TikTok is a popular social media platform that allows users to create and share short videos. As of 2022, TikTok had over 1 billion monthly active users globally, with over 100 million monthly active users in the United States alone (source).
To create a TikTok account, users need to provide a phone number for verification purposes. This allows TikTok to confirm the user is a real person and prevents spam accounts. Once a phone number is associated with a TikTok account, it cannot be used to create any additional accounts.
This causes problems if you lose access to the phone number linked to your TikTok account. Without access to that original phone number, you cannot verify a new account or regain access to your old one. However, there are some workarounds that allow you to use TikTok again with a new account and phone number.
Why You May Need a New TikTok Account
One of the most common reasons you may need to create a new TikTok account is if you’ve lost access to the phone number associated with your current account. This can happen if you changed phone numbers and no longer have access to your old number. It can also occur if you lost or broke the phone associated with your TikTok account, and you are unable to receive verification codes to log back in.
TikTok requires a phone number to sign up for an account. When you create your account, TikTok sends a verification code to that phone number which you need to enter to confirm the account. If you no longer have access to that phone number, you won’t be able to log back into your account or make changes that require verification. This leaves you with no choice but to start fresh with a new account and a new phone number you have access to.
Creating a New TikTok Account
If you no longer have access to your previous phone number used for your TikTok account, you will need to create a brand new account with TikTok. This can be done easily by downloading the TikTok app and signing up as a new user.
To create a new TikTok account, you will need a new email address that hasn’t been associated with TikTok before. You can use any valid email address, but it’s best to use one you have full access to so you can verify your new account.
When signing up, TikTok will prompt you to enter your email, create a unique username, and password. Make sure to choose a username that hasn’t been taken, as it needs to be unique to your new account. You can include numbers and periods in your username if your first choice isn’t available.
Once you enter your information, agree to the Terms of Service, and complete email verification, your new TikTok account will be created. You can now start fresh with a new profile, content, and followers without needing access to your previous phone number.
Source: https://support.tiktok.com/en/getting-started/creating-an-account
Verifying Your New Account
Once you’ve created a new TikTok account, you’ll need to verify it before you can start actively using it. Since you no longer have access to your previous phone number, you’ll have to use alternative options to verify your identity and confirm you’re a real person.
One option is to use an existing social media account to verify your new TikTok profile. You can link a Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or other social media profile during signup. TikTok will be able to pull your profile information from these connected accounts to verify your identity.
Uploading a photo ID is another verification method. You can upload a scan or photo of a government-issued ID like a driver’s license or passport. Make sure the ID photo and name are clearly visible. TikTok will review the ID to confirm your identity.
If you have TikTok friends who are willing to vouch for you, you can also use friend verification. Your friends will receive a notification to confirm your identity. Once enough friends have verified you, your new account will be approved.
See here for more details: https://sms-man.com/blog/how-to-create-another-tiktok-account-without-a-phone-number/
Regaining Access to Your Original Account
If you still want to regain access to your original TikTok account, contacting TikTok support directly is likely your best option. TikTok has a support form specifically for account access issues that you can use to explain your situation and request help recovering your account.
To use the form, go to TikTok’s Support page and select the “Account and privacy” category. Then choose “Account access” and click on “I can’t access my account”. This will bring up the account recovery form.
In the form, provide as many details about your account as possible, such as your username, email or phone number previously associated with it, and when you last accessed it. Clearly explain that you no longer have access to the phone number on your account. You can also upload screenshots or other information that can help verify the account is yours.
Make sure to include an active email address in the form so TikTok can contact you. Per TikTok’s support page, it may take up to 30 days to receive a response. But providing thorough details and patience may help get back into your original account.
Sources:
https://support.tiktok.com/en/account-and-privacy/account-support/account-access-issues
Using a New Phone Number
One option for verifying your new TikTok account is to use a new phone number that you have access to. This could be a friend or family member’s phone number that they allow you to use temporarily.
