Losing access to your old phone number can be a major inconvenience if that number is tied to important accounts like your TikTok profile. If you no longer have your previous number and need to update your TikTok account with new contact information, it requires jumping through some extra hoops since you can’t receive SMS messages or calls to verify your identity.
TikTok heavily relies on phone numbers for account security and login purposes. So if you’ve lost your old number, TikTok does not make it easy to change your associated number without access to SMS or voice verification. You’ll have to directly contact TikTok support and provide documentation to prove you own the account.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the steps to change your TikTok phone number when you no longer have access to your old registered number. With persistence and the right proof, you can update your TikTok account with your new phone number contact info.
Contact TikTok Support
The best way to change your phone number on TikTok if you don’t have access to your old number is to contact TikTok support directly for assistance. This allows you to explain your situation and have them change your number through account verification.
You can reach out to TikTok support through their help center contact form at https://support.tiktok.com/en/contact. Here you’ll need to select the appropriate contact reason, such as “Account access” or “Login issues.”
You can also try contacting their support team through social media like Twitter. TikTok’s Twitter handle is @TikTokSupport. Send them a DM explaining you need help changing your number on your account.
Additionally, some users have had success reaching TikTok support by emailing [email protected], though they don’t guarantee a response through this method.
Provide Proof of Identity
To verify your identity to TikTok, you will need to provide some form of official identification. The most common forms of ID you can use include:
Government-issued ID:
– Driver’s license
– Passport
– National identity card
You may also be able to use other forms of ID like a student ID card or public transportation pass if it contains your photo, name, date of birth, and expiration date. Make sure the name on your ID matches the name on your TikTok account.
TikTok recommends submitting a photo or scan of your official ID. Make sure the photo is clear and legible. You can upload up to 10 images to verify your identity.
Cite: https://www.tiktok.com/legal/report/verification
Explain Account Ownership
To prove you own the TikTok account, you’ll need to provide identifying information to TikTok Support. This helps verify that you are the legitimate account owner.
First, explain how you originally set up the account and have access to it. Provide details like the date you created it, the username, associated email address or phone number, etc [1]. Be as specific as possible.
Next, share any evidence you have that links you to the account. This could include screenshots of previous emails from TikTok, receipts for in-app purchases, original account creation details, etc. Proof of access to the associated email address or phone number is also useful [2].
Clearly state why you are the legitimate owner and need access restored. TikTok will review your ownership claims before proceeding.
Wait for Support Response
After submitting your request, you’ll need to wait for a response from TikTok’s support team. According to sources, the average response time is:
- 48 hours for content review issues like banned videos (Source)
- 30-40 days for account support issues like disabled accounts (Source)
- 6-8 hours for general inquiries (Source)
Response times can vary depending on the issue urgency and support request volume. Be patient, but follow up if you don’t receive a response within the typical time frame.
Update Your Number
Once TikTok support verifies your identity and confirms you are the account owner, they will initiate the process to change your phone number. According to TikTok’s Help Center article, this involves the following steps:
First, the support representative will send a verification code to your new phone number. You’ll need to provide this code back to them to confirm you have access to the new number.
After verifying the new number, the support rep will then update your TikTok account to associate it with the new phone number. At this point, your old phone number will be removed and disassociated from your account.
Per TikTok’s own instructions, this is the only way to change your phone number if you no longer have access to your old number. Going through their support team allows them to confirm your identity and secure the account before making the change.
The full process is explained in TikTok’s Help Center article here: https://support.tiktok.com/en/log-in-troubleshoot/log-in/email-and-phone-number
Reset Password
Once you have successfully updated your phone number with TikTok support, it is recommended to also reset your password for added security. As TikTok notes in their help article, you can reset your password by:
- Tapping “Sign up” on the TikTok app login screen
- Then tap “Log in” at the bottom
- Select “Use phone/email/username”
- Enter your updated phone number or username
- Tap “Forgot password?”
- Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your password
Resetting your password after changing your phone number is an important security step, as it prevents unauthorized access by anyone who may have had your old phone number and password. Choosing a strong, unique new password protects your account.
Recover Contacts
If you no longer have access to your old phone number associated with your TikTok account, you may have lost access to your contacts and followers. Here are some ways to recover your contacts on TikTok without your old number:
Download your TikTok data – You can request to download all of your TikTok data, including your contacts and followers, by submitting a request through TikTok’s Privacy and Settings. This will allow you to regain a list of your contacts.
Search usernames – If you remember the usernames of some of your key contacts, you can search for them directly on TikTok and refollow them. This can help you reconnect with important contacts.
Use connections on other social platforms – Check platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook to see if you are still connected with some of your TikTok contacts there. You may be able to identify their TikTok usernames via other social platforms.
Ask mutual friends – Reach out to any mutual friends you may still be connected with and ask them if they can share contacts that you may have had in common.
Regain Access
Once TikTok Support verifies your identity and confirms ownership of the account, they will unlock your account so you can regain access. Here are the steps to get back into your TikTok account after it has been unlocked:
- Go to the TikTok login page and enter your username and tap “Next”.
- On the password screen, tap “Forgot password?”
- Enter your new phone number that you provided to TikTok Support and tap “Send Code”.
- Enter the 6-digit verification code sent to your new number.
- Create a new password for your account and tap “Next”.
- You should now be logged into your TikTok account with your new phone number.
Once you regain access, be sure to update your profile with your new phone number. You can do this by going to your profile, tapping Edit Profile, and entering your new number in the phone number field. This will ensure you don’t encounter issues if you need account recovery again in the future.
Additionally, make sure to update your contacts and reconnect with any friends you were following on TikTok before changing your number. Your followers will not automatically transfer over with your new number, so you’ll need to rebuild those connections.
Conclusion
To recap, the process to change your phone number on TikTok if you don’t have access to your old number is multi-step but straightforward:
First, contact TikTok support through the app or website and explain your situation. Be prepared to verify your identity.
Once TikTok support confirms you are the account owner, they will disconnect the old number from your account. Then you can add your new phone number and reset your password.
The key takeaways are:
- Contact TikTok support for help changing your number on an account
- Have identification ready to prove account ownership
- TikTok will remove the old number and allow you to add the new one
- Reset your password once the number is updated for security
Following this process will allow you to recover full access to your TikTok account with your new phone number.
