TikTok is a social media platform centered around sharing short-form videos. It has exploded in popularity in recent years, with over 1 billion monthly active users as of September 2021 according to BusinessofApps. TikTok was the most downloaded app globally in 2020, with over 850 million downloads according to its parent company ByteDance.
Many users want to download videos from TikTok for various reasons – to share funny or memorable videos with friends, to save videos they want to watch again later, or even to reuse or remix content. Downloading TikTok videos also allows users to keep and access content if it is deleted from the platform. While TikTok does not directly allow video downloads, there are some workarounds users employ to save TikTok videos to their devices.
Is it legal to download TikTok videos?
The legality of downloading TikTok videos depends on how you use the videos after downloading them. According to TikTok’s terms of service, you are only authorized to access content for your personal, non-commercial use. Downloading videos for educational or journalistic purposes may fall under fair use, but redistributing downloaded videos without permission can infringe on copyright.
The fair use doctrine allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes like education, commentary, criticism, and reporting. Downloading a TikTok video for educational or personal use likely falls under fair use. However, reuploading the full video without additional commentary or context is unlikely to qualify as fair use.
In summary, downloading TikTok videos for your own viewing is permitted by TikTok’s terms, and can be legal under fair use. But redistributing full downloaded videos without permission typically violates TikTok’s terms and copyright law.
Methods to download TikTok videos
There are a few different methods users can leverage to download TikTok videos.
Third party apps and browser extensions
Several third party mobile apps like TikSaver, Videoder, and Snaptik allow downloading TikTok videos directly on a mobile device. Browser extensions like Video Downloader for TikTok (Chrome) work similarly for desktop users.
Screen recording
Users can use built-in screen recording functions on iOS and Android devices to record TikTok videos. This captures the video and audio being played on the device screen. Screen recording apps like Quicktime (Mac) or screen capture software like Snagit (Windows) work the same way.
Website downloaders
Websites like SSSTik, TikTokDown, TikTok Video Downloader allow entering a video URL to download the video file.
Third party apps
There are many third party apps that allow you to download TikTok videos. Some popular options include Snaptik, Videoder, and SSSTikTok.
Snaptik is an app available for both iOS and Android that lets you save TikTok videos without a watermark. You simply copy the video link and paste it into the Snaptik app. The app downloads the video and saves it to your camera roll.1
Videoder is another downloader app available for Android and PC. It allows you to paste in TikTok video links or search for videos within the app. Downloaded videos are saved locally on your device. Videoder also lets you download videos from many other platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.2
SSSTikTok is an Android app specifically focused on downloading TikTok videos. You can download videos with or without watermarks. The app also lets you download full playlists and multiple videos at once. SSSTikTok downloads videos in their original quality.3
Browser Extensions
One of the easiest ways to download TikTok videos is by using browser extensions. These small add-on programs integrate directly into your web browser to add extra functionality. There are a couple top options for downloading TikTok videos:
TikTok Video Downloader for Chrome
This extension is designed specifically for Google Chrome and allows you to download TikTok videos with just a click. After installing, an icon will appear on Chrome toolbar. Simply navigate to the TikTok video you want to download, click the extension icon, and choose download. The video will automatically be saved to your computer.
Video Downloader for Facebook and TikTok
This extension works across multiple browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. It lets you download videos not just from TikTok but also Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other sites. After installing, click the extension icon on your toolbar when viewing a TikTok video. A pop-up will appear allowing you to select video quality and download the file.
Browser extensions provide a quick and easy way to save TikTok videos on your computer. They avoid needing to use third party websites while still letting you download videos for offline viewing.
Websites
There are a few websites that allow you to download TikTok videos without any additional software. Some popular options include:
ssstik.io – This website has a simple interface where you can paste in a TikTok video URL and download the video in MP4 format. No account or registration is required.
tiktokdownloader.io – Another straightforward website where you enter the TikTok URL and can download the video. You can select MP4 or MP3 format.
uptik.net – This site allows downloading TikTok videos by pasting the URL. You can download without watermark in HD quality.
savefrom.net – A popular website with options to download videos from many platforms including TikTok. You can download TikTok videos by entering the URL and selecting MP4 format.
Screen recording method
Screen recording is one of the easiest methods to download videos from TikTok. Here are the steps for screen recording TikTok videos on iOS and Android devices:
For iOS devices
To screen record on an iPhone or iPad [1]:
- Open the Control Center by swiping down from the top right corner.
- Long press the Screen Recording button to open the recording options.
- Tap “Start Recording” and your screen will begin recording.
- Open the TikTok app and navigate to the video you want to record.
- Let the video play through completely while your device records it.
- Stop the recording by opening the Control Center again and tapping the Screen Recording button.
The screen recording will be saved to your Photos app automatically.
For Android devices
Most Android devices have built-in screen recording capabilities [2]:
- Open your Quick Settings by swiping down twice from the top of your screen.
- Tap the “Screen Recorder” icon to begin capturing your device’s screen.
- Open the TikTok app and play the video you want to record.
- Tap the notification that popped up when you started recording to stop it.
The video will be saved to your phone’s internal storage. You can then share it or save it elsewhere.
Safety and privacy concerns
When downloading TikTok videos, there are some safety and privacy risks to be aware of. Some third-party apps or services may contain malware that could compromise your device or data privacy when downloading videos. As noted on Zobuz, it’s important to use reputable and secure apps from official app stores to avoid malware risks.
There are also potential data privacy issues when using third-party downloaders. As explained on Amir Articles, some download tools may collect data about users without consent or proper disclosure. This could include accessing browsing history, contacts, device info, and other data. To protect privacy, it’s advisable to review privacy policies carefully before using any downloader tools.
The safest option is to avoid third-party downloaders entirely. While some reputable options exist, there are inherent risks of malware or data collection when installing additional apps or extensions. Using the built-in download or screen recording features on your device provides a more secure way to save TikTok videos.
TikTok’s Response
While TikTok does not directly address downloading videos, their terms of service prohibit scraping, illegally accessing, or attempting to illegally access their services. TikTok states they respond to clear notices of alleged copyright infringement [1]. If TikTok receives a complete and valid takedown notice that complies with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), they will respond expeditiously by removing or disabling access to the allegedly infringing material.
TikTok cautions that repeatedly downloading videos could result in your account being blocked or banned. They suggest using the built-in “Save Video” option if you want to keep a TikTok video for personal viewing [2]. This allows you to save videos directly within the app without needing third-party software.
Conclusion
In summary, there are several different methods users have found to download videos from TikTok. These include third party apps, browser extensions, websites, and screen recording apps. While some find it useful to download videos for offline viewing or sharing, it does raise ethical concerns around copyright and legality.
TikTok has stated that downloading videos from their platform is a violation of their terms of service. While not inherently illegal, users should be mindful of respecting copyright and only using downloads for personal, non-commercial use. There are also privacy risks associated with third party apps gaining access to TikTok data and user information.
For those looking to save their favorite TikTok videos more safely, alternatives include bookmarking or favoriting videos within the TikTok app itself to easily find them again later. Creating your own new videos inspired by ones you enjoy can also allow you to put your own creative spin on popular TikTok trends and sounds. As with any social media platform, there are ethical considerations around how we download and share content.
