If you are trying to find someone on TikTok that you used to follow or interact with in the past, but they have since changed their username, it can be tricky to track them down again. The good news is that there are a few methods you can try to locate old TikTok friends, followers, or creators even if their handle has changed.
Search for Their Profile Photo
One of the easiest ways to find someone’s new TikTok account is to use their profile photo. Even if they changed their username, most users tend to keep the same profile picture for brand consistency.
To find someone by their profile photo:
- Go to the TikTok search bar at the top of the app homepage.
- Click on the camera icon next to the search bar.
- This will open up the photo search option.
- Select “Upload Photo” and choose a clear profile photo you have saved of the TikTok user you are trying to find.
- TikTok will search for accounts using the same or similar profile images and display results.
- Browse through the results to see if the person you’re searching for appears.
If you don’t have an old profile photo saved, try browsing through your camera roll or old social media posts to find a clear profile picture they used. The photo search works best with a front-facing headshot.
Look for Their Unique Content
If you can’t locate an old profile picture, another option is to search for some of the unique content that person previously posted. For example, if you remember them posting a specific dance, lip sync, comedy sketch, artwork, cooking tutorial, etc. try searching keywords related to that content.
To find someone by their unique content:
- Go to the TikTok search bar and type in keywords related to the specific videos you recall them posting before.
- For example “that dance with the pink sweater” or “baking cookies in a mug”
- Scroll through video results looking for the familiar content.
- Check the account name of any videos that seem to match what you’re searching for.
- See if the account posting the familiar content is the same person you’re trying to locate.
Focus on distinctive details about their content style, outfits, backgrounds, audio, etc. The more unique the video, the easier it will be to track down.
Search Their Previous Username
Even if the TikTok user has changed their handle, searching for their old username can still sometimes lead you to their account. Here’s how to try finding someone by their previous username:
- Go to the TikTok search bar and type in their old @username exactly as you remember it.
- Tap on the account that pops up, even if the handle is now different.
- Check the profile picture, bio info, and posted content to see if this is the same person you were looking for.
- If the account that appears is private, follow them to see if they accept and you can then view their profile.
Entering their old username in the search may directly bring up the account you’re trying to find. But even if the handle has changed, searching the old one can reveal the new account.
Look for Comments They’ve Left
If you interacted with this person before by commenting on each other’s videos, you may be able to find their new account through your comment history.
To try finding someone through past comments:
- Go to your profile and tap on your videos.
- Open up any video that you remember them commenting on in the past.
- Scroll down through the comments until you see the one left by the account you’re searching for.
- Tap on their comment to open their profile and see if the account name matches the person.
Even if they changed their username, their comment will still be left under your video tagged with their new handle. So digging through your comments can help reveal the account name change.
Check Your Following Lists
If you previously followed the TikTok user you are now trying to find, they may still be on your Following list even if their handle has changed. Here’s how to check:
- Go to your profile and tap on “Following” to see who you currently follow.
- Carefully browse through your Following list to see if you notice them under a new username.
- Even if you don’t immediately recognize the account, tap on any that have a similar name or profile pic to check.
Hopefully their account name change will stick out if you scan through users you already follow. The same method can be used to scan your followers as well.
Do an Account @Mention Search
If you previously @mentioned this user in any TikTok comments, captions, or videos, you may be able to rediscover their account by searching your old @mentions.
To try finding someone by @mentioning them:
- Go to the TikTok search page.
- Type @ and the first few letters of their old username into the search bar.
- A dropdown should appear with name suggestions you’ve @mentioned before.
- Tap their name even if the handle looks different.
- This will pull up their current TikTok profile so you can confirm it’s them.
The @mentions search can work even if their username completely changed since you still @’ed their exact account name in the past.
Browse Recommended accounts
TikTok’s “Recommended For You” section on the Friends page will sometimes suggest accounts you may know or used to follow.
To try finding someone in Recommended:
- Tap the Friends icon on the bottom nav bar.
- Select “Recommended” at the top.
- Scroll down the list of suggested accounts.
- Check if any names, profile pics, or content seem familiar.
Even though their name changed, TikTok’s algorithm may recommend them as a “person you may know” based on your previous interactions.
Join a Related Group Chat
If you and this person shared any common interests, fandoms, niche communities, etc. you can try joining a related TikTok group chat to see if they are there.
To try finding someone through a group chat:
- Think of specific topics, bands, TV shows, etc. you have in common.
- Search related keywords + “group chat” in TikTok.
- Join public group chats about your shared interests.
- Scroll through the members list to see if they are part of the same chats.
Group chats for specific interests are a great place to potentially reconnect with old mutual friends and followers.
Search by Location
If you previously interacted with this person due to being in the same geographic area, you may be able to find them by searching content from a specific location.
To try finding someone by location:
- Think of details they may have mentioned about where they live, work, or go to school.
- Search the city, neighborhood, school name, local landmark, etc.
- Browse location-tagged posts to see if the account you’re seeking appears.
Connecting again through local content can help rediscover TikTokers in your city or hometown.
Find Mutual Followers
Chances are you and the TikTok account you are searching for have some of the same followers. Try exploring mutual followers to uncover their new handle.
To find mutuals who can lead you to their account:
- Go to the profile of a follower you think you may have in common.
- Tap on “Friends” under their bio.
- This shows accounts they follow.
- Browse the list looking for any familiar usernames, even if the handles have changed.
Finding mutuals is a great way to rediscover connections who likely still follow each other.
Check Your Shared Videos or Duets
If you’ve collaborated with this person by stitching each other’s content, doing joint live streams, or participating in duets, you may be able to see their new account handle by revisiting those videos.
To find someone through past collaborations:
- Go to your profile and tap on “Videos” or “Lives”
- Open any videos or live streams you created together.
- Their account name should appear tagged in the original video or broadcast even if they changed it.
Seeing their new handle on an old joint video can help you find their current profile.
Contact Mutual Friends
Reaching out to mutual followers you still keep in touch with is one of the best ways to discover someone’s new username, especially if the accounts are private.
To find someone through mutual friends:
- DM or text friends who you think also follow/know the person.
- Ask if they know the account’s new @handle.
- See if the mutual friend can connect you back with the person you are looking for.
Having a mutual friend share their updated private account details can instantly solve the username mystery.
Wait for Them to Go Live
If all else fails, you can simply wait for the person to broadcast live and discover their new username that way.
To find someone when they go live:
- Go to the “LIVE” feed in TikTok.
- Whenever you have free time, browse popular live streams.
- Check for any familiar faces, voices, rooms, etc.
- See if the person you recognize is now using a different handle.
Stumbling upon them in a live stream can finally reveal their new account name.
Conclusion
While searching for someone who changed their TikTok username may seem daunting, there are many creative ways to reconnect and find their new account. Use profile pictures, specific content, comment trails, mutual connections, collaborations, locations, and live streams to piece together the clues. With some strategic sleuthing, you can overcome their name change and find your old TikTok friends.
