Minutes 1 to 2: Who can see you
Open TikTok's privacy settings and decide whether your account should be private or public. Private means only approved followers see your videos, which suits most personal accounts.
Check whether your account is suggested to others, for example to contacts or people with mutual friends. Switch it off if you would rather not be easy to find.
Minutes 3 to 4: Who can reach you
Review who can send you direct messages, comment, mention you, duet or stitch your videos. Choosing friends or no one for some of these cuts down unwanted contact a lot.
Look at your comment filters and keyword filters too. Adding a few words you never want to see can make your comment section calmer.
Minutes 5 to 6: What your profile gives away
Read your bio, username and profile photo as a stranger would. Remove your school, exact location, phone number or other links that point to more personal information.
Scroll back through your recent videos and liked videos list, and consider making your likes and following list private if those options are available.
Minutes 7 to 8: Logins and security
In the security section, check which devices are logged in and remove any you do not recognise. Turn on two-step verification if you have not already.
Also review any third-party apps or websites you have connected to your account and remove those you no longer use.
Minutes 9 to 10: Phone permissions
Go to your phone's settings, find TikTok and review permissions for location, contacts, photos, camera and microphone. Keep only what you actually use.
Put a reminder in your calendar to repeat this check-up in three months. Settings move and new features arrive, so a regular habit keeps your account protected.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I do a privacy check-up?
Every few months is a good rhythm, plus after any major app update or if something worrying happens, such as a strange login alert.
Does a private account stop all strangers?
It stops strangers from seeing your videos unless you approve them, but your username, profile photo and bio may still be visible. Keep those free of personal details.