This article will explain how to remove your phone number from TikTok without account verification. TikTok is a popular short-form video app that allows users to share videos, follow other accounts, and interact with content. However, there are growing privacy concerns about how TikTok handles user data, including phone numbers.
Users may want to remove their phone number from TikTok for increased privacy and security. Phone numbers can be used to identify and target individuals. Given TikTok’s track record of internal data misuse and ties to the Chinese government, users may not want TikTok having access to their number. This article will walk through the options for removing your phone number from your TikTok account.
Why Remove Phone Number?
Having your phone number visible on your public TikTok profile poses several risks (source). First, it allows other users to see your number, which could lead to unwanted calls, texts, or harassment. Second, it gives TikTok access to link your profile data to your phone number, enabling extensive tracking and data collection (source). This includes building detailed user profiles and targeting ads.
Finally, having your phone number visible makes it easier for bad actors to steal your number or SIM swap your device. They could then access your other accounts linked to that number. Overall, it’s safer to keep your phone number private on social media to protect against spam, unwanted contact, data collection, and identity theft.
Verify Account Ownership
TikTok requires verification via phone number when changing key account settings like username, profile photo, bio, and more. This is to prevent unauthorized changes and confirm you own the account. According to TikTok’s Help Center, verification involves entering the code sent to your phone number linked to your TikTok account.
Therefore, if you want to remove your phone number completely, you need to have access to that number. TikTok will send a verification code to it when you attempt to change the number. Be sure you can receive texts or calls at that number to obtain the verification code.
Temporarily Change Number
One option to remove your phone number from TikTok without verification is to temporarily change the number linked to your account. You can switch it to a Google Voice number or a burner phone number.
After changing your TikTok number to a temporary one, you can then go in and remove the number completely from your profile. TikTok will send a verification code to the new temporary number, allowing you to bypass verification to your real number.
Using a Google Voice number or burner number essentially tricks TikTok into thinking you’ve verified account ownership, when in fact you’ve verified with an alternate number. This temporary number change allows you to remove your actual phone number linked to your account.
Remove Number from Profile
To remove your phone number from your TikTok profile, follow these steps:
- Open the TikTok app and tap on your profile icon in the bottom right corner.
- Tap on the three horizontal lines in the top right corner to open the menu.
- Select “Settings and privacy” from the menu.
- Tap “Manage account” and then “Edit profile”.
- Tap on your phone number under “Contact info” to remove it.
- Confirm removing your phone number by tapping “Save changes”.
Your phone number will now be removed from your public TikTok profile. However, it will still be associated with your account internally for account access purposes unless you fully delete your account.
Delete Account
One way to permanently remove your phone number from TikTok is to delete your TikTok account entirely. When you delete your TikTok account, all personal information associated with the account, including your phone number, will be permanently removed from TikTok’s systems.
To delete your TikTok account:
1. Open the TikTok app and tap on your profile icon in the bottom right corner.
2. Tap the menu icon in the top right corner (three horizontal lines).
3. Select “Settings and privacy” from the menu.
4. Tap “Account” and then “Delete account”.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to permanently delete your account.
Once your account is deleted, your phone number will be completely removed from TikTok and cannot be re-added. The deletion process is permanent and irreversible.
Contact TikTok Support
If the previous methods for removing your phone number from TikTok don’t work, you can contact TikTok’s support team directly to request removal. TikTok has a dedicated support page where you can find contact information for customer support:
https://www.tiktok.com/about/contact?lang=en
On the support page, select your region and you will find phone numbers, email addresses, and other ways to get in touch with a TikTok representative. Explain your situation and request that they permanently remove your phone number from your TikTok account.
Keep in mind that TikTok may require verification of account ownership before they make changes. Be prepared to provide information to confirm you are the account holder. With account verification, TikTok support should be able to fully delete your phone number from the account.
Directly contacting TikTok support is the best option if you’ve tried other methods and still can’t get your number removed. Their team has the ability to make changes to accounts that regular users can’t.
Prevent Re-adding Number
Once you remove your phone number from your TikTok account, you’ll want to take steps to prevent someone else from re-adding it. Here are some tips:
Enable two-factor authentication on your account. This adds an extra layer of security, requiring both your password and a code sent to your email or other device to log in. Enable this in your account settings.
Change your password to something strong and unique that others can’t guess. Don’t use the same password on other accounts.
Adjust your settings so your account is private. Go to Privacy > Suggest your account to others and disable options like “Sync contacts” so your profile won’t be suggested to contacts.
Remove your phone number from your profile’s bio or username if it’s shown there. Your profile can still be found by phone number even if not linked to your account.
Check the login activity on your account to see if any unknown devices or locations have accessed it. Log out of any unknown sessions.
If your number gets re-added by someone else, immediately remove it again and reset your password. Contact TikTok support if it persists.
Risks of Number Removal
While removing your phone number from TikTok can help protect your privacy, there are some risks to consider:
Without a phone number attached, you may lose access to your TikTok account if you forget your password or get locked out. TikTok uses phone numbers to verify identity and allow password resets. Removing it means you won’t have that backup verification option.
You also won’t be able to easily regain access if your account gets hacked or stolen. TikTok’s account recovery process relies on confirming phone numbers.
In addition, you won’t be able to use certain TikTok features that require a phone number, like direct messaging. You may also miss out on notifications sent via text from TikTok.
So while delinking your number does limit data collection and privacy risks, it also removes an important account security backup. Consider if the privacy tradeoff is worth potentially losing access to your account. You can also use an alternative secondary email or social media account for verification.
Closing Summary
In closing, controlling your phone number privacy on TikTok is crucial for avoiding spam calls/texts, account takeovers, and preserving your personal information. To recap, if you want to remove your phone number from TikTok, the main options are verifying account ownership through email or social media, temporarily changing the number, deleting your account entirely, or contacting TikTok support.
While removing your number can increase privacy, it also prevents taking advantage of two-factor authentication, regaining access if you forget your password, and receiving important updates from TikTok. Consider the risks before deleting your phone number completely.
Overall, make sure you are the only one with access to the account, be selective in sharing contact information, and limit personal data tied to your profile. Maintaining vigilant control over your TikTok privacy settings is the key to staying secure.
