If you’ve found yourself locked out of your TikTok account and are unsure about the recovery process, you’re in the right place. There are common reasons why you might be looking to recover a TikTok account:

• Your account is blocked or suspended.
• You’ve forgotten your password.
• You’ve deleted your account and want it back.

Before giving up on your original account and creating a new one, there are steps you can take to potentially regain access. Let’s explore the options available to recover your TikTok account.

How to Reset Your TikTok Password

If you’ve forgotten your TikTok password and need to recover your account, you must have access to the email address or phone number linked to your account. Here’s a guide on how to reset your password and regain access to your TikTok account using your username, email address, or phone number.

TikTok account recovery with a username or email

If you want to reset your password and recover your TikTok account with a username or email, follow these steps: 

1. Open the TikTok app on your mobile device. 
2. On the ‘Log in to TikTok’ page, select ‘Use phone / email / username’.
3. Choose ‘Email / username’.
4. Enter your email or username associated with the TikTok account. 
5. Click ‘Forgot password?’. 
6. Choose how you would like to reset your password: Phone number or Email. 
7. Enter the verification code sent to your phone or email. 
8. Choose your new password.

TikTok account recovery with a phone number

You can recover your TikTok account by signing in with the phone number associated with your account. 

To recover your TikTok with a phone number follow these steps: 

1. Open the TikTok app on your mobile device. 
2. On the ‘Log in to TikTok’ page, select ‘Use phone / email / username’.
3. Choose ‘Phone’.
4. Enter the phone number associated with your TikTok account. 
5. Click the ‘Send Code’ button. 
6. Enter the 6-digit code sent to your phone. 
7. Once you’re logged in you can change your password.

How to Recover a TikTok Account without an Email or Phone Number

If you’ve lost access to both your phone number and email address linked to your TikTok account, don’t worry – there’s still a way to recover it. You’ll need to report an issue to TikTok support and provide them with the necessary details. 

Here’s how to recover a TikTok account without an email or phone number:

1. Go to the TikTok ‘Report a problem’ page. 
2. Choose the appropriate topic, and provide an email address, your TikTok username, and any additional details. 
3. You can also upload any screenshots or additional media. 
4. Review the declarations, check the box to confirm, and click ‘Submit’.

You may need to wait a few days before receiving a response from TikTok support. Be patient and provide as much information as possible to speed up the process.

How to Recover a Banned TikTok Account

If you find yourself locked out of your TikTok account due to a ban the first thing you’ll see when you try to log in is a notification explaining that your account has been banned. This message will pop up when you open the app, making it clear that your account status has changed.

If you believe the ban was issued in error, you have the option to appeal. 

Here’s how to recover a banned TikTok account:]

1. Open the ban notification when you see it. It should have an ‘Appeal’ button you can tap.
2. Tap ‘Appeal’ to start the appeals process. Follow the instructions carefully as you go through the steps. Be sure to explain your case thoroughly and provide any evidence you have that the ban was unjustified.
3. Once your appeal is submitted, it will be reviewed by TikTok. If they determine the ban was a mistake, your account and content will be restored (as long as you didn’t delete anything in the meantime). Any strikes on your account related to the ban will also be removed.

How to Recover a Suspended TikTok Account – Business Accounts

Business and advertising TikTok accounts may face suspensions for various reasons, such as unapproved website URLs, missing required documents, or invalid business/tax information. If your account falls into this category, you’ll need to take action to get it back up and running.

To reactivate your suspended business or advertising account, you must file an appeal. 

Here’s how you can submit an appeal to recover a suspended TikTok account through the customer support system:

1. Click on the question mark icon located in the top right corner of Ads Manager to reveal a drop-down menu.
2. Select “Advertiser Support” from the options provided.
3. Choose “Account Review” from the menu.
4. Finally, select “Account Suspension Appeal” to begin the process of appealing the suspension of your business or advertising TikTok account.

How to Recover a Deleted TikTok Account

When you delete your TikTok account, you have a 30-day grace period to reverse your decision and recover it. During this month-long window, all you need to do is log back into TikTok using your original login details to restore your account. However, once this 30-day period elapses, your TikTok account is permanently erased and cannot be recovered.

