TikTok has exploded in popularity in recent years, becoming one of the most used social media platforms globally. As of 2022, TikTok has over 1.5 billion monthly active users worldwide according to BusinessofApps. With its huge userbase, many people are now accessing TikTok from their desktop computers in addition to mobile devices. This guide will provide step-by-step instructions on how to change your TikTok profile information when using the platform on a desktop computer. We’ll cover downloading the TikTok desktop app, logging in, and making changes to your profile photo, username, bio, linked accounts, and language settings. Whether you’re new to TikTok or a long-time user looking to refresh your profile, this guide will walk you through the entire process on desktop.
Accessing TikTok on a Computer
TikTok can be accessed on a computer in two main ways – either through the TikTok website at www.tiktok.com or by downloading and installing the TikTok desktop app.
The TikTok website provides a more limited experience compared to the desktop app. On the website, you can view videos, follow and unfollow accounts, like and comment on videos, and upload videos from your computer. However, you cannot film or record videos directly within the website. This is one of the main limitations compared to the desktop app.
According to a Reddit discussion on r/Tiktokhelp, some users feel the For You Page algorithm on the website provides a “worse experience” compared to mobile, with content that differs significantly [1]. This may be because TikTok wants to encourage use of the mobile apps where advertising and monetization are more robust.
The TikTok desktop app provides the full TikTok experience on a computer, mirroring almost all features available on mobile. You can record, edit, and upload videos directly within the app, along with accessing your full profile, DMs, notifications, and all other core functions.
For those wanting the complete TikTok functionality on desktop, downloading the TikTok app is recommended over using the website. However, the website can be a quick and easy way to access basic TikTok features on a computer when the app is not installed.
Downloading the TikTok Desktop App
The TikTok desktop app can be downloaded directly from the TikTok website. On the TikTok home page, click on the profile icon in the bottom right corner. In the menu that pops up, select “Download Desktop App”. This will take you to the TikTok desktop app download page.
On the download page, click the “Download” button to begin the download process. The TikTok desktop app is available for both Windows and Mac operating systems. Make sure to select the correct version for your computer.
The desktop app will immediately start downloading once you click the download button. The file size is around 100MB so it should not take too long to fully download depending on your internet speed.
Once the download is complete, open the installation file and follow the on-screen instructions to finish installing the TikTok desktop app on your computer. After installation, you can launch the app and log in to access your TikTok account on desktop.
Logging into the Desktop App
Once you have downloaded the TikTok desktop app, you can log in using either your phone number or email address associated with your TikTok account. Here are the steps to log in:
- Open the TikTok desktop app on your computer.
- Click on the “Log in” button.
- Enter your phone number or email address and click “Next”.
- Enter the 6-digit verification code sent to your phone or email and click “Log in”.
- If prompted, enable permissions for the app to access your camera, microphone, etc.
- You will now be logged into the TikTok desktop app.
Logging in with your phone number or email allows you to seamlessly access your existing TikTok account on the desktop app. Your profile, followers, likes, drafts, and all account details will be synced across mobile and desktop.
For more details on logging into the TikTok desktop app, visit the TikTok Help Center.
Changing Profile Photo
To change your profile photo on the TikTok desktop app, first click on your profile icon in the bottom left corner to open up your profile page. Next, click on the camera icon that appears in the center of your current profile photo. This will open up the photo upload menu.
You can then either upload a photo from your computer by clicking the “Upload Photo” button, or take a new photo using your webcam by clicking “Take Photo.” Once you have selected a new photo, you can drag the borders of the crop box to frame the photo how you want it to appear as your profile picture. When you are happy with the cropped photo, click “Save” to set it as your new profile photo.
According to a Reddit user, the profile photo upload process is only available on the TikTok desktop website and not the desktop app at this time [1]. So you will need to access TikTok through a web browser on your computer in order to change your profile photo.
Changing Username
On TikTok, you can change your username to something new if your current username is no longer suitable. According to TikTok’s help center, there are some rules around username changes:
Usernames must be between 4-15 characters. You can use a combination of letters, numbers, underscores and periods. Usernames are unique on TikTok, so once you change your username to something new, no one else can take your old username.
There are also limits to how often you can change your username. According to TikTok, you can change your username 1 time every 30 days. This is to prevent abuse and maintain some consistency on the platform. If you attempt to change your username more frequently, you’ll get an error message.
So in summary, you can change your TikTok username to something new every 30 days, as long as it’s between 4-15 characters and not already taken by another user. This can be done directly through the TikTok app by tapping “Edit Profile” and entering a new username.
Source: https://support.tiktok.com/en/getting-started/setting-up-your-profile/changing-your-username
Changing Bio
Your TikTok bio has a maximum character limit of 80 characters, which is quite short compared to other social media platforms like Instagram which allows 150 characters (Character Counter). Due to the tight limit, it’s important to be concise yet compelling when writing your bio.
Some tips for optimizing your 80 character TikTok bio include:
– Use 1-2 short, memorable sentences that convey your brand identity or content focus (The Leap).
– Include relevant keywords that will help viewers find you.
– Add some emoji if it fits your style.
– List your other social media handles.
– Create an interesting bio with personality that will make viewers want to follow you (HubSpot).
The limited space makes it critical to highlight only the most essential details about you or your brand in a catchy and concise way.
Changing Linked Accounts
You can link other social media accounts like Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc. to your TikTok profile. This allows you to easily cross-post content between platforms. To change your linked accounts on desktop:
- Click on your profile avatar in the bottom right corner.
- Select “Manage account” from the dropdown menu.
- Click on “Linked accounts” on the left sidebar.
- Here you will see options to link platforms like Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and more. Click “Link new account” to add an account.
- To unlink an account, click the “Unlink” button next to it.
- Make sure to click “Save changes” at the bottom when finished.
Linking accounts makes it easy to share content seamlessly across multiple platforms. Just be aware that when you cross-post to linked accounts, the content will also be posted on your TikTok profile. Unlink any accounts you no longer wish to share to through TikTok.
Changing Language Settings
TikTok allows you to change the language displayed in the app. This can be useful if you prefer viewing content in a different language or want to practice a new language. According to https://history-computer.com, TikTok supports over 30 languages.
The main languages available include:
- English
- Spanish
- Portuguese
- German
- French
- Arabic
- Korean
- Japanese
- Russian
- Hindi
- Chinese (Simplified and Traditional)
Selecting a different language will translate text throughout the app into that language. This includes video captions, user bios, comments, and more. The available languages may vary slightly by country and region.
Conclusion
That covers the key steps to change your TikTok profile on a desktop computer. To recap, you need to first access TikTok through the web browser or download the desktop app for Windows or Mac. Once logged into your account, you can update your profile photo, username, bio, language, linked accounts and more from the profile editing page.
The TikTok desktop site and app provide the same profile editing options as on mobile. This allows you to conveniently manage your profile from a computer. One advantage is the ability to upload new photos and edit images before setting as your profile picture.
Overall, it’s a straightforward process to customize your TikTok presence on desktop. With the profile settings readily available, you can update your profile on a computer any time you want to refresh your look or brand on TikTok.
