TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms in recent years, with over 1 billion monthly active users worldwide. The app allows users to create and share short videos, often set to music, ranging from 15 seconds to 3 minutes in length. TikTok is especially popular among younger demographics, with about 60% of its users being between the ages of 16 and 24.
With so many fun and entertaining videos being created and shared every day, many TikTok users want to be able to save their favorite videos to watch again later. In this article, we’ll discuss the various methods and options for downloading and saving TikTok videos onto your computer for permanent storage and access.
Why Save TikTok Videos?
There are several key reasons why you may want to save TikTok videos to your computer or device:
To reference them later – Downloading allows you to keep a copy of funny, informative or inspiring videos that you want to watch again or potentially share with others. Having them saved makes it easy to revisit them.
For offline viewing – If you are going on a trip or somewhere without internet access, saving videos ahead of time lets you still watch them wherever you are. This comes in handy on a plane, camping trip, or other offline situation.
To backup originals – TikTok videos can become unavailable if the original poster deletes them. By saving a copy, you have a permanent backup even if it gets removed from TikTok.
According to https://dlpanda.com/article/download-tiktok-videos-without-watermark-2022, having an offline copy allows you to revisit fun videos later and avoids losing access if the original gets deleted.
Downloading Videos Through TikTok
One of the easiest ways to download TikTok videos is directly through the TikTok app or website. TikTok has a built-in feature that allows you to save videos right to your device.
On mobile, you can download a video by tapping the Share button below the video. This will bring up a menu – select “Save video” to download it to your camera roll. You can also tap “More” and then “Save to device” to save the video.
On desktop, navigate to the TikTok website and find the video you want to save. Click the Share button below the video, then select “Download.” This will download the video file directly to your computer.
The benefit of using TikTok’s built-in downloader is that it’s simple and doesn’t require any third-party apps. However, there are some limitations – you can only download one video at a time, and some videos are restricted from downloading.
For more details, see TikTok’s support article on saving videos: https://support.tiktok.com/en/using-tiktok/video-messages-and-comments/saving-videos
Using a Third-Party Downloader
One easy way to download TikTok videos on your computer is by using a third-party TikTok downloader. There are browser extensions and converter sites you can use that will allow you to save videos without watermarks directly from TikTok’s website:
Some popular browser extensions include TikTok Downloader and Video Downloader for TikTok. These add a download button on TikTok video pages, allowing you to save the video in just one click. The extension will remove any watermarks and allow you to download HD quality versions.
There are also converter sites like TikTokDownload.io that let you paste in a TikTok video URL and then download the video in MP4 format without a watermark. These sites offer the convenience of downloading videos without having to install any additional software.
The benefit of using these third-party downloaders is that they tend to be quick and easy to use. However, be aware that some TikTok downloaders may contain adware. It’s best to read reviews before installing any browser extensions or using converter sites.
Using a Screen Recording
One way to save TikTok videos is by using a screen recording tool to capture the video as you play it on your device. This allows you to save a copy of the video to your computer without downloading it directly from TikTok.
On Windows 10 and 11, you can use the built-in Game Bar to screen record. Open the Game Bar by pressing Windows key + G, then click the red dot to start recording your screen. Play the TikTok video you want to save, then stop the recording. The video will be saved to Videos > Captures.[1]
On Mac, you can use the QuickTime Player to screen record. Open QuickTime Player, click File > New Screen Recording, then click the red dot to start recording. Play the TikTok video, stop the recording, and save the video.[2]
There are also third-party screen recording apps available like OBS Studio, Bandicam, and Apowersoft Screen Recorder. These tools give you more options for recording screen activity.
The benefit of using a screen recorder is it lets you save TikTok videos easily without any restrictions. However, screen recording a video can slightly reduce the video quality.
[1] https://www.movavi.com/learning-portal/screen-record-tiktok.html
[2] https://recorder.easeus.com/screen-recording-tips/how-to-screen-record-on-tiktok.html
Saving Videos on Mobile
Saving TikTok videos directly on your mobile device is easy using the in-app sharing options or third-party apps. Here are a couple ways to download TikTok videos on a smartphone or tablet:
Using the Share Menu
The TikTok app has a built-in Share menu that allows you to save videos. To use it:
- Open the TikTok video you want to save.
- Tap the Share icon in the bottom right.
