TikTok is a popular social media platform launched in 2016 that allows users to create and share short videos. It has seen explosive growth in recent years, amassing over 1 billion monthly active users as of September 2021 according to TikTok statistics. TikTok is especially popular among younger demographics, with 41% of its users between the ages of 16 and 24.
When users upload videos to TikTok, a watermark containing the username is automatically added in the corner. While this marks the content, some users wish to download TikTok videos without the watermark for various reasons. For example, they may want to remove identifying information before sharing or use the videos for other projects. This has led to a demand for methods to download and edit TikTok videos to remove watermarks.
Why Remove Watermarks from TikToks?
There are a couple main reasons people want to remove watermarks from TikTok videos:
To share videos elsewhere without attribution. TikTok’s watermark includes the username of the original creator. If you want to share a funny or interesting TikTok video on another platform like Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube, the watermark makes it clear you didn’t create the content yourself. Removing the watermark allows you to post the video as if it’s your own.
To reuse content in your own videos. TikTok’s terms of service grant creators full ownership rights over their videos. Downloading and reusing content from others violates TikTok’s policies. However, removing the watermark makes it harder to detect if a video has been repurposed without permission. This allows people to incorporate popular TikTok trends and memes into their own content while claiming full credit.
Sources:
https://www.pipiads.com/blog/unlock-the-secret-to-removing-tiktok-watermarks/
https://www.watermarkremover.io/videos/tiktok-watermark-removal
Downloading TikToks
The easiest way to download a TikTok video is directly within the TikTok app itself. Here are the steps to download videos on both iOS and Android:
On iOS:
- Open the TikTok app and find the video you want to save.
- Tap the ‘Share’ icon in the bottom right corner.
- Select ‘Save Video’ from the share options.
- The video will now be saved to your camera roll.
On Android:
- Open the TikTok app and find the video you want to save.
- Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner.
- Select ‘Save video’ from the menu options.
- The video will be saved to your device’s gallery.
This built-in downloading option is the simplest way to save TikTok videos right from the app. The videos are saved without a watermark. However, there are some limits – you can only download your own videos or public videos from other accounts. Private, deleted, and some copyrighted videos may not be downloadable.
Sources:
https://support.tiktok.com/en/using-tiktok/exploring-videos/video-downloads
https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/how-to-download-tiktok-videos
Removing Watermarks with Third-Party Apps
There are several third-party apps you can use to download TikTok videos without a watermark:
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TikSave allows you to save TikTok videos without a watermark. You can download the app for Android or iOS and easily save watermark-free videos.
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Videoder is another popular app available for Android that lets you download videos from various platforms, including TikTok without the watermark.
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SnapTik is an iOS app that removes watermarks when saving TikTok videos.
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Other options include TikTok Downloader for Android, SaveIt for iOS, and Desktop TikTok Downloader for Windows/Mac.
Most third-party TikTok downloader apps work similarly. You copy the link of the TikTok video you want to save, paste it into the app, and download the video without the watermark overlay.
Just be aware that downloading videos with these tools likely goes against TikTok’s terms of service. Use them responsibly.
Using Video Editors
Another way to remove the TikTok watermark is by using online video editors like Kapwing. Here are the steps:
- Go to Kapwing.com and click on “Upload Video” to import your TikTok video.
- Once the video is uploaded, click on “Edit This Video” to go to the editor.
- In the left sidebar, click on “Crop” and adjust the crop area to exclude the watermark.
- Click “Apply” and preview the changes to ensure the watermark is removed.
- Finally, click “Export” to download the watermark-free video.
The advantage of using Kapwing is that it’s free and easy to use. The edited video can be exported in high quality without any Kapwing branding. This method works for both Android and iPhone TikTok downloads.
Converting TikToks to MP4
One straightforward way to remove the watermark from TikTok videos is to convert the TikTok file to MP4 format. TikTok’s native video format contains the watermark baked into the video itself. However, converting to a standard MP4 video strips out the watermark.
