How to Recover a TikTok Account

Written by Jenna Jean Davis | Edited by Travis Boylls

Last Updated: March 19, 2023

This wikiHow article will show you how to recover a TikTok account. If you are unable to log in to your TikTok account, there are a few troubleshooting steps you should try first. If this doesn't resolve the issues, you can escalate things. If you have forgotten your password, you can use TikTok's password reset system to set a new password. If you have deleted your account, you have 30 days to reactivate your account before it is permanently deleted. If you have been banned from TikTok, you can submit an appeal and contact TikTok directly.

Things You Should Know

If you forgot your TikTok password, you can request a reset code via Phone or Email.
After inputting the verification code, you'll be prompted to reset your password.
To recover an account you deleted, you'll need to log in and click "Reactivate".

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Recovering a Forgotten Password

1
Open TikTok. This app icon looks like a white, blue, and red music note on a black background. You can find this on either your home screen, in the apps menu, or by searching.
2
Tap Log in. It's at the bottom of the screen next to "Already have an account?".

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3
Tap Use phone/email/username. This option allows you to log in using either your phone number, email address, or username, and password.
- If your account was created using a social media account such as Facebook, Google, Instagram, or Twitter, you will need to tap the option to log in with that account and log in with that account info. If you don't have the password for that account, you will need to reset your password using that platform.
4
Tap Email/Username. This allows you to log in using either your email address or username and password.
5
Enter your username or email address and tap Forgot password?. This gives you options for resetting your password.
- If you don't have access to the email address or phone number you used to log in to your TikTok account, you can use the feedback form to contact TikTok. You'll need to enter your username and an email address you have access to. It does not need to be the same email that is associated with your TikTok account. Select "General account inquiry" as the topic. Briefly explain that you forgot your password and you do not have access to your email address or phone number and ask for help. Click Submit. You may need to be persistent and submit a new form each day if until they respond. You can access the feedback form at https://www.tiktok.com/legal/report/feedback.^{[1]
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6
Tap Phone or Email. A link to a password reset page will be sent to you. You can select if you want to receive it via email or on your phone via text message.
7
Verify your email or phone number and tap Reset or Send Code. It's the pink button below the bar with your email or phone number.
8
Open the email or text message from TikTok. If you chose to reset your password using your phone, check your text messages. If you chose to reset your password via email, check your email. You should have a message from TikTok.
- If you don't see the email from TikTok, check your junk or spam folder. If you still haven't received it, wait a little bit and check again.
9
Open the email or text message or email and copy the code. You will receive an 6-digit code in your email or text messages. Copy the code or write it down.
10
Enter the code. Go back to TikTok and enter the 6-digit code on the spaces. If the code is correct, you will automatically be asked to reset your password.
11
Enter your new password and tap Log In. The new password my be 8 to 20 characters long and contain both letters, numbers and special characters. Enter your new password on the line and then tap the pink button that says Log In. You will see a message that says the password has been set and you will be instantly logged back into your account.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Recovering an Account You Deleted

1
Open TikTok. This app icon looks like a white, blue, and red music note on a black background. You can find this on either your home screen, in the apps menu, or by searching. If you have deleted your TikTok account, your account will be inactive for 30 days. You can recover your account at any time during this time. After 30 days, your TikTok account will be permanently deleted and you will not be able to recover your account.
2
Tap Log In. It's the option next to "Already have an account?" at the bottom of the screen.
3
Tap Use phone/email/username. This option allows you to log in using either your phone number, email address, or username, and password.
4
Login to your TikTok account. Once you log in to your account, you will be informed that your account has been deactivated. If you cannot log into your account, your account may already be permanently deleted. Use one of the following steps to log in to your account:
- Using a phone number:' Tap the Phone tab at the top. Enter your phone number and tap Send code. Retrieve the code from your text messages and enter it.
- Using an email or username: Tap the Email/Username tab. Enter the email address and password associated with your account and tap Log In.
5
Tap Reactivate. This reactivates your account.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Recovering a Banned Account

1
Submit an appeal. If your account has been banned, you will receive a notification either inside the TikTok app, or via email. To view your notifications inside TikTok, tap the Notifications tab at the bottom. The notification contains the option to appeal the decision. Click or tap the option and then fill out the form. Explain why you think your account should not have been banned or why it was a mistake. TikTok will review your appeal and decide whether or not to reinstate your account.
2
Create a new backup account. Having a backup account allows you to keep in touch with some of your more dedicated followers while your main account is suspended and let them know what is going on. You can also submit feedback to TikTok using your backup account. If TikTok decides not to reinstate your account, you'll have a new account to start over with. It may be frustrating, but that may be your only option.
3
Submit a feedback form to TikTok. You can access the feedback form online at https://www.tiktok.com/legal/report/feedback. Fill out your username and email address. Select "Account ban/suspension" as the topic. Then explain why you feel your account should not be banned. You may need to be persistent and submit more than one form in order to get a response. Don't submit more than one form every 24 hours.
4
Email TikTok directly. In addition to submitting a feedback form, you can also email TikTok directly. Be sure to include your username and explain why you feel your account should not be banned. You will need to be persistent and send multiple emails until you get a response. Send your emails to business-servicesupport@tiktok.com ^{[2]
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5
Ask your followers and other content creators to contact TikTok. This is especially useful if you have a large following. Use your backup account or ask other TikTokers that follow you to put out a call-to-action on their own accounts. Explain that you have been banned and provide instructions on how other users can contact TikTok and ask your account to be reinstated. TikTok is much more likely to respond if lots of users are sending them messages and asking your account to be reinstated.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Troubleshooting

1
Restart your phone or tablet. If you are unable to access your account, there are a few steps TikTok recommends you try first before anything else. The first step is to restart your device. Power your phone or tablet off and then power it back on. Then try to access your account again.
2
Check your internet connection. Check the status bar at the top of your phone. Make sure you have a good Wi-Fi signal. If you are using 4G or 5G, make sure you are getting enough bars. If 4G or 5G isn't working, try connecting to Wi-Fi. If Wi-Fi isn't working, check to see if other apps and devices are having the same problem. If you are experiencing problems with your Wi-Fi service, unplug your router or modem for about 20 seconds and then plug it back in and let it boot up. If the problem continues, contact your internet service provider.
3
Clear your app cache. If you are unable to log in or access your videos, you may need to clear the app cache, use the following steps to clear your app cache:
- Open TikTok.
- Tap Me in the lower-right corner.
- Tap the icon with three dots in the upper-right corner.
- Scroll down and tap Free up space.
- Tap Clear next to "Cache."
- Tap Clear next to "Downloads."
4
Wait and try again. Sometimes there are server issues or routine maintenance that take various servers offline. This can prevent you from access your account or your videos for a time. Wait a few hours and try again later.
5
Contact TikTok. If you are still unable to log in or access your account after several hours, you may need to contact TikTok. You can contact TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/legal/report/feedback. Fill out the form and select "General account inquiry" as the topic. Be sure to include the correct TikTok username and a valid email address. Explain what the issue is and click Submit. You may need to be persistent and submit multiple feedback forms before you get a response.