Why Does TikTok Say “Not Eligible”?

Have you ever tried signing up for TikTok only to be met with the dreaded “Not Eligible” error message? As a long-time TikTok fanatic and technology expert, I’ve helped hundreds of frustrated users troubleshoot this problem.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you step-by-step through why you’re seeing the “Not Eligible” error, four proven methods to fix it, additional tips to sign up properly, and some background on TikTok’s age policies.

By the end, you’ll have all the insider knowledge needed to successfully create your TikTok account and start enjoying the app!

First, don’t panic when you see the “Not Eligible” error. It’s a common problem that’s easy to fix when you know why it happens.

Here’s the exact error message you may see:

“Sorry, looks like you‘re not eligible for TikTok… but thanks for checking us out!”

This pops up during sign up when you enter a birthday showing you are under 13 years old.

TikTok requires users to be at least 13 to comply with the US Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). COPPA prohibits online services from knowingly collecting data on kids under 13 without parental consent.

So in simple terms, TikTok has banned users under 13 to avoid any legal issues. If you enter an age under 13 when you create your account, TikTok will block you with the “Not Eligible” message.

I know this can be annoying if you just made a mistake with your birthday or want to join under 13. But don’t worry – with the right workaround, you can get past this restriction.

Over the years, I’ve discovered a few simple techniques to bypass the under 13 check and successfully create a TikTok account:

1. Sign Up on the TikTok Website

By far, going through the TikTok website is the easiest fix!

Here’s what to do:

• Open TikTok.com in your browser
• Click “Sign up” to create a new account
• Enter your details with an age 13+ birthday
• Complete email/phone verification

For some reason, signing up on the website (not the app) lets you skip the eligibility check. Once your account is created, just log in normally on the TikTok mobile app.

I recommend this method first, since it always works and avoids any hassle. No need to mess with uninstalling apps or using different devices.

2. Delete and Reinstall the App

If the website trick doesn’t work, try wiping the TikTok app from your device completely by:

• Deleting the app
• Rebooting your device
• Reinstalling TikTok from the app/Play Store

Opening a fresh install and entering an age 13+ birthday when signing up can often bypass the eligibility check.

TikTok won’t recognize your device ID and associate it with any previous under 13 sign up attempts. Just make sure to enter an accurate older age when you recreate your account.

3. Use a Different Device

Another option is to install TikTok on a completely separate device that you haven’t used to sign up before.

For instance, if you tried creating an account on your iPhone, install TikTok on an Android tablet instead. Since TikTok won‘t recognize that new device, it won’t block you for entering an under 13 age previously.

4. Contact TikTok Support

If you still can’t create an account through the app, try reaching out to TikTok’s support team:

• In TikTok, go to your profile then “Report a Problem”
• Choose “Account” then “Can’t create/login to account”
• Explain your situation and that you entered your age incorrectly before

TikTok may be able to override the block, but there’s no guarantee. Be patient as support responses can take a while.

You might be wondering why TikTok drew the line at 13 years old. This minimum age requirement comes directly from COPPA compliance.

COPPA applies to any website/app that is:

• Directed toward children under 13
• Knowingly collects personal data from children under 13

To fully comply, sites must get verifiable parental consent before collecting info on users under 13. Rather than do this, TikTok outright bans under 13 users.

Apps have also faced fines in the past for COPPA violations. In 2019, TikTok paid $5.7 million in a COPPA settlement for collecting under 13 kids’ data without consent. Establishing 13 as the minimum age helps avoid legal issues and penalties.

There is technically a way for under 13 users to access TikTok legally – with consent from a parent or guardian.

TikTok now offers “Family Pairing” accounts that link a parent’s account to a child’s. This gives parents control over privacy settings and screen time limits.

To set up Family Pairing:

• Parent downloads TikTok & creates an account
• In account settings, parent selects “Set Up Family Pairing”
• Parent verifies identity and sets up child’s account
• Child can use TikTok with parent supervision

But this takes more effort than the workarounds above. Unless you need parental controls, it’s easier to just create your account directly using a 13+ age.

When trying to bypass the “Not Eligible” error, you might think about entering a fake name or age during sign up.

I strongly advise against this. Providing false info violates TikTok’s Terms of Service. If caught, TikTok will ban your account.

The fixes in this guide allow you to successfully create an account while being honest. The goal is simply to get around the eligibility check with your real name and accurate birthday.

Once you’ve gotten past the “Not Eligible” error, here are some tips to ensure your new TikTok account remains in good standing:

• Use your real name – Make sure to use your authentic first and last name.

• Enter an accurate birthday – Input your real birthday showing you are 13 or older.

• Use a strong password – Create a secure password at least 8 characters long with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.

• Don’t buy followers or likes – Buying engagement violates TikTok’s rules and can get your account deleted. Gain followers organically.

• Follow community guidelines – Review TikTok’s rules and avoid posting any objectionable content to stay out of trouble.

As a TikTok stats geek, I wanted to share some of the fascinating user demographic data that sheds light on the app’s minimum age policies:

• 67% of TikTok users are under 30

  TikTok has a very young audience, with 30% between 10-19 years old. This demonstrates the app‘s appeal among youth.

• 26.5 million US TikTok users are under 14

  Despite the 13+ policy, TikTok has still managed to draw in millions of underage users.

• Users aged 16-24 spend over 10 hours/week on TikTok

  Teens and young adults are incredibly engaged, spending huge amounts of time scrolling through videos.

• Only 5% of users are over 50

  Half of TikTok users are Gen Z, while older generations lag far behind in adoption.

• 56% of users are female

  TikTok has a majority female audience. Some speculate its lighthearted, dance-driven content appeals more to women.

See the data here

These stats demonstrate how TikTok has captured the attention of young audiences, but also the challenge of keeping under 13 users off the platform.

Hopefully this guide has equipped you to deal with the common “Not Eligible” error during TikTok sign up. While annoying, it’s easily fixable once you understand why it happens and how to workaround it.

My top recommendation is to simply sign up directly through the TikTok website with an accurate 13+ birthday. But you’ve also got other options like reinstalling the app, switching devices, or contacting support.

The key is being patient and persistent so you can get past the age check and start enjoying TikTok. Before you know it, you’ll have your account up and running!