How to Recover Deleted TikTok Videos and Drafts: Ultimate Guide
Mar 12, 2026 • Filed to: Data Recovery Solutions • Proven solutions
Accidentally, a significant number of TikTok users have lost videos or drafts. This may be frustrating, especially when it contains valuable content or creative edits. Luckily, deleted TikTok videos and drafts can be recovered in a fast and safe way. Consequently, this tutorial will instruct you on how to recover deleted TikTok videos to retrieve lost data, both on your device and the TikTok application.

You will also learn step-by-step instructions for each method, tools you can use, and tips to prevent future loss. Of all the ways, get to know how the Dr.Fone - Data Recovery tool can be the most effective and reliable.
Part 1. Can You Recover Deleted TikTok Videos or Drafts?
Before you know how to recover deleted drafts on TikTok, be aware that recovery depends on the situation. In most cases, its recovery is not possible, and the following tables highlight a few of them for better understanding:
| Situations | Recoverable? |
|---|---|
| Draft still in TikTok "Drafts" folder | Yes – just open it |
| Deleted draft, app still installed | Sometimes – if copy saved to phone gallery/cloud trash |
| Deleted draft by uninstalling TikTok | No –permanently lost |
| Switched phones / logged out (drafts on old) | No – drafts are device‑specific |
| Posted video deleted from profile | Maybe – if saved/duet/stitch/shared elsewhere |
| Video saved to phone gallery | Yes – via gallery or Recently Deleted/cloud backup |
| No local copy, no backup, draft removed | No – not recoverable |
Part 2. How to Recover Deleted TikTok Videos (6 Proven Ways That Work)
Those who seek to learn how to recover deleted TikTok videos efficiently should adhere to the 5 simple solutions mentioned below:
1. Try Data Recovery Software | One-Click Solution Like Dr.Fone
Time: 5–15 minutes | Difficulty: Very Easy
If you only deleted the draft or video within the app and the phone data has not been overwritten by new data, tools like Dr.Fone - Data Recovery (iOS | Android) can help. To learn how to recover deleted TikTok videos, this tool can also recover deleted videos and almost 14+ data types from Android, iTunes, and iCloud. It can scan the phone storage or backups and selectively retrieve the TikTok drafts and videos.
Furthermore, the tool claims to achieve 100% local recovery and to restore data even from broken devices, without root or USB debugging. Hence, with support for 6000 Android models (including S26) and iOS 26 & iPhone 17 Series, this tool is ideal for all types of users and can recover data in 2-3 simple steps. Users can preview the recovered TikToks later and export them to a device or PC.
Dr.Fone - Data Recovery
Recover whatsapp/contacts/messages/call history saved in Google Drive to your computer.
- Recover Android data by scanning your Android phone & tablet directly.
- Preview and selectively recover what you want from your Android phone & tablet.
- Supports various file types, including WhatsApp, Messages & Contacts & Photos & Videos & Audio & Document.
- Supports 5000+ Android Device Models & Various Android OS.
Step-by-Step Guide to Recover TikTok Videos and Drafts via Dr.Fone
To learn how to get my TikTok drafts back saved on my phone via this data recovery tool, review the basic steps given below:
- Step 1. Choose the Recover Android Data Option
- Step 2. Preview the Retrieved Data & Choose the Export Option
After accessing the "Data Recovery" tool from the Toolbox tab for Android, tap "Recover Android Data" and connect the device.

Choose the "Videos" from the list and press the "Start Scan" button. When the data is retrieved, filter it using the "Show All" menu, then press "Recover" to choose the "Export To" location.

2. Check TikTok's "Recently Deleted"
Time: ~1 minute | Difficulty: Easy
You can also check the TikTok deleted folder to know how to find deleted videos on TikTok. This simple solution helps you get a deleted video back without any third-party apps. In addition, Recently Deleted lets you restore videos for about 30 days before they are permanently lost. Moreover, it shows a day count, so you know if recovery is still possible via the mentioned steps:
Instructions: After pressing the "Hamburger" icon in the "Profile" section, tap on the "Settings and Privacy" option. Here, select the "Activity Center" option and tap on the "Recently Deleted" menu to recover the video.

3. Activity/Data Download
Time: ~1–3 minutes | Difficulty: Medium
Wait for File to Be Ready: Minutes to days, depending on account size.
With this option, you can get a full copy of your TikTok account. It can show info about deleted videos, like title, date, and ID, so you can check or rebuild them. However, you can only download your account data within 4 days after it's ready; after that, the link expires. Plus, the export usually covers the last 180 days, so very old videos may not appear, as illustrated:
Note: Activity/Data Download can show that a draft existed and some basic info, but it cannot recover the actual draft video.
- Step 1. To know how to recover deleted TikTok videos by downloading the data, choose the "Settings and Privacy" option. After that, tap on the "Account" option and press the "Download Your Data" option.
- Step 2. Choose the data to download, select the format, and tap "Request Data." When directed to the "Download Your Data" tab, check whether the request has been sent. After that, choose the "Download" button, and the app will ask you to add the code you received via email to start downloading the data, which expires in 4 days.


