How to Use TikTok App?
TikTok is a video-sharing app where you watch short videos, create your own content, and discover trending topics through a personalized feed. The app works by showing you videos based on what you watch and like, making it easy to find content you enjoy without following anyone.
To get started, download the app from the App Store or Google Play, create an account, and start scrolling through the For You page. That’s the core experience—everything else builds from there.
Getting TikTok on Your Device
Download TikTok from your device’s app store. The app is free and works on both iOS and Android devices. After installation, tap to open the app and you’ll immediately see videos playing. You don’t need an account to watch, but you’ll want one to interact with content or post your own videos.
When you’re ready to create an account, tap the profile icon. You can sign up using your phone number, email, or link existing accounts from Facebook, Google, Apple, Instagram, or Twitter. Pick whichever method feels most convenient—you can always connect other accounts later.
The app asks for your birthday during signup because you must be at least 13 years old to use TikTok. In the US, users under 13 are placed into a restricted experience with additional parental controls.
Understanding the Main Interface
The For You page is where you’ll spend most of your time. This feed shows videos TikTok thinks you’ll enjoy based on your interactions. Videos play automatically as you scroll, and you can swipe up to see the next one. If a video doesn’t interest you, just keep swiping.
Along the right side of each video, you’ll see five icons. The profile picture at the top lets you quickly follow that creator. Below it, the heart icon shows how many likes the video has—tap it to add yours. The comment bubble opens the comments section where you can join the conversation or leave your thoughts.
The arrow icon gives you sharing options. You can send videos to other TikTok users, share them on other social platforms, copy the link, or save the video. At the bottom, there’s a rotating disc icon showing the sound or music used in the video. Tap it to see other videos using the same audio.
At the bottom of your screen, there are five navigation tabs. Home takes you to your main feed, Discover helps you find trending content, the plus sign opens your camera to create videos, Inbox shows your messages and notifications, and Profile displays your account and posted videos.
Exploring and Finding Content
The Discover page shows trending hashtags, challenges, and popular creators. Use the search bar at the top to find specific accounts, sounds, or topics. The algorithm learns what you like pretty quickly—usually after watching just a few videos.
If you see content you don’t want, long-press on the video and select “Not Interested.” This tells TikTok to show you less of that type of content. The algorithm adjusts based on how long you watch videos, what you like, who you follow, and what you skip.
Your Following feed shows videos only from accounts you’ve chosen to follow. This gives you more control over what you see, though most users spend more time on the For You page where they discover new creators.
TikTok also features Live videos. Tap the LIVE button at the top of your Home page to watch creators streaming in real-time. You can interact through comments and send virtual gifts during these broadcasts.
Creating Your First Video
Tap the plus icon at the bottom center of your screen to open the camera. You’ll see options for video length: 15 seconds, 60 seconds, 3 minutes, or 10 minutes. For your first video, start with 15 or 60 seconds—shorter videos are easier to plan and edit.
Before recording, look at the icons on the right side of the screen. The Flip option switches between your front and back cameras. Speed lets you record in slow motion or fast forward. Filters add color effects to your video. Beauty mode is an AR filter that smooths skin and adjusts facial features. The Timer sets a countdown so you can record hands-free.
Press and hold the red record button to start filming. Release it to pause, then press again to continue. You can record your video in multiple clips this way. When you’re done, tap the checkmark to move to the editing screen.
The editing screen offers several tools. You can add text that appears at specific times in your video, insert stickers and effects, apply filters, adjust clip lengths, and record voiceovers. The Sounds option at the top lets you add music from TikTok’s library or use your own audio.
One of TikTok’s signature features is automatic captions. Tap Captions in the editing menu and the app will transcribe your speech into text overlays. This makes your content accessible and helps viewers who watch without sound.
After editing, tap Next to reach the posting screen. Write a caption describing your video—you can use up to 2,200 characters. Add hashtags by typing the # symbol followed by a word. Hashtags help people find your video when searching for specific topics.
Choose your privacy settings before posting. You can make the video public (anyone can see it), friends only, or private (only you can see it). Toggle on or off whether people can Duet or Stitch your video—these are features that let others create content using your video as a starting point.
When everything looks good, tap Post. Your video will appear on your profile immediately, and TikTok will start showing it to users who might enjoy it.
Using TikTok’s Popular Features
Duets let you create a split-screen video alongside someone else’s content. Find a video you want to duet, tap the Share arrow, and select Duet. Your camera opens with the original video playing beside your recording space. This feature is popular for reactions, collaborations, and adding your take on trending content.
Stitch allows you to clip up to five seconds from someone else’s video and add your own content after it. This works great for responding to questions, adding context, or creating tutorials that build on existing videos. Access it through the Share menu on any video that allows stitching.
