Searching for a specific person on TikTok is easy. TikTok allows you to search by username, full name, or even hashtag or sounds associated with a person. Here are the main ways to find someone on TikTok:
Search by Username
The easiest way to find someone’s TikTok account is to search using their username. A TikTok username is the unique name that identifies each user, usually shown with an ‘@’ symbol. For example, @charlidamelio is the username for popular TikTok creator Charli D’Amelio.
To search by username on TikTok:
- Open the TikTok app on your mobile device or access TikTok through your web browser.
- Tap the search bar at the top of the screen.
- Type the full username of the person you want to find. Make sure to include the ‘@’ symbol.
- Select the username from the list of results.
This will take you directly to that user’s profile where you can view all their posted videos. If you misspell the username or use the wrong ‘@’ symbol, you may get no results.
Search by Name
If you don’t know the person’s exact TikTok username, you can try searching their full name. This works best if the name is somewhat unique.
To search by name:
- Tap the search bar in the TikTok app.
- Type the first and last name of the person, such as “Charli D’Amelio.”
- Select their name from the list if it appears.
TikTok will show profiles and videos with that name. Be aware that common names like “John Smith” may bring up many accounts.
Search by Hashtag
If a TikTok creator uses a unique hashtag in their videos, you may be able to find their account by searching for that hashtag.
For example, Charli D’Amelio uses #charlidamelio in her TikTok videos. Searching for that hashtag will show all videos using it, including hers.
To find someone by hashtag:
- Tap the search bar.
- Search for a unique hashtag the person uses like #theirusername or #theirname.
- Browse the video results for ones by the person you’re looking for.
- Tap their profile picture or username to go to their profile.
This works best when the hashtag is closely associated with just one person.
Search by Sound
TikTok creators often use popular sounds and music in their videos. Searching for a unique sound they use can help surface their videos.
For example, Charli D’Amelio helped popularize a sound called “this is the best day ever.” Searching for that sound would show many of her videos featuring it.
To find someone by sound:
- Tap the search bar.
- Search for a sound the person commonly uses.
- Look through video results for ones by that user.
- Go to their profile from the video.
Make sure the sound isn’t used too broadly by other creators for best results.
Use the Discover Page
TikTok’s Discover page can help you find new accounts to follow based on your interests. This might surface the profile you’re looking for.
To try finding someone on the Discover page:
- Go to the Discover tab in the TikTok app.
- Browse popular creators, songs, hashtags and sounds.
- See if any accounts recommended are the person you’re searching for.
- Follow them or go to their profile page.
The Discover page offers personalized recommendations, so you may find accounts related to your interests.
Search Within a Specific Account’s Followers or Following
If you think a person follows another TikTok user, or is followed by a certain account, you can search their followers/following list to try finding them.
To search within followers/following:
- Go to the profile of a user you think the person you’re searching for follows or is followed by.
- Tap Followers or Following below their profile picture.
- Use the search bar to search for their name or username.
- Select their profile when it appears in search results.
This lets you browse a more targeted list of accounts to try finding their profile.
Use Your Phone’s Contacts
If you have the person’s phone number or email address saved in your mobile phone’s contacts, TikTok can search your contacts to find any matching TikTok accounts.
To search contacts:
- Open your phone’s Contacts app and make sure you have the person’s info saved.
- In TikTok, tap Me > Settings and Privacy.
- Select Manage Contacts.
- Enable syncing contacts.
- Return to the main TikTok page and search for the person’s name.
- Any matching accounts from your contacts will appear.
This makes it easy to find TikTok accounts of your friends and family who use the app.
Search by Linked Accounts
If you know the person’s Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube or other social media usernames, you may be able to find their TikTok by searching those.
For example, searching for @charlidamelio on Instagram shows Charli D’Amelio’s TikTok is linked in her Instagram bio.
To find someone via linked accounts:
- Search their username on Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, etc.
- Check their bio or profile for a linked TikTok account.
- Go to that TikTok profile directly or search for it.
Many creators link their TikTok to other social platforms, allowing you to discover their account.
Use TikTok’s Account Recovery Process
If all else fails, you can try using TikTok’s account recovery process to find an account you know the username for but can’t locate.
To recover an account:
- Go to TikTok > tap Me > Settings and Privacy.
- Select Manage Account > Switch Accounts > Forgot password.
- Enter the username and select Search.
- Follow the instructions to recover access to the account.
TikTok will help you recover the account as long as you have the username. Use this method as a last resort.
Tips for Easier Searching
Here are some tips to improve your odds of finding someone easily on TikTok:
- Have the exact username or spelling of their name if possible.
- Try multiple search methods like username, name, hashtag, and sound.
- Browse the Discover and Following/Followers tabs for account suggestions.
- Link your contacts to search friends and family.
- Check their other social media accounts for linked TikTok profiles.
With the right information and search methods, you can find most profiles. Save hard-to-find accounts as favorites so you don’t lose track of them.
