TikTok is a popular short-form video app where users can create and share 15 to 60 second videos. With over 1 billion monthly active users, TikTok has become one of the fastest growing social media platforms. Many users want to download videos from TikTok for easier sharing on other platforms or for offline viewing. However, there are some legal considerations around downloading TikTok videos that users should be aware of.
According to this article, downloading videos from TikTok may infringe on the original creator’s copyright, unless it falls under fair use exceptions like commentary, criticism, or educational purposes. TikTok’s terms of service also prohibit users from downloading, reproducing, or reposting content without permission. While the law remains somewhat gray, downloading and resharing TikTok videos without transformation or commentary generally goes against the platform’s rules.
Why Download TikTok Videos?
There are several reasons why people may want to download TikTok videos. Some of the most common reasons include:
Sharing videos with friends – Downloading allows you to send funny, cute, or entertaining videos to friends through messaging apps or social media without requiring them to install TikTok. This makes sharing and viewing much easier.
Saving favorite videos – If you want to keep a TikTok video to watch again later, downloading it is the best way to ensure you still have access if the original gets deleted from the platform.
Offline viewing – Downloading videos allows you to watch them later without an internet connection. This is great for situations like planes, road trips, or other areas with limited connectivity.
Making compilations or reactions – Downloading multiple videos lets creators edit them together into compilation or reaction videos to share on other platforms.
Archiving viral moments – People often want to save widely shared funny or historic viral videos as cultural artifacts to look back on later.
Avoiding losing access – If your favorite creator deletes their account or a video you like, the only way to guarantee ongoing access is to have already downloaded it.
Downloading TikTok Videos on Desktop
One of the easiest ways to download TikTok videos on a desktop computer is by using a TikTok downloader browser extension. The TikTok for Desktop Chrome extension lets you save videos with just one click. After installing the extension, simply open a TikTok video in your browser, click the extension icon, and select “Download Video.” The video will be saved to your computer’s default download location.
You can also use online TikTok download converters. Sites like VEED.io allow you to paste in a TikTok video URL and download the video in MP4 format. These sites work directly within your desktop browser, so there’s no software to install.
When using desktop browsers to download TikTok videos, you get to save the high-quality HD versions. Downloaded videos are stored on your computer so you can watch them offline. The download only takes a few seconds, making it one of the quickest ways to get TikTok videos on a PC or Mac.
Downloading TikTok Videos on Mobile
There are several options for downloading TikTok videos directly on your mobile device. The easiest way is to use the mobile browser site for TikTok at tiktok.com. When viewing a video, tap the “Share” icon and select “Save video.” The video will be saved to your camera roll.
You can also download videos within the TikTok mobile app. Open the video you want to save and tap the “Share” icon. Select “Save video” and the video will save to your camera roll. Make sure you give the TikTok app permission to access your photos.
Another option is to use third-party apps like TikTok Downloader. These apps allow you to enter a video link or search for videos, then download them directly to your device storage or camera roll without watermarks. Popular options include TikTok Downloader, TikTok Saver, and SnapTik.
The benefit of using the mobile site or app is simplicity. However, third-party apps give you more control over file formats and allow saving videos without any TikTok branding. Just be aware of potential privacy, advertising, or cost issues with less reputable apps.
Step-by-Step Guide
Here is a step-by-step guide with screenshots on how to download TikTok videos using a converter site:
- Go to the TikTok video you want to download in your browser. Copy the URL of the video.
- Go to a TikTok video downloader site like Online Video Converter.
- Paste the URL of the TikTok video into the converter site.
- Click the “Convert” or “Download” button on the site.
- Select the video format and quality you want to download.
- Wait for the video to process and download to your device.
- The TikTok video will be saved to your downloads folder or wherever you selected.
Using a converter site is the easiest way to download TikTok videos directly from your browser. The steps are very straightforward. Just be sure to use a reputable site to avoid viruses or malware.
Storing and Sharing TikTok Videos
Once you have downloaded TikTok videos to your device, there are a few best practices for storing, organizing, and sharing them:
For storage, create a dedicated folder or album for your downloaded TikTok videos to keep them organized. This will make it easier to find and access them later. You can store them in your device’s native photo/video album or create a specific folder in your device’s file manager.
