How to Turn Off Direct Messages on TikTok: A Step-by-Step Guide

TikTok has gained massive popularity as a social media platform where users can effortlessly create and share short videos. Although it offers an entertaining and interactive way to connect with others, there are instances where users prefer to limit or disable direct messages (DMs) for reasons related to privacy or security concerns. In such cases, it’s important to know how to navigate the app’s settings to turn off DMs. Here’s a thorough, step-by-step guide to help you do just that.

Begin by opening the TikTok app on your mobile device. Ensure you are logged into your account to access the necessary settings.

Tap on the Profile icon located at the bottom right corner of the screen. This will take you to your profile page, where you can access various account settings and personal information.

On your profile page, you will see a three-line icon (also known as the hamburger menu) at the top right corner of the screen. Tap on this icon to open a menu, and then select “Settings and privacy” from the list .

In the Settings and Privacy menu, find and tap on the “Privacy” option. This section allows you to manage various aspects of your account’s privacy, including direct messages.

Within the Privacy settings, scroll down to find the “Direct messages” option. Tap on it to open the direct message settings, where you can choose who can send you direct messages.

In the Direct messages settings, you will see multiple options for who can send you DMs:

Everyone: Anyone on TikTok can send you a direct message.
Friends: Only users who you follow and who follow you back can send you direct messages.
No one: No one can send you direct messages.

To turn off direct messages completely, select the “No one” option. This will disable direct messages from all users, ensuring that your inbox remains empty and your privacy is maintained.

After selecting the “No one” option, exit the settings menu. Your new direct message preferences will be saved automatically. You can always revisit these settings if you change your mind and wish to allow messages from certain users in the future.

While turning off direct messages is an effective way to enhance your privacy on TikTok, consider these additional tips to further secure your account:

Private Account: Set your account to private so that only approved followers can view your content.
Comment Filters: Use comment filters to block unwanted or inappropriate comments on your videos.
Block and Report: Utilize the block and report features to manage interactions with other users effectively.