You probably didn’t think twice when you first downloaded TikTok. You were likely just trying to see that one viral dance or a recipe for whipped coffee, so you rushed through the sign-up. Maybe you picked a random year to get past the age gate, or perhaps your thumb slipped and suddenly the app thinks you were born in 2012. Now, you're stuck. Your DMs are locked, you can’t go live, and TikTok's "Safety Center" feels more like a digital fortress. Honestly, it's a mess.
Learning how to change your birthday on TikTok is notoriously difficult compared to Facebook or Instagram. TikTok takes age requirements incredibly seriously because of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). If the algorithm thinks you're under 13, or if you're trying to access "Pro" features like the Creator Fund while the app thinks you're a minor, you're going to hit a brick wall. There isn’t just a simple "Edit" button next to your birth date in the profile settings.
Why is it so hard to change your birthday on TikTok?
The platform doesn’t want people hopping back and forth between ages to bypass safety filters. Back in 2019, TikTok’s predecessor, Musical.ly, settled with the FTC for $5.7 million over COPPA violations. Since then, they've been on high alert. If you’re under 16, your account is private by default and you can’t use Direct Messaging. If you’re under 18, you can’t buy or receive virtual gifts.
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Because these settings are tied to the date of birth you entered at registration, TikTok views that date as a legal anchor. They assume you’re telling the truth the first time. If you try to change it later, they suspect you're a kid trying to act older or a brand trying to dodge minor-protection algorithms. It’s annoying, but from a legal standpoint, it makes sense why they’ve buried the option.
The manual way to fix your age
Since there is no "Change Birthday" toggle in the settings menu, you have to go through the Report a Problem pipeline. This is basically you pleading your case to a human moderator (or a very sophisticated support bot).
Start by tapping your Profile icon in the bottom right. Hit the three-line "hamburger" menu in the top right and go to Settings and Privacy. Scroll down until you see Report a Problem. Don't look for an "Age" category because it's usually tucked under Account and Profile, then Editing Profile, and then Other. Once you're there, you’ll see a prompt asking if you need more help. Click "Yes" or "Report" to open a text box.
You need to be direct. Tell them: "I entered the wrong birth date when I created my account and I need to update it to my correct age." Don't just say "Change my birthday." Explain that the current date is inaccurate. TikTok will eventually respond—usually via email or an in-app notification—asking for a photo of a government-issued ID.
What documents will they actually accept?
They aren't going to take your word for it. They need proof. Usually, this means:
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- A valid Passport
- A Driver’s License
- A State-issued ID card
If you’re a minor and don’t have these, things get tricky. Sometimes they allow school IDs, but it’s hit or miss. The key is that the ID must clearly show your full name and your actual birth date.
What if support ignores you?
It happens. TikTok support is buried under millions of requests a day. If you’ve sent a report and haven't heard back in a week, you have a few options, though none are particularly fun. You could try reaching out to them on X (formerly Twitter) via the @TikTokSupport handle. Sometimes a public-facing nudge gets a faster response than the internal ticketing system.
Another "nuclear" option is starting over. If you don't have a massive following or years of saved drafts, creating a new account is the only way to guarantee your age is correct from day one. It sucks to lose your "For You" page algorithm—which has probably spent months learning exactly what kind of niche cat videos you like—but it beats being locked out of features for the next five years.
Misconceptions about age changes and bans
There’s a rumor floating around that if you tell TikTok you're under 13, they will instantly delete your account. This isn't exactly a rumor; it’s mostly true. If you contact support and your "real" ID shows you are under 13, they are legally obligated in many jurisdictions to terminate that account. They might give you a window to download your data, but the account is toast.
Also, don't fall for "hacks" or third-party apps claiming they can change your TikTok age. Those are scams designed to phish for your login credentials. There is no software that can bypass TikTok’s internal database. Only a TikTok employee with administrative access can modify that specific metadata on your profile.
The "Family Pairing" factor
If you’re a parent trying to manage a teen’s account, you might think you can change their birthday through Family Pairing. You can't. Family Pairing allows you to restrict screen time, filter content, and manage privacy settings, but it doesn't give you the power to retroactively change the birth date on the linked account. The teen (or you, acting as them) still has to go through the formal support request process.
Steps to take right now
If you’re ready to get this sorted, don't wait. The longer you operate on an account with the wrong age, the more likely you are to face a "shadow" restriction where your content isn't being pushed to the right audiences because of age-rating filters.
- Check your current status. Go to your settings and see which features are greyed out. If you can’t see "Live Gift" settings or DMs, your age is definitely the culprit.
- Gather your docs. Take a high-quality, glare-free photo of your ID. Blur out your ID number if you're nervous about privacy, but leave the name and DOB clearly visible.
- Submit the request. Use the "Report a Problem" flow mentioned earlier. Be polite. Moderators are humans too.
- Monitor your email. Check your spam folder daily. TikTok's response might come from a generic
tiktok.comaddress that your email provider thinks is marketing junk. - Backup your content. While waiting for a response, use a third-party tool or the in-app "Save Video" feature (if enabled) to keep your favorite clips. If support decides to reset or ban the account due to the age discrepancy, you’ll be glad you have the backups.
Updating your info is a hurdle, but it's the only way to ensure your account stays compliant and fully functional as the platform’s rules continue to tighten.