Like many other social media platforms, TikTok asks for details like your phone number and email if you choose to set up an account. While TikTok claims to keeps this information private, you might want to enhance your privacy by unlinking or changing your phone number at some point. So, how do you make changes to the phone number on your TikTok account?
To remove your TikTok phone number, open your profile and go to “Settings and privacy.” Choose “Manage Account,” then tap “Phone Number.” Tap “Unlink Phone,” confirm your choice, and enter the verification code sent to your mobile. To change the number instead, tap the “Change phone” option.
Removing your phone number from an account is essential if you want to create a new TikTok account, since you can only link one number to one account at a time. It’s also helpful if you want to reduce the risk of your personal information being sold to third parties. Let’s take a closer look at the process so that you can get started.
How to Unlink a Phone Number From TikTok
If desired, you can permanently unlink the phone number associated with your TikTok account. Here’s how to do it:
- Launch TikTok and tap the “Profile” icon at the bottom.
- Tap the “Menu” button and head to “Settings and privacy.”
- Select “Manage account,” then choose “Phone number.”
- Tap on the “Unlink phone” option and confirm by tapping “Continue to unlink.”
- Enter the verification code sent to your phone to finish the process.
If you don’t currently have access to the number you wish to unlink, the verification code TikTok sends won’t be of much help, of course. In that case, follow these steps to unlink the number:
- Launch the TikTok app.
- Tap the “Me” tab on the lower right corner of the screen to open “Settings.”
- Tap the three dots in the top-right corner for more options.
- Navigate to the option “Report a problem.”
- Choose “Account and Profile” under the “Select a Topic” option.
- Select “Phone Number/Email.”
- Choose the option “I want to change the associated phone number.”
- Tap “No” when asked if your problem is resolved.
- Choose “Still have a problem.”
- Since you don’t have access to the current registered number, you can only write to TikTok for dedicated assistance.
You may be asked to verify your ownership by answering questions about your:
- Username
- Recent login location
- Registered device
- Sign-up date
- Bound/old phone number
Then, you’ll need to wait for the response of the Support Team once you’ve provided all the information.
While you can remove a mobile phone number from your TikTok account at any time, TikTok strongly recommends you only do that once you’ve provided an alternative login method.
Adding an email to your account will help you gain access if you lose your phone number. It’s also a good way of strengthening your account security with 2-step verification.
How to Change the Phone Number on Your TikTok Account
To change the phone number linked to your TikTok account, follow these simple steps:
- Launch TikTok and tap the “Profile” icon at the bottom.
- Tap the “Menu” button and head to “Settings and privacy.”
- Select “Manage account,” then choose “Phone number.”
- Tap on “Change phone,” then select “Use phone number” to verify your identity.
- Enter the verification code sent to your original mobile number.
- Enter your new preferred phone number on the next screen and tap “Send Code.”
- Enter the verification code sent to your new mobile number to finish the update.
Tip: Since TikTok sends verification codes to the mobile device you’ve signed in with, both the old and current mobile numbers linked to the account must be active and verified in order to proceed.
If you’re only changing your number because you think other users will see or have already seen your phone number, don’t worry. The TikTok app only shows your TikTok ID to other users, and it’s the only thing they can use to find you.
If you’re still concerned about the privacy of your personal information on TikTok, you can change your privacy settings so that your account isn’t suggested to anyone else on the platform. Here’s how:
- Launch TikTok and tap “Me” to open your profile.
- Tap the icon with three dots in the top right corner for profile settings.
- Go to “Settings and Privacy” then tap the “Privacy” option.
- Turn off the option “Suggest your account to others.”
Can You Use the Same Phone Number for Multiple TikTok Accounts?
You can’t use the same phone number for multiple TikTok accounts because TikTok only allows you to have one account per mobile number. They maintain that this is for privacy and security reasons.
The only way to create a new account is by using a different phone number or changing the one currently associated with your account.
Instead of attempting to create a new TikTok account, you can reset your password if you’re having trouble logging in. And if you must create a new account with your current number, your only option is to delete the existing account associated with that number.
The account will stay deactivated for 30 days, after which it will be deleted permanently. You can then create a new account with the same phone number.
While you can’t use one phone number for multiple TikTok accounts, you can still log in to the same account from different devices. Moreover, you can add a phone number to your account as follows:
- Launch TikTok and open your profile.
- Tap the “Menu” button and head to “Settings and privacy.”
- Select “Manage account,” then choose “Phone number.”
- Enter the phone number you wish to add, then tap “Send Code.”
- Enter the verification code sent to your phone.
How to Find Out Which Phone Number Is Associated with Your Account
Finding the phone number associated with your TikTok account is easy; here’s how to do it:
- Launch TikTok and tap the “Profile” icon at the bottom.
- Tap the “Menu” button then go to “Settings and Privacy.”
- Navigate to “Manage account,” then tap “Phone.” You’ll see the phone number linked to your account.
If someone is trying to create a new TikTok account with your phone number, you’ll get an OTP verification code. There’s little you can do to stop people from making attempts like these, but the good news is that they can’t create a new account with your mobile number as long as you’re using it.
As such, you don’t have to worry about the verification code, as long as you don’t enter it anywhere.
TikTok may also tell you the phone number you’re trying to add is already registered. In that case, it means someone may have already used the mobile number you’re currently using. You might have to use the “reset password” option or delete the account and create a new one in this case.
Why Does TikTok Require a Phone Number?
Like many other media-sharing apps, TikTok requires a phone number to create a unique, genuine identity for your TikTok account. Remember, once you’ve registered your TikTok account with a particular phone number, no one else can use it to create a new account.
Moreover, TikTok sends a one-time verification code to the registered phone number to confirm that it belongs to you. It then becomes quicker and easier to sign in, deactivate, or reactivate your account. And without a phone number, you can’t use the DM feature.
The platform also uses your number to link your profile to people you know and suggest which accounts you might want to follow to enhance their viral appeal.
Likewise, TikTok shows your username to your contacts and other users in the list of suggested accounts. This increases your chances of connecting with new users and going viral with your posts.
TikTok’s recommendation algorithm will show your content to people who know you and have saved your contact. So if you unlink your number from your account, you’re reducing your chances of going viral.
As it turns out, a lot of people are concerned about whether it’s safe to give their phone numbers to TikTok. There’s not much need for concern, however, and signing up with a phone number ensures you get the most out of the app.