Why is TikTok asking for your phone passcode?

TikTok is reportedly asking users for their passcode
Reason remains unclear
Report: Request may be a bug

Updated: Dec 28, 2023 / 07:58 PM CST

FILE – The icon for the video sharing TikTok app is seen on a smartphone, Feb. 28, 2023, in Marple Township, Pa. A federal judge on Monday, Dec. 11, in Texas has upheld the state’s TikTok ban on official devices and networks. The decision came months after The Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University challenged the ban, arguing it ban violated the First Amendment. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

(NewsNation) — Millions of TikTok users were reportedly asked to enter their passcode prior to accessing the app.

And the reason remains unclear.

TikTok users started reporting the issue in late November, according to Dexerto.

Dataconomy, an industry expert publication, cites the following as potential reasons for the passcode request:

Restricted mode activation
Software glitches or bugs
Security measures or updates
App updates and changes

The request may be just a bug and not an intentional ask from TikTok.

Restricted Mode is a feature that grants users control over their content and can filter out sensitive content if enabled.

If you have the feature enabled, TikTok may ask you for your passcode to ensure you’re the user accessing certain content.

However, for some users, the passcode request could be a bug or glitch, according to Dataconomy. Other users have reportedly skipped the passcode prompt by selecting “cancel.”