TikTok now gives users control over what happens to their profiles once they’re gone.
The platform has rolled out an “Account legacy” option in its settings. Users can nominate a trusted contact to manage the account or instruct TikTok to delete it after death. App researchers first spotted the feature on iOS in late August 2026, with screenshots circulating from Radu Oncescu and Jonah Manzano.
🔐TikTok ia rolling out a new “Account legacy” feature on iOS:
— Radu Oncescu (@oncescuradu) August 24, 2026
“Choose someone you trust to manage your account after you pass away.” pic.twitter.com/j4Ww1sPiJk
🚨 NEW on TikTok!
— Jonah Manzano (@jonah_manzano) August 21, 2026
TikTok now has Account Legacy 👀
You can nominate a Legacy Contact to manage your account after you pass away – or choose to have it deleted after death.
I’ve never seen this option on TikTok before! pic.twitter.com/YxwMvSa4Y9
How the New Setting Works
Head to Settings and privacy, then Account. The legacy menu lets you pick a TikTok user as your contact. That person can handle limited controls you select in advance. Alternatively, choose automatic deletion so the profile vanishes without further action from relatives.
TikTok still requires a family member or legal representative to submit a formal request for removal in some cases. Expect a death certificate and proof of relationship. The new tool simply puts the preference on record ahead of time.
Why This Matters Now
Digital legacies have become unavoidable. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram already offer memorialization and legacy contacts. TikTok lagged for years, leaving accounts active or forcing families through slow support tickets. Content, drafts, and follower lists often sat unresolved.
Oxford research once projected Facebook alone could host billions of deceased profiles by 2100. TikTok’s younger user base faces the same reality as creators and everyday posters age. Letting people set clear instructions reduces family stress and protects privacy preferences.
AI Disclosure: This article was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools and was reviewed and edited by the Glowls News editorial team before publication.