You can delete your TikTok account in two ways: temporarily deactivate it for 30 days, or permanently delete it
When you delete a TikTok account, the app distinguishes between two actions. Deactivating your account hides it for 30 days — during this window, you can log back in and restore everything. Permanently deleting your account removes all your videos, comments, likes, and followers after 30 days pass. You cannot undo a permanent deletion once those 30 days end.
Most people should deactivate first if they are unsure. This gives you a month to change your mind without losing your content. If you are certain you want to leave TikTok entirely, you can proceed directly to permanent deletion — the process is the same, but the outcome is final after the waiting period.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivating your account hides it for 30 days and lets you restore it by logging back in during that window.
- Permanent deletion begins when ready but does not remove your data until 30 days have passed, giving you time to reconsider.
- You must use the TikTok app or website on a phone or computer — you cannot delete through a third-party app or browser extension.
- After permanent deletion is complete, you cannot recover your videos, messages, or follower list under any circumstances.
- If you only want to hide your profile from others, you can make your account private instead of deleting it.
How to deactivate your account on the TikTok app
Open TikTok and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top right. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Account. Scroll to the bottom and tap Deactivate account.
TikTok will ask you why you are leaving and show you a warning that your profile, videos, and messages will disappear for 30 days. Tap Continue. You will be asked to enter your password to confirm. Type it in and tap Deactivate. Your account is now hidden, and you will be logged out when ready.
During the 30-day window, you can restore your account by logging in with your username and password. Once you log in, TikTok will ask if you want to reactivate — tap yes, and your account returns to normal with all content intact. If you do nothing for 30 days, your account moves to permanent deletion and cannot be recovered.
How to permanently delete your account on the TikTok app
The steps to start permanent deletion are identical to deactivation. Open TikTok, tap your profile icon, tap the menu, go to Settings and privacy, then Account, and tap Deactivate account. When TikTok shows the warning screen, read it carefully — it will say your account will be permanently deleted after 30 days.
Enter your password and tap Deactivate. Your account is now in the deletion queue. Unlike deactivation, you cannot straightforward log back in to restore it. If you change your mind within 30 days, you must contact TikTok support through the app or website and request that they cancel the deletion before the important date. TikTok support may or may not honor this request, so do not rely on it.
After 30 days pass, TikTok permanently removes your profile, all videos you uploaded, all comments you made, all direct messages, and your entire follower list. None of this information can be recovered by you or TikTok support.
How to delete your account on the TikTok website
Go to www.tiktok.com and log in. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and click Settings and privacy. Click Account on the left sidebar. Scroll down and click Deactivate or delete account.
TikTok will show you two options: Deactivate account and Delete account. Choose the one you want. If you choose deactivate, your account hides for 30 days and you can restore it by logging in. If you choose delete, your account enters the permanent deletion queue and will be removed after 30 days. Enter your password to confirm, and the process begins when ready.
What happens to your data after deletion
During the 30-day waiting period, your profile is hidden from other users, but TikTok still stores your data on its servers. Other people cannot see your videos, profile, or comments. Search engines cannot find your old TikTok profile. However, TikTok itself retains the information in case you request restoration.
After 30 days, TikTok deletes your account data from its active systems. Videos you uploaded are removed from TikTok's servers. Comments you made on other videos are deleted. Your direct messages are erased. Your follower list and following list disappear. If you had shared your TikTok videos elsewhere (on Instagram, YouTube, or other platforms), those copies remain on those platforms — deleting your TikTok account does not remove videos you posted to other sites.
Alternatives to deleting your account
If you want to stop using TikTok but are not ready to delete permanently, you have other options. You can make your account private, which means only people you approve can see your videos and follow you. New people cannot find your profile through the For You page or search. Go to Settings and privacy, tap Privacy, and toggle Private account on.
You can also delete individual videos without deleting your whole account. Open a video you posted, tap the three dots in the bottom right, and tap Delete. This removes only that video, not your profile. You can delete videos one at a time or leave your account up with a smaller number of videos.
Another option is to stop using the app without deleting your account. straightforward uninstall TikTok from your phone or log out on the website. Your account remains active, but you are not using it. You can return anytime by logging back in. This is useful if you think you might want to use TikTok again in the future but want a break now.
What to do if you cannot delete your account
If you are under 18, TikTok may not let you delete your account through the app settings. Instead, you must ask your parent or guardian to request deletion on your behalf. They should contact TikTok support through the app or website and provide proof of guardianship. TikTok will then process the deletion request.
If you cannot access your account because you forgot your password, go to the TikTok login page and tap Forgot password? Enter your email address or phone number, and TikTok will send you a reset link. Once you reset your password and log in, you can follow the deletion steps above. If you no longer have access to the email or phone number linked to your account, contact TikTok support and explain the situation. They can verify your identity and help you regain access so you can delete the account yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my TikTok account if I have a business account?
Yes, the deletion process is the same for business accounts as personal accounts. Go to Settings and privacy, tap Account, and tap Deactivate account. Your business profile, videos, and analytics will all be deleted after 30 days if you do not restore it during the waiting period.
Will deleting my TikTok account delete my account on other platforms?
No. Deleting TikTok only removes your TikTok account. Your Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or other social media accounts remain active. If you linked your TikTok account to other apps for login purposes, those apps may ask you to set a new password after TikTok deletion, but your accounts on those platforms will not be deleted.
What if I delete my account but someone else is using my username?
After 30 days, your username becomes available for anyone to claim. If another user takes your username before you can reclaim it, you cannot get it back. If you think you might want to use TikTok again in the future, consider deactivating instead of permanently deleting, or change your username to something you do not care about before deletion.
Can I read my videos before deleting my account?
Yes. Before you delete, go to each video you want to keep, tap the three dots, and tap Save video. This downloads the video to your phone's camera roll or computer. You can then upload these videos to other platforms if you want to preserve them. TikTok does not offer a bulk read tool, so you must save videos one at a time.
How long does it take for TikTok to completely delete my account?
TikTok begins the deletion process when ready when you tap deactivate, but your data is not fully removed for 30 days. During those 30 days, your account is hidden but recoverable. After 30 days pass, deletion is complete and cannot be undone. The exact timing within that 30-day window varies, but you should assume your account is gone after day 30.