How to Fix “Only friends can send messages to each other” on TikTok

Direct messaging allows you to connect with your friends and followers on TikTok.

The feature lets you send and receive messages or videos directly on the app.

If you’re trying to send a message to a user, you might get an error message.

The message says that only friends can send messages to each other.

Unfortunately, this can only be fixed from the user’s end and not yours.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to fix “Only friends can send messages to each other” on TikTok (for the other user).

How to Fix “Only friends can send messages to each other” on TikTok

“Only friends can send messages to each other” on TikTok means that the other user has set their direct messages privacy setting to “Friends”.

To fix this, you need to ask your friend to change their privacy settings from “Friends” to “Everyone”.

Otherwise, you and your friend must follow each other on TikTok.

In addition, to send or receive messages, your friend needs to be 16 years old or above.

Fix 1: Change your privacy settings

1. Open the TikTok app and go to your profile.
2. Menu > Settings and privacy > Privacy.
3. Interactions > Direct messages > Everyone.

Note: If you can’t send messages to your friend, ask them to follow the steps above to change their privacy settings.

Fix 2: Change your age to 16 and above

1. Go to https://www.tiktok.com/legal/report/feedback.
2. Select “Change account information” as the topic.
3. Select “Other” as the category.
4. Enter your email address and TikTok username.
5. Say that you’ve set your birthday incorrectly and want to change it to YYYY-DD-MM (so you’re above 16 years old).
6. Attach a photo of your ID for verification purposes.
7. Submit the form and wait for TikTok’s response.

Note: If your friend accidentally set their age to under 16 on TikTok, ask them to follow the steps above to change it so that you can send them direct messages.

Fix 3: Follow each other on TikTok

1. Follow the user that you want to direct message on TikTok.
2. Wait for the user to follow you back.
3. Once the user follows you back, you’ll be able to send messages to them.

Note: After you’ve followed your friend on TikTok, ask them to follow you back so that you can send direct messages to them.

Further reading

How to Fix “Cannot send messages due to this user’s privacy settings” on TikTok

How to Fix “Due to multiple community guideline violations” on TikTok

How to Fix Auto Scroll Not Showing on TikTok