How to Delete a TikTok Video (Or Make It Private Instead)

Everyone posts something they later wish they hadn't. Maybe the lighting's awful, an offer shown on screen has ended, a product has changed, or the video simply doesn't fit the account any more. The good news is that removing a single TikTok video takes a few taps. The less good news is that deleting is final, so it's worth knowing the gentler options before you commit.

This guide follows TikTok's own support pages on editing, posting and deleting videos. TikTok changes its menus between app versions, so labels on your phone may differ a little. I'll point out the places where that matters. If you ever want to remove everything rather than one video, my guide to deleting your TikTok account explains the bigger step.

How to delete a TikTok video from your profile

These are the steps for a video you've posted yourself:

1. Open TikTok and tap Profile at the bottom right.
2. Tap the video you'd like to remove so that it plays full screen.
3. Tap the three dots on the right-hand side of the video.
4. Scroll through the options and tap Delete.
5. Confirm when TikTok asks if you're sure.

If you can't find the three dots straight away, look for a menu or More icon on the video, or for a Privacy settings option. The exact position moves between versions of the app. You can only delete your own videos. The three dots on someone else's video give you report and share options instead.

Save a copy before you delete a TikTok video

Once you delete a TikTok video, TikTok doesn't offer a way to bring it back. If there's any chance you'll want it again, save a copy first:

• Open the video and tap the three dots, then look for Save video, if you've left downloads switched on for that post.
• Keep the original file on your phone or computer from when you first made it.
• Check your drafts and your camera roll, since the original clip is often still there.
• For a business account, keep a folder of final edits so you can re-post later.

The raw footage matters more than the posted version, because you can always re-edit it. If you edit your videos in another app, my comparison of video editing apps for Reels and TikTok may be handy.

Delete or make private: choosing how to hide a TikTok video

Deleting isn't the only way to get a video out of sight. TikTok lets you change who can watch each video, which is gentler if you might want it back.

1. Open the video from your profile.
2. Tap the three dots and open Privacy settings.
3. Choose who can watch it, such as everyone, friends or only you.

Menus vary by app version, but the idea is the same: set the audience to Only me and the video stays in your account without anyone else seeing it. Here's how the two options compare:

Option	What happens	Can you undo it?
Delete	The video is removed from your account	No, so save a copy first
Make private	Only you can watch it	Yes, change the audience later
Edit details	Change caption, cover or settings	Yes, as long as the video's live

Deleting a TikTok video and what happens to its comments and views

When you delete a video, its comments, likes and views go with it. That's worth thinking about before you act, especially on a post that's been doing well.

• Anyone who saved or liked the video will lose access to it.
• Links you've shared elsewhere, such as in a newsletter or on another platform, will stop working.
• Reposts of the video by other people no longer have anything to point to.
• Any stats you were tracking for that video are gone too, so note down anything you want to keep first.

If you're deleting because a video isn't performing, pause first. Sometimes the cause is something else, such as slow uploads or stalled views. Two of my guides look at those: why TikTok videos take so long to upload and why TikTok views stall early. A weak video usually does little harm sitting in your account.

When you can't delete a TikTok video

If the delete option won't appear or won't work, go through these checks:

• Are you logged in to the right account? Business owners often run several. Check the username on your profile.
• Is the video yours? You can delete only videos you've posted.
• Is the app up to date? Update TikTok and restart it.
• Is the video still uploading? Wait for the upload to finish, or cancel it.
• Is it a draft? Drafts are managed in the Drafts folder on your profile rather than from the three dots on a live video.
• Does the video look stuck? Try a different connection, log out and log in again, then try once more.

If the video breaks TikTok's rules and was removed by TikTok rather than by you, it's a different process. Check your account notifications for the reason.

Deleting TikTok videos in bulk

If you're tidying a whole account, the in-app steps work one video at a time, so plan on going through them individually. It helps to plan the clean-up:

1. Scroll through your profile and list the videos you no longer want.
2. Decide which ones to delete and which to make private.
3. Save any you might need later.
4. Delete them one at a time, checking the confirmation each time.

Be wary of third-party apps that claim to bulk-delete for you. They usually ask for your login, and handing that over puts your account at risk. If your reason for a clean-up is to freshen up your account, my breakdown of the TikTok One Minute Growth Programme may give you ideas for what to post instead.

Before you delete anything that includes someone else, such as a screen capture or a duet, think about how they'll feel. My article on whether TikTok tells people when you screenshot their video is a useful reminder of how visible activity can be.

For the rest of the series, see the TikTok Help: 19 Guides to Views, Pay, Freezing Fixes, Followers and TikTok Shop.

Frequently asked questions

How do I delete a TikTok video I posted?

Open your profile, tap the video, tap the three dots, choose Delete and confirm. Menus vary by app version, so look for the closest label if yours differs.

Can I get a deleted TikTok video back?

TikTok doesn't offer a way to undo a deletion, so save a copy first. If you only want it out of sight for now, make the video private instead.

Is it better to delete or make a TikTok video private?

Making it private keeps the video in your account for you alone and can be changed later. Deleting removes it and its comments for good.

Why can't I delete my TikTok video?

Check you're on the right account, that the app is up to date and that the upload has finished. Drafts are removed from the Drafts folder instead.

Does deleting a TikTok video delete its comments?

Yes. The comments, likes and views on that video go when it does.