TikTok is a short-video app where you watch, create, and share clips set to music and sounds. This gets you from a fresh install to watching a personalized feed and posting your first video with confidence.
What you'll need
- A smartphone
- The TikTok app
- An email address or phone number to sign up
Step by step
- Install and create an accountDownload TikTok from your app store, open it, and sign up with a phone number, email, or existing social login. You can browse without an account, but you need one to post or follow.
- Explore the For You and Following feedsSwipe up to move to the next video and down to go back. The For You feed learns your taste from what you watch, like, and finish, while Following shows accounts you follow.
- Interact with videosUse the icons on the right to like, comment, save, and share. Tap and hold a video for quick options like Not interested to shape your recommendations.
- Follow creators you enjoyTap a creator's profile picture and press Follow. Search by name or hashtag using the magnifying glass to find topics you care about.
- Record your first videoTap the plus button, hold the record button or upload from your gallery, then add a sound, text, or effects. Trim clips as needed before moving on.
- Add a caption and postWrite a caption with a few relevant hashtags, choose who can view it, then tap Post. You can also save it as a draft to publish later.
Handy tips
- Watch videos all the way through when you like them, since completion is a strong signal that shapes your feed.
- Use the search bar and trending hashtags to discover niches beyond what the algorithm first shows you.
- Keep clips short and start with a strong first second, as the opening moment decides whether people keep watching.
Heads up
- Review your privacy settings before posting. Setting your account to private and limiting who can comment or duet is wise, especially for younger users.
FAQ
Do I need an account to watch TikTok?
No, you can browse videos without signing up, but you need an account to like, comment, follow, or post your own videos.
How does the For You feed decide what to show me?
It weighs signals like which videos you finish, like, comment on, and share, along with sounds and hashtags you engage with, then serves more of what fits.
Can I control who sees my videos?
Yes. Set your whole account to private, or choose per-video who can view, comment, duet, and stitch in the privacy settings before you post.