TikTok is the popular new social media app that allows users to make and share bite-sized videos. In addition to video clips, TikTok allows you to add text, effects and sounds to your videos. This wikiHow teaches you to make and share TikToks.
Steps
Part 1
Part 1 of 4:
Getting Started
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Download and install TikTok . TikTok is a free app that is available from the Google Play Store on Android or the App Store on iPhone or iPad. Use the following steps to download and install TikTok:
- Open the Google Play Store or App Store .
- Tap the Search tab (iPhone and iPad only).
- Type TikTok in the search bar.
- Tap TikTok in the search result.
- Tap GET or Install next to TikTok.
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Open TikTok. TikTok has a black icon with a white music note with blue and red outlines. Tap the TikTok icon on your Home screen or Apps menu to open TikTok.Advertisement
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Create a TikTok account . Before you can start making videos, you need to create a Tiktok account. You can create a Tiktok account using a valid email address or phone number, as well as using your Google or Facebook account. If you already have a TikTok account, tap Log in and sign in with the email address or phone number and password associated with your TikTok account. Use the following steps to create an account with an email address:
- Tap Use phone or Email .
- Enter your birthday and tap Next .
- Enter your phone number or email address.
- Tap and drag the puzzle piece to the missing spot to verify you are a person.
- Enter a password and tap Next .
- Open your email or text messages to get the verification code.
- Enter the verification code and tap Next .
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Part 2
Part 2 of 4:
Shooting a Tiktok
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Tap the + icon. It's the icon with the plus (+) sign at the bottom-center of the screen. This opens the video filming interface.
- Alternatively, you can Duet or Stitch a video on TikTok. Duet allows you to film your own video alongside another user's video. Stitch allows you to select a few seconds of another user's video and then record your own response to their video. To Duet or Stitch a video, open that video in TikTok and then tap the Share icon, which resembles a curved arrow to the left. Then tap Duet or Stitch at the bottom.
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Select a camera to use. You can use your front-facing camera or your rear-facing camera. Tap the icon that resembles two arrows drawing a camera to switch between cameras. It's in the upper-right corner.
- If you want to upload a photo or video instead of shooting one, tap Upload in the lower-right section of the screen. Then tap video(s) or image(s) to use and tap Next in the bottom-right corner. The total length of your video clips cannot exceed 60 seconds. If you select a video that is longer than 60 seconds, you will be asked to select which 60-second section of the video you want to use. You can trim it down to lower than 60-seconds if you want. For best results, videos and images you upload to TikTok should be filmed in a 9:16 ratio or 1920 square-pixels high and 1080 square-pixels wide.
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Select a filter to use (optional). Filters can alter the cooler temperature and tone of an image. To select a filter, tap the Filters icon in the toolbar to the right. It has an icon that resembles three circles. Then tap one of the filters at the bottom of the screen.
- Alternatively, you can swipe left and right on the screen at any time while filming to cycle through all the filters.
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Turn Beauty Mode on or off. Beauty Mode makes your skin look a little smoother when filming. This is useful when you are filming your face on TikTok. To turn Beauty Mode on or off, tap the icon that resembles a magic wand in the toolbar to the right.
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Zoom in (optional). If you want to zoom in before filming, place your thumb and index finger on the screen and them move them apart to zoom in. Pinch them together to zoom out.
- Alternatively, you can tap and hold the red circle (record) button at the bottom and drag it up to zoom in while recording.
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Select the speed you want to film in. TikTok allows you to film at different speeds. Filming at a faster speed will make you appear as if you are filming much more rapidly and create a more energetic effect. Filming at a slower speed will make you appear as if you are moving in slow motion and create a much more dramatic effect. To change the speed, tap the icon that resembles a clock in the toolbar to the left. Then select a speed. The speeds you can film at are as follows:
- 1x: Select this option to film in normal speed.
- 2x: Select this option to film at double the speed of normal speed.
- 3X: Select this option to film at three-times the normal speed.
