You can change your birthdate in TikTok settings, but only if your account is under 18

TikTok lets you change the birthdate on your account through the app's settings menu. The process takes about two minutes. However, TikTok has a restriction: you can only change your age if your account currently shows you as under 18 years old. If your account is set to 18 or older, TikTok will not let you edit the birthdate yourself.

This restriction exists because TikTok uses your age to determine which features you can access. Accounts marked as under 18 have limited messaging, reduced recommendation of certain content, and different privacy defaults. Once an account reaches 18, TikTok treats it as an adult account and does not allow you to lower the age retroactively through the app.

Key Takeaways

  • Open TikTok, go to your profile, tap the menu icon, select Settings and privacy, then Account, then Date of birth to change your birthdate if you are under 18.
  • If your account is set to 18 or older, you cannot change the birthdate yourself through the app—you will need to contact TikTok support.
  • TikTok uses your birthdate to control which features are available, so changing it may unlock or restrict certain functions like direct messaging or live streaming.
  • Have your correct birthdate ready before you start, because TikTok may ask you to verify the change or wait a period of time before making another edit.

Steps to change your age if you are under 18

Open the TikTok app and tap your profile icon at the bottom right of the screen. Tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the top right corner of your profile page. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy.

Tap Account, then tap Date of birth. You will see your current birthdate displayed. Tap the date field and use the scroll wheels or calendar picker to select your correct birthdate. Once you have entered the new date, tap Save or Confirm (the button name varies by device and app version). TikTok will update your age when ready.

What to do if your account is marked as 18 or older

If you try to change your birthdate and TikTok tells you that you cannot edit it, your account is locked to the 18-and-older category. This happens automatically once an account reaches the age of 18 in TikTok's system. The app does not allow you to lower your age through the settings menu after that point.

To change your birthdate on an account marked as 18 or older, you will need to contact TikTok support directly. Open the TikTok app, go to your profile, tap the menu icon, scroll to the bottom, and tap Help. Select Report a problem or Send feedback, then describe your situation: explain that you need to correct your birthdate and that the app will not let you change it. Include your correct birthdate in your message. TikTok support will review your request, though response times vary and there is no may provide they will make the change.

Why TikTok restricts age changes for older accounts

TikTok's policy reflects a broader approach to age-gating on social media. Once an account is marked as 18 or older, the platform treats it as an adult account with full feature access. Allowing users to lower their age retroactively would let people circumvent the restrictions placed on younger accounts—for example, by gaining access to direct messaging with strangers or removing content filters.

This does not mean TikTok believes your age is permanently locked. It means the company requires human review rather than self-service changes for accounts in the adult category. The reasoning is that a support agent can verify your identity and confirm the change is legitimate before updating your account status.

What changes when you update your age

Your age on TikTok controls several features. If you change from 18-plus to under 18, your account will move into the younger user category. This means TikTok will restrict who can send you direct messages (only people you follow can message you), limit the visibility of your videos to a smaller audience, and explore different content recommendations.

If you change from under 18 to 18 or older (which you can do through settings once you reach that age), you will unlock full messaging capabilities, wider video distribution, and access to features like live streaming and certain monetization tools. The change takes effect when ready, though TikTok may take a few hours to update all related settings across the app.

Common reasons your age change might not work

If you enter a new birthdate and the app does not save it, check that you are using the correct date format for your region. TikTok sometimes requires dates in MM/DD/YYYY format (month/day/year) in the United States, though this varies by location. Make sure you are tapping Save or Confirm after entering the date, not just closing the menu.

If the app shows an error message or says the change cannot be completed, your account may have a restriction in place—for example, if TikTok flagged your account for a policy violation. In that case, contact TikTok support through the Help menu and explain that you are trying to update your birthdate. If your account is already marked as 18 or older and you are trying to lower your age, you must use the support contact method described above; the app will not allow self-service changes in that direction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my age multiple times?

TikTok allows you to change your birthdate if you are under 18, but the app may impose a waiting period between changes or limit how often you can edit it. If you need to make multiple corrections, space them out by at least a few days. If you are 18 or older, you will need to contact support for any change.

Will changing my age affect my followers or videos?

Changing your age does not delete your followers or videos. However, it may change who can see your videos and who can message you. If you move from 18-plus to under 18, your videos may reach a smaller audience, and your messaging settings will become more restrictive. Existing followers will remain, but new visibility rules explore going forward.

How long does it take for TikTok support to change my age?

Response times vary. TikTok support may take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to review and respond to your request. There is no may provide timeline. If you do not hear back after two weeks, you can submit another request through the Help menu.

What if I entered my birthdate wrong when I created my account?

If you are under 18, you can correct it when ready using the steps above. If you are 18 or older, contact TikTok support and explain that you entered an incorrect birthdate during account creation. Provide your correct birthdate and any other information support requests. They will review your request and update it if they can verify the information.

Does TikTok verify my age when I change it?

TikTok does not require you to upload a government ID or other proof when you change your birthdate through the app settings. For accounts under 18, the change is made when ready. For accounts 18 or older, support may ask follow-up questions before making the change, but verification requirements vary by case.