Many TikTok users have experienced issues trying to delete their accounts on the popular social media platform. Some users report getting error messages when attempting to delete their profile through the app’s settings. Others have gone through the account deletion process only to find their profile is still active days or weeks later. There are various reasons why TikTok accounts may fail to properly delete. This article will examine the common problems users face when trying to remove their presence from TikTok and provide troubleshooting tips to permanently delete accounts.
TikTok’s Account Deletion Process
TikTok has a multi-step process that users must complete in order to permanently delete their account. According to Comparitech, the first step is accessing the “Delete Account” option in the app’s Settings menu. Users will then need to enter their password and confirm they want to delete their account. TikTok will prompt users to select a reason for deleting, such as privacy concerns, losing interest, or having another account.
At this stage, TikTok presents one last chance to cancel the deletion. If users confirm again, TikTok will send a verification code via text message to the phone number associated with the account. Entering this code completes the deletion process. According to AInfluencer, the entire account deletion process takes around one day after entering the verification code.
TikTok’s multi-step verification aims to ensure users genuinely want to delete their account and prevent unauthorized deletions. However, sometimes technical issues can obstruct the process despite a user’s best efforts to permanently delete their account.
Common Problems Deleting TikTok Accounts
Many users encounter frustrating issues when attempting to delete their TikTok account. Some common problems include:
Account deletion getting stuck mid-process – The account deletion process can unexpectedly freeze before completion. This leaves users in limbo, with a partially deleted account that is inaccessible.
Errors deleting the account – Various error messages may appear during the deletion process, preventing the account from being fully removed. Common errors include “Unable to delete account” and “Failed to delete account”.
Account reactivation after deletion – In some cases, TikTok accounts users have deleted end up being reactivated later without consent. This is likely an unintentional glitch in TikTok’s systems.
Inability to access account settings – Sometimes users cannot access their account settings to initiate deletion. This can occur if they are logged out of the app and cannot log back in.
Banned accounts preventing deletion – If an account receives a ban violation, TikTok may restrict the ability to delete the account until the ban is resolved. This leaves accounts stuck in limbo.
TikTok support unable to help – Many users report TikTok’s customer support is unable to resolve account deletion issues, leaving problems unfixed.1
TikTok Account Deletion Errors
When trying to delete a TikTok account, users may encounter various error messages that prevent them from completing the deletion. Some common errors include:
“Deletion failed” – This generic error indicates the deletion request did not go through. Potential fixes include uninstalling and reinstalling the app, trying again on desktop, or contacting TikTok support.
“Verification failed” – TikTok requires users to verify their identity before deleting an account. This error suggests the verification process failed. Trying a different verification method like email or SMS code may help.
“Maximum number of accounts” – TikTok limits users to a certain number of accounts on one device. This error appears when trying to delete accounts after reaching that limit. Logging into the account on a different device can fix this.
“Account doesn’t exist” – The account may have already been deleted. Check by logging out and trying to log back in or use account recovery options.
“Feature disabled” – This indicates the account deletion feature is temporarily disabled. Trying again later usually resolves this.
“Unauthorized access” – The app may not have proper authorization to delete the account. Make sure TikTok is fully updated and has required permissions.
“Account blocked” – Blocked accounts cannot be deleted. The block must be removed first before deleting the account.
If the standard troubleshooting tips do not resolve a deletion error, contacting TikTok support directly may be necessary to completely delete the problematic account.
Sources:
https://www.reddit.com/r/privacy/comments/iwi5hw/tiktok_will_not_let_me_delete_my_account/
https://support.tiktok.com/en/account-and-privacy/deleting-an-account
TikTok’s User Data Retention Policy
TikTok’s privacy policy states that they will retain certain user data after an account is deleted, for a limited period of time. According to their policy, “If you stop using TikTok and request deletion of your account, we’ll delete or anonymize your account within 30 days. We may retain certain information about you as required by law or for legitimate business purposes.”
Some data they may retain includes your profile information, posts, comments, messages, search history, viewing history, location data, and device identifiers. They state this is done for legal obligations, analytics to improve their services, and to prevent abusive behavior. According to TikTok, any retained data will be disassociated from deleted accounts so it can no longer identify users.
Users should understand that when deleting a TikTok account, some personal data may still be stored by the company for a limited period. While the retained data will not be linked to individual accounts, TikTok does reserve the right to hold certain information for their business purposes. Those concerned about data retention can contact TikTok support for clarification.
