TikTok offers a stream of entertaining videos to scroll through, but you can do more than just watch. Why not try your hand as a creator? Don’t worry; you don’t need a film degree or have to dance to engage your followers. By making your first TikTok video, you can craft the content you’d like to see and join over 1 billion other active users. Here’s a beginner’s guide to making TikTok videos.
Read more: How to change your name on TikTok
QUICK ANSWER
To make a TikTok video, tap Post at the bottom of the screen. Then, record or upload a video from your device, add any desired effects, and publish your video.
How to make a TikTok video
To start, tap Post, represented by the + icon at the bottom center of the screen.
Adam Birney / Android AuthorityThen, you can either Upload content from your device’s library or use TikTok’s camera to record video. To start recording, tap the red button at the center of the screen. Above it, you can select the duration of your recording: 15 seconds, one minute, or three minutes. When you finish recording, a checkmark will appear for you to confirm you like the footage.
Adam Birney / Android Authority
You can also create a slideshow of photos by selecting Templates from the bottom right. TikTok has several templates pre-loaded with special effects to make your pictures sizzle.
Adam Birney / Android Authority
To upload a video from your device, tap Upload to the right of the record button. There, you can select both photos or videos to upload to TikTok.
Adam Birney / Android Authority
Select the file you wish to upload, then tap Next in the bottom left of the screen. Now, you can edit your video with various sound effects, filters, stickers, and text. You can also trim the video by tapping Adjust clips from the right-hand side.
Adam Birney / Android Authority
Take some time to experiment to find the effect you like. You can learn more about all the various editing tools available in our guide. When you’re satisfied with the result, tap Next.
After that, add a description to your video and a few hashtags to help people find it. You can also tag friends on TikTok if they are featured in the video.
Adam Birney / Android AuthorityYou can decide who can watch your video (Everyone, friends only, or private) and can allow other users to comment, Duet, and Stitch your videos or not. When you’re ready to share your TikTok video, tap Post. Otherwise, you can tap Drafts to save it for later. Happy TikToking!
Up next: How to see who viewed your TikTok videos
FAQs
Can you make a 3-minute video on TikTok?
Yes, you can either upload a video and trim it to three minutes or select the three-minute time frame above the Record button. The longest a TikTok video can be is 10 minutes.
How do I make a TikTok video with pictures and music?
Tap Post, then select images to upload from your device storage. You can then add sound and other effects in the editing phase.
How do I make the AI voice read my captions?
TikTok’s text-to-speech feature is easy to use. All you need to do is add text, then select the “Speech” option and choose a voice.
Why can’t I upload my video to TikTok?
There are a couple of reasons, but the most likely is that you’re experiencing a glitch or error with TikTok. To learn more, see our guide to fixing problems with TikTok.