- 0.5x: Select this option to film at half normal speed.
- 0.3x: Select this option to film at roughly three-times slower than normal speed.
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Select an effect (optional). Effects digitally enhance your video. They can alter the look of your face, add backgrounds, animations, and more. To select an effect, tap Effect in the lower-left corner. Scroll through and tap one of the icons to enable an effect. You will be able to preview what the effect looks like before you start filming. Tap the icon that resembles a circle with a line through it to disable any effects you have enabled.
- If you want to use additional effects that are not included in TikTok, you can also use Snapchat filters. Film a video in Snapchat using one of the Snapchat filters and save it to your phone. Then upload the video to TikTok.
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Select how long you want to film. When TikTok first started, you could only film 15-second clips. Now you can film 15-second or 60-second clips. By default, you will be filming a 15-second video. To film a 60-second video, tap 60s at the bottom of the screen.
- Templates: Templates allow you to create a stylized slide show from images that you upload. To use a template, tap Templates at the bottom of the screen and swipe left and right to view the different template previews. Tap Select photos to select photos and create a video based on the template you selected.
- LIVE: TikTok LIVE allows you to start a live chat on TikTok. This feature becomes available after you reach 1000 followers. To go Live on TikTok, tap LIVE at the bottom of the screen and enter a title at the bottom of the screen. Tap Go LIVE at the bottom to Go LIVE.
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Select a sound (optional). TikTok has a vast library of sounds you can pick to use in your videos. To add a sound, tap Add sound at the top-center of the screen. Use the search bar to search for a song or artist you want to use in your video. Tap a sound to hear it. Tap the checkmark icon to the left to load the sound into your video.
- Note: You can also add sounds after you finish filming during the editing process. If you add a sound during filming, you will not be able to record sounds while filming.
- You can use the audio from any TikTok video as your sound. If you see a video on TikTok that you want to use the sound for, tap the icon that resembles a spinning recording in the lower-right corner of the video. Then tap Use this sound at the bottom to use the audio from that video in your own video. This is how people make lip-sync videos.
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Set a timer (optional). For some videos, you'll want to set a countdown timer so that you can get in position before you start filming. You can also use the timer to set how long you will record for. Use the following steps to set a timer:
- Tap the icon that resembles a stopwatch in the toolbar to the right.
- Tap 3s or 10s to select if you want a 3-second or 10-second timer countdown.
- Tap and drag the red line in the timeline at the bottom of the screen to indicate when you want the video to stop recording. If you have a sound loaded, it will preview the previous few seconds of that sound at the point where it stops.
- Tap Start shooting when you are ready to begin. Your video will begin filming as soon as the countdown time reaches 0. You will hear a chime on seconds 3 - 0.
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Film your video. To film your video, simply tap the red circle icon at the bottom to start filming. Tap it again to stop filming. Alternatively, you can tap and hold the red circle icon to film and release it when you want to stop filming. You will see a blue line at the top of the screen that indicates how much time you have used at the top of the screen.
- When recording your voice on a TikTok video, it's recommended that you use earbuds with a microphone. This will make your voice sound cleaner.
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Add additional clips. A TikTok video can be as much as 60-seconds or 15-seconds, depending on which time-mode you have selected. If the clip you have filmed does not fill the entire time you have selected, you can add more clips to your video. Simply tap or press and hold the record button to add more clips to your video. You can also use the timer to add more clips to your video.
- If you are not happy with the clip you just filmed, tap the arrow icon with an "x" in the center to delete the previous clip.
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Tap the checkmark icon to finish filming. When you are finished filming, tap the pink icon with a white checkmark in the center to finish filming and start the editing process.Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 4:
Editing a TikTok Video
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Change the filter. If you want to change a filter, you can do so during the editing process. To change a filter, tap the Filter icon in the upper-right corner and then tap one of the filters at the bottom of the screen.
