How to delete a TikTok account

How to delete a TikTok account
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

People want to know how to delete a TikTok account for many reasons. It could be that you feel you're spending too much time watching short videos on the app. Or you may be concerned about privacy issues and how much data TikTok is gathering about you.

TikTok has become a very popular app over the last few years, thanks to its steady stream of short-form videos that range from cooking demos to cute pet tricks to helpful how-to guides. It's become the place to engage in memes, whether "everything is cake" or various dance challenges.

As an aside, TikTok has just got a big change to improve how it serves up its content for you

If it's time for you to leave TikTok, be aware that all of your videos will be deleted unless you saved them first. Before quitting, you may want to download TikTok videos that you created yourself or that you really love.

But if it's time for you to permanently leave the video-sharing app, here is a step-by-step guide on how to delete your TikTok account.

How to delete a TikTok account on iPhone and Android

1. Open the TikTok app on your iPhone or Android phone, and tap "Me" in the lower right corner.

How to delete a TikTok account: Step 1

(Image credit: TikTok)

2. Tap the three-line menu icon in the upper right corner.

How to delete a TikTok account: Step 2

(Image credit: TikTok)

3. Next, tap "Manage account."

How to delete a TikTok account: Step 3

(Image credit: TikTok)

4. On the following screen, tap "Delete account."

How to delete a TikTok account: Step 4

(Image credit: TikTok)

5. A confirmation screen will appear, with a list of warnings about what will happen if you delete your TikTok account. 

One of the items notes that your account will first be deactivated for 30 days and will not be visible to the public. After 30 days, your TikTok account will be deleted permanently

If you are sure you want to delete your TikTok account, tap "Continue."

How to delete a TikTok account: Step 5

(Image credit: TikTok)

6. Before you proceed with the deletion, you may be asked to verify your TikTok account. Log in with your account credentials.

How to delete a TikTok account: Step 6

(Image credit: TikTok)

7. A confirmation screen will now appear. Tap "Delete account."

How to delete a TikTok account: Step 7

(Image credit: TikTok)

8. You'll now see yet another confirmation pop-up! If you are sure about deleting your TikTok account, (as we assume you are, if you've got this far) tap "Delete."

How to delete a TikTok account: Step 8

(Image credit: TikTok)

And there you have it: You have successfully deleted your TikTok account! However, if you change your mind within 30 days, you can reactivate it. Log back into your account and choose "Reactivate."

Without TikTok, you're free to do whatever you want with all the time you previously spent watching (and perhaps creating) short-form videos. The world is your oyster.

Kelly Woo
Streaming Editor

Kelly is the streaming channel editor for Tom’s Guide, so basically, she watches TV for a living. Previously, she was a freelance entertainment writer for Yahoo, Vulture, TV Guide and other outlets. When she’s not watching TV and movies for work, she’s watching them for fun, seeing live music, writing songs, knitting and gardening.