Are TikTok direct messages not working for you?
A lot of users are facing issues with sending direct messages on TikTok.
Some users can’t seem to find the direct message option on TikTok.
Others are receiving this error, “Only friends can send messages to each other”.
If you’re facing one of these issues, you might be wondering why you got it, and how you can fix it.
At the end of the day, direct messaging is an important social feature on TikTok, so it’s a must to have it.
In the guide, you’ll learn why you are unable to send messages on TikTok and how to fix it if it’s not working.
Why Can’t I Send Messages on TikTok?
You can’t send messages on TikTok either because you’re under the age of 16, you’re not mutual followers with the user, or the user has set their safety setting to “Nobody”.
Back in April 2020, TikTok implemented an age restriction for the direct message feature.
Since the age restriction, only registered users that are aged 16 and above can use the direct message feature.
If you are under the age of 16, the “Message” option will not be available to you.
TikTok’s response to the change was to keep younger users on the platform safe.
Secondly, if you’re not mutual followers with the user, you may not be able to send a message to them.
TikTok has a safety feature called “Who can send you direct messages” where users can choose who can send them direct messages.
That feature is set to “Friends” by default, which means that only your followers that you follow back can send you direct messages.
If the user didn’t change their “Who can send you direct messages” setting to “Everyone”, you will not be able to send them direct messages unless you’re mutual followers.
Lastly, if the user sets their Who can send you direct messages” setting to “Nobody”, no one can send them direct messages.
Even if you’re mutual followers, you won’t be able to send them a message.
How to fix TikTok messages not working
To fix TikTok messages not working, you can either create a new TikTok account, follow the user (and have them follow you back), or contact TikTok support to change your birthday.
TikTok does not allow users under the age of 16 to use the direct message feature.
If your account is registered with an age of under 16, you need to either sign up for a new account or contact TikTok support to change your birthday.
Otherwise, you won’t be able to send direct messages on TikTok.
Creating a new account allows you to set a new birthday, so you can set your age to 16 or above.
Afterward, you’ll be able to send messages to people.
If you don’t care about your current account, creating a new account is your best bet.
However, if you already have a lot of followers on your current account, then you might want to contact TikTok support to change your birthday.
Alternatively, you can wait until you’re 16 years old to use the feature.
If you’re above the age of 16 and the direct message feature is not working for you, you may need to follow the user and have them follow you back to send a message.
This is due to the “Who can send you direct messages” setting that is set to “Friends” by default.
Below are the three methods that you can use (in detail) to get the direct message feature to work again on TikTok.
1. Create a new TikTok account
Create a new TikTok account and set your age to 16 or above (e.g. 1 January 200).
The first method you can use is to create a new TikTok account.
If you’re under the age of 16, this is the method that you want to use.
Moreover, if you don’t care about your current account, creating a new TikTok account is the best method for you.
With a new TikTok account, you’ll be able to set a new birthday to hit the minimum age requirement to use the direct message feature on TikTok.
Here’s how you can create a new TikTok account with the minimum age requirement to send messages:
- Open TikTok on your mobile device (you can also use a desktop for this).
- Tap on one of the sign-up options.
- When selecting your birthday, make sure to set your age to 16 or above (e.g. 1 January 2000).
- Enter your email address.
- Set a password.
- Complete the reCAPTCHA to prove that you’re not a bot.
After you’ve created a new account and set an age of 16 or above, you’ll be able to use the direct messaging feature!
Simply navigate to a user’s profile > three dots > send message > send.
If you don’t want to create a new account, you need to wait until you’re 16.
That is if you’ve set your actual birthday while creating your TikTok account.
2. Follow the user & have them follow you back
Follow the user and wait for them to follow you back before sending a message to them.
The second method you can try is to follow the user and have them follow you back.
If the user already follows you, you can try following them back before attempting to send a direct message to them.
This method is for users that are over the age of 16 and have the direct message feature.
If you’re under the age of 16, this method will not work for you as the “Send message” option will not be available to you.
TikTok has a “Who can send you direct messages” setting that is set to “Friends” by default.
This means that only your followers that you follow back will be able to send you direct messages on TikTok.
If you want to allow everyone to send you messages, you need to change the “Who can send you direct messages” setting to “Everyone”.
Similarly, if you want to send a message to someone on TikTok, you may need to be mutual followers first.
Hence, you need to follow the person and wait for them to follow you back before you can send a message to them.
Otherwise, the person needs to change their “Who can send you direct messages” setting to “Everyone”.
3. Contact TikTok support to change your birthday
Report a problem on the app and request to change your birthday to 01/01/2005 (as long as it’s 16 years old and above).
The final method that you can use is to contact TikTok to change your birthday.
This method is for users who’ve registered their TikTok accounts with an age below 16.
You can only use the direct message feature if you’re 16 and above.
So, if you’ve registered your account with an age below 16, you won’t be able to send messages on TikTok.
However, there isn’t a setting on TikTok where you can change your birthday, so you have to contact TikTok to change it.
Here’s how you can contact TikTok to change your birthday and get the message option to show up:
- Open TikTok on your mobile device.
- Go to your TikTok profile by tapping on the “Me” icon on the bottom navigation bar.
- Tap on the three dots.
- Scroll down and tap on “Report a problem”.
- Navigate to Select a Topic > Account and profile > Editing Profile > Other > Still have problem.
- Explain that you set the wrong birthday when signing up for an account and you want to change it.
- Tap on “Report”.
Make sure to request TikTok to change your birthday to a year where you’ll be 16 years old and above.
Otherwise, you still won’t be able to use the direct message feature.
After you’ve sent the report, wait for TikTok’s response.
If your request is successful, you’ll be able to see the “Send message” option when you tap on the three dots on someone’s profile.
Conclusion
Sending messages on TikTok is one of the most important social features on the platform.
However, with the age restriction and safety settings, not everyone can send messages on TikTok.
Fortunately, there are a few methods that you can use to bypass these restrictions that are listed in this article.
If you don’t want to use any of the methods, you can choose to wait until you’re 16 years old.
Once you’re 16, the “Send message” option will be available to you when you tap on the three dots on someone’s profile.
Otherwise, the option will not show up.
