Where to find your age settings on TikTok

Your age on TikTok lives in your account settings, not in your profile where other people see it. Open TikTok, tap the profile icon in the bottom right, then tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy. From there, tap Account, then Personal information. Your birthdate appears here, and this is the only place you can change it.

TikTok uses your birthdate to determine what content you can see and what features are available to you. If you entered the wrong year when you created your account, or if your account was set up by someone else with an incorrect birthdate, you can update it yourself through this same menu. The change takes effect when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Your birthdate is stored in Settings and privacy > Account > Personal information, not in your public profile.
  • You can change your age once every 30 days, so plan ahead if you need to correct a mistake.
  • TikTok restricts certain features like direct messaging and live streaming based on your age, so changing it may unlock or lock features.
  • If you cannot access your account to change the age yourself, you may need to contact TikTok support with proof of identity.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

TikTok allows you to change your birthdate, but only once every 30 days. This limit exists to prevent account takeovers — if someone gains access to your account, they cannot repeatedly change your age to lock you out or hide the account's activity. If you try to change your age a second time within 30 days, TikTok will show you a message saying when you can make the next change.

If you made a mistake and need to change your age again before the 30 days are up, you will have to wait. Mark the date of your change and try again after 30 days have passed. This waiting period applies whether you are correcting a typo or updating your information for any other reason.

What happens to your account when you change your age

Changing your age can affect what you see on TikTok and what you can do. If you lower your age below 13, TikTok will restrict your account to a limited version of the app with fewer features. If you raise your age above 18, you may unlock features like direct messaging and the ability to go live, depending on your previous age setting. Some content filters also change based on age — accounts under 18 see different recommendations than adult accounts.

Your followers and the people you follow will not see your birthdate change. Your public profile does not display your age at all. The change only affects what TikTok shows you and what features you can use. If you have a business account or creator account, changing your age does not affect your follower count or video history.

Changing your age if you cannot access your account

If you cannot log into your TikTok account to change the age yourself, or if you forgot the password and cannot reset it, you will need to contact TikTok support. Go to the TikTok Help Center (support.tiktok.com), tap Account and login, then Trouble logging in. From there, you can report that you cannot access your account and request help from TikTok's support team.

TikTok will ask you to verify your identity before making changes to your account. Be ready to provide the email address or phone number linked to your account, and possibly a photo of your ID. The process can take several days. If the account was created by a parent or guardian with the wrong birthdate, you may need them to help verify the account before TikTok will make the change.

Why TikTok asks for your age in the first place

TikTok collects your birthdate to follow laws about protecting younger users. In the United States, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) requires apps to get parental consent before collecting data from anyone under 13. TikTok uses your age to decide whether to show you certain content, allow direct messaging, and track your activity. If you are under 13, TikTok limits these features even if you claim to be older.

Your age also determines what kind of account you can have. Accounts under 16 cannot receive direct messages from strangers, and accounts under 18 have additional restrictions on who can comment on their videos and see their location. These rules exist whether you change your age or not — TikTok enforces them based on what you entered when you signed up.

Correcting your age if someone else created your account

If a parent, guardian, or friend created your TikTok account and entered the wrong birthdate, you can change it yourself once you have access to the account. Log in with your own password, go to Settings and privacy > Account > Personal information, and update your birthdate. You do not need permission from whoever created the account originally.

If you do not know the password and cannot reset it through email or phone, you will need to contact TikTok support. Explain that the account was created by someone else and that you need to update the birthdate. TikTok will ask you to prove you are the person who should control the account. This usually means providing an ID that matches the email or phone number on the account, or answering security questions you set up when you created the account.

What to do if TikTok rejects your age change

Sometimes TikTok will not let you change your age, usually because you have already made a change within the last 30 days or because the system detected unusual activity on your account. If you see an error message, wait at least 30 days and try again. If the error persists, or if you believe your account has been compromised, contact TikTok support through the Help Center.

In rare cases, TikTok may lock your account if it suspects you are underage and lying about your age, or if someone else is controlling your account. If this happens, you will see a message when you try to log in. Follow the steps TikTok provides to verify your identity, which usually involves uploading a photo of your ID. Once TikTok confirms who you are, you can update your age and regain full access to your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my age on TikTok more than once?

Yes, but only once every 30 days. If you need to change it again, you will have to wait until 30 days have passed since your last change. This limit prevents account takeovers and misuse.

Will changing my age delete my videos or followers?

No. Your videos, followers, and follower count stay the same. Changing your age only affects what features you can use and what content TikTok recommends to you. Your public profile does not show your age, so other users will not see the change.

What happens if I set my age to under 13?

TikTok will restrict your account to a limited version of the app with fewer features and stricter privacy settings. You will not be able to receive direct messages, go live, or see certain content. TikTok enforces these restrictions automatically based on your birthdate.

Can I change my age if I am under 18?

Yes, you can change your age yourself through your account settings at any time, as long as you have access to your account and have not made a change in the last 30 days. You do not need parental permission to update your birthdate on TikTok.

What should I do if I forgot my TikTok password and cannot change my age?

Use the password reset option on the TikTok login screen to regain access to your account. If you cannot reset your password, contact TikTok support through the Help Center and explain that you cannot log in. Be ready to verify your identity with an email address, phone number, or ID.