Green Screen is an effect that lets you replace your background with any image or video. This turns your content into professional-looking productions without expensive equipment. You’ll find it in the Effects menu when recording.
Text-to-Speech converts written text into spoken audio. Type your text overlay, tap it, and select Text-to-Speech from the menu. The app offers multiple voice options, and this feature has become signature to many TikTok videos.
TikTok updates regularly with new effects and tools. In late 2024 and 2025, the platform added features like AI Outline for planning video content, Smart Split for editing longer videos into clips, and enhanced photo posting options with grid layouts.
Managing Your Profile and Settings
Tap the Profile icon to see your public page. This shows your profile picture, follower count, following count, and total likes across all your videos. To edit your profile, tap Edit Profile. You can change your profile photo or video, update your username, write a bio (up to 80 characters), and add links to other social media accounts.
Your account is public by default, meaning anyone can see your videos and profile. To change this, tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner, select Settings and Privacy, then Privacy. Toggle on Private Account if you want to approve followers manually. With a private account, only approved followers can see your videos and interact with your profile.
In Settings and Privacy, you’ll find options to control who can comment on your videos, send you direct messages, duet or stitch your content, and view various parts of your profile. Spend a few minutes here adjusting these settings to match your comfort level.
TikTok includes several well-being features. You can set daily screen time limits, filter out specific keywords from your feed, and pause notifications during certain hours. For creators experiencing unwanted attention, there are robust blocking and reporting tools.
Tips for Getting Started
Start by watching. Before creating content, spend time exploring the app to understand what type of videos perform well and what styles match your interests. TikTok’s algorithm is forgiving for beginners—even new accounts can reach large audiences if the content resonates.
Engage with other videos through likes, comments, and shares. This helps the algorithm understand your preferences and also connects you with the community. Many successful TikTok creators started by leaving thoughtful comments on popular videos in their niche.
Don’t stress about equipment. The vast majority of TikTok content is shot on smartphones in natural lighting. Viewers value authenticity over production quality. A genuine video filmed in your kitchen will often perform better than an over-produced piece.
Pay attention to trending sounds and hashtags, but don’t feel pressured to jump on every trend. Participate when something genuinely interests you or fits your content style. Forced trend participation usually doesn’t perform as well as content you’re excited to create.
Post consistently, but focus on quality over quantity. Two or three well-crafted videos per week will serve you better than daily posts you’re not proud of. TikTok analytics (available under Creator Tools in your settings) will help you understand when your audience is most active.
Common Features Explained
For You Page (FYP): The main feed showing personalized video recommendations. Getting on other users’ FYP is how your content goes viral.
Creator Tools: Access analytics, manage your account, and unlock features like TikTok Live once you meet eligibility requirements.
TikTok Shop: The in-app marketplace where you can discover and purchase products directly from videos and live streams.
Stories: Temporary posts that disappear after 24 hours, similar to Instagram or Snapchat stories.
Direct Messages: Send private messages to other users. Both accounts must follow each other for messaging to work.
Saved/Favorites: Bookmark videos you want to watch later or sounds you plan to use in future content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use TikTok without an account?
Yes, you can browse videos without creating an account. However, you cannot like, comment, save videos, or create your own content without signing up.
How does TikTok’s algorithm decide what to show me?
The algorithm considers how long you watch videos, which videos you like or share, accounts you follow, content you create, and what you skip. It learns your preferences quickly—usually within your first hour of use.
Why can’t I find certain features other users have?
TikTok often rolls out new features gradually, testing them with specific user groups before wider release. Your region, account age, and whether you have a business or creator account can affect which features you see.
How do I delete a video I posted?
Go to your profile, tap the video you want to delete, tap the three dots icon, and select Delete. The video will be removed from TikTok immediately, though it may take time to disappear from search engine caches.
Is TikTok safe to use?
TikTok includes privacy controls and parental supervision tools. Set your account to private, review your privacy settings, and be mindful of what personal information you share in videos. For users under 18, additional safety features activate automatically.
Moving Forward
TikTok works best when you approach it with curiosity. The app contains everything from comedy and dance to education and news. Your experience shapes itself around your interests—the more you engage, the better it becomes at showing you relevant content.
Remember that everyone starts with zero followers. The platform’s algorithm gives new users genuine opportunities to reach large audiences, regardless of your follower count. Focus on creating content that interests you, and you’ll naturally attract viewers who share those interests.
The app continues evolving with new features releasing regularly. Stay open to experimenting with new tools, but don’t feel obligated to learn everything at once. Master the basics first, then gradually explore advanced features as you get comfortable.