Deleting TikTok removes your account, videos, and profile from the platform permanently
When you delete your TikTok account, the platform removes your username, all your videos, comments, and follower list. This is different from deactivating, which temporarily hides your account but keeps your data. Deletion is permanent — after 30 days, TikTok cannot restore your account, videos, or any content you posted.
You can delete your account from the TikTok app or from a web browser. The process takes about five minutes, but TikTok gives you a 30-day window to change your mind. During those 30 days, your account stays hidden but can still be recovered if you log back in. After 30 days pass without you logging in, deletion becomes final.
Key Takeaways
- Deletion is permanent after 30 days, so read any videos you want to keep before you start the process.
- You can delete your account from the app by going to Settings and Account, then selecting Delete Account.
- TikTok will ask you to confirm your password and reason for leaving before the deletion begins.
- Your account will be hidden when ready, but you have 30 days to log back in and cancel the deletion if you change your mind.
- If you only want to hide your account temporarily, deactivation is reversible at any time by logging back in.
How to delete your account from the TikTok app
Open TikTok and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the top right. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Account.
Scroll down to the bottom of the Account page and tap Delete account. TikTok will show you a warning that deletion is permanent. Read through it, then tap Continue. You will be asked to enter your password to confirm you own the account. Type it in and tap Continue.
TikTok will ask you to select a reason for deleting your account from a dropdown menu. Choose the reason that fits your situation — the reason you pick does not affect whether your account is deleted, but TikTok uses this information to understand why people leave. After you select a reason, tap Continue. Your account will be scheduled for deletion, and you will see a message confirming that it will be permanently removed in 30 days.
How to delete your account from a web browser
Go to tiktok.com and log in to your account. Click your profile icon in the top right corner, then click the three dots next to your username. Click Settings and privacy.
Click Account in the left menu. Scroll down and click Delete account. A popup will appear asking you to confirm. Click Delete account again. You will be asked to enter your password. Type it in and click Confirm.
Select a reason for deletion from the dropdown menu, then click Confirm. Your account will be scheduled for permanent deletion in 30 days. You will see a confirmation message on the screen.
What happens during the 30-day waiting period
During the 30 days after you request deletion, your TikTok account is hidden from public view. Your videos will not appear in the For You page or search results. Other users cannot find your profile or send you messages. However, your account still exists on TikTok's servers, and you can still log in.
If you log back into your account at any time during these 30 days, the deletion request will be cancelled and your account will return to normal. Your videos, followers, and all your data will be restored exactly as they were. You will need to request deletion again if you still want to leave.
After 30 days pass without you logging in, TikTok will permanently delete your account. At that point, your username becomes available for someone else to use, and none of your content can be recovered.
read your videos before deletion
TikTok does not automatically send you copies of your videos when you delete your account. If you want to keep any of your videos, you must read them before you request deletion. Once your account is deleted, you cannot access your videos through TikTok.
To read a video, open it and tap the share icon (the arrow pointing right). Tap Save video. The video will be saved to your phone's camera roll or gallery. Repeat this for every video you want to keep. This process works the same way on both iOS and Android phones.
If you have many videos, this can take time. Plan to read them over a few days if needed. You can request deletion at any point — the read process does not need to be finished before you start the deletion process, as long as you do it before the 30-day window closes.
Deactivation as an alternative to deletion
If you are not sure whether you want to leave TikTok permanently, deactivation is a temporary option. When you deactivate your account, your profile and videos are hidden from other users, but your account is not deleted. You can reactivate your account at any time by logging back in, and everything will return to normal.
To deactivate instead of delete, go to Settings and privacy, then Account. Look for Deactivate account instead of Delete account. Follow the same steps, but choose deactivation. Your account will be hidden when ready, and you can log back in whenever you want to turn it back on. There is no waiting period with deactivation — reactivation is when ready.
Deactivation is useful if you want a break from TikTok but might want to return later. Deletion is the right choice if you are certain you do not want your account or any of your videos to exist on the platform anymore.
What to do if you cannot find the delete option
If you cannot find the Delete account option in Settings, check that you are logged into the correct account. Some accounts, particularly business or creator accounts, may have different menu layouts. Log out completely and log back in to make sure you are in the right account.
If you are using an older version of the TikTok app, update it to the latest version from your phone's app store. The delete option may not appear in older versions. After updating, go back to Settings and Account and look for Delete account again.
If the option still does not appear, try deleting your account from a web browser instead of the app. Go to tiktok.com, log in, and follow the browser deletion steps. If you still cannot find the option or the deletion process does not work, contact TikTok support through the app by going to Settings, then Help, then Report a problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else use my username after I delete my account?
Yes. After your account is permanently deleted, your username becomes available for anyone to claim. If you want to prevent this, you could change your username to something you do not want others to use before you request deletion, though this is not necessary.
Will deleting my TikTok account delete my account on other apps that use TikTok login?
No. If you used your TikTok account to sign into other apps or websites, deleting TikTok will not delete those accounts. You will need to delete those accounts separately if you want to remove them. However, you will no longer be able to log into those apps using TikTok as your sign-in method.
What if I change my mind after 30 days?
Once 30 days have passed without you logging in, your account is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. TikTok does not restore deleted accounts after this period. If you want to use TikTok again, you will need to create a new account with a new username.
Do I need to delete my videos before deleting my account?
No. When you delete your account, all your videos are deleted automatically. However, if you want to keep copies of your videos for personal use, you should read them before you request deletion. After deletion, you cannot access them through TikTok.
Can I delete my account if I have a balance or credits?
Yes, you can delete your account regardless of any balance or credits. However, any unused credits or money in your account will be forfeited when your account is deleted. If you have earned money through TikTok's creator programs, withdraw it before you request deletion.