Need to update your TikTok profile? Maybe you picked a username when you were 15 and it is embarrassing now. Maybe your birthday is wrong. Or maybe you are done with TikTok entirely and want to delete your account.
This guide covers the three most common TikTok account changes. Everything is explained step by step, so you can do it in under two minutes.
Quick answer: To change your TikTok username, go to your profile, tap "Edit profile," and change the username field. You can only change it once every 30 days. To change your age, you need to contact TikTok support. To delete your account, go to Settings > Manage Account > Delete Account.
How to Change Username on TikTok
Want to know how to change username on TikTok? It is really simple:
1. Open TikTok
2. Tap "Profile" in the bottom right
3. Tap "Edit profile"
4. Tap the "Username" field
5. Delete your old username and type a new one
6. Tap "Save"
That is it. Your new username is live immediately.
TikTok Username Rules You Should Know
Before you change your TikTok username, here are the rules:
- 30-day cooldown: You can only change your username once every 30 days. Pick carefully.
- Character limits: Usernames must be between 2 and 24 characters long.
- Allowed characters: Letters, numbers, underscores, and periods only. No spaces, no special characters.
- Availability: If someone else already has the username you want, you cannot use it. Try adding numbers or underscores to make it unique.
- Old username becomes available: When you change your username, your old one becomes available for anyone else to take. So if you want it back later, act fast.
A good TikTok username is short, easy to remember, and easy to spell. Avoid long strings of numbers or random characters. If you are building a personal brand on TikTok, your username is the first thing people see.
Username vs. Display Name — What Is the Difference?
TikTok has two name fields that confuse a lot of people:
Username (starts with @): This is your unique handle. It shows in your profile URL (tiktok.com/@username). You can only change it every 30 days.
Display name: This is the name that appears at the top of your profile. You can change this anytime without the 30-day limit. It can include spaces and special characters.
Most people care about changing their username since that is what others use to find and tag them.
How to Change Age on TikTok
This is the tricky one. How to change age on TikTok is not as simple as editing your profile. TikTok does not let you change your birthday directly in the app settings.
Here is what you need to do:
1. Open TikTok
2. Go to your profile
3. Tap the three lines in the top right corner
4. Tap "Settings and Privacy"
5. Tap "Report a Problem"
6. Search for "age" or "birthday"
7. Select the option related to updating your birthday
8. Fill out the form explaining that your birthday is wrong
9. You may need to provide a photo ID to verify your real age
TikTok is strict about this because of child safety laws. They need to make sure users under 13 do not have accounts, and they limit features for users under 18. So if you entered a wrong birthday, especially one that makes you appear younger than you are, TikTok wants to verify your real age.
Why Would You Need to Change Your Age on TikTok?
There are a few common reasons people want to know how to change your age on TikTok:
- You entered the wrong birthday by accident: Maybe you were in a hurry when signing up and typed the wrong year.
- You used a fake birthday: Some people use a fake birth date when creating accounts. Later they want to fix it.
- You are locked out of features: If TikTok thinks you are under 16, you cannot go live, send direct messages, or use some other features. Fixing your age unlocks these.
- You turned 18: Some features are only available to adults. If your birthday has passed but TikTok has not updated, you might need to contact support.
Be patient with this process. It usually takes 3-5 business days for TikTok to review your request and update your age. Sometimes it takes longer. Managing your digital accounts can be a hassle — for financial accounts specifically, Otto makes it much easier to keep everything in one place.
How to Delete a TikTok Account
Want to leave TikTok for good? Here is how to delete a TikTok account:
1. Open TikTok
2. Go to your profile
3. Tap the three lines in the top right corner
4. Tap "Settings and Privacy"
5. Tap "Manage Account"
6. Tap "Delete Account"
7. TikTok will show you what happens when you delete
8. Tap "Continue"
9. Verify your identity (usually through a code sent to your phone or email)
10. Confirm the deletion
What Happens When You Delete Your TikTok Account?
Once you start the deletion process:
- Your account is deactivated for 30 days. During this time, nobody can see your profile or videos.
- If you log back in within 30 days, your account is restored. Everything comes back exactly as it was.
- After 30 days, the deletion is permanent. Your videos, followers, likes, and messages are all gone forever.
- Any TikTok coins you have are lost. There are no refunds.
