- What TikTok's calls can and can't do
- How to make a voice call on TikTok
- How to stop someone calling you
- Is it safe to take calls from people you met on TikTok?
- Voice messages are the quieter option
- Who can call you, in plain English
- Troubleshooting a call that won't connect
- Calls versus other ways to talk to a creator
- My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can call on TikTok. Voice calls live inside your direct messages: open a chat with someone you've messaged and who's messaged you back, then tap the Voice call button at the top. You need to be at least 16, and calls aren't available in every country yet.
Plenty of people find out about TikTok calls the slightly alarming way, when their phone rings mid-scroll. So this guide covers both sides: how to make a call, and how to make sure only the right people can call you.
What TikTok's calls can and can't do
| Question | What TikTok says |
|---|---|
| Who can use calls? | People aged 16 and over |
| Who can you call? | People you've messaged in private DMs who have messaged you back |
| Are calls recorded? | TikTok says it doesn't store or record voice calls |
| Is it available everywhere? | No, voice calls aren't available in every country |
| Where's my call history? | In the chat itself, including declined and cancelled calls |
The detail most people miss is that there's no separate 'who can call me' switch. TikTok says the same privacy setting controls both voice calls and private DMs. If you've let everyone message you, you've effectively widened who can reach you by voice too.
How to make a voice call on TikTok
- Open TikTok and tap Inbox at the bottom.
- Open the chat with the person you want to call. It has to be an existing conversation where you've both sent messages.
- Tap the Voice call button at the top of the chat.
- If it's your first call, your phone will ask for microphone access. Allow it, or the call won't connect.
Calls use your phone's internet connection, Wi-Fi or mobile data, so a weak signal shows up as choppy audio rather than a dropped phone line. If the Voice call button isn't there, the most likely reasons are your age setting, your country, or a chat where the other person hasn't replied yet.
How to stop someone calling you
You've got three levels, from gentle to final:
- Mute their calls. In the chat, tap More options (the three dots) at the top and turn on Mute calls. Their calls stop ringing your phone and you won't get a notification when they try.
- Tighten your DM setting. Go to Profile, the menu, Settings and privacy, Privacy, then Direct messages. Fewer people who can message you means fewer people who can call you.
- Block them. Blocking stops messages and calls, and they can't see your videos.
If a call breaks the rules, report the chat. TikTok doesn't keep a recording of the call itself, so describe what happened clearly in your report.
Is it safe to take calls from people you met on TikTok?
A call feels more personal than a comment, and that's exactly why scammers like it. TikTok says that if you're on a call with an account its systems have flagged as suspicious, you may see a notice reminding you to protect your personal information. Treat that notice seriously. My rule is simple: never share your phone number, address, passwords or one-time codes on a call, however friendly the person seems.
For parents, it helps to know calls aren't available to under-16s at all. For an older teen, the DM privacy setting is the main control, and it's worth sitting down together to check it.
Voice messages are the quieter option
If you don't want a live call, a voice message often does the job. Press and hold the record button in a chat to record up to 60 seconds, then let go to send. You can delete a voice message within 3 minutes of sending it, which is handy if you've said something you'd rather take back. For written chats, our guide on deleting TikTok messages covers the rest.
Who can call you, in plain English
Because calls follow your direct message setting, it's worth knowing what each choice in that menu means for your phone ringing:
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- If you allow messages from friends only, only people you follow who follow you back can reach you, and calls follow the same rule.
- If you allow message requests from others, strangers can send a request, but they still can't call until you've chatted both ways.
- If you turn messages off, you can still read your history and reply in existing chats unless you've blocked someone.
So the safest everyday setup for most people is friends only, with requests switched off or filtered. Creators who get collaboration enquiries by DM may prefer to allow requests, and use muting for anyone who calls too often.
Troubleshooting a call that won't connect
| What you see | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| No Voice call button | Age, region or one-sided chat | Check your birthday setting and wait for a reply |
| Call rings but won't connect | Weak internet on one side | Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data |
| No sound | Microphone permission off | Allow TikTok to use the microphone in your phone's settings |
| Calls never ring | Calls muted or notifications off | Check Mute calls in the chat and your notification settings |
If none of that helps, update the app. Calling depends on a recent version, and an old copy of TikTok is a common reason the button simply isn't there.
Calls versus other ways to talk to a creator
If you're a small business reaching out to a creator, a call isn't always the best first step. Most creators prefer a short written message first, so they can check who you are. A sensible order is a polite DM, then a voice message if you need to explain something with tone, and a call only once you've both agreed it's useful. Turning up with an unexpected call feels pushy, even when the idea is good.
My verdict
TikTok calls are useful for creators who already chat with collaborators in DMs and don't want to swap phone numbers. For everyone else, I'd check your direct message setting today, because it quietly decides who can ring you too. And if you'd like a bit more privacy in chats generally, turning off read receipts on TikTok is a sensible next step.
Frequently asked questions
Can you video call on TikTok?
TikTok's Help Center describes voice calls inside private DMs. Features roll out gradually, so check the top of an existing chat in your app to see what's offered to you.
How old do you have to be to call on TikTok?
You must be at least 16 years old to make and receive voice calls on TikTok.
Does TikTok record calls?
TikTok says it doesn't store or record any voice calls that are made.
Why can't I call someone on TikTok?
Calls only work in an existing private chat where you've messaged each other. They also depend on your age, your country and the other person's privacy settings.
