How to change your TikTok username
To change your TikTok username, open the app and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Then tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top right, select "Settings and privacy," and choose "Account." Tap "Username" and enter your new username. TikTok will tell you right away if the name is already taken. Once you confirm the change, your new username goes live when ready.
Your username is what appears after the @ symbol on your profile — for example, @gardening_tips. This is different from your display name, which is the regular name people see at the top of your profile and can be changed more frequently. You can change your username once every 30 days, so choose carefully before you confirm.
If the username you want is taken, TikTok will suggest similar alternatives. You can also add numbers or underscores to make a variation work. Keep in mind that when you change your username, your old profile link stops working, so anyone who bookmarked your old link will need to search for your new one.
How to change your TikTok password
To change your password, go to your profile, tap the menu icon, select "Settings and privacy," then "Account." Scroll down and tap "Password." TikTok will ask you to enter your current password first, then type your new password twice to confirm it. Your new password takes effect when ready.
Make your new password at least 8 characters long and include a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using information that is straightforward to guess, like your birthday or username. If you have forgotten your current password, tap "Forgot password?" on the login screen instead of trying to change it from within the app.
If you suspect someone else has accessed your account, change your password right away. You should also check your login activity — in Settings and privacy, tap "Account," then "Login activity" — to see where and when your account was accessed. If you see logins you do not recognize, change your password and consider enabling two-factor authentication for extra security.
How to change your display name and bio
Your display name is the regular name shown at the top of your profile, separate from your username. To change it, go to your profile, tap "Edit profile," and tap the name field at the top. Type your new display name (up to 30 characters) and tap "Save." You can change your display name as often as you want, unlike your username.
Your bio is the short description below your display name. To edit it, tap "Edit profile" and tap the bio field. You have up to 150 characters to describe yourself, your interests, or what your videos are about. You can include a link in your bio if your account is verified or meets TikTok's requirements for external links.
Many creators use their bio to tell viewers what kind of content to expect — for example, "Comedy videos every Tuesday" or "Cooking tips for beginners." You can also use it to direct people to other platforms or a website. Remember that your bio is public, so anyone visiting your profile will see it.
How to change your profile picture
To change your profile picture, tap your profile icon, then tap "Edit profile." Tap your current profile picture, and TikTok will ask whether you want to take a new photo or choose one from your phone's camera roll. Select your option, crop the image if needed, and tap "Save." Your new profile picture appears on your profile and next to your username on all your videos right away.
Your profile picture should be a clear, recognizable image — most creators use a headshot or a logo. TikTok compresses profile pictures, so avoid small details that will not show up when the image is shrunk down. The image will appear as a circle on your profile and as a small square next to your comments and messages.
How to change your account privacy settings
To adjust who can see your videos and interact with you, go to your profile, tap the menu, select "Settings and privacy," then "Privacy." Here you can toggle your account between public and private. A public account means anyone can see your videos, follow you without your permission, and comment or message you. A private account means only your approved followers can see your videos and interact with you.
You can also control who can comment on your videos, who can duet or stitch with you, and who can message you. These settings are found under "Settings and privacy" > "Privacy" > "Who can comment," "Who can duet," and "Who can message." You can choose "Everyone," "Friends," or "Off" for most of these options.
If you want to hide specific videos from your public profile without deleting them, you can make them private or draft-only. Go to the video, tap the three dots, and select "Privacy settings" to choose who can see it.
How to change your email or phone number
To change the email address linked to your TikTok account, go to your profile, tap the menu, select "Settings and privacy," then "Account." Tap "Email" and enter your new email address. TikTok will send a confirmation link to that email — click the link to verify the change. Your account email is used for password resets and account recovery, so keep it current.
If you signed up with a phone number instead of an email, you can add an email address by tapping "Email" in the Account settings and entering one. You can also change your phone number by tapping "Phone number" and entering a new one. TikTok will send a verification code to confirm the change.
Keep your recovery email and phone number up to date so you can regain access to your account if you forget your password or suspect unauthorized access. If you no longer have access to the email or phone number on file, you may need to contact TikTok's support team to verify your identity before making changes.
How to change your language and notification settings
To change the language TikTok displays in, go to "Settings and privacy" > "Content and activity" > "Language." Select your preferred language from the list. TikTok will switch to that language throughout the app, though the videos you watch will still be in their original language.
To adjust notifications, go to "Settings and privacy" > "Notifications." You can turn notifications on or off for likes, comments, new followers, messages, and video recommendations. You can also choose whether to receive notifications via push notification, email, or both. Turning off notifications you do not need can reduce distractions and save your phone's battery.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your username once every 30 days by going to Settings and privacy > Account > Username, but you can change your display name as often as you want.
- To change your password, go to Settings and privacy > Account > Password and enter your current password before creating a new one.
- Your profile picture, bio, and display name can all be edited from your Edit profile page and take effect when ready.
- You can switch your account between public and private in Settings and privacy > Privacy, and control who can comment, message, or duet with you.
- Keep your recovery email and phone number current in your Account settings so you can regain access if you forget your password.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username back to my old one?
Yes, but only after 30 days have passed since you changed away from it. TikTok holds old usernames for 30 days before making them available again. If you change your mind quickly, you will have to wait the full month before you can reclaim it.
What happens to my followers when I change my username?
Your followers stay with you when you change your username — they will not be unfollowed. However, anyone who tries to visit your old profile link will get an error. Your new username will appear on all your videos and your profile when ready.
Can I have two TikTok accounts with the same email address?
No, each email address can only be linked to one TikTok account. If you want a second account, you will need to use a different email address or phone number to sign up.
What should I do if I forgot my password?
On the TikTok login screen, tap "Forgot password?" and enter your email address or phone number. TikTok will send you a link or code to reset your password. If you no longer have access to that email or phone number, you may need to contact TikTok support to verify your identity.
Does changing my privacy setting to private delete my old videos?
No, switching to a private account does not delete your videos. Your existing videos will only be visible to your approved followers. If you switch back to public later, those videos become visible to everyone again.