How to Find a Person on TikTok (2026 Guide)

Search by Username

The fastest way to find a person on TikTok is by their username.

How to search by username:

1. Open TikTok.
2. Tap the Search icon (magnifying glass).
3. Enter the exact username (e.g., @johnsmith).
4. Go to the Users tab to filter results.
5. Tap the correct profile.

Tip: Usernames are unique. Even one wrong letter can show different accounts.

Find Someone Using Their Real Name

If you don’t know the username, try searching their real name.

Steps:

1. Open the Search bar.
2. Type their full name.
3. Switch to the Users tab.
4. Browse profiles using profile photos and bio details.

Many users don’t use real names, so results may be limited.

Find a Person via QR Code

TikTok has a built-in QR feature (TikCode).

How it works:

1. Go to your profile.
2. Tap the menu (☰).
3. Select My QR Code.
4. Scan the other person’s QR code.

This method is instant and accurate.

Sync Contacts to Find Friends

If the person registered with their phone number:

To sync contacts:

1. Go to Profile → Menu.
2. Tap Settings and privacy.
3. Select Privacy.
4. Choose Sync contacts and Facebook friends.
5. Enable contact syncing.

TikTok will suggest accounts linked to your contacts.

Find Someone Through Mutual Friends

Another effective method:

• Open a friend’s profile.
• Check their Following or Followers list.
• Search manually.

This works well for private accounts that don’t appear in search.

Use External Search (Google Method)

Sometimes TikTok search doesn’t show everything.

Try this:

Go to Google and type:

site:tiktok.com username or full name

Example:
site:tiktok.com John Smith

This can reveal profiles that don’t appear in app search.

Find Someone From a Video

If you saw a video but forgot the username:

1. Open the video.
2. Tap the profile photo (bottom right).
3. Visit the account page.

If the video was shared via link, the profile name is usually in the URL.

What If You Can’t Find the Person?

Possible reasons:

• The account was deleted.
• The username changed.
• You were blocked.
• The account is private.
• They use a nickname instead of a real name.

If you suspect a block, try searching from another account.

How to Find Influencers on TikTok

If you're searching for creators instead of friends:

• Use niche keywords (e.g., “fitness coach”).
• Filter by Users.
• Analyze follower count and engagement.
• Check hashtags related to your industry.

For business purposes, combine TikTok search with Google search for better results.

FAQ

Can I find someone on TikTok without an account?

Yes. You can search using Google, but full profile access may require login.

Can I find someone by phone number?

Only if contact sync is enabled and they registered with that number.

Why doesn’t TikTok show the profile I’m searching for?

It could be due to privacy settings, a username change, or account deletion.

Can I find a deleted TikTok account?

No. Once permanently deleted, profiles cannot be restored or searched.

Final Thoughts

Finding someone on TikTok in 2026 is simple if you know where to look. The most effective methods are:

• Exact username search  
• QR code scanning  
• Contact syncing  
• Google site search  

Use multiple methods if needed for the best results.