- Your username becomes available for someone else to claim.
Before You Delete — Things to Consider
- Download your data first: Go to Settings > Privacy > Download your data. TikTok will create a file with your videos, messages, and other data. This takes a few days to prepare.
- Save your videos: If you have videos you want to keep, save them to your phone first. Once your account is deleted, they are gone.
- Tell your followers: If you have built a following, consider posting a final video or message letting people know where to find you.
- Consider deactivating instead: If you just need a break, you can temporarily deactivate rather than permanently delete. This hides your account but keeps everything intact.
How to Make Your TikTok Account Private
Not ready to delete but want more privacy? Here is how to make your account private:
1. Go to your profile
2. Tap the three lines
3. Tap "Settings and Privacy"
4. Tap "Privacy"
5. Toggle on "Private Account"
When your account is private, only people you approve as followers can see your videos. Your existing followers stay, but new people need to send a follow request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my TikTok username more than once?
Yes, but you have to wait 30 days between changes. If you just changed your username, you need to wait 30 days before changing it again.
Will changing my username affect my followers?
No. Your followers stay the same when you change your username. But people who saved your old username might have trouble finding you. Your videos, likes, and comments all stay intact.
Can I recover a deleted TikTok account after 30 days?
No. Once the 30-day deactivation period ends, deletion is permanent. TikTok cannot recover your account after this point. Make sure you really want to delete before confirming.
Do I need an ID to change my age on TikTok?
Sometimes. TikTok may ask for a government-issued photo ID to verify your real birthday. This is for safety and legal compliance. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian might need to help with the verification.
Whether you are updating your username, fixing your age, or deleting your account completely, now you know exactly how. TikTok makes some of these changes easier than others, but they are all doable. For tips on managing your digital presence and finances as a creator, check out resources on the Otto blog.
How to Switch to a TikTok Business Account
While we are talking about account settings, a lot of people also want to know about switching to a business account. Here is a quick overview:
A TikTok Business account gives you access to analytics, a business suite for ads, and the ability to add a website link and email to your profile. It is free to switch.
1. Go to your profile
2. Tap the three lines
3. Tap "Settings and Privacy"
4. Tap "Manage Account"
5. Tap "Switch to Business Account"
6. Choose a category that fits your business
7. Complete the setup
The downside of a business account is that you lose access to some commercial sounds in your videos. Many creators stay on personal accounts and switch to "Creator" accounts instead, which give analytics without the sound restrictions.
How to Secure Your TikTok Account
Since we are talking about account settings, let us also cover security. Your TikTok account contains personal information and possibly financial data if you use TikTok Shop or receive gifts. Here is how to lock it down:
- Enable two-factor authentication: Go to Settings > Security > 2-step verification. Turn it on using both your phone number and email. This means nobody can log in without a code sent to your phone.
- Use a strong password: Do not use the same password you use on other sites. Make it unique and at least 12 characters long with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Check your login devices: Go to Settings > Security > Manage devices. This shows everywhere you are logged in. Remove any devices you do not recognize.
- Be careful with third-party apps: Do not give your TikTok login to any third-party app or service that promises followers, likes, or free coins. These are almost always scams that steal your account.
- Update your email and phone: Make sure the email and phone number linked to your account are current. If you lose access to these, recovering your account becomes very difficult.
Account security is just like financial security — a few minutes of setup now saves you huge headaches later. Speaking of financial security, if you are a creator earning income from TikTok, keeping your finances organized from the start is crucial.
TikTok Account Settings You Probably Did Not Know About
There are some hidden settings that most TikTok users never find. Here are a few useful ones:
- Data saver mode: Settings > Cache and cellular data > Data saver. This reduces video quality on mobile data to save your data plan.
- Screen time management: Settings > Screen time. You can set a daily time limit for TikTok. When you hit the limit, the app reminds you to take a break.
- Restricted mode: Settings > Content preferences > Restricted mode. This filters out content that may not be appropriate for all audiences. Useful if kids use your device.
- Download your data: Settings > Privacy > Download your data. TikTok creates a file with all your data including videos, messages, profile info, and activity history. Good to do periodically.
- Ad personalization: Settings > Privacy > Ads personalization. You can turn off personalized ads if you do not want TikTok using your data for targeted advertising.
