How to Turn on DMs on TikTok

Trying to open up your TikTok DMs but running into roadblocks? You’re not alone. Adjusting your direct message settings should be simple, but TikTok has specific rules - especially around age and privacy - that can make it confusing. This guide will walk you through exactly how to turn on your DMs, customize who can message you, and troubleshoot the most common issues that stop you from connecting with your community.

Why Aren't My TikTok DMs Working? The Common Hurdles

Before jumping into the step-by-step instructions, it helps to understand why your DMs might be disabled in the first place. More often than not, it comes down to one of three things: age restrictions, your privacy settings, or your account type. Figuring out which one applies to you will make the process much smoother.

The Biggest Blocker: TikTok's Age Restrictions

TikTok is serious about user safety, and its policies around direct messaging are designed to protect younger users. The single biggest reason you might be unable to turn on your DMs is your age.

• Users Under 16: If your account indicates you are between 13 and 15 years old, you will not be able to send or receive direct messages at all. The feature is completely disabled for this age group, and there is no setting you can change to bypass this.
• Users Age 16-17: If you're in this age group, you can enable DMs, but your options will be limited for safety. By default, your DMs will be set to 'Nobody'. You can change this, but you won't have the option to receive messages from 'Everyone'. Your choices are typically restricted to mutual followers.
• Users 18 and Over: If you are 18 or older, you have full access to all DM settings, including the ability to receive messages from 'Everyone'.

If you mistakenly entered the wrong birthdate when setting up your account, you will need to contact TikTok support to get it corrected, which often requires providing proof of age. This is the only way to resolve an age-related DM block.

Your Privacy Settings: The Gatekeeper

Even if you meet the age requirements, your DM settings might simply be configured to block incoming messages. By default, TikTok sometimes sets DMs to 'Nobody' or a more restrictive setting like 'Friends'. If you’ve never adjusted this setting before, it’s likely the source of the issue. Fortunately, this is the easiest problem to fix, and we'll cover the exact steps in the next section.

Account Type: Personal vs. Business

For most users, account type isn't a major issue for receiving DMs. Both Personal and Business accounts can receive messages from other users according to their privacy settings. However, it's worth noting that Business Accounts have certain limitations, such as not being able to use copyrighted music in their videos. While this doesn't directly block incoming DMs, it’s a part of the platform's structure that can affect how different account types engage with the community.

Step-by-Step: How to Turn On Your TikTok DMs

Ready to open up your inbox? The process only takes a minute. Just follow these simple steps to find the right menu and adjust your settings. Remember, the options you see will depend on the age associated with your account.

Step 1: Open TikTok and Go to Your Profile

Launch the TikTok app on your phone. From the main feed, tap the 'Profile' icon located at the bottom-right corner of your screen. This will take you to your personal profile page.

Step 2: Access the Settings and Privacy Menu

Once on your profile, look for the three horizontal lines (often called the 'hamburger' menu) in the top-right corner. Tap this icon to open up a menu with more options.

Step 3: Navigate to 'Settings and Privacy'

From the menu that appears at the bottom of the screen, select the 'Settings and privacy' option. It usually has a gear icon next to it. This is the main hub for controlling all aspects of your account.

Step 4: Find 'Privacy'

Inside the 'Settings and privacy' menu, find and tap on 'Privacy', which is located under the 'Account' sub-section. This is where you'll find all the controls related to who can interact with you and your content.

Step 5: Select 'Direct messages'

Scroll down through the privacy options until you see the 'Interactions' section. In this list, you'll find 'Direct messages'. Tap on it to open your DM settings.

Step 6: Choose Who Can DM You

This is the final step! On this screen, you’ll see several options that let you control exactly who can send you a message. To "turn on" your DMs, you just need to select any option other than 'Nobody'.

• Everyone: This is the most open setting. Anyone on TikTok can send you a direct message, even if you don't follow them. Their messages will first appear in your 'Message requests' folder. This option is typically only available to users 18 and older.
• Suggested friends: This option allows messages from users TikTok suggests as friends. This usually includes synced Facebook friends, phone contacts, and people you may know through mutual connections or followers.
• Followers that you follow back: Formerly known as 'Friends', this option (often called 'Mutual followers') is a popular choice for privacy. Only people you follow who also follow you back can message you directly.
• Nobody: This setting completely disables your direct messages. No one will be able to contact you. If this is selected, it's why your DMs aren't working.

