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TikTok Account Deletion

Leave TikTok on your terms

easy
3 minutes
Verified 11/8/2025
Updated 11/8/2025

Written & Verified By

Delete.Directory Content Team

Our team of privacy advocates and former social media employees verify every deletion process through hands-on testing.

This guide helps you permanently delete your TikTok account. We believe in digital autonomy: your right to leave any platform should be as easy as joining it. Follow these verified steps to ensure complete account deletion.

How We Verified This Guide

Methodology: Hands-on testing with live accounts

Quick Information

Time Required

3 minutes

Difficulty

easy

Steps

5 steps

Official Resources

TikTok Support - Deleting Your Account

Official deletion guide from TikTok

Additional Resources

[1]
Download Your TikTok Data

Official guide for downloading your complete TikTok data before deletion

[2]
TikTok Privacy Policy

Understanding how TikTok collects and handles your data

[3]
Manage Your TikTok Account

Learn about privacy settings and account management options

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Open TikTok App Settings

Open the TikTok app on your mobile device and tap on 'Profile' at the bottom right. Then tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) at the top right corner and select 'Settings and privacy'.

Tips

  • Account deletion can only be done through the mobile app, not the website
  • Make sure you're logged into the correct account
2

Access Account Controls

In Settings, scroll down and tap on 'Account'. Then scroll to the bottom and tap 'Delete account'.

Tips

  • The deletion option is at the very bottom of the Account section
  • Consider downloading your data first if you want to keep your videos
3

Review Deletion Information

TikTok will show you important information about what happens when you delete your account, including the 30-day waiting period and what data will be removed. Read through this information carefully and tap 'Continue' when ready.

Warnings

  • You have 30 days to change your mind before deletion is permanent
  • All your videos, likes, comments, and followers will be deleted
4

Verify Your Identity

TikTok may ask you to verify your identity through a verification code sent to your email or phone number. Enter the code to prove it's really you requesting the deletion.

Tips

  • Check your spam folder if you don't receive the verification code
  • The code typically expires after 10 minutes
5

Confirm Account Deletion

After verification, tap 'Delete account' to confirm. Your account will be immediately deactivated and scheduled for permanent deletion. You have 30 days to log back in if you change your mind.

Warnings

  • After 30 days, deletion is permanent and cannot be undone
  • You won't be able to create a new account with the same username

Important Warnings

Alternatives to Consider

Make Your Account Private

easy

Switch your account to private mode so only approved followers can see your content. This gives you privacy and control while keeping your account and videos intact.

Pros

  • Fully reversible at any time
  • Keep all your videos, followers, and likes
  • Control who can see your content
  • New followers must request approval
  • Your videos won't appear in For You pages of non-followers

Cons

  • Your data continues to be stored on TikTok's servers
  • Your profile is still publicly visible with follower count
  • Existing followers can still see all your content
  • Limits your reach and potential for viral content
2 min

Download Your TikTok Data

easy

Request a complete download of all your TikTok data including videos, user data, comments, and activity history. This process takes 2-4 days to complete.

Pros

  • Keep a personal backup of all your videos and content
  • See all the data TikTok has collected about you
  • Includes watch history and app activity data
  • Free service provided by TikTok
  • Can download in JSON or TXT format

Cons

  • Takes 2-4 days to process and receive download link
  • File size can be very large depending on content
  • Requires separate request before deletion
  • Download link expires after 4 days
5 min

Take a Break With Screen Time Management

easy

Use TikTok's built-in screen time management and restricted mode features to limit your usage without deleting your account completely.

Pros

  • Maintain your account and content library
  • Set daily time limits and reminders
  • Filter potentially inappropriate content
  • Easier to return when you want to

Cons

  • Requires self-discipline to not override limits
  • Your data still collected by TikTok
  • Doesn't address privacy concerns
  • Temptation to use app may remain high
5 min

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but only within 30 days after requesting deletion. Simply log back into your account during this grace period using your original credentials, and TikTok will cancel the deletion and restore your account with all content intact. After 30 days, deletion is permanent and your account cannot be recovered.

References & Citations

  1. [1]
    Download Your TikTok Data

    Official guide for downloading your complete TikTok data before deletion

    https://support.tiktok.com/en/account-and-privacy/personalized-ads-and-data/requesting-your-data

  2. [2]
    TikTok Privacy Policy

    Understanding how TikTok collects and handles your data

    https://www.tiktok.com/legal/privacy-policy

  3. [3]
    Manage Your TikTok Account

    Learn about privacy settings and account management options

    https://support.tiktok.com/en/account-and-privacy/account-privacy-settings

All citations verified as of 11/8/2025. We regularly review and update all external links to ensure accuracy.

Found incorrect information?

We strive for accuracy. If something's outdated or wrong, let us know.

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Critical Warnings

  • 30-Day Deactivation Period Before Permanent Deletion

    When you delete your TikTok account, it's immediately deactivated but not permanently deleted right ...

  • All Videos and Content Permanently Lost

    Once permanently deleted, all your TikTok videos, drafts, likes, comments, followers, following list...

  • Cannot Reuse Username or Phone Number Immediately

    After deletion, your username becomes unavailable and cannot be used by you or anyone else for a sig...

Last Updated

November 8, 2025

Tags

social-media
tiktok
account-deletion
privacy
data-download
bytedance
short-form-video
creator-fund