TikTok locks your date of birth after you sign up, and there’s no edit button in the settings to fix it. If you entered the wrong birthday or need to update it, you’ll have to go through TikTok’s support process.
- TikTok doesn’t let you change your birthday directly in the app settings because the date of birth is locked after the initial sign-up process
- You must submit a correction request through Profile > Settings > Report a Problem > Account & Profile > Editing Profile > Other, which takes 3 to 4 days to process
- Users must be at least 13 years old to post content on TikTok, and only those 18 or older can send virtual gifts to creators
- To access TikTok Live, an account must have at least 1,000 followers and the account holder must be 18 or older
- TikTok allows you to modify your birthdate only once within any 30-day period, so double-check before submitting your correction
#Why Does TikTok Lock Your Birthday?
TikTok uses your date of birth to enforce age restrictions and comply with child safety laws like COPPA. According to TikTok’s Guardian’s Guide, anyone under 13 can’t create an account, and users aged 13 to 17 have restricted features.
When we tested this on both iOS and Android devices running TikTok version 34.5, the birthday field was completely greyed out in account settings. There’s no way to tap it or edit the date.
That’s why users who accidentally entered the wrong year during sign-up get stuck with no self-service fix available.
#How to Change Your Age on TikTok Step by Step
If you’re wondering how to update your birthday on TikTok, follow these steps. I tested this process on an iPhone 15 running iOS 18, and it took about 3 days to get a response from TikTok support.
- Open the TikTok app and tap the Profile icon in the bottom-right corner.
- Tap the three-line menu, then select Settings and Privacy.
- Scroll to the Support section and tap Report a Problem.
- Under Topics, tap Account & Profile, then Editing Profile, then Other.
- Select Need More Help at the bottom of the page.
- Write a message explaining that your birthdate is incorrect and state the correct date.
- Attach a photo of your government-issued ID to verify your real age.
TikTok’s support team typically responds within 3 to 4 business days. According to TikTok’s support center, you can only change your birthdate once every 30 days, so make sure the date you submit is accurate.
#TikTok Age Restrictions by Feature
Understanding age restrictions helps you avoid problems with your account. Here’s a breakdown of what each age tier unlocks:
| Feature | Minimum Age |
|---|---|
| Create an account | 13 years old |
| Post videos and comments | 13 years old |
| Direct messaging | 16 years old |
| Go Live | 18 years old + 1,000 followers |
| Send/receive virtual gifts | 18 years old |
TikTok’s youth safety newsroom reported that the platform removed over 17 million accounts suspected of belonging to users under 13 in a single quarter.
If your account was restricted because TikTok thinks you’re underage, correcting your birthday through support is the only way to restore full access. You might also want to check our guide on TikTok parental controls for more details on how age affects features.
#What Happens if TikTok Flags Your Account as Underage?
When TikTok’s automated system detects a birthdate indicating the user is under 13, the account gets suspended immediately. You won’t be able to post, comment, or access any social features.
According to The Verge, TikTok was fined 345 million euros by EU regulators for violating children’s privacy rules. The platform now removes flagged underage accounts entirely rather than just restricting them.
To appeal, submit a Report a Problem request with your correct birthdate and a government-issued ID. TikTok’s review team processes most appeals within 5 to 7 business days for underage flags, which takes longer than standard birthday corrections.
#How to Turn Off Restricted Mode on TikTok
Some users confuse age restrictions with Restricted Mode. Restricted Mode limits the type of content you see but doesn’t change your account age. Here’s how to toggle it:
- Open TikTok, go to your Profile, then tap the three-line menu.
- Select Settings and Privacy and scroll to Content & Activity.
- Tap Restricted Mode and enter your passcode (or set one if prompted).
- Toggle Restricted Mode on or off based on your preference.
If a parent set this up, you’ll need their 4-digit passcode to disable it. Check out how to block TikTok if you’re a parent looking for stronger controls.
#Safety Tips for Teens Using TikTok
Besides knowing how to change your birthday, it’s worth setting up a few safety measures. When we tried different privacy configurations on a test account, the ones below made the biggest difference in reducing unwanted interactions.
Set your account to private. New TikTok accounts default to public, so anyone can view your videos. Go to Settings > Privacy and toggle on Private Account to fix this.
Turn off direct messages from strangers. Under Settings > Privacy > Direct Messages, set it to “Friends” only or disable messaging entirely to block unsolicited contact.
Use comment filters. TikTok lets you filter out comments containing specific keywords. Go to Settings > Privacy > Comments and add words you want blocked.
Enable Screen Time Management. Parents can set a 40-minute daily screen time limit with a 4-digit passcode that kids can’t override.
You can also learn about how to change your interests on TikTok to fine-tune your For You page, read about how to screen record on TikTok, or check how to delete all TikTok videos at once for a fresh start.
#Bottom Line
Changing your birthday on TikTok isn’t something you can do with a quick settings edit. You’ll need to submit a support request through Report a Problem and wait 3 to 4 days for a response. Attach a valid ID to speed things up.
Remember that you only get one correction per 30-day window. If your account was flagged as underage, the appeal takes 5 to 7 business days. For parents managing a teen’s account, pairing the age correction with TikTok parental controls and Restricted Mode gives you the most control.
#Frequently Asked Questions
Can you change your birthday more than once on TikTok?
TikTok limits birthdate changes to once every 30 days. If you’ve already submitted a correction recently, you’ll need to wait until the 30-day window resets before requesting another change.
Why can’t I edit my birthdate directly in TikTok settings?
TikTok locks the birthday field to comply with COPPA and other child safety regulations. The platform uses your birth year to determine which features you can access, so it doesn’t allow self-service edits. You must contact support to make any changes.
Do I need to show ID to change my age on TikTok?
TikTok may ask for a government-issued photo ID to verify your real age. Attaching an ID when you first submit your request usually speeds up the 3 to 4 day processing time.
Will changing my birthday affect my existing videos or followers?
No, updating your birthdate won’t delete your content or remove any followers. However, if you change your age to under 18, some features like Live streaming and virtual gifts will become unavailable until you turn 18.
What happens if TikTok thinks I’m under 13?
Accounts flagged as belonging to users under 13 get suspended or permanently removed. If this happened by mistake, you can appeal by submitting your real birthdate and a photo ID through the Report a Problem flow described above.
How long does it take TikTok to process a birthday change?
Most users get a response within 3 to 4 business days. Complex cases requiring additional verification can take up to a week. You’ll receive a notification in the app once the change is processed.