What is TikTok account deactivation?
Deactivating a TikTok account is different from deleting or suspending an account. When you deactivate your TikTok account, your profile, videos, likes, and followers are hidden, but not deleted. Your username also cannot be taken by another user while your account is deactivated.
According to TikTok’s guidelines, a deactivated account remains in this state for 30 days before being permanently deleted. During this 30-day deactivation period, you can still log back into your account and reverse the deactivation, restoring full access to your profile and content.
Deactivation is therefore a kind of temporary disabling of your TikTok account. It’s useful if you want to take a break from TikTok without losing your data. Deleted accounts, on the other hand, are removed completely with no option to recover the content.
Suspended accounts are locked by TikTok usually due to violations of community guidelines. You cannot access a suspended account until TikTok lifts the suspension.
So in summary, deactivating a TikTok account puts it in a hidden, dormant state where the content still exists but is not publicly visible. This can be reversed within 30 days to fully reactivate the account. See this guide for more details on TikTok account deactivation.
Why do people deactivate TikTok accounts?
There are a few common reasons someone may want to temporarily deactivate their TikTok account rather than fully deleting it:
Taking a break – TikTok can be addictive and time-consuming. Deactivating an account allows people to take a break from the app and reset their usage, without losing their profile and videos.
Privacy concerns – Some users want more control over their privacy and digital footprint. Deactivating removes their content from public view temporarily.
Account issues – If someone is experiencing strange activity, bugs, or harassment on their account, deactivation can provide a reprieve while they decide how to address the issues.
Change of interests – If someone has lost interest in creating TikTok videos, they may want to deactivate while they pursue other hobbies or platforms.
According to TikTok’s support page, deactivating your account hides your profile and all your content from other users until the account is reactivated 1.
How to deactivate a TikTok account
Deactivating your TikTok account is a quick and easy process that can be done directly through the TikTok app. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to deactivate your TikTok account:
- Open the TikTok app on your device.
- Tap on your profile icon in the bottom right corner.
- Tap on the menu icon ☰ in the top right corner.
- Select “Settings and privacy” from the menu.
- Tap on “Account” and then select “Deactivate account.”
- Enter your password when prompted.
- Select “Deactivate” to confirm deactivation.
Once you complete these steps, your TikTok account will immediately be deactivated. You will no longer be able to access your account or have your profile, videos, messages, and other data visible to other TikTok users. Your username will also be freed up for anyone else to claim.
According to TikTok’s support site: “To deactivate your TikTok account: 1. In the TikTok app, tap Profile at the bottom. 2. Tap the Menu ☰ button at the top. 3. Tap Settings and privacy. 4. Tap Account, then tap Deactivate account.”
What happens when a TikTok account is deactivated?
When a TikTok account is deactivated, the account becomes hidden and inaccessible to others on the platform, but the data associated with the account is still stored by TikTok. Specifically:
- The account profile, videos, likes, followers, and other data remain on TikTok’s servers.
- Other users cannot view or interact with the deactivated account’s profile or content.
- The account does not show up in search results or recommendations to other users.
- The username becomes unavailable to be claimed by a new account.
- The account owner cannot log in or post new content until the account is reactivated.
Essentially, deactivating makes a TikTok account dormant and invisible to others, but all of the account details are saved if the owner decides to reactivate it later (source). The account remains in this deactivated state unless the owner chooses to delete it permanently.
How long does TikTok deactivation last?
When you deactivate your TikTok account, it will remain in a deactivated state for 30 days before being permanently deleted, according to TikTok’s support page (https://support.tiktok.com/en/account-and-privacy/deleting-an-account/deactivate-your-account). During this 30-day deactivated period, you can still reactivate your account and regain access if you change your mind.
Once the 30 days have passed, your deactivated TikTok account will be permanently deleted from TikTok’s servers, as explained on their website. At that point, you will no longer be able to recover or reactivate the account. The username will become available for new users to claim.
So in summary, TikTok account deactivation lasts for 30 days before the deletion becomes permanent, unless you opt to reactivate it during that window.
Can you reactivate a deactivated TikTok account?
Yes, you can reactivate a deactivated TikTok account within 30 days by simply logging back into your account. According to TikTok’s support page: “To reactivate your TikTok account: 1. Log into your account with the same login credentials you previously used. 2. Tap Reactivate to recover your account.”
