Yes, you can change your age on TikTok, but the process depends on how old your account says you are right now

TikTok lets you update your birthdate in your account settings. The steps are straightforward: open the app, go to your profile, tap the menu icon, select "Settings and privacy," then "Account," then "Personal information," and you'll see your birthdate listed there. You can edit it directly.

However, TikTok has a restriction that matters: if your account currently shows you as under 18, you cannot change your age to 18 or older yourself. You'll need to contact TikTok support and provide proof of your real age — usually a photo of a government ID — before they'll make that change for you. This is a safety measure TikTok uses to prevent minors from misrepresenting their age to access adult features.

If your account shows you as 18 or older, you can change your age to any other age 18 or older without contacting support. You can also change your age downward from 18+ to under 18, though TikTok will restrict your account features once you do — comments will be turned off, duets and stitches disabled, and your videos won't be recommended to other users.

Key Takeaways

  • If your account currently shows you as 18 or older, you can edit your birthdate directly in Settings and privacy > Account > Personal information.
  • If your account shows you as under 18, you cannot change your age to 18 or older without contacting TikTok support and submitting a photo of a government ID.
  • Changing your age from 18+ down to under 18 will automatically restrict your account — comments, duets, and stitches will be disabled.
  • TikTok uses these restrictions to prevent minors from accessing features designed for adults and to stop adults from pretending to be younger.

How to change your age if you're currently listed as 18 or older

Open TikTok and tap your profile icon at the bottom right. Tap the three-line menu icon in the top right corner of your profile. Scroll down and tap "Settings and privacy." Tap "Account." Tap "Personal information." You'll see your birthdate displayed. Tap on the birthdate field and select a new date using the calendar picker. Tap "Save" or "Done" — the exact button name varies by phone type.

The change takes effect when ready. You don't need to restart the app or wait for approval. If you're changing your age because you had the wrong year entered when you created your account, this is the fastest way to fix it.

How to change your age if you're currently listed as under 18

If your account shows you as under 18, TikTok will not let you change your age upward in the app itself. Instead, you'll need to contact TikTok's support team. Go to Settings and privacy > Account > Personal information, and you should see an option to request an age verification or contact support about your birthdate. Tap that option.

TikTok will ask you to upload a photo of a government-issued ID — a driver's license, passport, or national ID card. The photo must clearly show your face and your birthdate. Upload the image through the app. TikTok's support team will review it, which typically takes a few days to a week. Once they confirm your age, they'll update your account and send you a notification.

Do not upload a fake or altered ID. TikTok can detect image manipulation, and doing so may result in your account being suspended or permanently banned. If you don't have a government ID yet, you'll need to obtain one before you can change your age through this process.

What happens when you change your age downward to under 18

If you're currently 18 or older on your account and you change your age to under 18, TikTok will automatically explore restrictions. Your account will move into "minor mode," which disables comments on your videos, turns off duets and stitches, and prevents your videos from being recommended to other users. These restrictions exist to protect younger users from unwanted contact and inappropriate content.

You can change back to 18 or older later, but you'll need to go through the ID verification process again if you're changing from under 18 to 18+. The restrictions will lift once your age is updated.

Why TikTok restricts age changes for minors

TikTok's policy exists because younger users have fewer protections against harassment and inappropriate contact. By preventing minors from claiming to be adults in their account settings, TikTok reduces the risk that a minor will access features designed for older users or be targeted by people looking for younger accounts.

The ID verification requirement when changing from under 18 to 18+ serves the same purpose: it confirms that the person making the change is actually the age they claim, not someone else using the account. This is why TikTok asks for a government ID rather than just accepting your word.

Common reasons your age change might not work

If you're trying to change your age and the app won't let you, the most common reason is that your account is currently set to under 18. As explained above, you'll need to contact support and submit ID verification. There's no way around this restriction in the app itself.

Another reason is that you may have recently changed your age. TikTok sometimes applies a cooldown period — you may not be able to change your age again for 30 to 90 days after your last change. If you see a message saying you can't change your age right now, wait a few weeks and try again.

If you're having trouble uploading your ID for verification, make sure the photo is clear, well-lit, and shows your full face and birthdate. Blurry, cropped, or partially obscured images are often rejected. Try taking the photo in natural light and making sure the entire ID is visible in the frame.

What to do if TikTok rejects your ID

If TikTok rejects your ID submission, you'll receive a notification explaining why. Common reasons include the image being too blurry, the birthdate not being clearly visible, or the ID being expired. You can submit again with a new photo.

If you've submitted multiple times and keep getting rejected, try a different government ID if you have one — a passport instead of a driver's license, for example. If you only have one form of ID and it's consistently rejected, contact TikTok support directly through the app. Go to Settings and privacy > Help > Report a problem and describe what's happening. Support can sometimes manually review your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my age on TikTok without a government ID?

Not if you're changing from under 18 to 18 or older. TikTok requires ID verification for that specific change. If you're already 18+ on your account, you can change your age without ID. If you don't have a government ID, you'll need to obtain one before you can age up your account.

How long does it take TikTok to verify my age?

Age verification typically takes three to seven days, though it can occasionally take longer during high-volume periods. You'll receive a notification once your age has been updated. If it's been more than two weeks, contact TikTok support to check on your submission.

Will changing my age delete my videos or followers?

No. Changing your age does not delete your content or followers. If you change from 18+ to under 18, your existing videos stay on your account, but comments and duets will be disabled going forward. Your follower count remains the same.

Can I change my age multiple times?

Yes, but TikTok may enforce a cooldown period between changes — typically 30 to 90 days. If you try to change your age too frequently, you may see a message saying you need to wait before making another change. This is a safety measure to prevent account manipulation.

What if someone else has access to my account and changed my age?

Change your password when ready. Go to Settings and privacy > Account > Password and create a new one that's strong and unique. If you suspect unauthorized access, also enable two-factor authentication in Settings and privacy > Account > Two-factor authentication. If your age was changed without permission and you can't change it back, contact TikTok support with details about what happened.