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Edit the length of a clip. Use the following steps to adjust the length of your video clips:
- Tap Adjust Clips in the toolbar to the left. Tap the video clip you want to edit at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap and drag the pink bars at the beginning and end of the video clip in the timeline at the bottom of the screen to indicate where you want the clip to start and end.
- Tap the Play triangle icon in the center of the video to preview the video.
- Tap Save in the upper-right corner to save the changes you have made to your clips.
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Add a voiceover. Voiceover allows you to record additional sounds with your phone's microphone or a connected headset microphone. Use the following steps to add a voiceover:
- To add a voiceover, tap the Voiceover icon in the toolbar to the right, which has an icon that resembles a microphone.
- Drag the white line of the timeline at the bottom to select where you want to start recording.
- Tap or tap and hold the icon with a red circle at the bottom to start recording. Tap the button again, or release the button to stop recording.
- Tap the Play triangle icon in the video to preview the video with your voiceover.
- Tap Save in the upper-right corner to save your voiceover.
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Add a voice effect. To add a voice effect, tap Voice effect in the toolbar to the right. It has an icon that resembles a person singing. Tap one of the voice effects at the bottom. The video will play on a loop continuously allowing you to preview the modified sound. The voice effect will be applied to the original sound that you filmed with the video as well as any additional voiceover sounds you recorded.
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Add sounds. During the editing process, you can add additional sounds to a clip. For speaking videos, it's recommended that you find an instrumental song that fits the mood of what you are talking about. Add it to your video and then lower the volume of the added sound down to about 10-20. Raise the original sound just slightly. This enhances your video by adding a musical score while still allowing your voice to be heard over the music. Use the following steps to add a sound:
- Tap Sounds at the bottom-left corner. It has an icon that resembles two music notes.
- Tap one of the sounds at the bottom or tap the magnifying glass icon to search for more sounds.
- Use the search bar at the top of the screen to search for artists or songs.
- Tap a song to preview it.
- Tap the checkmark icon to add it to your video.
- Tap the Volume tab at the bottom.
- Drag the slider bars to adjust the volume of the original sound you recorded yourself and the added sound.
- Tap the back arrow on your phone to return to the editing screen when you are finished.
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Add effects to your video. You can add effects during filming and while editing. However, the effects that are available during filming and during editing aren't the same effects. The effects you can add during editing include transitions that provide a stylish way to change between clips, noise and distortion effects, blurring effects, and animations that go on top of the video. Use the following steps to add effects to your video:
- Tap Effects on the screen.
- Tap one of the category tabs at the bottom of the screen.
- Drag the white line in the timeline to the point where you want to apply an effect.
- Tap and hold the effect you want to apply at the bottom of the screen for as long as you want to apply it.
- Tap the Play triangle icon in the video to preview the video. You can apply multiple effects at different parts of the video.
- Tap Save to save your added effects.
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Add text. Adding text is one of the key features of TikTok. Use the following steps to add text to a video:
- Tap Text at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap one of the colored swatches to select a color for the text.
- Tap one of the fonts above the colored swatches to select a font.
- Tap the icon that resembles an "A" in a square to select the style (regular, outlined, text block, etc).
- Tap the icon with 4 lines to adjust the text alignment (right, center, or left). Use the on-screen keyboard to type the text you want to add.
- Tap ' Done when you are finished adding your text. Then
- Tap and drag the text to where you want it to be added to your video.
- Enlarge or shrink the text by placing your thumb and index finger over it and expanding them or pinching them.
- Tap the text and tap Edit text to edit the text.
- Tap the text and tap Text-to-speech to read the text allowed during a video.
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Add stickers to a video. You can add some more style to your videos using stickers or emojis. The first option under the "Stickers" tab allows you to add your own image as a sticker. Use the following steps to add a sticker to a video:
- Tap Stickers at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap Stickers to see a list of stickers or Emojis to see a list of emojis.
- Tap a sticker or emoji you want to add to add it to the video.
- Tap and drag the sticker to where you want it to appear in the video.
- Enlarge or shrink the sticker by it by placing your thumb and index finger over it and expanding them or pinching them.