Adding descriptive filenames can help keep your collection organized, like including the username and a description of the video content. Avoid generic names like “TikTok1” or the default filenames.
Backing up your downloaded videos to cloud storage or an external hard drive is recommended to prevent losing them if your device is damaged or lost. Services like Google Photos, iCloud, and Dropbox allow easy cloud backups.
When sharing downloaded videos with others, sending the actual video file may be better than screen recordings or sharing just a TikTok link. That way they can save the original high-quality video natively rather than screen recording your replay of it.
You can share downloaded videos via messaging apps, email, cloud/file sharing services, social media, and more. Just be mindful of only sharing videos you have permission to distribute from the original creator.
In summary, organize downloaded TikTok videos in dedicated albums or folders, back them up to the cloud or external drives, and share the original files when distributing to others.
Legal Considerations
When downloading TikTok videos, it’s important to be aware of copyright laws and TikTok’s policies. According to TikTok’s Copyright Policy, users own the copyright to the videos they create and post. Downloading someone else’s video without permission can infringe on their copyright. TikTok encourages users to only share videos from the app and not download or repost them without permission.
TikTok’s policy states: “The use of copyrighted content of others without proper authorization or legally valid reason may lead to a violation of TikTok’s policies. At TikTok, we respect intellectual property rights and expect our users to do the same.” Users can report copyright infringement by tapping the share button on a video and selecting “Report”.
While TikTok’s Terms of Service grant users a license to share and display content through the app, they do not allow downloading videos without permission. Legally, downloading and reposting videos could potentially lead to DMCA takedown notices or even lawsuits in severe cases of repeated infringement. Users should be careful about downloading and reusing content without express consent.
Watermarks on Downloaded Videos
Many TikTok videos that are downloaded directly from the app or website will contain a watermark or logo overlay in the corner. This is because TikTok adds these overlays to protect copyright and prevent unapproved reuse of content. According to Video Downloader, the watermark is TikTok’s way of discouraging downloads.
There are a few ways to avoid getting the watermark when downloading TikTok videos:
- Use a third party TikTok downloading app or site that can remove watermarks automatically. However, this may violate TikTok’s terms of service.
- Screen record videos instead of downloading – this captures the video as it plays without any overlays.
- Use video editing software to crop out or cover over the watermark after downloading.
In summary, downloaded TikTok videos often contain visible watermarks unless steps are taken to remove them through third party apps or post-editing. However, removing the watermarks may violate TikTok’s copyright protections.
Downloading vs Screen Recording
Many people wonder if it’s better to download a TikTok video or simply screen record it. Here’s a comparison of the two methods:
Downloading a TikTok video saves it directly to your device as a video file. This allows you to keep the video indefinitely and share it with others easily. The quality of the downloaded video will typically be higher than a screen recording. However, downloaded TikTok videos will have a watermark on them showing the username of the original poster.
Screen recording a TikTok video captures what you see on your screen. This can be done using built-in screen recording features on mobile devices or third party apps on desktop. The quality of a screen recorded video depends on your device and settings used. Screen recordings don’t contain the TikTok watermark. However, they only capture what is shown in that moment and can’t be directly shared with others.
In summary, downloading is better if you want to save a high quality version of the video without time limits. Screen recording is preferable if you want to capture a TikTok without the watermark and share it immediately. Consider which factors are most important for your needs.
Conclusion
Downloaded TikTok videos that are saved on your device allow you to access them offline at anytime and share with others, even after the video is removed from TikTok or if the account gets banned or deleted. There are multiple ways you can download TikTok videos directly on your phone or by using a web browser on desktop or mobile. The process involves a few simple steps of copying the video URL or using a downloader website or app to save the video file to your device storage or cloud drive.
Though you should be mindful of any watermarks, ownership rights, and intended private use, downloading TikTok videos gives you a convenient way to archive entertaining, informative or personally meaningful videos that you want to keep and rewatch. With the various methods covered, you can now easily save and manage a collection of your favorite TikTok videos.
