Have you ever tried to open a TikTok video from the Messenger app on your phone or tablet, only to find that it just doesn’t work?
It’s a frustrating experience, especially when you’re eager to see the latest viral video or share a funny clip with your friends.
But don’t worry – there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix this issue. In this post, we’ll go through each step in detail, so you can get back to enjoying TikTok videos without any hiccups.
Why Is TikTok Not Opening from Messenger?
Before we dive into the troubleshooting steps, it’s essential to understand why this problem might be occurring in the first place.
There could be several reasons why TikTok is not opening from the Messenger app on your device, including:
1. TikTok is Down or Experiencing Technical Issues
Like any other app or website, TikTok can sometimes experience technical issues or downtime. If TikTok’s servers are down or facing problems, you might not be able to access the app or its content, including from within the Messenger app.
2. Internet Connection Problems
A poor or unstable internet connection can also prevent TikTok from opening or loading properly within the Messenger app. If your device is not connected to a stable Wi-Fi network or if your mobile data connection is weak, you might experience issues with TikTok and other apps that require an internet connection.
3. Outdated App Versions
If you’re using an outdated version of the Messenger or TikTok app, compatibility issues could arise, preventing the apps from working together seamlessly. App developers frequently release updates to fix bugs, improve performance, and add new features, so it’s essential to keep your apps up-to-date.
4. Cached Data and Temporary Files
Over time, apps can accumulate cached data and temporary files that can cause performance issues or conflicts. Clearing the cache and data for the Messenger and TikTok apps can often resolve these types of problems.
5. App or Device Settings
In some cases, the issue might be related to your device’s settings or permissions. For example, if TikTok is not allowed to access your device’s data or if it’s being blocked by parental controls or other restrictions, it might not be able to open or function properly within the Messenger app.
Now that you have a better understanding of the potential reasons behind this problem, let’s dive into the troubleshooting steps.
Troubleshooting Steps
1. Check if TikTok is Down
The first step is to check if TikTok is currently experiencing any downtime or technical issues that could be causing the problem. You can use a website like Downdetector to see if other users are reporting issues with TikTok.
On the Downdetector website, you’ll see a live map showing the locations where TikTok is currently having problems. If there are a lot of reports concentrated in your area, TikTok is likely down or experiencing issues, and you’ll need to wait until the problem is resolved.
If Downdetector doesn’t show any significant outages or issues with TikTok, you can proceed to the next troubleshooting step.
2. Make Sure You Have a Good Internet Connection
A stable and reliable internet connection is crucial for TikTok and other apps to work properly. If your internet connection is poor or intermittent, you might experience issues with loading or opening content within the Messenger app.
To check if your internet connection is the problem, try opening TikTok in a web browser on your device. If TikTok loads and works correctly in the browser, it means that your internet connection is likely not the issue, and you can move on to the next troubleshooting step.
However, if TikTok doesn’t load or function properly in the browser, it could be an indication that your internet connection is unstable or too slow. In this case, you should try the following:
- Move closer to your Wi-Fi router or access point to improve the signal strength.
- Restart your Wi-Fi router or modem by unplugging it from the power source, waiting for a minute, and then plugging it back in.
- If you’re using a mobile data connection, check if you have a strong signal or try moving to an area with better coverage.
- Contact your internet service provider (ISP) to troubleshoot any potential issues with your internet connection.
3. Restart Your Phone or Tablet
Sometimes, minor software glitches or conflicts can cause apps to misbehave, and a simple restart can often resolve these issues. Restarting your phone or tablet can clear its temporary memory and refresh its software, potentially fixing any underlying problems that might be preventing TikTok from opening within the Messenger app.
To restart your device, follow these steps:
For iOS devices (iPhone or iPad):
- Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button (or Side button on newer models) until the “Slide to Power Off” slider appears on the screen.
- Slide the slider to turn off your device.
- Wait for at least 30 seconds.
- Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button (or Side button) again until the Apple logo appears, indicating that your device is restarting.
For Android devices:
- Press and hold the Power button until the “Power Off” or “Restart” option appears on the screen.
- Tap “Restart” to restart your device.
After your device has restarted, try opening a TikTok video from the Messenger app again. If the issue persists, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.
4. Update the Messenger App
If you’re using an outdated version of the Messenger app, it could be causing compatibility issues with TikTok or other apps. Developers frequently release updates to fix bugs, improve performance, and add new features, so it’s essential to keep your apps up-to-date.
To update the Messenger app on your device, follow these steps:
For iOS devices:
- Open the App Store app on your device.
- Tap on the “Updates” tab at the bottom of the screen.
- If there’s an update available for the Messenger app, it will be listed here. Tap the “Update” button next to the Messenger app to install the latest version.
For Android devices:
- Open the Google Play Store app on your device.
- Tap on the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner to open the menu.
- Select “My apps & games” from the menu.
- If there’s an update available for the Messenger app, it will be listed here. Tap the “Update” button next to the Messenger app to install the latest version.
After updating the Messenger app, try opening a TikTok video again. If the issue persists, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.
5. Update the TikTok App
Similar to the Messenger app, if you’re using an outdated version of the TikTok app, it could be causing compatibility issues or other problems that prevent it from opening within the Messenger app. Updating the TikTok app to the latest version can help resolve these issues.
To update the TikTok app on your device, follow these steps:
For iOS devices:
- Open the App Store app on your device.
- Tap on the “Updates” tab at the bottom of the screen.
- If there’s an update available for the TikTok app, it will be listed here. Tap the “Update” button next to the TikTok app to install the latest version.
For Android devices:
- Open the Google Play Store app on your device.
- Tap on the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner to open the menu.
- Select “My apps & games” from the menu.
- If there’s an update available for the TikTok app, it will be listed here. Tap the “Update” button next to the TikTok app to install the latest version.
After updating the TikTok app, try opening a video from the Messenger app again. If the issue persists, move on to the next troubleshooting step.
6. Clear the Cache and Data for the Messenger App
Over time, the Messenger app can accumulate cached data and temporary files that can cause performance issues or conflicts with other apps like TikTok.
Clearing the cache and data for the Messenger app can help resolve these types of problems and potentially fix the issue of TikTok not opening from within the app.
Follow these steps to clear the cache and data for the Messenger app:
For iOS devices:
Unfortunately, there is no built-in option to clear the cache and data for individual apps on iOS devices. However, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling the Messenger app, which will clear its cache and data. Here’s how:
- Press and hold the Messenger app icon on your home screen until it starts to wiggle.
- Tap the small “x” icon that appears on the top-left corner of the Messenger app icon.
- Confirm that you want to uninstall the app by tapping “Delete” or “Uninstall.”
- Once the app is uninstalled, go to the App Store and search for “Messenger.”
- Tap the cloud icon or “Install” button to reinstall the Messenger app on your device.
For Android devices:
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Tap “Apps” or “Apps & notifications.”
- Find and tap “Messenger” in the list of installed apps.
- Tap “Storage” or “Storage & cache.”
- Tap “Clear cache” to clear the app’s cached data.
- Tap “Clear data” or “Clear storage” to clear the app’s data and temporary files.
After clearing the cache and data for the Messenger app, try opening a TikTok video from within the app again. If the issue persists, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.
7. Clear the Cache and Data for the TikTok App
Similar to the Messenger app, the TikTok app can also accumulate cached data and temporary files that can cause performance issues or conflicts with other apps.
Clearing the cache and data for the TikTok app can help resolve these types of problems and potentially fix the issue of not being able to open TikTok videos from within the Messenger app.
