Having videos banned and removed on TikTok can be extremely frustrating, especially if those videos contained meaningful memories or hard work. Once TikTok bans and deletes videos from an account, it can seem impossible to get them back. However, there are some methods users can try to recover or download banned videos before they are deleted by the platform.
According to Statista, in 2023 Q1, 9.1% of removed videos were taken down due to violent or graphic content, while over 25% were removed for adult nudity and sexual activities. Harassment and bullying accounted for 15.6% of video bans. With TikTok aggressively moderating content, it’s easy to accidentally run afoul of its guidelines and face video bans.
Understand Why Your Videos Were Banned
There are a few common reasons TikTok may ban your videos or account:
- Copyright claims – If your video contains copyrighted music, images, or other content, the copyright holder can issue a takedown request and TikTok will remove your video. Multiple copyright strikes can lead to an account ban.
- Community guidelines violations – TikTok has guidelines against nudity, illegal activities, hate speech, and other problematic content. Posting videos that violate the rules can get your videos removed and account suspended or banned.[1]
- Harassment and bullying – Abusive comments, targeted harassment campaigns, or coordinated attacks against other users are prohibited. Engaging in this type of behavior can result in video takedowns and account suspensions.[2]
- Spam and fake engagement – Using bots, fake accounts or other methods to artificially inflate views, likes, comments, etc. violates TikTok’s policies. TikTok aims to cultivate authentic engagement on the platform.
It’s important to understand what content and behaviors are prohibited so you can avoid actions that will get your account penalized. Checking the Community Guidelines and Terms of Service will outline what TikTok considers inappropriate.
File an Appeal with TikTok
If you believe your account or videos were mistakenly banned, you can file an appeal directly through the TikTok app or website. Here are the steps:
In the TikTok app:
- Go to your profile page
- Tap the three dots icon in the top right corner
- Select “Report a problem” from the menu
- Choose “My account is banned”
- Follow the on-screen prompts to submit an appeal
On the TikTok website:
- Go to https://www.tiktok.com/login
- Click “Appeal” below the login fields
- Enter your phone number or email address and follow the instructions
- Explain why you believe the ban was a mistake
- Upload any supporting documents or screenshots
- Submit your appeal and wait for TikTok’s response
Be sure to provide as much context and evidence as possible in your appeal to show the ban was unwarranted. TikTok may take 1-2 weeks to review appeals and make a final decision.
Provide Additional Context
If you believe the ban was a mistake, explain the context around your video content. When submitting an appeal, TikTok allows you to provide additional information about your videos and account. Be as detailed as possible in explaining why you feel the ban was unwarranted.
For example, if your video was showing something dangerous or illegal as part of an educational or cautionary message, make that context clear. If your video was mistakenly flagged as adult content when it was not, explain the non-adult nature of the video. Providing the proper context helps TikTok understand your intent and content more fully.
Submit any links or information that can validate the context around your videos. The more details you can provide, the better chance you have of getting your account and videos reinstated. Be polite, honest and transparent in your appeal. Demonstrating that the ban was simply a mistake or misunderstanding on TikTok’s part can go a long way in getting your account unbanned.
According to TikTok’s guidelines, “If you believe your account was banned incorrectly, let us know by submitting an appeal” (source). So make your case clearly and provide as much helpful context as possible.
Wait for TikTok’s Response
After filing an appeal, it’s important to be patient as it may take some time for TikTok to review your case. According to sources, it can take anywhere from 5-10 hours to several days or even weeks for TikTok to respond to an appeal.
TikTok likely has a large volume of appeals to review, so try to be understanding of the process. Check your email and the app regularly for a notification about the status of your appeal. However, avoid constantly contacting TikTok support as that likely won’t speed up the process.
If it’s been over a week with no response, you may want to follow up with an email to TikTok support or file another appeal. But give them reasonable time to thoroughly investigate your case and come to a fair conclusion. With patience and persistence, there’s a chance your videos and account may be reinstated.
