TikTok is a popular social media app that allows users to create and share short videos. It was launched in September 2016 and has grown rapidly since then, becoming one of the most downloaded apps in the world. As of early 2022, TikTok has over 1 billion monthly active users globally (TikTok Statistics 2023 – Users, Usage, Trends and Facts).
Some of the key features that make TikTok so popular include its easy-to-use video editing tools, vast music library, and powerful algorithm that provides a personalized feed for each user. The app makes it simple for anyone to create and share fun videos on any topic imaginable.
This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to download and start using TikTok for free. It will cover creating an account, exploring key features like finding videos and creators to follow, making your own videos, and adjusting privacy settings. The goal is to help readers new to TikTok understand how to get set up on the platform and start engaging with its creative and entertaining short video community.
Is TikTok Really Free?
Yes, TikTok is free to download and use. Unlike some social media platforms that offer premium subscriptions, TikTok does not charge users to access core features. So you can download the app, create an account, view videos, follow creators, and make your own content without paying anything.
Instead, TikTok generates revenue primarily through advertising. Companies pay TikTok to promote their brands, products and services to its large user base. TikTok runs video ads in between content, banner ads, branded hashtags, and partnerships with influencers. So while you don’t pay to use TikTok, you will encounter ads while browsing the app. This ad-based business model allows TikTok to offer the platform for free and make money at the same time.
TikTok also makes money through in-app purchases like digital gifts and tips that fans can send to their favorite creators during live streams. A portion of these gift revenue goes to TikTok. But again, these are optional purchases, not required subscriptions. The core TikTok experience remains free for users.
So in summary, TikTok relies on advertising and add-on in-app purchases rather than paid memberships. It differs from some other social media companies like LinkedIn that offer premium tiers. As long as you don’t mind seeing some ads, you can enjoy TikTok at no cost.
Downloading the TikTok App
TikTok is available for free download on both iOS and Android devices. To download the app, you simply need to visit your device’s respective app store.
On iOS devices like iPhones and iPads, open the App Store app and search for “TikTok”. Tap the “Get” button to download and install the app. TikTok’s iOS app is approximately 100 MB in size.
For Android devices, open the Google Play Store app and search for “TikTok”. Tap “Install” to download the app. The Android version of TikTok is around 75 MB.
To run TikTok smoothly, both iOS and Android devices need to be running a relatively recent version of their operating system. iOS devices need to be on iOS 10.0 or later. For Android, TikTok requires Android 4.1 or newer.
The app store pages also list the latest device and software requirements. Refer to this guide for step-by-step installation instructions.
Creating a TikTok Account
Creating a TikTok account is a quick and easy process that will allow you to start engaging with content on the platform. Here are the steps to set up your TikTok account:
1. Open the TikTok app on your mobile device. Tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner to begin creating an account.
2. Select your country/region from the list.
3. Enter your birth date when prompted. TikTok requires users to be at least 13 years old.
4. Choose to sign up using your phone number or email address. Entering your phone number will allow you to quickly verify your account.
5. Create a password for your account. Make sure to choose a strong password you can remember.
6. Enter your name and username. Your username will be unique to your TikTok account.
7. Opt to find friends from your contacts or select “Not Now.” You can always find friends to follow later.
8. Review TikTok’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You’ll need to accept them to create an account.
9. Tap “Done” once your profile is set up. Customize your profile further if desired.
Once your account is created, you’ll be ready to start engaging with content, creators, and the TikTok community. The sign-up process is quick and intuitive.
Exploring TikTok Features
TikTok offers a variety of features that make it fun and engaging for users. The home feed on TikTok shows a constant stream of videos based on your interests and who you follow. The Discover page helps you find new creators and content outside of who you already follow. Your inbox displays notifications, direct messages, and comments. Your profile allows you to share videos you’ve created, see your followers, and view videos you’ve liked.
Some of the key features that make TikTok unique include:
- Duets – You can record a video beside another user’s video, either reacting to it or collaborating with it.
- Stitching – Stitching allows you to clip and integrate clips from other TikTok videos into your own video.
- Effects – TikTok offers a vast library of augmented reality effects and filters to apply to your videos. You can add visual effects, music, sounds, and more.
TikTok’s wide range of effects help creators make engaging videos. As noted by Buffer, “TikTok has hundreds of visual effects, from green screens to interactive backgrounds to facial masks. If you see a video that uses an effect you want to try, you can often long-press on the video to discover what effect they used.” https://buffer.com/library/tiktok-features/
Finding and Following Creators
One of the best things about TikTok is the incredibly diverse and creative community of users on the platform. With over 1 billion monthly active users, there is truly something for everyone on TikTok. To find creators that match your interests, you can search by keywords, hashtags, or sounds.