- Select “Save video” to download it to your camera roll.
This will save the video directly to your photos app for easy access. One limitation is that it only works for individual videos, not scrolling video feeds.
Third-Party Apps
There are various third-party apps that let you download TikTok videos to your mobile device. Some popular options include Documents, Video Downloader for TikTok, and TikTok Saver. These apps allow you to save videos, compile playlists, and download audio.
To use them, you’ll need to install the app and give it permission to access TikTok. Then you can use the app’s interface to browse, select, and save any videos you want.
Third-party apps provide more flexibility than TikTok’s built-in options. The only potential downside is having to trust another app with access to your TikTok account.
Storing and Organizing Videos
Once you’ve downloaded TikTok videos to your computer, you’ll want to organize them so they’re easy to find later. Here are some tips for storing and organizing your downloaded videos:
Creating playlists – Just like on the TikTok app, you can create playlists to categorize your downloaded videos on your computer. For example, you could make playlists for different topics, events, people, etc. TikTok’s support site has instructions for creating playlists directly within the TikTok app.
Using folders – Organize your downloaded videos into folders on your computer based on categories or topics. For example, make folders for “Vacation Videos,” “Cooking Videos,” “Dance Videos,” etc. This makes it easy to navigate and find videos later.
Naming convention – When saving TikTok videos on your computer, use a descriptive naming convention. Include details like the username, a short description of the video, and the date. For example, “Username – How to make pancakes – 2022-02-15.” A logical naming convention makes files easy to identify at a glance.
Ethical Usage
When saving and reusing TikTok videos, it’s important to consider the ethical implications. Avoid simply downloading and reuploading others’ content without permission. TikTok’s terms of service grant creators full ownership of their content. Reuploading videos without consent can lead to copyright claims or account suspension.
Instead, try to credit the original creator if you plan on sharing their content elsewhere. Mention their username and link back to the original video on TikTok if possible. You can also reach out to the creator directly to ask for permission first.
In general, follow TikTok’s community guidelines and respect creators’ ownership of their videos. TikTok aims to foster an environment of trust and integrity. Saving videos for personal offline viewing may be acceptable, but redistributing content requires more care and explicit approval.
By being mindful of others’ creative work, providing credit, and seeking permission when appropriate, you can enjoy TikTok videos in an ethical manner.
Troubleshooting Issues
When saving TikTok videos, you may run into some common issues that prevent you from successfully downloading the video. Here are some troubleshooting tips for the most frequent problems:
Videos Not Downloading
If your video won’t download at all, first check that the download feature is enabled by the creator. Many TikTok users disable downloading to prevent copyright infringement. You can check if downloads are allowed by tapping the share arrow and looking for the “Save video” option (TikTok Help Center).
Another reason a TikTok video may not download is if you have connectivity issues. Try downloading over a stable Wifi or cellular connection. Videos may fail to save if you have a weak internet connection.
Finally, clear the cache and data for your TikTok app and try again. Corrupted temporary files can prevent videos from downloading correctly.
Only Getting Audio
If your downloaded video only contains audio without video, this is likely because the creator uploaded the video without visuals. TikTok allows audio-only uploads. Check the original video to confirm it contains visual content.
If the original video has visuals, the issue may be with your downloader app or settings. Try a different third-party downloading tool or adjust the download settings.
Quality Loss
Pixelated or blurry downloads usually occur because of compressed video formats. TikTok’s original video quality is quite high, so third-party tools often downgrade quality to create smaller files. For better quality, use TikTok’s built-in saving option or a downloader that saves in HD.
Slow internet can also lead to lower quality downloads. Make sure you have a strong, stable connection when saving TikTok videos to preserve the original resolution.
Conclusion
In summary, there are a few main methods for saving TikTok videos to your computer. The easiest is to use TikTok’s built-in download feature, which allows you to download your own videos. You can also use third-party downloaders specifically designed for saving TikTok videos. Screen recording apps provide another simple option for capturing videos right from the TikTok app.
On mobile devices, you can save videos directly to your camera roll for easy access later. Just be sure to store and organize any videos you download to avoid losing track of them.
When saving other users’ content, it’s important to properly credit the original creator, such as in the video caption or description. Downloading videos solely to repost without permission raises ethical concerns. Always follow TikTok’s community guidelines and respect other users’ intellectual property.