4. Restore From Your Phone's Gallery Trash
Time: ~1 minute | Difficulty: Easy
As another way on how to recover TikTok drafts or videos, use your phone's Gallery Trash/Recently Deleted. From iPhone, you can restore videos for about 30 days, and Android for 15-30 days. Overall, this method works offline, requires no applications, and is safe. Since this solution restores the video files and keeps full quality, restore it within time limits via the mentioned steps, if the "Save to Album" feature was enabled:
For iPhone
Instructions: In the Photos app, head to the "Collections" tab and choose the "Recently Deleted" folder. There, press the "View Album" option, enter the Face ID, and locate the TikTok video. Long-press it and select the "Recover" button.

For Android
Instructions: Within the Gallery, choose the "Deleted Items" album and select the deleted TikTok video or draft. There, choose multiple if you like, and choose the "Restore" option.

5. Use Cloud Backups (iCloud or Google Photos)
Time: ~1–3 minutes | Difficulty: Easy–Medium
While learning how to recover drafts on TikTok, you can use this method only if the draft was saved to the camera roll. On the contrary, videos can be easily retrieved if they were backed up prior to deletion. As for the time limit, iCloud Recently Deleted keeps items for about 30 days, while Google Photos Trash usually keeps them for about 60 days. Here is how you can use Google Photos to recover saved drafts or videos:
Instructions: Go to the "Collections" tab and press the "Bin" option. When directed, choose the media files and tap on the "Restore" button.

6. Recover Via "Liked" Or Shared Copies
Time: ~1–5 minutes | Difficulty: Easy
If you still question how to recover deleted TikTok videos, use Liked or shared copies. In this regard, you can check your Likes, Favorites, or shared sections to see if it still plays, or ask friends who received it via DM or other apps. If available, you can save or re-upload it without any extra tools or software.
Note: Liked or shared copies cannot recover drafts; only videos that were posted and saved or shared before deletion can be recovered.
So, if you have liked, saved, or shared the video before it was deleted, here is how you can recover it:
Instructions. On the TikTok app, go to the "Profile" tab, then select the "Favorites" and "Likes" section to locate the video.

Part 3. How to Recover Deleted TikTok Drafts (Important Limitations)
Now that you know how to recover deleted TikTok videos, here are some limitations of the listed approaches you need to know:
| Method | When it Works | Key Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Check TikTok's "Recently Deleted" | The posted video was deleted recently and is still inside TikTok's Recently Deleted folder | Only kept for a short time; permanently removed after expiry |
| Cloud Backups (iCloud/Google) | Video/draft saved to the camera roll and included in a cloud backup | Cannot restore in-app drafts or files that were never saved locally |
| Data‑recovery Software | Local video file existed on device storage, and data has not been overwritten | Guaranteed; usually needs a PC and a paid tool |
| Liked/Shared Copies | Video was posted and viewed, downloaded, or shared elsewhere | Does not work for drafts that were never posted |
| Activity/Data Download | Need account data records or metadata about posted videos | Provides account data only; cannot restore deleted draft or video |
| Restore From Your Phone's Gallery Trash | Video deleted from the phone gallery and still in the trash folder | Trash auto clears after its retention time expires |
Part 4. How to Prevent TikTok Videos or Drafts from Being Lost Again
TikTok videos or drafts disappear when you uninstall the app, switch phones, or clear data. This can also happen when one switches accounts, deletes drafts by mistake, or when TikTok removes posted videos for rules or copyright.

To ensure you don't get the urge to know how to recover deleted drafts on TikTok, follow the 5 basic tips given below:
1. Save Drafts to Camera Roll: Always save important drafts to your phone before closing TikTok. This keeps a full copy you can re-upload even if the app crashes or is uninstalled.
2. Turn On Cloud Backup: Use iCloud (iPhone) or Google Photos (Android) to automatically back up videos. Thus, you can access them from any device if you lose or change your phone.
3. Avoid Logging Out or Deleting App: Drafts are stored on your device, so logging out or uninstalling TikTok can erase them. Therefore, it is suggested to save or export first to stay safe.
4. Backup Before Big Changes: Before heavy edits or experiments, save a copy of the draft to your gallery. This way, you can effortlessly restore it even if something goes wrong.
5. Organize and Export Finished Videos: Make sure to save final videos in a dedicated folder or cloud storage. Thus, this creates an archive you can reuse or re-upload if TikTok deletes your video.
Conclusion
To sum up, many users want to know how to recover deleted TikTok videos, mainly when they have made valuable content. In this regard, this guide explains 5 ways and reveals how effective they can be, while also outlining their limitations and duration. Among all, Dr.Fone - Data Recovery for Android and iPhone can be the most effective because of its quick scanning and 100% local recovery, even from broken devices.
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Daisy Raines
staff Editor