According to a Reddit user, “Each appeal took about 5-10hrs for them to respond to it.” Source
Download Your Videos Before Ban
Downloading your videos before you get banned allows you to create a backup just in case. There are a few easy ways to download your videos from TikTok:
Use a third party app like Repost or Documents by Readdle to download videos directly from the TikTok app.
On iOS devices, go to the Share menu in the TikTok app and select “Save Video.” This will save a copy of the video to your camera roll.
On Android, open the video then tap the Share button and select “Save video.” The video will be saved to your camera gallery.
You can also use a TikTok video downloader website by entering the video URL. This will allow you to download the video and save it to your computer or device storage.
Backing up your videos before you get banned ensures you have a copy if your videos and account get removed. You’ll still want to appeal the ban, but having a backup prevents losing your videos permanently.
Use a Third Party App
One option to repost banned TikTok videos is to use a third party app. There are several apps available that allow you to download and reupload TikTok videos without the platform’s watermark. Some popular options include:
TokSave (https://www.reddit.com/r/Tiktokhelp/comments/179uu0r/here_is_how_i_reupload_other_content_without/): This paid service lets you download entire TikTok accounts and repost the videos. It removes the TikTok watermark making it easier to reupload banned videos.
SnapTik (https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/how-to-repost-tiktok-videos-without-getting-0-views.1469004/): This app lets you save videos without a watermark and repost them. The paid version has more features like downloading user profiles and analytics.
Repost for TikTok (iOS only): This iOS app lets you download and re-upload videos to your account. The free version shows a watermark while the paid pro version does not.
These third party services provide an easy way to repost banned videos by letting you save and re-upload them without TikTok’s native watermark. However, be sure to check their reputation and terms of service before using.
Create a New Account
One method to try recovering your lost videos is to simply create a brand new TikTok account. However, caution should be exercised with this approach as it could be considered ban evasion, resulting in additional crackdowns by TikTok.
If you choose to create a new account, it’s recommended to use a different device, phone number, email address, username, etc. to avoid easy detection by TikTok. You’ll also want to avoid re-uploading the exact same content that got your original account banned. TikTok may restrict or permanently ban accounts if you are seen as trying to circumvent an existing ban.
Overall, creating a brand new account does carry risks if done improperly. You may still regain access to your old videos, but the new account could also face quick suspension. Proceed with caution and alter key account details to try avoiding easy linkage to your prior banned account.
Contact TikTok Support
If you believe your TikTok account or videos have been banned unfairly, the best option is to directly contact TikTok’s support team and request a human review. Here’s how to reach out to TikTok support:
- Open the TikTok app and tap on your profile icon in the bottom right. Then go to Settings > Report a Problem.
- Select the issue you want to report and explain why you believe your account or videos were banned unfairly. Provide as much context and details as possible.
- You can also contact TikTok support through their Help Center at https://www.tiktok.com/legal/report/feedback. Click on “Report other issues” and fill out the online form.
- Additionally, you can email TikTok support directly at [email protected] or [email protected] to explain your situation.
The key is providing a clear explanation of why you believe the ban was a mistake, along with any evidence that can help your case. TikTok support can then review your account status and videos to determine if the ban should be overturned.
Conclusion
If you find your TikTok account or videos banned, there are several strategies you can try to get your videos back. The first step is to determine why you were banned and file an appeal with TikTok directly, providing any additional context that could help your case. While waiting for TikTok’s response, you may want to download any banned videos you still have access to using a third party app. Alternatively, you could try creating a new account and reposting your videos there.
If TikTok does not reinstate your account or videos, you can escalate the issue by directly contacting TikTok’s support team. Be sure to be polite but firm in explaining why you believe the ban was unwarranted. With some patience and persistence, you may eventually be able to recover or repost your lost videos. Just be sure to carefully review TikTok’s community guidelines to avoid any future bans.
By fully understanding TikTok’s policies, filing detailed appeals, and utilizing all options available to you, recovering banned videos is often achievable. Don’t hesitate to advocate strongly on your own behalf throughout the process.
