Change your age directly in the app settings

TikTok stores your birthdate in your account settings, and you can change it yourself through the app or website. Open TikTok, tap the profile icon in the bottom right, then tap the three horizontal lines (menu) at the top right. Select "Settings and privacy," then "Account," then "Date of birth." Enter your correct birthdate and tap "Save."

The process takes less than a minute. TikTok will ask you to confirm the change before it goes live. If you created your account with an incorrect age — either by accident or because you were underage when you signed up — this is the fastest way to fix it.

On the web version, log in to TikTok.com, click your profile picture in the top right, select "Settings and privacy," then "Account," then "Date of birth." The steps are the same.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your birthdate yourself through Settings and privacy > Account > Date of birth on both the app and website.
  • TikTok may restrict certain features based on age — users under 13 cannot have public accounts, and users under 18 have limited messaging and duet options.
  • If you cannot access the date of birth field, your account may be locked pending age review, which can take several days.
  • Changing your age to under 13 will automatically make your account private and remove you from the For You Page.

What happens when you change your age

TikTok enforces different rules based on age. If you change your age to under 13, your account automatically becomes private, and your videos will no longer appear on the For You Page or in search results. You also will not be able to go live, use direct messages, or receive gifts.

If you change your age to between 13 and 17, you keep a public account but TikTok restricts who can message you and comment on your videos. Users over 18 cannot send you direct messages unless you follow them back. Comments are limited to people you follow or who follow you.

If you change your age to 18 or older, all features unlock. You can receive messages from anyone, go live, receive gifts, and appear on the For You Page without restriction.

When TikTok locks your account for age verification

If TikTok suspects your account was created with a false age, it may lock the date of birth field and require you to verify your age through a third-party service. This usually happens when you try to access an age-restricted feature like going live or receiving gifts, or when TikTok's automated systems flag your account during a routine review.

When this occurs, you will see a message saying your account is under review. TikTok will ask you to verify your age using your government ID, a video selfie, or both. The verification process can take several days. During this time, you cannot change your birthdate yourself — you must wait for TikTok to complete the review.

If your account is locked, do not try to change your age repeatedly. Each attempt may extend the review period. Instead, follow TikTok's instructions for age verification and wait for the review to finish.

Age verification methods TikTok uses

TikTok offers three main ways to verify your age if your account is locked. The first is uploading a photo of your government ID — a driver's license, passport, or national ID card. TikTok scans the ID and checks the birthdate against your account.

The second method is a video selfie. TikTok asks you to record yourself on camera and may ask you to perform specific actions, like turning your head or blinking. The app uses facial recognition to estimate your age based on your appearance.

The third method, available in some regions, is linking your account to a payment method like a credit card or mobile phone bill. TikTok checks the age associated with that payment account.

You do not get to choose which method TikTok offers — the app selects based on your location and account history. If one method fails, TikTok may ask you to try another.

Reasons your age change might not save

If you enter a new birthdate and it does not save, the most common reason is that your account is under age review. Check your notifications or the date of birth field itself — TikTok usually displays a message explaining why the field is locked.

Another reason is a technical glitch. Close the app completely, wait 30 seconds, and reopen it. Then navigate back to Settings and privacy > Account > Date of birth and try again. If the field still will not save, try the change on the TikTok website instead of the app, or vice versa.

If you changed your age very recently and it is not showing on your profile yet, wait a few minutes. TikTok sometimes takes time to sync the change across all servers, especially if you have multiple devices logged into the same account.

What to do if you cannot access the date of birth field

If the date of birth field is completely missing from your Settings, or if it shows a message saying your account is under review, you are in an age verification hold. This is not a permanent ban — it means TikTok needs you to prove your age before you can change it.

Open the notification or message TikTok sent you and follow the link to the verification page. Complete whichever verification method TikTok offers. Once verification is complete, the date of birth field will unlock and you can change your age.

If you do not see a notification, go to Settings and privacy > Account and look for a banner or alert about age verification. Tap it to start the process. If nothing appears, your account may not be flagged yet — try changing your age again, and TikTok will prompt you to verify if needed.

Changing age on a child's account

If you are the parent or guardian of a child with a TikTok account, you can change their age through Family Pairing. This feature lets you link your adult account to theirs and adjust settings remotely, including their birthdate.

To set up Family Pairing, open your child's account, go to Settings and privacy > Family Pairing, and tap "Send invite to parent or guardian." Open the link on your own TikTok account and accept the invitation. Once linked, you can access their settings and change their birthdate from your account.

If Family Pairing is not set up and you need to change the child's age, you will need their password to log into their account directly and change it through Settings and privacy > Account > Date of birth, the same way you would change your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my age on TikTok multiple times?

Yes, you can change your birthdate as many times as you want, as long as your account is not under age review. However, if you change it frequently or make large jumps in age, TikTok may flag your account for verification. Change your age once and leave it alone unless you made a genuine mistake.

What happens if I change my age to under 13?

Your account becomes private when ready. Your videos will not appear on the For You Page or in search results, and you cannot go live, use direct messages, or receive gifts. You can still upload videos and interact with followers, but only people you approve can see your content.

How long does TikTok age verification take?

Age verification usually takes between 24 hours and 7 days, depending on how busy TikTok's review team is and which verification method you used. Video selfies sometimes process faster than ID uploads. You will receive a notification when the review is complete.

Can I change my age if I am under 13?

Yes, you can change your age yourself if you have access to the date of birth field in Settings. However, if you change it to under 13, your account will become private. If your account is under age review, you will need to complete verification before you can make any changes.

What if TikTok rejects my age verification?

If your ID photo is blurry, your face is not visible in the selfie, or the information does not match your account, TikTok will reject the submission and ask you to try again. Make sure your ID is clear and fully visible, and that your face is well-lit in any video selfie. You usually get multiple attempts before TikTok locks the account.