To use someone else’s number, first make sure they haven’t already used that number to create a TikTok account. TikTok phone number verification only allows one account per number. If the number is new to TikTok, you can use it to verify your new account.
When prompted for a phone number during account creation, enter your friend or family member’s phone number. TikTok will then send a verification code to that number. Have your friend share that code with you so you can enter it to verify your new account.
Once your account is verified, you can then remove that number and add your own new number if you wish. Just go into your account settings and update the phone number on file.
Borrowing a phone number from someone you trust can be the quickest and easiest way to get TikTok access when you’ve lost your previous number. Just be sure to only use a number that hasn’t already been associated with another TikTok account.
Purchasing a Temporary Phone Number
One option for verifying your new TikTok account is to purchase a temporary phone number that you can use just for verification purposes. Services like Skype and TextNow allow you to get a phone number for free or very low cost that you can use temporarily.
With Skype, you can purchase Skype Credit and use it to acquire a phone number for a small fee. The number will work for incoming and outgoing calls and texts. You can cancel and release the number once you’ve verified your TikTok account.
TextNow likewise offers free phone numbers that work for calling and texting. You don’t even need to provide a credit card. The main limitation is you will get ads, but otherwise the number functions just like a normal mobile number.
The benefit of using Skype or TextNow for TikTok verification is that you don’t have to use your personal number. Once you’re done with the temporary number, you can easily discard it without affecting your real phone service.
Using VoIP Services
One option to get a phone number for TikTok without your regular phone is using a Voice over IP (VoIP) service. VoIP allows you to make calls over the internet using an app rather than through a traditional phone carrier. There are a few popular options for getting a virtual phone number through VoIP:
Google Voice is a free VoIP service from Google that provides a virtual phone number you can use for calling, texting, and receiving calls. According to this guide, Google Voice numbers work for TikTok verification. To set it up, download the Google Voice app, choose your virtual number, and verify it. Then you can use that number when creating your TikTok account.
Another VoIP option is DingTone. This service starts at $2.99 per month for a virtual phone number. DingTone provides real phone numbers from over 40 countries that can send and receive SMS texts. So it’s another viable option if you need a number for TikTok verification without your regular phone. Sign up on the DingTone website to get started.
The main caveat with using a VoIP number for TikTok is that some services like Google Voice don’t work for receiving SMS globally. So it depends on having coverage in your specific area. But overall, VoIP services provide inexpensive ways to get virtual phone numbers that work for accessing TikTok if you’ve lost your regular number.
Seeking Legal Action
If you believe your account was accessed without authorization, you may want to consider legal action. According to TikTok’s terms of service, users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their login credentials and restricting unauthorized access to their accounts (https://www.tiktok.com/legal/terms-of-use?lang=en). However, if someone gains unauthorized access, that could potentially be a criminal matter.
First, document everything you can about the unauthorized access – make note of when it occurred, what content was posted, if your profile information was changed, etc. Then, you may want to file a police report about the unauthorized access to your account. Provide them with all the documentation you have. Filing a police report creates an official record and may prompt law enforcement to investigate the matter further.
You can also contact TikTok directly to report unauthorized access and request they take action on the account. However, TikTok may be limited in what they can do if you no longer have access to verify account ownership. Taking legal action may be your best recourse to both regain control of your account and address the criminal unauthorized access.
Conclusion
In summary, if you’ve lost access to your old TikTok account due to no longer having access to the phone number on file, you have several options. The easiest is to simply create a brand new account with a new phone number. You can purchase a temporary phone number to verify your new account initially. Or, use a VoIP service like Google Voice. If your original account had significant followers or value, you may want to pursue legal action to recover it.
A few final tips: Be sure to use a phone number you’ll have long-term access to when verifying any new accounts. Enable two-factor authentication using an authenticator app rather than your phone number. And link your social media profiles so you can find your contacts again easily if starting fresh. With some patience and clever workarounds, you can get back on TikTok even without your old number.
