An unfamiliar device appears in TikTok Security checkup

TikTok's Security checkup groups recovery contacts, two-step verification, trusted devices and account activity. A device you do not recognize may be an old phone with a changed name, or it may be someone using your account. Do not rely on an approximate location alone; compare the device, time and your own sign-ins. If the entry is unexplained, removing it is only the first step, because a known password or compromised mailbox can let it return.

Before you start​

Use a phone you trust and open TikTok from its normal icon, not a link in a warning message. Verify that the account's email and phone number are accessible to you. If you share an account with staff, identify their legitimate devices first; a shared password is still an access risk to resolve after containment.

Do it step by step​

1. Tap Profile, Menu, Settings and privacy, Security and permissions, then Security checkup. Inspect security activity and Manage devices; TikTok's current help describes these controls in this area.
2. Compare each entry with devices you own or recently replaced. If one is unexplained, record its details, then use Delete or Remove for that trusted device. Do not approve a new login prompt from a device you did not initiate.
3. Change the TikTok password to a unique one. If the same password was used for the recovery email or another service, change those too. Secure the mailbox before an attacker can reset TikTok again.
4. Check Account information for the linked email and phone number. Replace any value you did not set, then verify your own contacts. Set up two-step verification with at least two methods where available and review whether a passkey fits your device-recovery plan.
5. Inspect outgoing DMs, posted videos, profile bio, linked accounts and purchase or balance activity for unauthorized changes. Report account compromise through TikTok's official in-app support if evidence remains.
6. Revisit Manage devices after a fresh sign-in and watch for another unexplained entry. Tell contacts by a separate route if your account sent them a scam link or request for money.

Check the result​

Only expected devices are trusted, recovery contacts belong to you and a new sign-in requires your intended second factor. No suspicious outgoing activity remains unexplained.

If something goes wrong​

If you cannot sign in, use TikTok's account-recovery flow; its current help may offer friend verification in eligible cases. Do not send a password or verification code to someone who claims to be TikTok Support. If a removed device reappears, investigate the email account, password reuse and phone security.

Know the limit​

A green check in Security checkup means a task was configured; it does not guarantee no one copied data while a session was active. TikTok's feature labels and recovery choices can differ by age, region and app version. Keep a record of evidence before deleting a suspicious device. TikTok account-safety controls TikTok phishing warning