Is your phone buzzing with TikTok notifications at all hours? You’re not alone. TikTok is awesome, but sometimes it just won’t leave you alone. If you’re tired of it popping up every five minutes, don’t worry. We’ve got a fun and simple guide to help you make it stop—without throwing your phone out the window.
Step 1: Decide What You Mean by “Popping Up”
Let’s break this down. When you say TikTok is “popping up,” do you mean:
- You’re getting too many notifications?
- It’s opening randomly?
- It tempts you to use it 24/7?
Each of these has a different fix. Let’s tackle them all!
Stop the Notifications
If TikTok keeps sending messages, here’s how to quiet it down:
- Open TikTok. Tap on your profile icon (bottom right).
- Tap the three lines (top right corner) to open Settings.
- Select “Push notifications.”
- Now turn off the ones you don’t want. Want total peace? Toggle everything off!
Don’t want to open the app? You can shut it down from your phone’s settings too:
On iPhone:
- Go to Settings > Notifications > TikTok
- Switch off Allow Notifications
On Android:
- Go to Settings > Apps > TikTok
- Tap Notifications, then turn them off

Stop TikTok from Opening Randomly
Okay, this one’s a little tricky. TikTok shouldn’t open by itself, unless…
- You accidentally tap it while scrolling
- You gave it permission to run in the background
Let’s fix that.
Stop Background Activity
On iPhone:
- Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh
- Scroll to TikTok and switch it off
On Android:
- Go to Settings > Apps > TikTok
- Tap Battery
- Tap Background restriction and choose Restrict
This helps stop the app from running in sneaky ways.
Give Yourself a Break
Sometimes, it’s not just TikTok’s fault. We can’t help but open it… again and again.
If you want TikTok to stop tempting you, try this:
Use Digital Wellbeing Tools
- Set a time limit for the app. Both Android and iPhone can do this.
- App timers let you control how much time per day you spend on TikTok.
Here’s how:
On iPhone:
- Go to Settings > Screen Time
- Tap App Limits and then Add Limit
- Choose TikTok and set a daily time limit
On Android:
- Open Settings > Digital Wellbeing & parental controls
- Tap Dashboard, find TikTok and set a timer
This way, even if TikTok tries to pop up, it won’t get very far!

Hardcore Option: Uninstall It
If nothing works and TikTok is still bugging you, here’s the final move.
Delete the app.
Yep, just press and hold the app icon and select Uninstall (Android) or Remove App (iPhone).
You can always reinstall later. No harm done. Sometimes a clean break is what you need.
Stay in Control
Your phone should work for you—not the other way around. TikTok is fun, but if it’s getting too clingy, now you know how to turn it down a notch.
Quiet the buzz, reclaim your peace, and still enjoy all the viral cat dances when you want to. Win-win!
Now go take a TikTok break—on your own terms.