTok on a new device. This prevents unauthorized access even if someone knows your password. Be sure to keep your phone number updated in your TikTok account settings.
According to TikTok’s help article, enabling two-factor authentication is “highly recommended” if you choose to set a password for added security (https://ads.tiktok.com/help/article?aid=7232974420386394638).
Recovering/Changing TikTok Password
If you forget your TikTok password, you can reset it using the forgot password option. This allows you to verify your identity and reset your password. According to TikTok’s support site, to reset your password while logged out:
- Go to the login page on the TikTok app or website.
- Tap “Forgot password?”.
- Enter your email, phone number, or username used to create your account.
- TikTok will send a 6-digit verification code to email or phone to confirm your identity.
- Enter the 6-digit code and then create a new password.
You can also change your TikTok password directly in the app settings anytime when logged in:
- Tap your profile icon in bottom right.
- Tap the 3 line menu icon in top right.
- Go to “Settings and privacy”.
- Tap “Password” and enter your current password.
- Enter and confirm your new password.
According to TikTok’s support site, you can reset your password by verifying your identity. You can also change your password in the app settings when logged in.
Password Considerations for Parents
As a parent, you may want to set a password on your child’s TikTok account without telling them what it is. This allows you to monitor their activity and restrict access if needed, while preventing your child from disabling parental controls.
By enabling password protection, you can log into your child’s account at any time to see what videos they have liked, commented on, or posted. You can also check their inbox and see who they have been messaging with. This gives you insight into how your child is using TikTok.
If you notice concerning activity or content, you have the option to change the password temporarily to restrict access. This can lead to an important discussion with your child about responsible social media use and the types of content that are appropriate for them to engage with at their age.
Ultimately, whether you allow your child to use TikTok is a personal parenting decision. Enabling a password provides a way to supervise their experience if you choose to permit use of the app. It’s recommended to set ground rules about privacy settings and interactions with others. Ongoing conversations about online safety are also essential.
With a password in place, you have greater control as a parent while still allowing your child to enjoy the creative, community and entertainment aspects of TikTok.
TikTok Account Security Tips
Here are some tips to keep your TikTok account secure:
Beware of suspicious links and messages. Don’t click on links or download attachments from suspicious emails, texts, or direct messages claiming to be from TikTok. These could be phishing scams trying to steal your login info.
Turn off account sharing. Don’t share your TikTok login details with anyone, even friends. This gives them full access to your account. If you want to collaborate, use Duets instead.
Review privacy settings regularly. Check your privacy settings in the app and make sure your account is set to private. Restrict your videos and account info to followers only. Limit comments to followers or turn them off.
For more security, enable two-factor authentication and use a strong unique password. Don’t use personal info in your username or bio.
Pros/Cons of TikTok Password
Enabling a password on your TikTok account comes with both advantages and potential drawbacks that are important to consider.
Pros:
- Increased security – A password prevents unauthorized access to your account if your phone is lost or stolen. This protects your personal information and prevents misuse of your account.
- Prevents misuse – Family members or friends cannot access your account and make posts unless they know the password. This allows you to maintain control.
Cons:
- Can forget password – Like any password, you may forget your TikTok password later on and get locked out of your account. This requires resetting your password.
- Extra step to log in – Having a password means you need to type it each time you want to access TikTok. This adds an extra step compared to just opening the app.
Overall, a TikTok password increases security and control over your account, which most users would consider worthwhile despite the minor inconvenience of having to log in each time. Just make sure your password is safely stored and backed up in case you forget it.
Summary
In this article we discussed how to enable a password for your TikTok account and some of the benefits of doing so. Adding a password provides an extra layer of protection, preventing unauthorized access if your phone or account is compromised. We walked through the steps to set a password in the app as well as considerations for choosing a strong password.
Enabling two-factor authentication is also recommended for optimal security beyond just a password. We also covered some general account security tips like avoiding clicking suspicious links and using unique passwords. While no security is foolproof, taking measures like using a password and 2FA can help safeguard your TikTok account.
Overall, a TikTok password adds protection at little inconvenience to you. Along with other privacy settings, it allows you to securely enjoy the platform while limiting potential risks. We recommend taking full advantage of TikTok’s security options to control your account and data.
