Account status is a feature on many social media platforms that allows users to view details about the standing and restrictions applied to their account. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter have account status sections where users can see if their account has been disabled or limited in any way.
TikTok is a popular short-form video app that has exploded in popularity in recent years. On TikTok, users can create, edit, and share 15 to 60 second videos on any topic. TikTok allows users to gain followers, go viral quickly, and build an audience. Like other social platforms, TikTok also has an account status feature that users can access to view information about their account.
Viewing Your Own TikTok Account Status
To view your own TikTok account status, simply open the TikTok app and tap on the “Me” tab on the bottom navigation bar. This will take you to your profile page.
Next, tap on the three dot menu icon in the upper right corner and select “Settings and privacy” from the menu. This will open your account settings.
Under the “Account” section, tap on “Account status” to view your current status. Here you can see if your account status is set to “Active” or if it has been changed to something else like “Suspended” or “Banned”.
If your account has been banned or suspended, TikTok will usually display a message here explaining the reason for the status change. This section allows you to easily check on the standing of your own TikTok account.
Screenshot via crast.net
TikTok Account Status Options
TikTok provides several preset account status options that you can choose from to indicate what you are currently doing on the platform. These include:
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“Active Now” – Indicates you are currently active on TikTok.
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“On A Trip” – Shows others you may be less active because you are traveling.
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“Focusing” – Signals you are busy focusing on something and may be less active.
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“Taking A Break” – Displays that you are intentionally taking a break from TikTok for a period.
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“Can’t Talk” – Tells your followers you are unavailable for direct messaging.
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“Offline” – Displays you are not currently active on TikTok.
These preset options allow you to easily communicate your current level of activity on TikTok to your followers. They provide more context about your status than just showing when you were last active on the app.
Setting Your TikTok Account Status
Setting your account status on TikTok is easy to do through the app. Here are the steps:
- Open the TikTok app on your device.
- Tap on your profile icon in the bottom right corner.
- This will open up your profile page. Tap on the three line menu icon in the top right corner.
- In the menu that opens, tap on “Settings and privacy”.
- Next, tap on “Privacy”.
- Under “Activity status”, toggle the switch on to enable your account status.
- You can then select from one of the default options like “Active Now”, or tap on “Custom” to set a custom message.
- Your account status will now be visible to your followers under your profile name.
That’s all there is to it! Toggling the “Activity status” switch on and off quickly enables or disables your account status on TikTok.
Account Status Visibility
Your TikTok account status is visible to your friends and mutual followers on the platform. Mutual followers refer to users you follow who also follow you back. If you have your account set to private, then only your friends who follow you can view your status. If your account is public, then any of your followers can see when you are active or when you were last seen on TikTok.
Your account status is not publicly visible to people who do not follow you or who you do not follow back. Strangers searching TikTok will not be able to see your status. The visibility is limited to your network of mutual friends and followers, providing them insight into when you are actively using TikTok.
You can control the visibility of your status through your privacy settings. Access the “Privacy and safety” page under your account settings. There you can turn off the “Show activity status” option if you do not want your status visible to your followers.
When to Use Each Account Status
Here are recommendations on when to use each TikTok account status option and what it communicates:
Active – Use this when you are currently active on TikTok and want others to know they can interact with you in real-time. It signals you are online and likely to respond quickly.
Active Today – Use this if you don’t want the pressure of being “Active” but still want to show you use TikTok daily. It communicates you check TikTok at least once a day.
Active This Week – Use this if you are an infrequent TikTok user who only visits the app a few times a week. It signals you are still engaged with TikTok on a weekly basis.
Active 1d Ago – Use this if you just used TikTok very recently, likely within the past day. It shows others you were on TikTok recently but may not be glued to the app.
Active Many Days Ago – Use this if it has been over a week since you last used TikTok. It communicates you are not very active on the platform currently.
Inactive – Use this if you have not used TikTok in a long time and do not plan on using it actively again soon. It signals you are essentially inactive on TikTok.
Custom Account Statuses
One unique aspect of TikTok is the ability to create custom account statuses that go beyond the standard options. This allows users to showcase their personality and share what they’re currently up to in a more customized way.
To set a custom status, simply tap on the “Edit Profile” button on your profile page and select “Set a status”. From there you can type in any status you want within the character limit. Some examples of creative custom statuses users have set include:
- “Ask me a question and I’ll respond in a TikTok video”
- “Taking a social media break – see you next week!”
- “Currently binge watching [show name]”
- “Aspiring comedian – give me feedback on my sketches!”
Custom statuses allow TikTok users to get creative and interact with their audience in new ways. It goes beyond the standard “active” or “offline” status to allow for customization and self-expression.
Account Status and Privacy
There are some privacy concerns to consider when setting your TikTok account status. Having a public account means anyone can view your profile, videos, likes, comments, and follower/following lists (TikTok Support). This gives strangers access to information about you. A private account limits access so only approved followers can see your full profile.
Here are some best practices for account status and privacy on TikTok:
- Use a private account if you only want friends and family viewing your full profile. This gives you more control over who sees your content.
- Go public if you want to grow an audience and don’t mind strangers accessing your profile information.
- Frequently check your privacy settings to make sure they are configured as you want.
- Be selective accepting follow requests if private. Don’t accept requests from strangers.
- Report users misrepresenting themselves or exhibiting suspicious behavior.
- Avoid sharing personal details like address, phone number or school in your bio or videos.
Overall, recognize a public profile opens you up to being contacted by anyone. Set your status based on your comfort level sharing information publicly vs privately. Adjust settings anytime to control your privacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about TikTok account status:
Why is my account banned on TikTok?
TikTok bans accounts that violate their Community Guidelines. Some common reasons for getting banned include posting illegal or dangerous content, spamming, or harassing other users. You can appeal a ban if you believe it was a mistake. Check your Account Status page to see details on why your account was banned. Source: https://support.tiktok.com/en/safety-hc/account-and-user-safety/content-violations-and-bans
How do I recover my suspended TikTok account?
If your account is temporarily suspended, you will need to wait out the suspension period before accessing your account again. Make sure to read the Community Guidelines to avoid further suspensions. For banned accounts, you can submit an appeal through your Account Status page explaining why you believe the ban was a mistake. However, there is no guarantee a banned account will be reinstated. Source: https://www.tiktok.com/creators/creator-portal/en-us/community-guidelines-and-safety/faq/
What do the different account statuses mean?
The main account statuses on TikTok are Normal, Warning, Suspended, and Banned. Normal means your account is in good standing. Warning means you violated a policy and are at risk of suspension if it happens again. Suspended means you cannot access your account temporarily. Banned means you can no longer access your account. Check your Account Status page for details. Source: https://www.tiktok.com/@edet_sandra/video/7211183613298150662?lang=en
Conclusion
TikTok account status gives users a simple way to share what they’re currently doing or how they’re feeling. The default options include Online, Active, Offline, and Busy, but users can also create a customized status that’s personal and creative. Setting an account status takes just a few taps, and it’s visible to friends and followers on your profile.
While account status can be fun, it’s important to avoid oversharing or revealing too much private information. Consider keeping statuses general if your profile is public. And remember you can always toggle your status visibility or remove your status at any time.
If you want to learn more about TikTok account statuses, check out TikTok’s support articles on managing your status and status privacy controls. You can also explore the settings menu in the TikTok app to play around with status options yourself. With so many possibilities, account status is a great way to showcase your personality on TikTok!