Simply tap the option that best fits your needs, and your settings will be updated instantly. If you were on 'Nobody' and switched to 'Followers that you follow back', your DMs are now officially on!

Beyond The Basics: Managing Your DMs for Growth and Sanity

Enabling your DMs is just the first step. If you're a creator, entrepreneur, or marketer, your TikTok inbox is a powerful tool for community building and networking. But if left unmanaged, it can quickly become overwhelming. Here's how to handle your DMs like a pro.

Understanding a Flooded Inbox: The 'Message requests' Folder

When someone who doesn't meet your selected criteria (for example, a non-follower when your DMs are set to 'Everyone') tries to message you, their message won't show up in your main inbox. Instead, it lands in a filtered folder called 'Message requests'.

To view these, go to your Inbox, tap 'Message requests' at the top, and you'll see a list of pending conversations. From here, you can choose to 'Accept' the request, which moves the chat to your primary inbox, or 'Delete' it without the sender being notified.

Control Your Presence: Setting Your Read Status

Don't want people to know the exact moment you've read their message? You can control your read receipts. In the 'Direct messages' settings menu (where you chose who could DM you), you'll see a toggle for 'Read status'. By turning this off, other users won’t be able to see when you've viewed their messages. This simple privacy setting can lift the pressure to reply instantly.

Best Practices for Brands and Creators

Your DMs are more than just a place for messages, they're a direct line to your most engaged audience members. Use them wisely.

• Stay Responsive: You don't have to reply to every message, but responding to genuine inquiries and positive feedback goes a long way in building loyalty.
• Keep It Professional: Maintain your brand voice. Whether you're fun and quirky or professional and informative, your DMs should reflect that tone. For broader engagement, learning how to manage TikTok content effectively across all your posts is also crucial.
• Humanize Your Brand: Use DMs as a chance for genuine, one-on-one connections. Answer questions, thank followers for their support, and show the human side of your brand.
• Source UGC and Testimonials: If a follower sends a glowing message about your product or content, ask them if you can feature it as a testimonial.
• Kickstart Collaborations: DMs are the standard way to reach out to other creators for collaboration opportunities. Keep your initial pitch concise, friendly, and professional.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Still stuck? Let's address some of the most frequent "it's still not working" scenarios.

I followed the steps, but I don't see a 'Direct messages' option at all. Why?

This almost certainly means the account's registered age is between 13-15. As per TikTok’s safety policy, the entire DM feature is removed for these users. To fix it, you’ll have to contact support to correct your birthdate.

I have the option, but I can't select 'Everyone'. My choices are limited.

This is the standard experience for users aged 16 and 17. For safety reasons, TikTok restricts your options to prevent unsolicited messages from strangers. You will likely only be able to choose between mutual followers and a few other restricted options.

I know my birthdate is wrong on my account. How do I fix it?

There's no option to change your birthday directly in the settings. You need to contact TikTok's support team. Go to 'Settings and privacy' >, 'Report a Problem', and follow the prompts for an account-related issue. You'll likely need to provide a copy of a government-issued ID to prove your correct age. The process can take time, so be patient.

Could it be a technical issue?

When in doubt, it never hurts to try the basics. Make sure your TikTok app is updated to the latest version by checking the App Store or Google Play Store. Sometimes, a simple app update can resolve lingering bugs or glitches that affect features like DMs.

Final Thoughts

Turning on your TikTok DMs is a quick settings change that unlocks a powerful channel for building relationships with your audience. While the process is governed by important safety rules around age, the steps are straightforward once you know where to look. By controlling who can message you and managing your inbox effectively, you can turn your DMs from a simple messenger into a strategic asset for growth.

As your presence grows, managing TikTok DMs alongside Instagram comments and Facebook messages can become a juggling act. At Postbase, we designed our platform to solve exactly this problem. Our unified inbox brings all your conversations from every social platform into one simple, organized view. This lets you respond faster and make sure no message slips through the cracks, all without constantly switching between apps.