Source: TikTok Privacy Policy
Contacting TikTok Support
If you are unable to delete your TikTok account through the app’s settings, the best option is to directly contact TikTok’s customer support team for assistance. TikTok’s support team can help troubleshoot any issues preventing your account from being deleted.
You can reach out to TikTok’s support team via their online contact form. In the form, select “Login and account” issues, then “Delete account” as the issue type. Provide details on the problems you’ve encountered trying to delete your account. You may need to provide additional information like your username, email, or phone number associated with your account.
TikTok aims to respond to support inquiries within 1-3 business days. Their team can confirm if your deletion request is being processed or explain any errors. They can also manually delete the account for you if needed. This ensures your account and associated data is fully removed according to TikTok’s policies.
Contacting TikTok support directly is the most reliable way to resolve persistent account deletion issues. Their team has internal tools to properly handle these requests and prevent deleted accounts from being reactivated.
Deleting TikTok Account Via Settings
The easiest way to delete your TikTok account is directly through the app’s settings. Here are the step-by-step instructions for deleting your account via the TikTok settings on both iPhone and Android devices:
On iPhone:
- Open the TikTok app and tap on the profile icon in the bottom right.
- Tap on the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner.
- Select “Settings and privacy” from the menu.
- Tap on “Manage account” and then “Delete account.”
- Select “Delete account” again to confirm.
On Android:
- Open the TikTok app and tap on “Me” at the bottom.
- Tap on the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner.
- Select “Settings and privacy” from the menu.
- Tap on “Manage account” and then “Delete account.”
- Select “Delete” again to confirm.
After confirming, your account will be scheduled for deletion. TikTok states it takes up to 30 days for accounts to be fully deleted after the deletion request is made. During this time your account still remains deactivated.
Source: https://support.tiktok.com/en/account-and-privacy/deleting-an-account/deleting-an-account
Using Third-Party Apps to Delete
Some users have turned to third-party apps to help delete their TikTok accounts when they run into issues using TikTok’s built-in account deletion process. These apps provide an alternative way to log into a TikTok account and initiate the deletion process on the user’s behalf.
One popular third-party deletion app is called Account Killer. This app connects to a user’s TikTok account using their username, password, and email or phone number associated with the account. It then programmatically triggers the account deletion process. Some users have reported success using Account Killer to delete accounts that they couldn’t remove directly through the TikTok app.
Other apps like Dumpster work similarly by logging into TikTok accounts on behalf of users and clearing out data. However, some users caution that giving third-party apps full access to your TikTok account comes with potential privacy and security risks.
In general, third-party account deletion apps provide an alternative solution when TikTok’s built-in deletion options fail. However, they also require users to carefully evaluate the risks of granting full account access.
Preventing Deleted Accounts from Reactivating
Even after deleting your TikTok account, it’s possible for the account to become reactivated if certain conditions are met. This most commonly happens if you try to log in via the app after deleting your account. TikTok may see this as an indication that you want to reactive your old profile.
To prevent your deleted TikTok account from becoming restored, follow these tips:
- Don’t attempt to log in to TikTok after deleting your account. Even opening the app can trigger a reactivation.
- Clear your device’s cookies/cache and TikTok data. This will ensure no lingering data tells TikTok to recover your profile.
- Avoid using the same phone number or email linked to your old account when creating a new one. Recognizing these can also lead to reactivation.
- If your account does somehow reactivate, immediately go to settings and permanently delete it again before posting any new content.
Following these steps diligently can prevent your deleted TikTok account from ever being restored without your consent. Be vigilant in removing all connections to your old profile to ensure it stays deleted.
Conclusion
Despite some users encountering issues deleting their TikTok account, there are still options to try. First, make sure to try deleting directly through the app’s settings. If that doesn’t work, you can try using a third-party app or contacting TikTok support.
TikTok does seem to make it difficult in some cases to fully delete an account. This is likely due to their desire to retain user data. However, with persistence you should be able to delete your account permanently.
If your account was accidentally reactivated after deletion, be sure to go through the process again. Toggle your settings to not allow account recovery. You may need to repeat the deletion process multiple times.
In summary, deleting your TikTok account is possible, even if tricky at times. Don’t give up and utilize all options at your disposal, including third-party apps and contacting support. With concerted effort, you can likely get your account removed for good.