If you have a favorite song or audio clip, you can search for it directly in the app to find videos using that sound. This is a great way to discover new creators making content set to music you already love. You can also search for popular hashtags or keywords related to your hobbies, passions or sense of humor. For example, searching for #baking or #comedy will surface videos in those categories.
Once you find creators you love, make sure to follow them so you never miss any of their new videos. Following a creator will ensure their videos show up right at the top of your For You page. You can also visit the profiles of creators you like and browse their other posted content. This is an easy way to immerse yourself in a certain style or niche of videos.
As you follow more creators that match your preferences, TikTok’s recommendation algorithm will continue to improve and suggest even better content tailored just for you. Following creators is the best way to shape your For You page into an endless stream of entertaining videos perfectly aligned with your unique tastes.
Creating Your Own Videos
One of the best parts of TikTok is creating your own short videos to share with the community. TikTok’s built-in creative tools make it easy for anyone to make fun and engaging videos in just a few taps.
To create a new TikTok video, simply tap the plus (+) icon on the bottom bar. This will open up the camera viewfinder. You can then record videos up to 60 seconds long by pressing and holding the red record button.
TikTok provides powerful editing features to polish your videos before sharing them. You can trim clips, rearrange video segments, add background music and sounds, apply video filters and visual effects, overlay text captions, and more.
Some of TikTok’s unique video editing tools include:
- Creative effects like green screen and face filters.
- AR lenses that track faces and environments.
- A huge music library with trending and viral sounds to mix into videos.
- Text and stickers to highlight moments.
- Tools to stitch multiple clips together in creative transitions.
The editing process is quick and intuitive – no advanced video editing skills required. You can rapidly create high-quality, polished videos optimized for TikTok’s short format.
Once your video is ready, add a descriptive caption and hashtags before posting it for your followers and the broader TikTok community. Watch as your videos gain hearts, comments, shares, and new fans. TikTok’s creative tools empower anyone to become a creator!
Sharing and Engaging with Videos
Once you start creating videos, it’s important to share them and engage with other content on TikTok. Here are some ways to do that:
- Like videos you enjoy – Tapping the heart icon likes a video and helps it get recommended to others.
- Comment on videos – Leaving comments builds connections and engages with other users. Ask questions, give compliments, or provide your reaction.
- Duet with other videos – Tap the share button on a video and select “Duet” to record your own video side-by-side. This allows you to respond and collaborate.
- Stitch with other videos – Similar to dueting, select “Stitch” from the share menu to integrate part of another video into yours.
- Share your videos – Tap the share arrow on your own videos to cross-post them to other platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or text them to friends.
Being an active member of the TikTok community by liking, commenting, and sharing builds your follower base and leads to more engagement on your own videos. Participate in trends and challenges that interest you as well. Staying engaged is key to growing your presence.
TikTok Settings and Privacy
TikTok allows users to control various privacy and notification settings. In the app, go to your profile and tap the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner to access settings.
Under “Privacy and Safety,” you can limit who can view your videos, restrict messages and comments, hide likes and views counts, and enable restricted mode to filter inappropriate content. TikTok’s “Digital Wellbeing” settings allow you to control screen time and notifications. You can also enable a passcode to restrict access to the app.
For parents, TikTok has robust parental control options like Family Pairing to manage screen time, restrict messaging, limit content, and more. According to experts at Consumer Reports, parents should also monitor kids’ accounts and talk about responsible social media use.
Conclusion
In summary, TikTok is a free app that allows you to view, create, and share fun videos with special effects. To get started, simply visit the iOS or Android app store to download the TikTok app to your mobile device. You can then create an account and customize your profile. Once your account is set up, you can start viewing videos from people around the world or make your own videos to share. You can also interact with other creators by liking, commenting on, and sharing videos.
To get the most out of TikTok, be sure to spend time finding creators and hashtags you like. Curate your For You feed by liking content that aligns with your interests. Don’t be afraid to try making your own videos and using TikTok’s creative tools. You can also connect with friends to see their videos and collaborate on new content. Overall, TikTok offers an exciting new way to be entertained, express yourself, and connect with a massive global community.
If you’re looking for a fun, popular new app to add to your social media roster, be sure to download TikTok today to start viewing and making your own videos!
