Want to regain access to your KakaoTalk account? Although its primary user base is in South Korea, we assume, it has rapidly spread internationally. And with apps for Android, iOS, PC, and Mac, as well as plenty of unique features, it makes sense that so many people are interested. We, for example, liked the Kakao Friends stickers, the ability to customize a chat room. Additionally, what caught our attention was were the Kakao Talk Open Chats, Talk Channel, and Talk Boards e.g. bulletin boards. Did this reminder make you want to come back? If so, here’s how to recover KakaoTalk account.
1. Search for your KakaoTalk account
Follow these instructions to search for the KakaoTalk account in their database:
- Visit the Kakao Find Account page in your browser.
- Click on Find Account.
- Based on the information you remember, click on one of the following options:
1. User Identification
Use this option if you want them to scan your smartphone for personal information. This is useful if you can’t recall any credentials, but there are 3 main conditions for this to work:
- The device must’ve been used with KakaoTalk in the past.
- It only works in South Korea and scans for the phone owner information, not the family members that used the device.
- The phone owner must be over the age of 15 for this to work.
2. Using profile/phone number
This option allows you to scan for your account using the KakaoTalk nickname or one used for their sister services – KakaoStory, Melon, or Daum. You can also use your user ID for either KakaoTalk or KakaoStory. Enter one of those, and then:
- Select your country code and type your phone number attached to the account.
- Click Find Account.
- You will either get a hit or a message: No match found.
- Check whether you made a typo and try again. If not, simply move on to one of the methods below.
3. Using profile/email address
The same rules for Nickname/ID apply here, too. Only this time, enter an e-mail address instead. If you do, the scenario described in steps 2 to 4 will occur.
Recommendation. If you can’t recall the e-mail address, check the inbox of your most-used e-mail address. Look for e-mails received from a contact named “Kakao Team” or simply “Kakao”.
4. Using Business Registration No.
To recover a Kakao Biz Account, do this:
- Click on the link mentioned in the headline.
Clarification. It’s in small letters at the bottom of the page, and easy to miss. - Enter your name, phone number, and business registration number into dedicated text fields.
- Click Find Account.
- You’ll get a match or the message No match found again.
2. Reset your KakaoTalk account password
Forgot the password to your KakaoTalk account? Don’t worry, it’s not a big deal. Well, as long as you still have access to the KakaoTalk e-mail address, nickname, or the phone number attached to the account. Even if you don’t, it’s not the end of the world. There’s an alternative way, such as following method 3 in our guide that involves contacting KakaoTalk Customer Service. It’s not guaranteed, but you have nothing to lose. With that out of the way, here’s how to recover KakaoTalk account password. Ther are two main ways to retrieve the password for your KakaoTalk account:
1. Reset Passowrd Using the KakaoTalk app
You’ll have a very easy time if you forgot to sign out of your account on one of your smart devices. If you are logged in to KakaoTalk in an app, do this to change your password:
- Tap on More (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner.
- Scroll down and select Change Password.
- If prompted, type your phone number and country code.
- Enter your current password, then a new one in the text field below.
- Tap on Confirm.
- That’s it, you can use your new password from now on.
- Optional. You can tap on Forgot your password? below to be redirected to the same browser page we mentioned below, only on your smart device.
Tip: You can see your KakaoTalk userID, nickname, and e-mail address by tapping on More again, then going to Profile. This might not mean a lot at the moment but becomes crucial if you ever forget your password, so jot the information down somewhere safe.
2. Visiting KakaoTalk website in your browser
If you don’t remember your current password, you obviously can’t use the method above. Instead, follow this set of steps to reset your KakaoTalk account password:
- Visit the KakaoTalk Log In page.
- Optional. Try to click any of the fields. There’s a chance that the information will be auto-filled by an extension or your browser.
- Click on Reset Password in the bottom right corner.
- Enter the e-mail address or phone number attached to the KakaoTalk account.
- Click Next.
- You will receive an 8-digit verification code via SMS or e-mail.
- Enter it in the empty text field and click Confirm.
- Enter a new password for KakaoTalk twice, and click Confirm.
- You can now log-in.
3. Recovering a Suspended KakaoTalk Account
If you find that your KakaoTalk account has been suspended, don’t panic. It’s possible to recover a suspended account and regain access to your KakaoTalk messages and contacts. Follow these steps to initiate the account recovery process:
1. Understand the Suspension Reason:
- When your KakaoTalk account gets suspended, it’s usually due to a violation of KakaoTalk’s terms of service.
