There are a few reasons why someone may want to delete their TikTok account. Some of the most common reasons include:
- Privacy concerns – TikTok collects a lot of user data which some find unsettling. Deleting the account removes their data from TikTok’s systems.
- Addiction – Constantly being on TikTok can become addictive for some users. Deleting the account allows them to break the habit.
- Waste of time – People may feel they spend too much time mindlessly scrolling TikTok when their time could be better spent. Deleting the account eliminates this time sink.
- Cyberbullying – Unfortunately bullying happens on TikTok too. Removing the account takes away the platform for cyberbullying.
- Too distracting – The endless stream of funny, interesting content can be too distracting for some people. Deleting TikTok allows them to focus.
Whatever the reason, deleting a TikTok account can give users more control over their digital life. This guide will walk through the steps to permanently delete an unwanted TikTok account.
Log Into the Account
To begin, open the TikTok app on your mobile device and tap “Log In” on the bottom right. This will take you to the login screen where you can enter your username, email or phone number associated with the account you want to delete. Next, enter your password and tap “Log In”.
If you’ve forgotten your password, tap “Forgot password?” to reset it via email or phone number. You’ll need access to the email or phone associated with the account in order to log in and delete it.
Once logged in successfully, you’ll be taken to your TikTok feed for that account. Now you’re ready to start the deletion process.
Go to Profile Settings
After logging into your TikTok account, the next step is to access your profile settings. To do this:
Tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner of the app. This icon looks like a person’s head and shoulders silhouette. Tapping it will open up your profile page.
According to TikTok’s Account Settings support page, the profile icon allows you to access your profile, view your posts, and change settings.
Go to the Manage Account Section
After logging into your TikTok account and accessing your profile settings, scroll down and tap on “Manage account” under the “Account” section. This will open up the account management page.
On the account management page, you will see options to edit your profile info, manage your privacy settings, switch between personal and creator accounts, and delete your account (source: https://www.tiktok.com/safety/en/account-settings/). The delete account option is located at the very bottom of this page.
Select Delete Account
Once you are in the Manage Account menu, you will see the option to Delete Account. Tap on the Delete Account option to initiate permanently deleting your TikTok account. This will take you to the confirmation screen.
According to TikTok’s support article, to delete your account you need to: “Tap Profile at the bottom. Tap the Menu ☰ button at the top. Tap Settings and privacy. Tap Account, then tap Delete account” (https://support.tiktok.com/en/account-and-privacy/deleting-an-account/deleting-an-account).
Confirm Deletion
After initiating account deletion, TikTok will show a confirmation screen summarizing what will happen when your account is deleted. This includes:
- Your profile, videos, comments, likes, and followers will be permanently removed.
- You won’t be able to retrieve anything you’ve posted.
- Your username will become available for anyone else to claim.
- If you used your phone number or email to sign up, you can create a new account using the same contact information.
According to TikTok’s support page, it may take up to 30 days for all of your information to be deleted from their systems and backups https://support.tiktok.com/en/account-and-privacy/deleting-an-account/delete-my-account. However, your profile and content will no longer be viewable after the initial deletion process completes.
Enter Password
After confirming deletion, you’ll be prompted to enter the account password to proceed. This is a security measure to ensure you have authorization to delete the account. Simply type in the correct password associated with the account and tap ‘Confirm’ or ‘Delete’ to continue.
Entering the password successfully verifies you have access to the account and validates the deletion request. TikTok requires password entry before permanently deleting an account as a precaution against unauthorized account removal.
If you’ve forgotten your password, you can tap ‘Forgot password?’ and follow the reset instructions. According to TikTok’s help article, you can reset your password by tapping Profile, then the 3-line icon, then ‘Manage account’, and finally ‘Reset password.’
Final Warning
After tapping Delete Account and entering your password, TikTok will show one final warning to confirm you want to proceed with deleting your account permanently. This warning states:
“Your account will be deleted and your profile, videos, messages, followers and following will be permanently removed.”
It’s important to read this carefully before proceeding, as there is no way to undo deleting your account after this point. TikTok wants to make absolutely sure you intend to delete your account, as the action cannot be reversed.
If you tap “Delete” on this screen, your account and all associated data will be permanently deleted by TikTok. According to TikTok’s help content, “After the deletion, your account will no longer be available.” (https://support.tiktok.com/en/safety-hc/account-and-user-safety/content-violations-and-bans)
Account Deleted
Once you confirm deletion of your TikTok account, you will see a message stating “Your account has been scheduled for deletion.” This means the deletion process has begun, but your account is not yet fully removed.
TikTok keeps deleted accounts in their system for 30 days before permanently deleting them. During this 30 day window, you can still log back in and reactivate your account if you change your mind.
After 30 days, your account and all associated data will be permanently deleted by TikTok and you will no longer be able to recover it. You will also stop receiving any notifications or emails related to the deleted account.
If you try to log in after 30 days, you will see an error message that the account does not exist anymore, confirming it has been permanently removed from TikTok’s system.
So in summary, once you confirm deletion initially, your account is deactivated but still recoverable. It is only after 30 days that TikTok completely deletes all account data and the deletion becomes permanent.
Recovering a Deleted Account
If you accidentally deleted your TikTok account, you may be able to recover it within 30 days of deletion. TikTok keeps deleted accounts in their system for 30 days before permanently deleting them. During this 30 day window, it is possible to recover your account.
To recover a recently deleted TikTok account, go to the TikTok login page and click “Forgot password”. You will be prompted to enter your phone number or email associated with the deleted account. TikTok will send you a verification code to confirm it’s you trying to access the account. After entering the code, you can reset your password and regain access to your account.
However, after 30 days have passed since deleting your account, it is no longer possible to recover it. TikTok permanently removes all data associated with accounts that have been deleted for over 30 days. So make sure to act fast if you change your mind about deleting your TikTok account.
For more details, see this guide on recovering a deleted TikTok account.
