You can change your birth date in TikTok settings, but only if your account is not restricted

TikTok stores your birth date in your account settings and uses it to control what content you can see and post. If you entered the wrong date when you signed up, or your circumstances have changed, you can update it yourself through the app or website. The process takes about two minutes and does not require you to contact TikTok support.

The catch: if TikTok has already flagged your account as underage based on your original birth date, you may not be able to change it yourself. Some accounts locked for age reasons require you to submit a government ID to prove your actual age before TikTok will let you modify the setting.

Key Takeaways

  • Open TikTok, go to your profile, tap the menu icon, select Settings and privacy, then Account, then Date of birth, and enter your correct date.
  • If you see a message saying you cannot change your birth date, your account is age-restricted and you will need to submit an ID to TikTok to unlock it.
  • TikTok uses your birth date to decide which videos you can upload and which content the app will show you.
  • Changing your age does not delete your videos or followers — it only updates the age setting on your existing account.

Steps to change your age on the TikTok app

Open TikTok and tap the profile icon at the bottom right of the screen. Tap the three-line 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 birth date displayed. Tap the date field and use the scroll wheels to select your correct month, day, and year. Once you have entered the right date, tap Save or Confirm — the button name varies by device and TikTok version.

Your new birth date is now active. TikTok may take a few minutes to update the age restrictions on your account, but you should see the change reflected when ready in your settings.

How to change your age on TikTok's website

Go to tiktok.com and log in to your account. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select Settings and privacy from the dropdown menu. Click Account in the left sidebar.

Click Date of birth and enter your correct birth date in the fields provided. Click Save to confirm the change. The website version works the same way as the app and takes effect when ready.

What to do if you cannot change your birth date

If you tap or click on Date of birth and see a message saying you cannot modify this field, your account has been flagged as underage. TikTok locks the birth date field on accounts it believes belong to users under 13, because U.S. law (COPPA — the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) prevents the platform from collecting data on children that young.

To unlock your account, you will need to submit a government-issued ID to TikTok. Tap the message that appears on the Date of birth screen — it will usually say something like "Verify your age" or "Submit ID" — and follow the prompts. You will be asked to photograph both sides of a valid ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card). TikTok uses a third-party verification service to check the ID and confirm your actual age.

The verification process usually takes 24 to 48 hours. Once TikTok confirms your age, the birth date field will unlock and you can change it yourself. If your ID is rejected, you can resubmit it, but TikTok may ask for a different type of ID if the first one does not scan clearly.

Why TikTok uses your birth date

TikTok uses your birth date to enforce age restrictions on content and features. If your account is set to an age under 18, you cannot upload videos, go live, or use certain filters and effects. If your account is set to under 13, TikTok restricts the videos shown to you and disables direct messaging.

Your birth date also affects which ads you see and whether you can use features like gifts during live streams. Changing your birth date to an older age will unlock these features, but TikTok may take a few minutes to update your permissions across all of its systems.

What happens to your videos and followers when you change your age

Changing your birth date does not delete your videos, followers, or any other account data. Your entire account history stays exactly as it was — only the age setting changes. If you had videos hidden because your account was flagged as underage, those videos will become visible once you update your age and TikTok processes the change.

If you are changing your age from underage to 18 or older, you may see new content recommendations and features become available within a few minutes. If you are changing your age in the other direction, some features may be disabled, but your existing videos will not be removed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my age on TikTok more than once?

Yes, you can change your birth date as many times as you want if the field is unlocked. However, if TikTok flags your account again for being underage, you will need to submit an ID again to unlock it. Repeatedly changing your age in ways that seem false may trigger TikTok's security systems.

What if I do not have a government ID to verify my age?

If you cannot submit an ID, you will not be able to unlock an age-restricted account. TikTok does not offer alternative verification methods. You can contact TikTok support through the app to explain your situation, but they typically require an ID before unlocking the birth date field.

Will changing my age affect my TikTok coins or gifts?

Changing your age will not delete coins or gifts you have already purchased or received. However, if you change your age to under 18, you may lose the ability to send gifts during live streams, even though you keep the coins in your account.

How long does it take for TikTok to update my age restrictions after I change my birth date?

The change usually takes effect within a few minutes, but it can take up to an hour for all of TikTok's systems to sync. If you still see age restrictions after an hour, try logging out and logging back in.

Can I change someone else's age on their TikTok account?

No. Only the account owner can change the birth date in settings. If a parent or guardian wants to change a child's age, they need access to the child's TikTok password and device.