Additional TikTok Recovery Scenarios

If you’re still having trouble accessing your TikTok account, don’t worry—there are several ways to tackle different recovery challenges. Here’s a breakdown of different situations and steps to help you regain control of your account.

Recovering with Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is an essential security feature that adds an extra step to the login process, usually requiring a code sent to your phone or generated by an app like Google Authenticator or Authy. But what happens if you lose access to your 2FA method?

Steps to Recover Your TikTok Account with 2FA Enabled:

1. Use Alternative 2FA Options:
   • If you cannot access your primary 2FA method, check for backup options. TikTok may allow code delivery via email or a backup phone number, so explore these possibilities.
2. Recover Linked Contact Methods:
   • If you’ve lost access to your email or phone number linked to 2FA, start by regaining control of those accounts. Many email providers and mobile carriers offer dedicated recovery processes.
3. Contact TikTok Support:
   • Navigate to TikTok’s Help Center and select the “Report a Problem” option.
   • Provide your TikTok username, an alternative email, and detailed information about your issue.
   • Clearly explain the 2FA method you cannot access and include proof of account ownership, such as screenshots or transaction receipts (if applicable).

Pro Tip: After recovering your account, set up multiple 2FA methods or save backup codes (if TikTok offers them) to prevent future issues.

TikTok Account Recovery with Third-Party Logins

If your TikTok account was created using platforms like Facebook, Google, or Apple ID, the recovery process is slightly different.

1. Log in via the Third-Party Platform:
   • On TikTok’s login page, select ‘Continue with [Platform]’ (e.g., Continue with Google).
   • Enter your credentials for the linked account (e.g., Google email and password).
2. Update Your Account Details:
   • Once logged in, go to Settings and add a recovery email and phone number to your TikTok account.
   • This ensures you can regain access even if you lose access to the third-party service.
3. Recovering a Lost Third-Party Account:
   • If you can’t access the third-party account (e.g., Facebook, Google, or Apple ID), you’ll need to follow that platform’s recovery process before attempting to log in to TikTok again.

Recovering a Hacked TikTok Account

If you suspect unauthorized access to your account, act immediately to secure it:

1. Reset Your Password:
   • Use the ‘Forgot Password?’ option on the login screen.
   • If the hacker changed your password, use the associated email or phone number to initiate the reset process.
2. Review Account Settings:
   • Check for any unauthorized changes to your email, phone number, or linked social media accounts. Update them immediately.
3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication:
   • After regaining access, enable 2FA to add an extra layer of security.
4. Report the Issue to TikTok Support:
   • Use the ‘Report a Problem’ page or email TikTok directly.
   • Provide details about the suspicious activity, such as unfamiliar login attempts, and include screenshots if possible.
   • Be prepared to verify your identity by providing additional information or documentation.

Pro Tip: Monitor your associated email and phone account activity to ensure they haven’t been compromised as well.

Tips for Preventing Future TikTok Account Recovery Issues

Taking a few simple precautions can save you the headache of account recovery later on. Here’s how to keep your TikTok account secure:

1. Use a Strong, Unique Password:
   • Avoid using common phrases, birthdays, or sequences like “123456.”
   • Incorporate a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
   • Add an extra layer of protection by requiring a secondary code to log in.
3. Regularly Update Your Recovery Information:
   • Ensure your email and phone number are current and accessible.
   • Remove outdated contact methods to avoid potential issues.
4. Be Cautious with Third-Party Apps:
   • Avoid granting permissions to unverified apps that request access to your TikTok account.
   • Regularly review the list of apps connected to your TikTok account in the settings.
   • Remember: Metricool will never ask for your social media login information.
5. Watch Out for Phishing Scams:
   • Ignore emails, messages, or links that claim to be from TikTok but look suspicious.
   • Always verify the sender’s email address and never enter your login details on untrusted websites.

By staying proactive and knowing what to do in different scenarios, you can protect your TikTok account and avoid future recovery hassles. Keeping your account secure is easier than dealing with the stress of trying to get it back.

Gretchen Oestreicher , 14 May 2024