TikTok is one of the most popular social media platforms today, with millions of users sharing short, engaging videos every day. From dance challenges to educational content, TikTok has something for everyone. But because TikTok is widely used by younger audiences, the platform has strict age restrictions and policies to ensure safety.
This brings us to a common question: “How do I change my age on TikTok?”
If you’ve entered the wrong date of birth during sign-up, you may later find that you’re unable to access certain features. For example, if TikTok thinks you’re under 16, you won’t be able to make your account public. If it thinks you’re under 18, you may be restricted from accessing live streams or gifting features.
Unfortunately, TikTok does not allow users to simply go into settings and edit their age. This raises confusion among users, but don’t worry. In this guide, we’ll explain why you cannot directly change your age on TikTok, the official method to request a change, workarounds that people use, and important things to consider before making changes.
Let’s dive in.
Can You Change Your Age on TikTok?
The short answer: No, TikTok does not provide a direct option in settings to change your age.
Unlike updating your username, profile picture, or bio, your date of birth is locked once you enter it during sign-up. The reason behind this is safety and compliance with regulations. TikTok has to follow strict policies to prevent minors from viewing or engaging with adult-oriented content.
- If TikTok allowed free age changes, minors could simply update their birthday and bypass safety restrictions.
- This would put both TikTok and young users at risk, violating child protection laws such as COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) in the United States and similar laws globally.
That said, mistakes do happen. Many users accidentally select the wrong year or month when creating an account. TikTok understands this, and that’s where the official method of updating your age comes into play.
Why Is Age Important on TikTok?
Before learning how to change your age, let’s understand why TikTok cares so much about your date of birth.
- Content Restrictions – Certain videos and trends may not be suitable for younger audiences. TikTok filters such content based on your age.
- Feature Access – Features like going live, receiving virtual gifts, or using TikTok Shop are age-restricted. For example:
- Under 13: Cannot have an account in most regions.
- 13–15: Private account by default, restricted features.
- 16–17: Limited gifting and live features.
- 18+: Full access to all TikTok features.
- Legal Compliance – TikTok must comply with international laws to avoid penalties. Incorrect age data can put both TikTok and the user in legal trouble.
- Parental Controls – TikTok uses age data to determine eligibility for “Family Pairing,” which allows parents to monitor their child’s usage.
Because of these reasons, TikTok is strict when it comes to verifying and updating your age.
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Methods to Change Age on TikTok
Since TikTok doesn’t allow direct edits, here are the legitimate methods and workarounds:
1. Contact TikTok Support to Request an Age Change
This is the official and safest method. If you entered the wrong birthday, you can request TikTok to update it manually.
Here’s how:
- Open TikTok and log in to your account.
- Tap on your profile icon at the bottom-right corner.
- Go to Settings and Privacy.
- Scroll down and tap Report a Problem.
- Select Account and Profile → Editing Profile → Other.
- Tap Need More Help? to access the feedback form.
- Write a clear message explaining that you entered the wrong date of birth and request an update. Example: “Hi TikTok Support, I mistakenly entered the wrong date of birth during sign-up. I’d like to correct it. Please let me know the process.”
- TikTok support will usually reply via email. They may ask you to submit a government-issued ID (like a passport, driver’s license, or Aadhaar card in India) to verify your real age.
- Once you send your ID, TikTok will manually update your date of birth.
📌 Important Notes:
- This process may take a few days to a week.
- If your ID does not match the requested date, TikTok will reject your request.
- Attempting to fake your age with a false ID can get your account banned.
2. Create a New TikTok Account
If you don’t want to go through the support process, the alternative is to create a fresh TikTok account.
Steps:
- Open TikTok and log out of your existing account.
- Tap Sign Up.
- Enter your correct date of birth this time.
- Use a new email ID or phone number.
- Set up your profile again.
This method gives you full control to enter the right birthday, but it comes with downsides:
- You’ll lose your followers and engagement history.
- Any drafts, likes, or posted videos won’t transfer.
- You’ll need to rebuild your presence from scratch.
Still, for some users, starting fresh is easier than waiting for support verification.
3. Delete Your Old Account and Start Over
If you’ve made multiple mistakes or don’t want duplicate accounts, you can simply delete the old account and create a new one with correct details.
Steps to delete:
- Go to Profile → Settings → Account → Delete Account.
- Follow the prompts and confirm.
This permanently removes your old TikTok account. Use this method only if you’re comfortable losing all existing content.
Risks of Changing Your Age on TikTok
Before making any changes, you should be aware of the risks involved:
- Account Suspension – If TikTok detects suspicious activity (like mismatched IDs), your account could be suspended.
- Loss of Content – Creating a new account means losing all old videos, followers, and engagement.
- Privacy Concerns – Sharing your government ID online always carries some level of privacy risk, even though TikTok claims to keep data secure.
- Violation of Terms – If you deliberately fake your age, TikTok can permanently ban your account for violating its Community Guidelines.
Best Practices When Updating Your Age
To avoid issues, here are some tips and best practices:
- Always use your real date of birth when signing up.
- If you made a mistake, contact support immediately instead of waiting.
- Keep a valid government ID ready for verification.
- Avoid shady apps, websites, or “hacks” that claim to change your age on TikTok—they’re scams.
- If you’re underage, do not attempt to bypass restrictions. It can lead to account termination.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I change my age without an ID?
No. TikTok requires a valid government ID to verify your date of birth. Without it, your request will likely be denied.
2. What if I entered the wrong birth year by mistake?
You can still request TikTok support to correct it, but you’ll need to provide proof.
3. Can minors use TikTok?
Yes, but with restrictions. Children under 13 cannot have accounts in most regions. Ages 13–15 have limited features for safety.
4. How long does TikTok take to update age?
Usually 2–7 days, depending on response time and verification.
5. Is it safe to send TikTok my ID?
TikTok states that ID data is used only for verification and not shared. However, always ensure you’re sending it through official support channels only.
6. Can I set my age above 18 to access more features?
Technically yes, but only if it’s your real age. Faking your birthday violates TikTok policies and risks a permanent ban.
Read Also: Top TikTok Trends to Watch
Final Thoughts
Changing your age on TikTok isn’t as simple as tweaking a setting. TikTok has made it intentionally strict to protect younger audiences and comply with global regulations.
The only legitimate way is to contact TikTok support and provide a government-issued ID. If that’s not possible, your only alternative is to create a new account with the correct date of birth.
While it may feel inconvenient, remember that these rules are in place for your safety. By being honest about your age, you’ll ensure long-term security and compliance on the platform.
So, if you’ve entered the wrong date of birth, follow the steps above and get it corrected—safely and legitimately.