As long as you log back in within 30 days with the same username and password, you can easily reactivate your deactivated TikTok account. All of your followers, likes, comments, and videos will be restored.
However, after 30 days, the deactivation becomes permanent. TikTok deletes all of your account data and content, and you can no longer log back in to reactivate. So if you want to take a short break from TikTok without losing your account, deactivation allows you to do so as long as you return within 30 days.
What if you want to delete your TikTok account permanently?
If you want to permanently delete your TikTok account instead of just deactivating it, here’s how:
1. Open the TikTok app and tap on your profile icon in the bottom right.
2. Tap on the three dots in the top right corner to open the menu.
3. Select “Manage account” then “Delete account”.
4. Select “Permanently delete account” then tap “Next”.
5. Enter your phone number or email address used for your TikTok account when prompted.
6. Enter your password when asked.
7. Review your account info and select “Permanently delete account”.
Once you permanently delete your TikTok account, all your videos, likes, comments, and personal information will be removed. You won’t be able to reactivate or restore the account.
According to TikTok’s support page (https://support.tiktok.com/en/account-and-privacy/deleting-an-account/deleting-an-account), it may take up to 30 days for TikTok to fully delete all data associated with your account. So permanently deleting is the only way to completely remove your presence from TikTok.
Pros of deactivating a TikTok account
Deactivating your TikTok account temporarily instead of deleting it completely does come with some benefits. Here are some of the pros of deactivating your TikTok account:
You can take a break from the app without losing your profile and videos. Deactivating gives you time away from the constant stream of content while preserving your presence on the platform (https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-consequences-of-deleting-your-TikTok-account). Your followers, likes, comments, and posts will all still be there when you reactive your account.
It provides more privacy and security. When deactivated, your profile and videos will not show up in searches or recommendations. You have more control over your digital footprint. The app will also stop collecting certain data from you while deactivated (Why You Should Delete TikTok).
Removes mindless scrolling and distractions. Taking a break from TikTok can free up more time and mental energy for other activities like school, work, hobbies, friends, etc. (Why You Should Delete TikTok – YouTube).
Gives you a chance to re-evaluate your use. Deactivating lets you step back and think about your relationship with the app and social media more broadly. You can decide if you want to set better boundaries around your usage when you return.
Cons of Deactivating a TikTok Account
There are some potential downsides to deactivating your TikTok account that are worth considering before taking that step:
You won’t be able to access any of the content you’ve created or saved on TikTok. All of your posts, likes, comments, messages, etc. will no longer be available to you while your account is deactivated.
You’ll lose all of your followers. When you choose to deactivate, your follower count will be reset to zero. So you’ll have to start rebuilding your audience again if you later decide to reactivate.
According to this Quora post, deactivating your account for too long can result in losing access to your username. Someone else may be able to take your unique @ handle if your account stays deactivated for months.
You won’t be able to actively participate in any trends, challenges or TikTok communities you were part of. Taking a break means stepping away from those connections for a while.
If you used TikTok to promote your business, brand, creative work, etc., deactivating means losing your distribution channel and audience on the platform.
There is no guarantee you’ll be able to get the exact same username back if you later reactivate your account. TikTok reserves the right to modify deactivated accounts.
Deactivation vs. deletion: Which is right for you?
Both deactivating and deleting your TikTok account have advantages and disadvantages to consider. Deactivating keeps your account in a dormant state, while deleting erases it permanently.
Some key differences between deactivation and deletion:
- Deactivation is temporary – you can reactivate your account later if you choose
- Deletion is permanent – once your account is deleted, it’s gone for good
- Deactivated accounts hold onto your profile info, videos, likes etc. Deleted accounts erase all of that
- It’s easier to take a short break from TikTok with deactivation vs commitment of full deletion
- Deletion gives you a cleaner break from TikTok if you want to move on fully
In summary, deactivation allows you to step away temporarily while keeping your account intact. Deletion closes your account permanently. Choose whichever option better matches your intentions.
If you need a short break or want the flexibility to return, deactivation may be best. But for those certain they are done with TikTok for good, deletion gives a clean slate.