- Take some time to review the reason for the suspension. Common reasons include engaging in spam activities, sending inappropriate content, or violating community guidelines.
- Understanding the cause will help you take appropriate actions during the recovery process.
2. Contact Kakao Customer Service:
- To recover a suspended account, you’ll need to reach out to Kakao Customer Service, then do as follows:
- Visit the Kakao Customer Question page and select the appropriate category related to account suspension.
- Provide a concise and detailed explanation of your situation, including the reason for the suspension, any relevant details, and a request for account recovery.
3. Comply with Verification Procedures:
Kakao Customer Service may require you to provide additional information or undergo verification procedures to confirm your identity and ownership of the suspended account.
Be prepared to provide any necessary documentation or evidence requested by the support team. This may include personal identification documents, proof of account ownership, or any other relevant information to validate your claim.
4. Await Response and Follow Instructions:
- After submitting your request, patiently wait for a response from Kakao Customer Service. The response time may vary, so it’s essential to be patient during this period.
- Once you receive a reply, carefully read the instructions provided by the support team. They will guide you through the necessary steps to complete the account recovery process.
5. Demonstrate Account Compliance:
To increase the chances of successfully recovering your suspended account:
- Emphasize your commitment to complying with KakaoTalk’s terms of service in your communication with Kakao Customer Service.
- Express your understanding of the violation and assure them that you will adhere to the guidelines going forward.
This will help demonstrate your willingness to rectify the issue and regain access to your account.
Remember, recovering a suspended account is not guaranteed, and the outcome depends on the severity of the violation and the discretion of Kakao Customer Service. However, by promptly contacting customer support, providing accurate information, and demonstrating your compliance, you increase the likelihood of recovering your suspended KakaoTalk account.
4. Account Recovery without Registered Phone Numbers
Losing access to the phone number registered with your KakaoTalk account can be challenging when it comes to account recovery. However, KakaoTalk provides alternative methods for users who no longer have access to their registered phone numbers. Follow these steps to initiate the account recovery process without a registered phone number:
Step 1. Visit the Kakao Find Account Page:
Access the Kakao Find Account page using your preferred browser. This page allows you to search for your KakaoTalk account using alternative information.
Step 2. Select the Email/Profile Option:
Since you no longer have access to your registered phone number, choose the option to search using your email address or profile information. Click on the respective option to proceed.
Step 3. Enter the Required Information:
- Provide the necessary information in the provided fields. This may include your KakaoTalk nickname, an associated email address, or any other details associated with your KakaoTalk account.
- Ensure the information you enter is accurate to increase the chances of successful account recovery.
Step 4. Complete Verification Procedures:
- To confirm your identity and ownership of the account, KakaoTalk may require you to undergo additional verification procedures. This may involve providing supporting documentation or answering security questions related to your account.
- Follow the instructions provided during this process to complete the verification successfully.
Step 5. Await Kakao Account Recovery:
After completing the verification procedures, patiently await the account recovery process. Kakao Customer Service will review your request and provide further instructions on recovering your account without the registered phone number.
The response time may vary, so it’s important to be patient during this stage.
By following these steps, you can initiate the account recovery process even without access to the phone number registered with your KakaoTalk account.
Make sure to provide accurate information and follow the instructions provided by Kakao Customer Service to increase your chances of successfully recovering your account.
5. Get in touch with Kakao Customer Service
This is possibly the only option if you suspect your KakaoTalk account was deleted or compromised (hacked). It’s also the last resort if you can only remember old information, such as old phone number, nickname, or phone number.
If you aren’t aware, KakaoTalk disables your account after 1 year of inactivity and notifies you 1 month before they do. However, they store your data on their server and allow you to recover it up to 4 years from the date you were last active. After that, the account is deleted permanently.
If you cannot sign in to your KakaoTalk account and you tried the methods above, here are the instructions to contact Kakao Customer Service directly:
- Visit the Kakao Customer Question page.
- Tip. Since you can’t access the original account, we recommend you create a new KakaoTalk account and use those credentials.
- Under Question Category, select Verification Code Related or Other General Inquiries and any device.
- Select a concise title, such as I can’t log in to my KakaoTalk account.
- Under Contents, describe your situation. Make sure to mention that it’s about a different account than the one you used to send the appeal.
- Optional. Click on Add Files to attach images or videos, such as screenshots or screen recordings, if it helps your case.
- Click on the checkbox in front of I Agree and click on the Question button.
- Wait for a response and follow their instructions.