TikTok is engaging, entertaining, and quite addictive at times. And when you want to take a break from TikTok, simply deleting the app from your phone doesn’t solve things. You might want to deactivate or delete your account to break the habit. Before you head to remove your TikTok account, consider the consequences when you deactivate or delete your TikTok account.
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Consequences When You Deactivate a TikTok Account
Taking breaks is fine. If you want to break a habit, you might want to deactivate your TikTok temporarily. You can always reactivate it later. Here’s what happens when you deactivate TikTok:
- While you don’t have access to your TikTok account, your data continues to stay on TikTok’s servers. You can recover your messages and uploaded videos when you reactivate the account.
- TikTok doesn’t delete any conversations or direct messages, either. That said, your messages remain visible to recipients.
- Duets or Stitches in your videos remain visible to others.
- Other TikTok users can’t find you on the platform. No one can’t search your profile and see your content.
What Happens When You Delete a TikTok Account
If you don’t believe in temporary measures, then you can delete a TikTok account. However, that permanently removes your profile, account details, and content from TikTok. The good thing is that you can cancel the deletion request by reactivating your account within 30 days.
Before you delete your TikTok account, download your data, including videos and messages offline. Direct messages may remain visible to others. TikTok also removes your drafts, and you won’t be eligible for refunds for any item you have purchased or received.
So before you delete your TikTok account, use the steps below to take out your data:
1. Open the TikTok app on your phone and tap the Profile icon in the bottom-right corner.
2. Tap the hamburger menu at the top-right corner and select Settings and privacy.
3. Tap Account. Select Download your data.
4. Select the data type to download. It includes account info, settings, posts, likes, comments, favorites, watch history, and direct messages. Select the file format. You can export your data in TXT (easy-to-read) or JSON (compatible with other services) file format.
5. Select Request data. It may take a while and TikTok will make your available in the Download data section.
How to Delete or Deactivate a TikTok Account
After you know the differences between deleting and deactivating your TikTok account, the choice is easy. Of course, we’d recommend you taking out your data from TikTok. Here are the steps to delete or deactivate your account.
TikTok for Mobile
1. Open TikTok on your Android or iPhone and tap the Profile icon in the bottom-right corner.
2. Tap the hamburger menu in the top-right corner and select Settings and privacy.
3. Select Account.
4. Tap Deactivate or delete account.
5. Select a relevant option and confirm it from the following menu. When you delete an account, TikTok asks for a reason for leaving the platform.
TikTok for Web
You can also delete your TikTok account from a web browser. Note that you can’t deactivate your account from the web version. Here’s what you need to do.
1. Open TikTok website in a web browser and sign in with your account details.
2. Select your account picture in the top-right corner and choose Settings from the menu.
3. Click on Download Your Data under Data section from the right pane to get a copy of your data. After you download it, click Delete Account under Account Countrol section and select Continue.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to remove your TikTok account permanently.
Why Should You Delete or Deactivate TikTok Account
While it’s your choice, consider these reasons to delete or deactivate your TikTok account.
- You are tired of the irrelevant and spam-like content.
- You want to deactivate your account for privacy reasons. The company is under investigation in many regions because the major TikTok servers are located in China.
- You want to take a temporary break to trim screen time and spend quality time with friends and family members.
- You may delete or deactivate your TikTok account due to data safety concerns.
Why Can’t I Delete My TikTok Account
Sometimes, you may have trouble deleting your TikTok account. One of the reasons for this can be an incomplete profile on the platform. You need to add a phone number and email address to your TikTok profile and try again.
How to Reactivate a TikTok Account
Reactivating a TikTok account is as easy as signing in. Launch TikTok app on your phone and log in with your account details to activate your account. If you have deleted the account, you have 30 days to reverse the changes. After that, TikTok permanently deletes all the data.
Take a Break From Vertical Scrolling
Social media addiction is real. Vertical videos on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat are especially popular among teenagers. Spending abnormal hours on TikTok can be counterproductive and affect your work hours. You may deactivate your TikTok account and stay away from social media for a few weeks.