There are several websites and apps that allow you to paste in a TikTok video URL and download the video as an MP4. For example, SSSTik and SnapTik are two popular options. After pasting the URL, you can select MP4 as the download format. The resulting file will be the original video without any watermark overlay.
MP4 is a common standard video format supported by most video players and editors. By converting TikTok videos to MP4, you remove all of TikTok’s proprietary data, including the watermark. This gives you a clean video file you can edit and share without any branding.
The only potential downside is a slight loss in video quality from the conversion process. However, for most purposes, the MP4 quality is still excellent. Converting to MP4 is a simple and effective way to get watermark-free TikTok videos you can use anywhere.
Cropping Out the Watermark
One of the easiest ways to remove the TikTok watermark is to simply crop it out. You can use free video editing apps like Kapwing, Inshot, or Vita to crop your TikTok videos.
To crop out the watermark in Kapwing:
- Upload your TikTok video to Kapwing
- Click on the “Crop” tool in the left sidebar
- Adjust the crop area to exclude the watermark. Make sure not to crop out too much of the video.
- Click “Save” to export the cropped video without the watermark.
The process is similar in Inshot and Vita. Just upload your video, go to the “Crop” tool, adjust the crop area, and export. Cropping is a fast, easy way to remove the watermark with no advanced editing required. The only downside is losing a bit of the original framing around the edges.
According to one source, “It’s never a rocket science to remove TikTok video watermark or logo. Instead, this issue can be easily fixed by cropping the video in video editing software like Adobe Premiere and iMovie to cut the watermarked section out.” (Source)
Drawbacks of Removing Watermarks
While removing TikTok watermarks may allow you to post content without attribution, there are some important drawbacks to consider.
First and foremost, removing watermarks can raise copyright issues. The TikTok watermark acts as a form of attribution and shows that the content belongs to the original creator. Removing it without permission could constitute copyright infringement. Creators have a right to be credited for their work.
In addition, the watermark provides promotion for the original creator. If you remove it, the creator loses out on potential new followers, views, and opportunities. This can negatively impact content creators who rely on TikTok for income or their careers.
Overall, removing watermarks solely to present content as your own without proper attribution does a disservice to the creators. As social media guidance suggests, it’s always ethical to credit original sources. The TikTok watermark makes it easy to give credit where it’s due.
Instead of removing watermarks, it’s better to find ways to legally reuse content through collaboration with the original creator.
Summarize Best Options
Overall, there are a few different ways to download TikTok videos without a watermark. Here’s a quick recap of the pros and cons of the main methods:
Using a Third-Party App
Pros:
- Dedicated apps like TikMate, Videoder, and SnapTik make it easy to download watermark-free TikToks.
- Simple install and user interface.
Cons:
- You have to trust the third-party app and make sure it’s not malware.
- App availability can depend on your device and location.
Converting to MP4
Pros:
- Lets you download the original high-quality TikTok video.
- Works directly within TikTok’s sharing options.
Cons:
- Requires a few extra steps to convert to MP4.
- Doesn’t work on some videos due to permissions.
Cropping Out the Watermark
Pros:
- Completely removes the watermark from the video.
- Works with any video editing app.
Cons:
- Requires a video editing app and cropping skills.
- Cropping may cut off part of the video.
Conclusion
To recap, there are a few easy options for downloading TikToks without a watermark:
Using third-party apps like TikSave, Snaptik, or SaveIt can allow you to save TikToks without a watermark. These apps are free and easy to use. Just copy the TikTok URL and paste it into the app to download the video without the watermark.
You can also use video editors like Inshot or Kapwing to crop out the watermark after downloading the video. This takes a couple extra steps, but works well if you want full control over the editing.
Converting the TikTok video to MP4 format using online converters is another straightforward option that removes the watermark.
Overall, apps like TikSave and Snaptik provide the simplest way to download TikToks without any watermarks. With just a TikTok URL, you can save high-quality, watermark-free videos in seconds.