How to delete a TikTok video

Not every TikTok is made to last forever.

Yes, the robust platform is the perfect place to express yourself and unleash your creativity. The app’s built-in features allow you to record and share special moments or scripted content with elaborate filters, voiceovers, stickers, sound effects, and background music. But these features don’t guarantee every video turns out exactly how you want it to.

It’s totally normal to look back on an old social media post and feel a pang of regret – we’ve all been there. Maybe it was on trend at the time, but now it seems outdated. Or perhaps it’s from years ago and feels a little cringe or off-brand. Uploading errors and poor performance are also common reasons for deletion.

If you’re looking for a fresh start, you’re probably wondering: Can I delete a TikTok video? The answer is yes – and the process is pretty simple. Whether you want to rid your account of old content or delete posts wasting away in your drafts folder, we can teach you how to delete a TikTok video.

How deleting videos affects your TikTok

TikTok is rewriting the rules for creating, sharing, and discovering digital content with its powerful algorithm that delivers tailored content to each user’s For You Page (FYP). It’s ultra-sensitive and eerily accurate – so how does the TikTok algorithm work, and how does deleting a video impact your page?

TikTok’s algorithm is an AI recommendation system that fuels a highly personalized FYP unique to each user. This system determines which videos will be shown to you based on your previous interactions, video information, and your device and account settings. Your likes, language preferences, followed hashtags and more are all considered when the app lines up new content for you to see.

When you delete a TikTok video from your profile, you impact the algorithm’s understanding of your account. Remember: TikTok’s algorithm is AI, not a human content analyst – it relies on data to inform what videos it promotes and to whom.

Every TikTok video you post classifies your account to a specific niche and audience according to the algorithm’s parameters. Deleting a video means all the data related to how that content is performed is erased. Unfortunately, that means any positive information TikTok may have received about your page is lost. This can lead to decreased views, content suppression, and slow follower growth. For example, if a deleted video had a lot of views and interactions, removing it might decrease exposure on future uploads.

So while deleting a poorly performing video here and there may have little impact on account success, consistently deleting content or removing hugely successful videos could lead to poor account health.

Don’t delete a whim – carefully weigh the pros and cons of removing a video. Is wiping it from your page worth the potential impact on your performance? Only you can decide.

Deleting a TikTok video on mobile

Deleting a video from your mobile device (iOS or Android) is a quick and painless process. Start by opening the TikTok app and logging in to your account. Then:

1. Tap the “Profile” icon in the bar at the bottom of the screen.
2. On your page, locate the video you wish to delete and tap on it.
3. Select the three-dot icon at the bottom-right corner of the screen.
4. From the pop-up menu, tap on “Delete.”
5. To confirm your choice, select “Delete” again.

Deleting a TikTok video on your desktop

If you can only access your Tiktok on your desktop and want to delete a posted video, no problem. Open your web browser, visit tiktok.com and sign in to your account. Then:

1. Click on the profile icon in the top-right corner of the page and select “View profile” from the drop-down menu.
2. On your page, locate the video you wish to delete and click on it.
3. Select the three-dot icon in the upper-right corner and click the “Delete” option from the menu.
4. To confirm your choice, select “Delete” again.

Deleting a TikTok draft

Did you change your mind about a saved draft? At the time of writing, you can only delete it on the mobile app. Here’s how:

1. Open the TikTok app and log in to your account.
2. Tap the “Profile” icon in the bar at the bottom of the screen.
3. Go to the “Drafts” folder at the top-left corner of your public videos (under the icon that looks like six vertical dashes organized into two rows of three).
4. Tap “Select” in the top-right corner of the screen, then click on the video you wish to delete (and any other drafts you want to remove).
5. Select “Delete” at the bottom of the screen.
6. Confirm your choice by hitting “Delete” again.

FAQs about deleting TikToks

Still have questions about how to delete TikToks? Here are some answers to common queries.

Can people see deleted TikTok videos?

Deleted TikTok videos are removed from the app permanently, along with any corresponding data. This means that once you delete your TikTok video, it’s no longer accessible to others.

Can I restore my deleted videos on TikTok?

If your deleted TikToks have not been backed up elsewhere (like saved on a mobile device or computer), it’s impossible to recover them. To prevent this, save a copy of posts to your phone as you upload them on the app.

Can I delete all of my TikTok videos at once?

No. To delete all of your TikTok videos, you must delete them manually, one by one.

Alternatively, you could delete your entire TikTok account, which would erase all your drafts and delete all posted videos. However, deleting your account will also delete your data, followers, favorite music, saved videos, and profile settings. There’s no way to reactivate your account once it’s deleted.

Become a TikTok expert with Linktree

TikTok is an ever-changing landscape – which means it’s important to update your skills regularly.

Linktree is here to help. Our blog is an excellent resource where you can learn how to edit your videos, the best times to post on TikTok, and what it means to “ratio” in the comment section. We also offer a TikTok Profile Kit that allows creators to access their TikTok accounts via Linktree, highlight their profile and display up to six videos.

And don’t forget about your TikTok bio. It may be just a few characters, but it’s a valuable space to link out to the rest of your digital presence. Add a Linktree to your profile and direct followers to other platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and a personal website, all in one place.