Where TikTok stores your birth date

Your age on TikTok is calculated from the birth date you entered when you created your account. TikTok does not display your age as a number anywhere on the app — instead, it uses your birth date to determine whether you can access certain features, see specific content, or use parental controls.

To see the birth date TikTok has on file for you, go to your profile, tap the three-line menu in the top right, select Settings and privacy, then tap Account. Your birth date appears under Date of birth. This is the date TikTok uses to calculate your age for all its rules and restrictions.

If the date shown is wrong, you can change it from the same screen. TikTok allows you to update your birth date once every 30 days, though some accounts may have different limits depending on your region or account type.

Key Takeaways

  • Your birth date is stored in your account settings under Settings and privacy > Account > Date of birth.
  • TikTok uses your birth date to control which features you can use and what content recommendations you receive.
  • You can change your birth date once every 30 days if the information is incorrect.
  • If you are under 13, TikTok restricts direct messaging, commenting, and some other features regardless of what you enter.

Why TikTok asks for your birth date

TikTok collects your birth date for two main reasons: to follow laws about children's privacy and to control access to age-restricted features. In the United States and most other countries, platforms must treat users under 13 differently than older users — they cannot collect as much data, cannot show targeted ads, and must limit certain interactions.

Your birth date also determines whether you can use features like direct messaging, go live, or create content that TikTok marks as mature. Users under 18 see different settings for these features than users 18 and older. TikTok does not verify your birth date against government records, so the accuracy depends entirely on what you entered when you signed up.

What happens if you entered the wrong birth date

If you put in an incorrect birth date when you created your account, you may not have access to features you should have, or you may have access to features that should be restricted. For example, if you entered a date that makes you appear older than you actually are, you might see content or features meant for older users.

To fix this, open Settings and privacy > Account > Date of birth and enter the correct date. If you have already changed your birth date recently, you may need to wait until the 30-day window passes before you can change it again. If you cannot change it yourself, you can contact TikTok support through the app by going to Settings and privacy > Help > Report a problem.

How age restrictions work on TikTok

TikTok uses your birth date to automatically restrict or enable features based on your age. Users under 13 cannot use direct messages, cannot go live, and see a limited version of the For You page. Users 13 to 17 can use most features but see different default privacy settings — their accounts are private by default, and they cannot receive messages from strangers.

Users 18 and older have access to all features and can set their accounts to public. TikTok also uses your age to decide what content appears in your recommendations. If you are under 18, TikTok filters out some mature content even if creators upload it. These restrictions are based on your birth date alone — TikTok does not ask for ID or verify your age through any other method.

Changing your birth date on different devices

The process is the same whether you use TikTok on iPhone, Android, or a computer, but the exact menu names may shift slightly depending on your app version. On mobile, tap your profile icon at the bottom right, then the three-line menu, then Settings and privacy > Account. On a computer, click your profile icon in the top right, then Settings and privacy > Account.

Once you are in the Account section, look for Date of birth and tap or click it to edit. You will see a date picker where you can set the month, day, and year. After you save the change, TikTok will explore the new age restrictions when ready. If you have changed your birth date within the last 30 days, the app will tell you when you can change it again.

What to do if you cannot change your birth date

If the date picker is greyed out or you see a message saying you cannot change your birth date, you have likely hit the 30-day limit. TikTok enforces this limit to prevent people from rapidly switching between age groups to bypass restrictions. You will need to wait until 30 days have passed since your last change before you can update it again.

If you see an error message or the option does not appear at all, your account may have a restriction in place. This can happen if TikTok detected unusual activity or if your account is new. Try logging out and back in, or uninstall and reinstall the app. If the problem persists, go to Settings and privacy > Help > Report a problem and describe what you see. TikTok support can tell you whether there is a hold on your account and when it will be lifted.

How your age affects what you see on TikTok

Your birth date controls not just which features you can use, but also what content TikTok shows you. The algorithm takes your age into account when building your For You page. If you are under 18, TikTok filters out videos tagged as mature or containing certain keywords, even if millions of people are watching them.

This filtering is not perfect — some mature content still appears to younger users, and some age-appropriate content may be hidden. If you notice content that seems wrong for your age group, you can report it by tapping the three dots on the video and selecting Not interested or Report video. Over time, TikTok learns from your reports and adjusts what it shows you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my age as a number on TikTok?

No. TikTok stores your birth date but does not display your age as a number anywhere in the app. Only you can see your birth date by going to Settings and privacy > Account > Date of birth. Other users cannot see your age or birth date unless you choose to share it in your bio or videos.

What happens if I change my birth date to be older?

If you change your birth date to make yourself appear older, you will when ready gain access to features that were previously restricted, like direct messaging or going live. However, TikTok may flag accounts that change their birth date frequently or by large amounts, so avoid changing it multiple times in a short period.

Does TikTok verify your birth date with ID?

No. TikTok does not ask for government ID or verify your birth date through any external system. It relies entirely on what you enter when you sign up. This means anyone can enter any birth date, which is why TikTok's age restrictions are not foolproof.

Can my parents see my birth date on TikTok?

If you are under 18 and your parent has set up Family Pairing, they can see some account information through their own TikTok app, but the exact details they can view depend on your settings. Go to Settings and privacy > Family > Family Pairing to see what information is shared with your parent's account.

What if I do not remember my birth date?

If you cannot remember the birth date you entered, you can see it in your account settings. Go to Settings and privacy > Account > Date of birth. If you need to change it and cannot remember the correct date, enter your best estimate and you can update it again after 30 days if needed.