The fastest way to find someone on TikTok
The quickest route is the search bar at the top of the TikTok app or website. Type the person's username, real name, or handle — TikTok will show you matching accounts ranked by relevance. If you know their exact username (the one that starts with @), search for that first, because usernames are unique and you'll get a direct match.
If you only know their real name, the results will be less precise. TikTok shows accounts with that name, but you may see dozens of people. Look for profile pictures, follower counts, or video content you recognize to confirm you've found the right person. Many people use their real name as their display name but have a different username, so check both the account name and the @ handle.
The search bar works the same way on mobile and desktop. On the app, tap the magnifying glass icon at the bottom. On the website, the search bar is at the top center of the page.
Key Takeaways
- Search by username (the @ handle) first if you know it, because usernames are unique and give you an exact match.
- If you only have a real name, search for that and look through results to find the right person by checking their profile picture, follower count, or recent videos.
- You can search from the TikTok app using the magnifying glass icon, or from the website using the search bar at the top.
- If someone has a private account, you can still find them and send a follow request, but you won't see their videos until they accept.
Searching by username versus real name
A username is the unique identifier that starts with @. It's what appears in the account URL and what people use to tag or mention someone. Usernames can't be changed to something someone else already has, so if you search for an exact username and find an account, that's definitely the person you're looking for.
A display name is what appears at the top of the profile — the person's chosen name that shows up on their videos. Many people use their real name here, but they can change it anytime, and multiple people can have the same display name. If you search for "Sarah" or "John," you'll get hundreds of results.
If you know the person's username but not their display name, search the username. If you only know their real name, search that and then narrow the results by looking at the profile. Check when they last posted, how many followers they have, and whether their content matches what you'd expect from the person you're looking for.
Using filters to narrow your search results
After you search, TikTok shows results in a single list by default. You can filter by account type to make the list shorter. Tap the "Accounts" filter at the top of the results page — this removes videos and sounds from the results and shows only user profiles.
This filter is especially useful when you're searching by a common name. Instead of scrolling through hundreds of results that include videos mentioning that name, you'll see only the actual accounts belonging to people with that name. From there, you can look at each profile to find the right person.
TikTok doesn't offer filters by location, follower count, or join date, so if you have multiple results that look similar, you'll need to check each profile individually. Look at their bio, recent videos, and follower list to confirm you've found the right account.
Finding someone through mutual connections
If you follow someone who knows the person you're looking for, you can check their follower list or the accounts they follow. Open their profile, tap "Followers" or "Following," and scroll through to see if the person you want is there. This works well if you're looking for someone you have a mutual friend with.
You can also check who follows a public account you know. If the person you're looking for follows a popular account, celebrity, or brand, you might find them in that account's follower list — though this is slower if the account has millions of followers.
Another option is to look at the comments on videos from someone you know. If the person you're looking for has commented, you can tap their name to go to their profile. This method works best if you're looking for someone who's active in a specific community or follows certain creators.
What to do if you can't find them
If your search returns no results, the person may have deleted their account, changed their username, or set their account to private (though private accounts still show up in search). Try searching for variations of their name — people sometimes use nicknames, middle names, or different spellings online.
If you know their email address or phone number, you can't search TikTok by those details directly. However, if they've linked their TikTok to Facebook or another social media platform, you might find them through that platform first and then look for their TikTok link in their profile.
Ask the person directly for their username if you're trying to connect with someone you know. This is faster than searching and removes any doubt about whether you've found the right account. Many people are happy to share their TikTok handle when asked.
Finding accounts that are private or recently created
Private accounts appear in search results just like public accounts do. You'll see their profile picture, display name, username, and bio, but you won't see their videos or follower count until you send a follow request and they accept it. Search the same way you would for a public account — the privacy setting doesn't change how search works.
Very new accounts may not show up in search immediately. TikTok's search index updates regularly, but a brand-new account might take a few hours or a day to appear in results. If someone just created their account and you can't find them, try again the next day.
If you know the exact username of a private account, you can go directly to it by typing the URL into your browser: tiktok.com/@username. Replace "username" with their actual @ handle. This bypasses search and takes you straight to their profile, where you can send a follow request.
Sending a follow request to someone you found
Once you find the account, tap the "Follow" button on their profile to send a follow request if their account is private, or to follow them directly if their account is public. On a public account, you'll start seeing their videos in your feed immediately. On a private account, the person has to accept your request before you can see their content.
You can also send them a direct message if you're already following them or if they allow messages from people they don't follow. Tap the message icon on their profile to start a chat. This is useful if you want to explain who you are or ask if they remember you before they see your follow request.
If someone doesn't accept your follow request, you can't see their videos or send them messages. You can still unfollow or remove the request anytime by going back to their profile and tapping "Requested" or "Following."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I search for someone by their phone number or email on TikTok?
No, TikTok's search doesn't work by phone number or email. You need either their username, display name, or a link to their profile. If you have their email, check if they've linked it to Facebook or another platform where you can find their TikTok profile link.
What if someone changed their username after I found them?
If you were already following them, they'll still appear in your following list even after they change their username. If you weren't following them and they changed their username, you'll need to search for their new username or ask them what it is. Usernames can be changed anytime, so there's no way to track old usernames through TikTok's search.
Can I find someone's TikTok if I only have their Instagram or Twitter handle?
Not directly through TikTok's search. However, you can search for that handle on TikTok — many people use the same username across platforms. If that doesn't work, check their Instagram or Twitter bio to see if they've linked their TikTok profile there.
Why does my search show accounts that don't match what I searched for?
TikTok's search includes partial matches and related results. If you search "Sarah," you'll see accounts with Sarah in their name, display name, or bio, plus accounts that have been tagged with that word in videos. Try searching for the exact username with the @ symbol to get more precise results.
Can I see if someone viewed my profile on TikTok?
No, TikTok doesn't show you a list of who has viewed your profile. You can see how many views your videos have gotten, but not which specific accounts watched them. Some third-party apps claim to show this, but TikTok doesn't provide that data.