TikTok Account Hacked? To recover your TikTok account, open the app on your phone, click Forgot password?, and send the reset link to your email or phone. Check your phone or email and reset the password to recover your account.
If the hacker has already changed the recovery options, try to log in through a Facebook, Google, or Apple account. If nothing works, submit an official report to TikTok with proof of hacking within the first hour.
Recovering your account is possible but not guaranteed. So take a breath and do not panic, since it will lead you to some wrong steps and reduce the chances of getting back the account. This guide will show you the exact steps for every situation to recover your account.
First, is your account actually hacked?
Before taking any steps, make sure you understand what happened to your account, since using a recovery method will waste your time without any result.
| What you’re seeing | Meaning | What to do. |
| Login fails, posts or DMs you didn’t make, your recovery options changed. | Hacked (someone took over your account) | Keep reading – this guide |
| An “account suspended” or “banned” notice with an Appeal button. | Banned (TikTok took action) | Appeal for the account. {How to Recover a Suspended TikTok Account} |
| You can log in, but your views suddenly drop off a cliff. | Shadowban (reach suppressed) | Remove violating content and keep posting quality and original content. |
Act in the first hour: what to do right now
Speed matters when your account is hacked since the more you wait, the more your account will be in control of the hacker. The hackers change everything as soon as they get your account. They will change your password, swap the recovery options, and turn off 2FA. So take these quick steps before anything else.
- If the hacker is sending messages to your followers, post a quick warning post in your group chat, Instagram, Facebook, or anywhere to inform your audience not to click those links. Hackers exploit the trust of your followers and gain monetary or other types of benefits.
- Get your device and use the network you use daily. It can be your smartphone, laptop, or tablet on the home or office network.
- Check whether you can still log in to TikTok or not.
If you can, follow Method 1 below. If not, skip Method 1 and go to Method 2.
Method 1: Recover when you can still log in
If you still have access to your account on any device, you have a strong chance of getting your account back. Do these steps properly.
- Go to Profile > Click the Menu ☰ > Settings and privacy > Account > Security > Manage devices, and log out from all the devices.
- Change your password immediately from the settings. Go to Settings and privacy > Account > Password. Pick a password you’ve never used. It has to be unique, with a mixture of capital and small letters, characters, and numbers.
- Turn on 2-step verification to prevent anyone from logging in to your account. Go to Security > enable 2-step verification > choose an authenticator app instead of SMS.
- Check your email and phone number to ensure that the hacker hasn’t changed those yet. Go to Account > User Information and see the email and phone number. Are those yours? If yes, you are safe.
- Remove connected apps you’ve installed, like “follower growth” or “analytics” apps. These are used for hacking.
Why an authenticator app over SMS?
The hacker can hack your text-message codes through SIM-swap fraud. An authenticator app is connected to your device and cannot be hacked easily. Make sure to download the TikTok data from Settings and Privacy > Account > Download your data (JSON format) to keep the dated record for future appeal as proof of ownership.
Method 2: Recover when you’re locked out
If you cannot access your account, follow the steps below.
- Open the app, use your email, phone number, or username, and then click Forgot password?
- Choose any recovery method- phone or email-, enter the number or email, get the code, and enter it.
- Change password and enable 2FA immediately.
If the reset options point you to a phone number or email you don’t have, don’t waste your time here. Go to the next step.
TikTok account hacked, email and phone changed: what to do
When the attacker controls your account’s recovery options, “Forgot password” will not work, and this is more difficult to recover. However, this is not the end, and you can try getting it back. A small study from forums suggests that 4 out of 11 recovered accounts had these recovery option change problems. So don’t lose hope here.
Step A – Use your LinkedIn login first if you have connected your TikTok to Facebook, Google, twitter/x, or Apple. Open the app and click Continue with [that platform] on your login screen. It often works even after changing recovery options. If you can log in through connected apps, change your password, recovery options, and disconnect any third-party apps.
Step B – If you fail to log in with connected apps, submit TikTok’s report form. Visit tiktok.com/legal/report/feedback > Account access/security > Hacked account. You will have a window to prove your identity. Provide as much information as you can.
- Current username.
- Sign-up date
- Sign-up region
- Country and city
- Registration method (Example: Email, phone, or 3rd-parties like Apple, Google)
- Device used to log in
- Linked accounts
- Additional information
- Contact email
- Attachments (Optional)
Step C – Upload the government ID and video selfie to prove your identity.
