To recover a TikTok account you can't get into, open the TikTok app, tap Forgot password? on the login screen, then tap Recover account and follow the steps to verify your identity. TikTok may ask for your registered email, phone number or previous passwords, and its Support team reviews the request. If you can still log in, change your password and remove any devices you don't recognise straight away.
Losing access to an account you've spent time building is horrible, especially if it's tied to your business. The good news is that TikTok has a defined recovery route, and most people get stuck only because they try the wrong door first. Here's how to work out which situation you're in and what to do about it.
First, work out which problem you've got
Recovery looks different depending on why you can't get in. This table points you to the right fix:
| What's happening | What to do |
|---|---|
| You've forgotten your password | Use Forgot password? on the login screen and reset by phone number or email |
| You signed up with another app (such as Google or Apple) | Reset the password on that platform, not on TikTok |
| You see an 'unrecognised device' error | Reset from a device you've logged in on before, or use Recover account |
| Someone has changed your details | Treat it as a hacked account and use Recover account |
| You deactivated the account yourself | Log in with your old details and tap Reactivate |
| TikTok suspended the account | Submit an appeal and include your username with the @ handle |
Signs your TikTok account has been hacked
TikTok's help page lists four signs that someone else has been in your account:
- Your account password or phone number has been changed.
- Your username or nickname has been changed.
- Your videos have been deleted, or posted without your permission.
- Messages you didn't write were sent from your account.
If you spot even one of these, act now rather than waiting to see if it happens again. Each hour gives the other person more time to change things you'll then have to put back.
How to recover a TikTok account you're locked out of
If you can't log in at all, this is the route TikTok gives in its password help:
- Open the TikTok app on your phone.
- On the login screen, tap Forgot password?
- Tap Recover account.
- Follow the steps to verify your identity. You may be asked for account details such as your registered email, phone number or previous passwords.
- Wait for TikTok's Support team to review your request and get back to you.
Give them as much accurate detail as you can. An old password you used on the account, the email you first signed up with, or the phone number that used to be linked are all the kind of things that help prove it's yours.
Locked out after a hack? See TikTok scams to stay safe in future.
Why TikTok blocks some password resets
A lot of people hit an 'unrecognised device' message and assume they've been locked out for good. They haven't. TikTok says this is a security feature. It shows up when you have 2-step verification turned on and you try to reset your password from a new device you haven't used to log in to TikTok before. It stops someone resetting your password even if they've got into your email or phone number.
The fix is to use a phone or computer you've logged in on before. If you don't have any of those any more, that's exactly when the Recover account request above is the right tool.
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Taking a break instead? Learn how to deactivate a TikTok account.
Lock the account down once you're back in
Getting back in is only half the job. TikTok's hacked-account page recommends three steps, all from Profile, then the Menu button, then Settings and privacy:
| Step | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| Reset your password | Account, then Password |
| Link your phone number | Account, then Account Information, then Phone number |
| Remove suspicious devices | Security and permissions, then Manage devices |
Changing the password does something useful on its own: TikTok says that once you update it, you're logged out on all other devices, so anyone else who was logged in loses access and would need your new password. My guide to changing your TikTok password has the full steps for the app and the web. If you'd rather not rely on a password at all, a TikTok passkey is worth setting up too.
If you run a business account
When a brand account gets taken over, the damage spreads quickly: odd posts, strange messages to customers, and a bio link that might point somewhere nasty. Once you've recovered it, go through your recent posts and messages and delete anything you didn't send. Then tell your audience plainly, on your other channels, that the account was compromised and is back under your control. It's the same playbook I'd use for any platform, and I've covered the Instagram version in getting your Instagram account back after a hack.
Frequently asked questions
How do I recover my TikTok account?
On the TikTok login screen, tap Forgot password?, then Recover account, and follow the steps to verify your identity. TikTok may ask for your registered email, phone number or previous passwords, and its Support team will review the request.
How do I know if my TikTok account was hacked?
TikTok lists four signs: your password or phone number changed, your username or nickname changed, videos deleted or posted without permission, or messages sent that you didn't write.
Why does TikTok say unrecognised device when I reset my password?
It appears when 2-step verification is on and you're resetting from a device you haven't logged in on before. Use a device you've used before, or submit a Recover account request.
Can I get a suspended TikTok account back?
TikTok says that if you think a suspension was a mistake, you can submit an appeal and include your username with the @ handle.