Follow these steps to clear the cache and data for the TikTok app:
For iOS devices:
Unfortunately, there is no built-in option to clear the cache and data for individual apps on iOS devices. However, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling the TikTok app, which will clear its cache and data. Here’s how:
- Press and hold the TikTok app icon on your home screen until it starts to wiggle.
- Tap the small “x” icon that appears on the top-left corner of the TikTok app icon.
- Confirm that you want to uninstall the app by tapping “Delete” or “Uninstall.”
- Once the app is uninstalled, go to the App Store and search for “TikTok.”
- Tap the cloud icon or “Install” button to reinstall the TikTok app on your device.
For Android devices:
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Tap “Apps” or “Apps & notifications.”
- Find and tap “TikTok” in the list of installed apps.
- Tap “Storage” or “Storage & cache.”
- Tap “Clear cache” to clear the app’s cached data.
- Tap “Clear data” or “Clear storage” to clear the app’s data and temporary files.
After clearing the cache and data for the TikTok app, try opening a video from the Messenger app again. If the issue persists, move on to the next troubleshooting step.
8. Reinstall the Messenger App
If none of the previous steps have resolved the issue of TikTok not opening from within the Messenger app, you can try reinstalling the Messenger app entirely.
This will ensure that you have a fresh installation of the app, which can sometimes resolve stubborn issues or conflicts.
Follow these steps to reinstall the Messenger app:
For iOS devices:
- Press and hold the Messenger app icon on your home screen until it starts to wiggle.
- Tap the small “x” icon that appears on the top-left corner of the Messenger app icon.
- Confirm that you want to uninstall the app by tapping “Delete” or “Uninstall.”
- Once the app is uninstalled, go to the App Store and search for “Messenger.”
- Tap the cloud icon or “Install” button to reinstall the Messenger app on your device.
For Android devices:
- Open the Google Play Store app on your device.
- Tap on the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner to open the menu.
- Select “My apps & games” from the menu.
- Find and tap “Messenger” in the list of installed apps.
- Tap “Uninstall” to remove the Messenger app from your device.
- Once the app is uninstalled, go back to the Google Play Store and search for “Messenger.”
- Tap the “Install” button to reinstall the Messenger app on your device.
After reinstalling the Messenger app, try opening a TikTok video from within the app again. If the issue persists, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.
9. Reinstall the TikTok App
If reinstalling the Messenger app didn’t resolve the issue, you can try reinstalling the TikTok app as well. This can help ensure that you have a fresh installation of the TikTok app, which can sometimes fix any underlying issues or conflicts that might be preventing it from opening within the Messenger app.
Follow these steps to reinstall the TikTok app:
For iOS devices:
- Press and hold the TikTok app icon on your home screen until it starts to wiggle.
- Tap the small “x” icon that appears on the top-left corner of the TikTok app icon.
- Confirm that you want to uninstall the app by tapping “Delete” or “Uninstall.”
- Once the app is uninstalled, go to the App Store and search for “TikTok.”
- Tap the cloud icon or “Install” button to reinstall the TikTok app on your device.
For Android devices:
- Open the Google Play Store app on your device.
- Tap on the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner to open the menu.
- Select “My apps & games” from the menu.
- Find and tap “TikTok” in the list of installed apps.
- Tap “Uninstall” to remove the TikTok app from your device.
- Once the app is uninstalled, go back to the Google Play Store and search for “TikTok.”
- Tap the “Install” button to reinstall the TikTok app on your device.
After reinstalling the TikTok app, try opening a video from the Messenger app again. If the issue persists, move on to the next troubleshooting step.
10. Check Your Phone or Tablet’s Settings
In some cases, the issue of TikTok not opening from the Messenger app could be related to your device’s settings or permissions.
For example, if TikTok is not allowed to use data or if it’s being blocked by parental controls or other restrictions, it might not be able to open or function properly within the Messenger app.
Here are some settings you should check on your device:
Data Usage Settings
Make sure that TikTok is allowed to use your device’s cellular data or Wi-Fi connection. Follow these steps:
For iOS devices:
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Tap “Cellular” or “Mobile Data.”