How to recover a TikTok account without email, phone number, or verification
Many people look for a way to recover their account without email, phone number, or verification. There’s no legitimate way to skip the verification and get your account back. Anyone promising this is a scam.
If the hacker has changed the recovery options and if you don’t have your ID, you can use these methods.
- In the EU or UK: File a data-rights request under GDPR Article 17, and it will force TikTok to respond within 30 days.
- In California (or other US states with similar laws): Report a CCPA data-rights request.
- If the hacker is misusing your identity or content: Report to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and your local police.
When recovery isn’t working: troubleshooting
When recovering, some problems occur that disturb most people. Here are those problems, reasons, and fixes for you.
| Problem | Why it happens | Fix |
| Not getting the verification email. | Your provider is blocking TikTok, you used a burner email, or it’s in your spam or promotions folder. | Check promotions and spam; mark TikTok as “not spam”; Try to contact your provider. |
| “Forgot password” loops with no working option, | The hacker changed both your email and phone. | Use a linked-account login or report form with ID verification. |
| Video selfies keep getting rejected. | Lighting is poor, it’s a still photo, or the ID is obscured/expired. | Make a real movement video, shoot in daylight, use a current government ID. |
| “This account doesn’t exist” | The attacker changed your username. | Report through the official form with your original username and other information. |
| No reply or generic replies. | Vague submission or automated triage. | Resubmit with detailed information, specific dates, and proof. |
Some people try to create a new account with the same phone number once the account is hacked without trying to recover it. This is a mistake, and if the hacker misuses your old account, the new account will be banned or flagged soon. So it is wise to recover your account.
But if you cannot recover the account, you can buy aged and verified TikTok accounts with real followers to keep your growth going. But make sure to get the account from a trusted seller since you don’t know whether the account you are buying is a hacked one or not. That’s why choose a trusted seller like TheSmmExpert to get original aged accounts with authentic followers.
Beware: hacked-account recovery scams.
We understand that recovery is stressful, and scammers take this chance. When you are desperate to get your account back, “we’ll recover your account in 24 hours, guaranteed” sounds like a lifeline. However, these are mostly scams. Follow these red flags and stay calm.
- Anyone promising guaranteed recovery within the timeline is a scam. No one can bypass the verification queue.
- Anyone asking for your password is a red flag.
- “TikTok Support” will never message you on other platforms like Instagram, Telegram, or X. They don’t have time for that. Someone is disguising it.
- Experts on Fiverr, Telegram, or the comment section.
Many services even claim to have an insider at TikTok, which is a blatant lie. Even if there is someone inside TikTok, it is a violation of integrity, and you must not use it.
Secure your account after you get it back.
Recovering your account is only half the job. The hacker can take control of your account again, and 31.5% of people are hit more than once. So follow these steps to prevent that.
- Set up a passkey instead of a password so you can log in using your biometrics.
- Use an authenticator app for 2-step verification instead of SMS to prevent SIM-swap.
- Revoke all connected third-party apps even if you use them.
- Change the password and do not use any password you have used before.
- Check your device for malware if the hack followed a suspicious link or download.
- Note down your account creation day for future appeal.
If you have a business account or are earning money through the Creator Program, check the bank information and payout details. Attackers may have changed them and kept everything intact. Check this content if you are not aware of the differences. TikTok Business Account vs Personal Account.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to recover a hacked TikTok account?
It depends on the situation you are in. If you still have access to your account, it takes a few seconds to recover. If you don’t have access to your account but the hacker hasn’t changed the recovery options, it takes a minute. But if you need to appeal and provide identification verification, it can take up to a month.
Can I recover my account if the hacker changed my email and phone?
Yes, you can, but not through the regular password reset option. Use your linked account login like Facebook, Google, or Apple. If it fails, use TikTok’s report form and verify your identity to get the account back.
Are my linked Google or Facebook accounts also at risk?
Yes, your linked Facebook or Google account might be at risk, especially if you are using the same password. So change the password and enable 2FA for each.
Will using a recovery service get my account banned?
No, if you follow TikTok’s official channels to recover the account, you are safe. If you hire someone who asks for your password, it is a scam and leads to a flag or ban.
Why won’t TikTok tell me which email is linked to my account?
TikTok does not disclose to anyone who cannot prove their access to ensure privacy and security.
Is there a free way to recover my account?
Yes. Recovering the account is completely free unless you take help from a professional.
What if TikTok never responds?
Resubmit your report with more proof and data. If it still gets ignored, you can file an FBI IC3 report or escalate it through a GDPR Article 17 request (EU/UK) or a CCPA request (California).