- Tap and drag the sticker to the trashcan at the top of the screen to delete it.
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Adjust the duration of a sticker or text. Use the following steps to adjust when you want a sticker or text to appear and vanish in the video:
- Tap a sticker or text when you are finished adding it.
- Tap Set Duration .
- Tap and drag the pink bars at the beginning and end of the timeline at the bottom of the screen to indicate when you want the sticker or text to start and stop appearing in the clip.
- Tap the checkmark icon in the lower-right corner when you are done.
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Tap Next . When you are finished editing your video, tap Next in the lower-right corner to start posting your video.Advertisement
Part 4
Part 4 of 4:
Posting a TikTok Video
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Add a description to your video. Use the text box that says "Describe your video" at the top to add a brief description of your video. Your description must be no longer than 150 characters.
- Adding Hashtags: Hashtags are keywords that allow your video to be discovered by other TikTok users. To add a hashtag tap # Hashtags below the description or type the Hashtag (#) symbol. Type a keyword immediately following the hashtag. TikTok will display a list of matching hashtags along with how many views they each get. Tap a hashtag to add it to your description.
- Tagging friends: To tag friends in a video post, tap @ Friends below the description or type the at (@) symbol. This displays a list of your friends on TikTok and other users you interact with. Tap a user to tag them in a post. You can tag as many as 5 users in a post.
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Set a cover picture. A cover picture is the image people will see when they see the video listed in your profile. Use the following steps to set a cover picture:
- Tap Set Cover at the bottom of the thumbnail image in the upper-right corner.
- Tap and drag the pink square in the timeline to the part of the video you want to use as a cover image.
- Tap the font you want to use at the bottom and then type the title you want to appear over the image.
- Tap and drag it to where you want it to appear in the cover image.
- Tap Save in the upper-right corner when you are finished.
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Set the video's privacy settings. To set a video's privacy settings tap Who can watch this video and select one of the three options. The three options are as follows:
- Everyone: This is the default setting. This allows anyone on TikTok to view your video. It will also appear in the "For You Page" of other followers.
- Friends: This only allows your video to be viewed by friends. On TikTok, friends are defined as users that you follow and are following you as well.
- Private: This only allows you to view the video. This is useful if you want to shoot a video in TikTok so that you can use the TikTok sounds and effects, but want to download the video so you can edit it in an external video editor that gives you more editing options than TikTok alone.
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Allow or disallow comments. If you don't want to allow comments on a video, tap the toggle switch next to "Allow comments" to turn comments off.
- Be aware that video interaction is one of the key features that the TikTok algorithm favors. Turning off comments will significantly limit the reach of your video.
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Allow or disallow Duets. If you don't want other users to Duet your video, tap the toggle switch next to "Allow Duet" to turn Duets off.
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Allow or disallow Stitch. If you don't want other users to Stitch your video, tap the toggle switch next to "Allow Stich" to turn Stitch off.
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Save a copy of the video to your device. If you want to save a copy of the video to your device, tap the toggle next to "Save to device" to save a copy of your video to your device. The video will be saved to your phone when you post it. This allows you to post your video to other platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube.
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Tap Post . It's the pink button in the lower-right corner. This posts your video to TikTok.
- Alternatively, if you want to save your video so that you can edit it later, tap Draft in the lower-left corner to save your video as a Draft.
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About this article
Article Summary
X
1. Open TikTok.
2. Tap the plus (+) icon at the bottom.
3. Use the interface to add sounds, effects, change speed, or change filters.
4. Tap the record button at the bottom to start recording a clip and tap it again to stop.
5. Tap the checkmark icon when you are finished recording all your clips.
6. Use the editing interface to add more sounds, adjust the length of your clips, add more effects, add text or stickers.
7. Tap Next
when you are finished editing.
8. Add a description to your video.
9. Set a cover photo for your video.
10. Set the privacy settings for your video.
11. Tap Post
.
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 13,468 times.
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