TikTok Stories offer a fun and interactive way to share temporary videos or photos with your followers. Just like Instagram or Facebook Stories, TikTok Stories disappear after 24 hours. However, you might want to delete a story before that time—maybe you posted something by mistake or changed your mind about sharing it. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to delete a story from TikTok, whether you’re using an Android or iOS device.
What Are TikTok Stories?
Before we dive into deleting them, it’s important to understand what TikTok Stories are.
TikTok Stories are short videos or photos that:
- Appear in your profile photo ring.
- Can be viewed for 24 hours by your followers.
- Allow viewers to react or comment directly on the story.
- Don’t stay permanently on your profile unless you repost them as a normal video.
If you accidentally uploaded a Story or want to take it down before it disappears, you can delete it manually.
Step-by-Step: How to Delete a TikTok Story
Step 1: Open the TikTok App
Launch the TikTok app on your mobile device. Make sure you’re logged in to the account that posted the story you want to delete.
Step 2: Go to Your Profile
Tap the “Profile” icon at the bottom-right corner of your screen to open your profile page.
Step 3: Tap Your Profile Picture
Your active TikTok Story will be displayed in a blue ring around your profile picture. Tap on your profile picture to open the Story.
Step 4: Find the Story You Want to Delete
If you have more than one story, swipe left or right to find the exact one you want to delete.
Step 5: Tap the Three Dots (…) or More Options
Once the story is playing, look for the three dots icon (⋯) or an options menu, usually located at the bottom-right or top-right corner of the screen.
Step 6: Select “Delete”
Tap “Delete” from the options that appear. You may be asked to confirm your decision.
Step 7: Confirm Deletion
A pop-up will appear asking you to confirm. Tap “Delete” again to permanently remove the story.
Once deleted, the story will no longer be visible to your followers and cannot be recovered.
Things to Keep in Mind
- Deleted stories are permanent: Once you delete a story, you can’t get it back. So double-check before confirming deletion.
- Only you can delete your story: Followers cannot delete or report your story unless it violates TikTok’s community guidelines.
- Stories disappear automatically: If you choose not to delete your story, it will be removed automatically after 24 hours.
- Story views disappear too: After deletion, any views, likes, or comments on the story will also be lost.
Why You Might Want to Delete a TikTok Story
Here are some common reasons TikTok users delete their stories:
- Posted the wrong clip or photo
- Made a typo in on-screen text
- Changed your mind about sharing something personal
- Want to keep your profile clean and consistent
- Received negative feedback or unwanted attention
Whatever the reason, TikTok makes it easy and quick to delete any story you no longer want to be visible.
Also Read: How to Add Captions to TikTok
