With its endless stream of short, engaging videos, TikTok is a master of bringing viewers to the platform. If you’re looking to download TikTok videos for later viewing, you’re not alone. This guide demonstrates how to download TikTok videos anywhere.
Good to know: learn how to go live on TikTok if you haven’t tried it before.
How to Download TikTok Videos on Mobile
You can download TikTok videos using a mobile device, such as an Android phone or iPhone directly from the app itself.
Open the TikTok app, and log in to your account if you haven’t already. Find a video in your feed that you’d like to download, then tap the Share button on the right side of the display.
Tap Save video in the menu at the bottom.
If this is your first download on Android, tap Allow to grant access to TikTok to save the video on your local device. On iPhone, you will have to tap on the Allow Access to All Photos option.
When your download reaches 100%, you will have the following share options: Facebook, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Instagram and more. Do note that TikTok videos are shared as MP4 files and not links. You can bypass this, as your video will be saved to your device. On Android, you will be able to find it in your Gallery app under the Camera folder on Android. On iPhone, it should land in the Photos app.
If you intend to simply share the clip, you can do so directly from the Share button without having to download the video.
Good to know: if you have VLC and GIMP on your computer, you can easily create a GIF out of any video.
How to Download TikTok Videos as GIF on Mobile
GIF is a popular image file format that allows you to create and save both static and animated images. If you prefer, TikTok lets you download your favorite videos as GIFs only from the mobile apps and not PC.
Note: not all videos are eligible to be saved as GIFs, so the option might be missing in some cases.
Open the TikTok app, and find a video. Tap the Share button. Swipe right through the share options until you find Share as GIF.
Once it loads to 100%, the Android app allows you to trim the video up to a minimum of two seconds by dragging the white bars on either side of the preview carousel. Tap the Generate button in the top-right corner to produce your GIF.
On iPhone, the app will convert the video into a GIF that will be saved to your mobile device.
You can find it in the TikTok folder in the Gallery app on Android. You can share the GIF on a social media app. On iPhone, press the More button from the sharing options, then select Save Image to save the GIF to the Photos app.
Tip: learn how to record a call on your iPhone or Android.
How to Download TikTok Videos on Mobile Using Screen Record
Sometimes the native option to download TikTok videos won’t work properly, leading to an error. Perhaps your Internet connection is unstable and can’t handle downloading a clip. In either case, you can use your phone’s screen record option to quickly save the video on your device without waiting for it.
On Android, open TikTok and find a video you want to download. Swipe from the top of the screen to access your Quick Settings menu.
Pull down again to expand the menu, then tap Screen Recorder. (You may have to swipe right once or twice to find the option.)
A floating bar will appear on the display. Start the video in TikTok, then tap on the red button in the floating bar to start recording your screen.
When you want to finish the recording, tap the stop (square) button in the floating bar. The video will be saved to your Gallery app in the Screen Recorder folder.
On iPhone, you can find the Screen Record option by opening Control Center and pressing the record toggle.
Tip: tired of your TikTok username? Learn how to change it.
How to Download TikTok Videos on PC
If you do most of your TikTok browsing on PC, you can download your favorite videos directly to your computer.
Open TikTok in your favorite browser, and scroll to a video you’d like to download. Right-click on the video, then click Download video in the context menu.
Your browser will download the video to your machine.
How to Download TikTok Videos Without a Watermark Using Web Apps
Any TikTok video you download will have the TikTok watermark. However, if you want your clips to not have the logo, use a web tool such as SSSTikTok to download them. TTDownloaderis another option.
Open TikTok in a browser on PC or on your mobile device, and find a video that you wish to download. On PC, right-click the video, and select the Copy link option.
On a mobile device, tap the Share button, then find the More option in the second row.
Tap Copy in the Share screen.
Open SSSTikTok, paste the link in the space provided, then click Download.
When your video is converted, click Without watermark.
You can also opt to download the video as an MP3 file. If you convert your TikTok videos from the default MP4 to MP3, you’ll have smaller files and more storage space on your device.
Your TikTok video will be downloaded to your designated downloads folder.
FYI: learn how to control your Android phone without touching its screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is downloading TikTok videos legal?
Yes, it is perfectly legal. TikTok even offers a native download option inside the app so that you can do so with ease.
Can you use other people's TikTok videos in your own projects?
Yes, but only with express permission from the rights holder. If you use other people’s videos without permission, you may be in violation of TikTok’s Terms of Service (ToS) and Community Guidelines. However, not all unauthorized uses of copyrighted content constitute an infringement, according to TikTok. If you’re merely looking to use the video as part of your own content on TikTok, you can create a Stitch or Duet. Some creators disable these options for their clips, as they don’t want you using their video clips in this fashion.
What can you do if your videos are being used in violation of ToS and copyright laws?
Contact the user, and request that such content be taken down. If the perpetrator refuses or persists, contact TikTok for help.
Image credit: Freepik. All screenshots by Alexandra Arici.
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