How to Delete or Deactivate a TikTok Account, Reactivate It, or Memorialize It

Does this match what you see?

• You want to stop using TikTok for a while.
• You want your TikTok account gone permanently.
• You deactivated and want your account back.

iPhone & iPadAndroid

Based on TikTok’s “Delete your account”, “Deactivate your account”, “Editing, posting, and deleting” and “Report a technical problem” pages (supplied by the site owner). Steps are for the TikTok app.

Why this happens: the possible causes

Deactivate or delete: the difference, according to TikTok.

• You want a breakCheck this first

  TikTok says deactivating puts your account on a temporary hold that you can reverse anytime.

• You want to leave permanentlyCheck this first

  TikTok says you can permanently delete your account; see its Privacy Policy for how data is handled.

How to fix it, step by step

Work through these in order. They start with the quickest, safest checks and only move to steps that sign you out or remove data later.

What others can still see after you deactivate

• TikTok says direct messages you previously sent may remain visible.
• Duets or Stitches made with your videos may still be visible to others.
• Your own profile and content won’t be visible to anyone.

Reactivate a deactivated account

1. Log in with the same login details you used before.
2. Tap Reactivate to recover your account.

Can’t log in? See TikTok account hacked or can’t log in. For other account help, TikTok points to its feedback form (external site, opens in a new tab).

When someone has died: memorialize or delete their account

We’re sorry if you’re dealing with this. TikTok says that if an account owner has passed away, it can memorialize or delete the account. A request usually comes from a family member or legal guardian, using TikTok’s online form for deletion and memorialization requests. TikTok says you’ll need to provide:

• Your relationship to the person.
• Proof of death.
• Proof the account was theirs.

TikTok says a memorialized account stays visible and searchable, with existing comments, but no one can log in, nothing new can be posted, it isn’t recommended to others, and it can’t receive new messages. If the person chose a legacy contact, TikTok honors that choice.

Plan for your own account (18+): Profile > Menu ☰ > Settings and privacy > Account > Account legacy. Tap Add legacy contact to choose one TikTok friend (a follower you follow back) to look after your memorialized account, or Delete after death to have it deleted. TikTok says a legacy contact can update your bio, manage comments and mentions, request deletion and download your posts if you allow it, but can’t log in, edit or remove posts, or read your messages. You can change these settings at any time.

Report an underage account (or delete a child’s account)

TikTok says accounts are for people at least 13 (or other ages in its Privacy Policy and Terms of Service). To report an account you believe is under the minimum age:

• In the app: go to the account > Share > Report > Report account > User could be under 13 years old > Submit. On a computer, use More options … instead of Share.
• By form: TikTok’s online reporting form (external site, opens in a new tab) > Report an underage user.
• Parents and guardians who want TikTok to delete the account of a child under 13 can use the same reporting form (external site, opens in a new tab); TikTok says parents in the US must use its privacy webform (external site, opens in a new tab).

How to know it worked

• Your account is deactivated (and can be reactivated) or deleted, as you chose.

Still not working? Your next steps

1. Need other account help? Use TikTok’s feedback form (external site, opens in a new tab), or, logged in to the right account, Profile > Menu ☰ > Settings and privacy > Help Center (scroll down) > Chat with us (how).

Frequently asked questions