- Scroll down and find the “Cellular Data” section.
- Make sure that the toggle switch next to TikTok is turned on, allowing the app to use cellular data.
For Android devices:
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Tap “Apps & notifications” or “Apps.”
- Find and tap “TikTok” in the list of installed apps.
- Tap “Mobile data” or “Data usage.”
- Make sure that the toggle switch next to “Allow background data usage” is turned on.
Parental Controls or Restrictions
Check if TikTok or the Messenger app is being blocked by any parental controls or restrictions on your device. Follow these steps:
For iOS devices:
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Tap “Screen Time.”
- Tap
Parental Controls or Restrictions
Check if TikTok or the Messenger app is being blocked by any parental controls or restrictions on your device. Follow these steps:
For iOS devices:
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Tap “Screen Time.”
- Tap “Content & Privacy Restrictions.”
- Enter your Screen Time passcode (if prompted).
- Scroll down and ensure that the “Allowed Apps” section includes both TikTok and Messenger. If either app is missing, tap the green “+” icon to add them to the list of allowed apps.
For Android devices:
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Tap “Parental controls” or “Digital Wellbeing & parental controls.”
- Look for any restrictions or filters that might be blocking TikTok or the Messenger app.
- If you find any restrictions, remove them or add TikTok and Messenger to the list of allowed apps.
Other App Permissions
Make sure that TikTok has the necessary permissions to function properly on your device. Follow these steps:
For iOS devices:
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Tap “Privacy.”
- Tap “Permissions Manager.”
- Tap “TikTok.”
- Ensure that the necessary permissions (e.g., Camera, Microphone, Location) are enabled for TikTok.
For Android devices:
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Tap “Apps & notifications” or “Apps.”
- Find and tap “TikTok” in the list of installed apps.
- Tap “Permissions.”
- Make sure that the necessary permissions (e.g., Camera, Microphone, Storage) are granted for TikTok.
After checking and adjusting the necessary settings on your device, try opening a TikTok video from the Messenger app again. If the issue persists, proceed to the final troubleshooting step.
11. Contact TikTok Support
If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps above and TikTok still won’t open from the Messenger app, it’s time to contact TikTok’s support team for further assistance. Here’s how you can do that:
- Open the TikTok app on your device.
- Tap the “Profile” icon in the bottom-right corner.
- Tap the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner to open the app menu.
- Tap “Settings and privacy.”
- Tap “Report a problem.”
- Select the issue you’re experiencing (e.g., “App won’t open/load” or “Other issues”).
- Provide a detailed description of the problem, including any steps you’ve already taken to try to resolve it.
- Tap “Submit” to send your report to TikTok’s support team.
Alternatively, you can visit TikTok’s Help Center and search for articles or contact options related to your issue.
When contacting TikTok support, be prepared to provide the following information:
- Your device model and operating system version (e.g., iPhone 12 running iOS 15.4 or Samsung Galaxy S21 running Android 12)
- The version of the TikTok app you’re using
- A detailed description of the issue, including any error messages or screenshots
- The steps you’ve already taken to try to resolve the issue
- Any other relevant information that might be helpful for the support team to diagnose and resolve the problem
By providing as much detail as possible, you’ll help TikTok’s support team better understand your situation and provide you with the most appropriate solution.
Conclusion
If you’ve followed all the troubleshooting steps outlined in this post and TikTok still won’t open from the Messenger app, there’s likely an underlying issue that requires more advanced troubleshooting or assistance from TikTok’s support team.
Remember, these steps are not just applicable to the specific issue of TikTok not opening from Messenger – they can also be useful for resolving various other app-related problems on your device.
By staying patient and methodically working through the troubleshooting process, you’ll increase your chances of resolving the issue and getting back to enjoying TikTok videos seamlessly from within the Messenger app.
