Forgetting your TikTok password can be frustrating, especially if you no longer have access to the email or phone number associated with your account. With only your TikTok username, you’ll need to take some steps to reset your password and regain access to your account.
Confirm You Have the Correct Username
The first step is to confirm you have the exact username that is associated with your TikTok account. Usernames are case sensitive, so be sure every letter matches exactly as when you originally set up your account. Even one minor difference in capitalization or spacing will result in being unable to log in. According to research by Global Reach, one of the most common mistakes TikTok users make is trying to log in with an incorrect or slightly misremembered username, so double check that you have it written down precisely.
It can be easy to forget your exact username over time, especially if you do not log into your account frequently. Your profile may also go by a different display name that you are more familiar with. Be sure to dig back into your records or emails from when you first created your account to find the original username assigned to you. This unique identifier is the key to accessing your account.
Use ‘Forgot Password’ Option
The easiest way to reset your TikTok password without access to your email is to use the ‘Forgot Password’ option in the TikTok app or website. Here are the steps:
- Open the TikTok app and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner.
- Tap the three lines in the top right corner to open the side menu.
- Tap ‘Settings and privacy’.
- Tap ‘Report a problem’ > ‘Account and profile’ > ‘Login’.
- Tap ‘Forgot password’.
- Enter your correct TikTok username and tap ‘Next’.
- TikTok will send a password reset link to the email associated with your account. Tap the link to create a new password.
- Enter and confirm your new password. Tap ‘Next’.
- You can now log into TikTok with your new password.
The ‘Forgot Password’ option allows you to reset your password easily without access to your registered email. Just make sure you enter the correct TikTok username at the start.
Check Email for Reset Link
After requesting a password reset on TikTok, you should receive an email from TikTok with a link to reset your password. This email may take a few minutes to an hour to arrive, so be patient. Check your inbox, and be sure to also check your spam or junk folder, as the email may get filtered there.
The reset link in the email is only valid for a limited time, usually a few hours, so be sure to use it promptly. The expiration timeframe should be noted in the email message. If the link has expired, you will need to repeat the forgot password process to generate a new email with a valid link.
If you don’t see the reset email after about an hour, you can try requesting another reset link. Also double check that you entered the correct associated email when requesting the reset. According to users on Reddit, sometimes it can take up to 24 hours to receive the TikTok password reset email, so you may just need to wait a bit longer [1].
Create a New Password
When creating your new TikTok password, it’s important to make it secure and hard to guess. Here are some tips for creating a strong password:
- Use at least 8 characters, combining upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. The longer the password, the more secure. TikTok allows passwords up to 20 characters (How to Create a TikTok Account).
- Avoid using personal information like your name, birthday, or dictionary words. These are easy for hackers to guess (Setting up your account).
- Try using a passphrase – a memorable sentence with spaces and punctuation transformed into a password. This creates a strong, unique password that’s easy to remember.
- Never reuse passwords across multiple accounts or sites. Use a unique password for your TikTok account (Setting up your account).
- Consider using a password manager to generate and store secure, randomized passwords.
Following these tips will help you create a password that meets TikTok’s requirements while keeping your account secure (Reset Password). Be sure to store it somewhere safe so you don’t get locked out again.
Log In with New Password
After resetting your password, you can log into your TikTok account using your username and the new password. When you enter your username on the TikTok login page or in the app, click the “Password” field and type in the new password you just created. Make sure to enter it exactly as you reset it, with proper capitalization and symbols if included.
Once you enter the new password, click the “Log In” button. TikTok should log you into your account, indicating the new password has been properly set up. If it does not log you in, double check that you are entering the correct username and new password combination. You may also need to wait a short time for the new password to fully sync across TikTok’s systems after resetting it.
If you still cannot log in, you may need to repeat the password reset process or contact TikTok support. But in most cases, entering your username and newly created password should securely log you into your TikTok account after a password reset.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Once you have regained access to your TikTok account, it is highly recommended to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security. 2FA requires you to enter both your password and a secondary one-time code when logging in. This code is typically sent via text message or generated through an authenticator app.
Enabling 2FA makes it much harder for hackers to access your account, even if they manage to obtain your password through phishing or other methods. With 2FA, a potential hacker would also need physical access to your phone or authenticator app to generate the secondary login code. According to cybersecurity experts, 2FA can prevent up to 99% of account hijackings.1
To enable 2FA on your TikTok account:
- Go to your profile and tap the menu (three dots) icon.
- Select “Manage account” > “Security” > “Two-factor authentication”.
- Toggle on 2FA and select your preferred method to receive codes.
With 2FA enabled, logging into your TikTok account will require slightly more time, but is worth the extra security. It provides peace of mind knowing your account is safe from unauthorized access.
Store New Password Securely
Once you have created a new password for your TikTok account, it is crucial to store it securely going forward. Here are some tips for keeping your TikTok password safe:
Use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to generate and store a unique, complex password for TikTok. Password managers keep all your passwords encrypted and behind one master password.
Never store passwords in plain text or unencrypted files. Avoid writing them down on paper or storing in a notes app unprotected.
Enable two-factor authentication on your TikTok account for an extra layer of security. This will require you to enter a code from your phone when logging in from a new device.
Periodically change your TikTok password every few months to stay ahead of potential breaches. Don’t reuse the same password on multiple accounts.
On mobile devices, use a lock screen passcode or fingerprint unlock to prevent unauthorized access if your device is lost or stolen.
By taking these precautions to securely store your new TikTok password, you can prevent getting locked out of your account again in the future.
Contact TikTok Support If Issues
If you are still unable to log into your TikTok account after trying the previous troubleshooting steps, you may need to directly contact TikTok support for additional assistance. Here are some tips for reaching out to TikTok support:
Go to the TikTok Help Center and select the “Contact Us” option. This will open up a form where you can explain your login issue and provide any other relevant details. Be sure to include your username so they can easily identify your account.
You can also try reaching out on Twitter by tweeting @TikTokSupport. Explain that you cannot log in and provide your username. Many users have had success getting responses on Twitter.
According to sources, the average response time from TikTok support ranges from 6-8 hours up to 30-40 days depending on the severity of the issue. Be prepared to potentially wait several days for a resolution.
If you still have not received a response after a week, follow up through the TikTok Help Center form again. Persistence is key when dealing with support issues.
As a last resort, you may need to create a new TikTok account and rebuild your following. But be sure to exhaust all options with support first before giving up on your original account.
Prevent Future Lockouts
Resetting your TikTok password frequently can become frustrating and time consuming. According to a recent survey, the average person spends nearly 4 minutes resetting a forgotten password, with 15% doing so multiple times per week (source). To avoid getting locked out of your TikTok account again, consider implementing strategies to remember your new password.
The most secure way to prevent future lockouts is to use a password manager. Password managers generate strong randomized passwords for each account, and store them securely behind one master password. Popular password managers like LastPass, 1Password, and Dashlane have browser extensions and mobile apps that autofill passwords for you. This eliminates the need to manually type or remember passwords (source).
If you don’t want to use a password manager, make your new TikTok password unique and memorable. Use a phrase, song lyric, or memorable date instead of a commonly used word. Store your password somewhere secure like an encrypted note or password-protected document.
Enabling two-factor authentication on your TikTok account also adds an extra layer of security if you forget your password again. With two-factor authentication enabled, TikTok will send a code to your phone which you must enter in addition to your password when logging in from a new device.
