If you no longer want someone to appear as a friend on your account, you may be wondering: how do you remove friends from TikTok? On TikTok, a friend is someone who follows you and whom you also follow back. If you remove a friend, they will no longer appear in your Friends list.
The good news is that removing a friend is simple. Depending on your situation, you can unfollow them, remove them as a follower, or block them completely. In this guide, we’ll explain each method and when to use it.
What Does “Friend” Mean on TikTok?
TikTok labels someone as a Friend when:
- You follow them.
- They follow you back.
If either person unfollows the other, the Friend status disappears.
Method 1: Unfollow a Friend
This is the quickest way to remove someone from your Friends list.
Step 1: Open TikTok
Launch the TikTok app and sign in to your account.
Step 2: Go to Your Profile
Tap Profile in the bottom-right corner.
Step 3: Open Your Following List
Tap Following to see everyone you follow.
Step 4: Find the Friend
Scroll through the list or use the search bar to locate the person.
Step 5: Tap Following
Tap the Following button next to their name.
The button will change to Follow, indicating you’ve unfollowed them.
If they still follow you, they’ll remain one of your followers but will no longer be listed as your friend.
Method 2: Remove Them as a Follower
If you want them to stop following you as well:
Steps
- Go to Profile.
- Tap Followers.
- Find the person.
- Tap the three dots or More option next to their name (if available).
- Select Remove this follower.
- Confirm your choice.
They’ll no longer follow you, but they won’t be notified.
Method 3: Block the User
If you don’t want the person to contact or view your profile:
Steps
- Open their profile.
- Tap the Share or three-dot menu.
- Select Block.
- Confirm.
Blocking removes the friendship, prevents future interaction, and stops the person from viewing your content while blocked.
Will They Know I Removed Them?
Generally, no.
TikTok does not send a notification when you:
- Unfollow someone.
- Remove them as a follower.
- Remove them from your Friends list.
However, they may notice if they check your profile or their Following list.
Can You Add Them Back Later?
Yes.
If you change your mind:
- Visit their profile.
- Tap Follow.
If they follow you back again, they’ll once again appear as a Friend.
Why Can’t I Remove a Friend?
Possible reasons include:
App glitch
Restart TikTok and try again.
Outdated app
Update TikTok to the latest version.
Poor internet connection
Use a stable Wi-Fi or mobile data connection.
Temporary server issue
Wait a few minutes and try again.
Difference Between Unfollowing, Removing, and Blocking
Unfollow
- Stops you from following them.
- Removes the Friend status if they still follow you.
Remove Follower
- Stops them from following you.
- They aren’t notified.
Block
- Removes both follows.
- Prevents future interaction until you unblock them.
Tips for Managing Your Friends List
Review your Following list regularly
Remove inactive or unwanted accounts.
Use a Private Account
A private account gives you more control over who can follow you.
Remove unwanted followers
Keep your follower list limited to people you trust.
Block repeat offenders
If someone repeatedly bothers you, blocking is usually the best option.
ALSO READ: How to recover a deleted TikTok account after 30 days
