To remove phone number from TikTok, open the app and go to your profile, then navigate to Settings and Privacy, Manage Account, and select Phone Number. You must have an alternative login method, such as an email address, linked to your account before you can unlink your phone number.
Why remove a phone number from TikTok
Unlinking your phone number from TikTok reduces the personal information tied to your account, lowering your exposure to data breaches, targeted advertising, and phishing attacks. It also gives you greater control over your account’s privacy and security, which is a key motivation for many users who want to limit how their contact details are used or stored. For a deeper look at managing your account, the TikTok Tips and Settings Guide covers additional privacy controls you can adjust.
Before you begin: prerequisites for unlinking
Before you can remove your phone number, you must have another login method, such as an email address, already linked to your TikTok account. This ensures you can still access your account after the phone number is removed. You also need access to the currently linked phone number, because TikTok will send a verification code to that number to confirm your identity.
How to remove a phone number from TikTok
Follow these steps to unlink your phone number when you still have access to it:
- Open the TikTok app and sign in to your account.
- Tap the Profile icon in the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner.
- Select Settings and Privacy.
- Tap Account, then Account information.
- Select Phone Number.
- Tap Unlink Phone.
- Confirm your choice when prompted. A verification code will be sent via text message to the phone number currently linked to your account.
- Enter the verification code to complete the unlinking process.
After you enter the code, the phone number will be removed from your account. You can continue using TikTok with your alternative login method, such as your email address. Note that older instructions referencing a 'Privacy and Safety' then 'Personalization and Data' menu path for managing your phone number are now outdated.
What to do if you don't have access to your old number
If you no longer have access to the phone number linked to your TikTok account, you cannot receive the verification code. In this case, you must contact TikTok support through the app:
- Open the TikTok app and sign in if possible.
- Tap the Profile icon in the bottom right, then the menu icon (three lines) in the top right.
- Scroll down to the Support section and tap Report a Problem.
- Under Topics, select Account and Profile.
- Tap Email and Phone Number.
- Select Changing the Phone Number Associated With an Account.
- When asked “Is Your Problem Resolved,” tap No.
- Tap Need More Help? and write a message stating that you do not have access to your old phone number and wish to remove it from TikTok.
- Include your username, signup date (month and year), recent login location (country and city), registered device (name and model of your phone), and the old phone number you want to remove.
TikTok support will then contact you to verify your account through an alternative method and assist with changing or removing the number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can other TikTok users see my phone number?
No, other users on TikTok cannot see your phone number. Your phone number is used only for account security and verification purposes.
Can I have more than one phone number on my TikTok account?
No, TikTok generally allows only one phone number per account. You cannot link a phone number that is already registered with another TikTok account.
Will I lose my account if I remove my phone number?
No, your account will remain active as long as you have another login method, such as an email address, linked to the account. You can continue using all TikTok features.
What if I want to add a new phone number instead of removing the old one?
You can change your phone number by following the same path to Settings and Privacy, Account, Account information, and Phone Number, then tapping Change Phone. Both your old and new numbers must be active to receive verification codes.
Is it possible to permanently remove a phone number without replacing it?
Yes, according to recent sources, the Unlink Phone option allows you to remove your phone number without immediately adding a new one, provided you have an alternative login method (like an email) already set up.
Is it safe to remove my phone number from TikTok?
Yes, removing your phone number is safe and can improve your privacy by reducing the personal data linked to your account. Just ensure you have a secure alternative login method, like a verified email, to maintain account access and recovery options.
