Deleted TikTok videos and drafts can often be restored using the app or cloud features.
Regular backups prevent permanent loss of your creative content.
Knowing the right recovery methods saves time and keeps your TikTok profile intact.
Have you accidentally deleted a TikTok video or draft and are now wondering what to do with all the time and effort you just lost? This can be frustrating. However, there are ways to stay calm and know that by 2025, you will be able to retrieve those videos or drafts.
In this article, we will guide you through the steps to recover lost content, ensuring it is not permanently deleted. We hope to provide you with a few tricks and tips to keep your videos secure, as well as help you recover lost videos if necessary.
When you work on a TikTok video and save it as a draft, it stays on your phone, not on TikTok's computers. Deleted videos are videos that you have already posted and then removed.
Videos may also disappear due to glitches or accidental deletions. TikTok does not offer an undo feature for deleted videos; however, alternative recovery methods are available.
Also Read: How to Transfer Your TikTok Data to a New Account: Simple Guide
TikTok introduced a Recently Deleted feature in 2022, which retains videos that you have deleted for approximately a month. Here's how to see it:
Open TikTok and find your profile.
Tap the three lines in the top right.
Tap Settings and Privacy, then Privacy.
Scroll down and tap Recently Deleted.
Locate the video you wish to recover and select ‘Restore.’
This trick works if you deleted the video in the last 30 days. But drafts won't be in there.
As mentioned earlier, drafts are stored locally on your device. A deleted draft may still be accessible in your Photos app or file manager:
iPhone: Check the Photos app or Files app for any folders related to TikTok.
Android: Look in the Gallery, Google Photos, or your file manager for folders related to TikTok.
If you have your phone set to back up data to the cloud, your draft may also be stored there.
Many devices automatically back up your content. You should check these services for any TikTok videos or drafts:
Google Photos (for Android)
iCloud (for iPhones)
Dropbox (or whichever app you use to back up, typically)
Alternatively, check the backups for your TikTok content. However, if you do find them, the content can be saved.
It is possible to recover deleted videos using certain apps on both Android and iOS; however, please exercise caution.
Ensure that any app you consider downloading has good reviews and was developed by a reputable developer.
Be cautious of any app that requests excessive permissions from your phone or access to sensitive data.
Again, please keep in mind that any app you find may not successfully recover your TikTok files, but can potentially help you recover files you have lost.
Here’s how to prevent this situation from happening again:
Save to Camera Roll: Save a second copy of your video before deleting the draft.
Back it Up: Save a second copy of your video to Google Photos or iCloud, if that's more convenient for you.
Regularly update the TikTok app to benefit from bug fixes that prevent data loss.
Also Read: How TikTok Algorithm Works in 2025: A Complete Guide to Video Ranking
If you inadvertently remove a TikTok video, it may not be lost forever. You can check your Recently Deleted folder, review your phone storage, and examine your cloud backups to see if it is still there. Consistent backups and up-to-date settings can help protect your TikTok videos. Following these options gives you the possibility to retain and defend videos the next time.
How to Transfer Your TikTok Data to a New Account: Simple Guide
How TikTok Algorithm Works in 2025: A Complete Guide to Video Ranking
1. Can I recover a TikTok video deleted more than 30 days ago?
No, TikTok’s Recently Deleted folder only keeps videos for 30 days.
2. Where are TikTok drafts stored on my phone?
Drafts are stored locally in your device’s TikTok folder or gallery.
3. Can cloud backups restore lost TikTok drafts?
Yes, services like Google Photos or iCloud can recover backed-up drafts.
4. Are third-party apps safe for recovering deleted TikTok videos?
Only use trusted apps with good reviews, as some may pose security risks.
5. How can I prevent losing TikTok videos in the future?
Save videos to your gallery, enable cloud backups, and update TikTok regularly.