TikTok is a popular short-form video sharing app that has seen tremendous growth since launching in 2016. Originally known as Musical.ly, the app was rebranded to TikTok in 2018 after being acquired by the Chinese company ByteDance. As of 2022, TikTok has over 1 billion monthly active users worldwide.
In July 2022, TikTok began rolling out a major redesign to its app interface on both iOS and Android devices. This included changes to the layout, fonts, icons, and color scheme. While some users welcomed the fresh look, others complained that the dramatic changes made the app more difficult to navigate and use. This led to some users looking for ways to revert to the old version of TikTok before the redesign.
Overall, the major visual overhaul represented one of the most significant design shifts for the platform since its launch. While TikTok frequently introduces minor tweaks, this update constituted a top-to-bottom revamp of the app’s appearance and core interface. As with any major redesign, it left some users frustrated and searching for the familiarity of the previous layout.
Why People Want the Old TikTok
Many long-time TikTok users want to revert to the old design for reasons of nostalgia. The original TikTok logo and layout evoke fond memories for those who used the app in its early days. As this article explains, TikTok’s original logo design aimed to reflect the creative spirit of the platform. For seasoned users, the old logo and interface represent a simpler, more innocent era of TikTok before it exploded in popularity.
Veteran users also prefer the stripped-down style of the old design. As this Vox article notes, the current TikTok interface prioritizes algorithmic recommendations over chronological browsing. Many users miss the straightforward experience of scrolling through content in temporal order. The nostalgic attachment to TikTok’s origins plays a key role in the demand to revert to old versions of the app.
Downgrading TikTok on iOS
One way to downgrade the TikTok app on iOS is by using the App Store’s version history feature. Here’s how:
- Open the App Store on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap on your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Scroll down and tap on “Purchased.”
- Find TikTok in your list of purchased apps and tap on it.
- You’ll see a list of previous versions of TikTok. Tap on the “Install” button next to the version you want to downgrade to.
This will install the older version of TikTok on your device while keeping the newer version too. You can switch between the two versions in your device’s Settings under General > Applications.
Just keep in mind that downgrading apps is only possible if the older version is still available in the App Store. So it’s best to downgrade as soon as possible after an unwanted update before the previous version gets removed.
For more details, refer to this guide.
Downgrading TikTok on Android
One of the easiest ways to downgrade TikTok on Android is by installing an older APK file directly. An APK is the installation file format used for Android apps. By finding and installing an older version’s APK, you can revert TikTok back to the previous interface and features you prefer.
To downgrade TikTok using an APK file, first uninstall the current version on your Android device. Open the Settings app, go to Apps & Notifications > See All Apps, then find TikTok and select Uninstall. This removes the latest version so you can cleanly install the older one.
Next, download the APK file for the TikTok version you want. There are websites that host old APK files for downloading, just be careful to use a reputable site. Search for something like “TikTok 10.7.0 APK” and download the file to your device. Make sure the file is for your Android device’s CPU architecture.
Once downloaded, install the older APK file on your device. You may need to enable “Install from unknown sources” in your Android settings first. When ready, open the downloaded APK and tap Install. This will install the previous TikTok version over your current installation. After opening TikTok, you should now see the older interface again.
Downgrading apps via APK files gives you precise control to revert to any previous version. Just be aware you won’t receive the latest updates until going back to the Play Store’s main app. But for restoring TikTok temporarily, using an older APK is quick and effective.
Using a VPN
One way to access the old version of TikTok is by using a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN allows you to change your virtual location, which can let you access region-restricted content. By setting your VPN location to a country that still has the old TikTok version, you may be able to downgrade.
For example, you can try using a VPN service like Private Internet Access and set your location to a country like Japan or South Korea where the old TikTok design is still available. Just make sure to clear your TikTok cache and data before connecting to the VPN. Once connected, open TikTok and you should see the old interface. Keep in mind TikTok may detect VPN usage, so this method is not guaranteed to work.
The key is finding a VPN server in a region that hasn’t yet received the TikTok redesign. Check various countries until you find one still on the old version. Also try using reputable VPNs that effectively mask VPN usage from sites.
Web Version of TikTok
One way to access the old layout of TikTok is by using the web version at tiktok.com. The web version still retains the original vertical scrolling feed from before the redesign to a horizontal “For You” feed. When you visit TikTok on your desktop or mobile browser, you will see the familiar vertically scrolling feed that was previously standard on mobile apps.
This allows you to access the old design and layout without having to downgrade or use a different app. The experience is very similar to the original mobile application. So if you strongly prefer the previous interface and feed, using the web version is the easiest way to get that classic TikTok look and feel.
There are some limitations with the web version, such as not having access to the full set of editing tools. But for simply viewing and engaging with content, it provides the old TikTok design that many longtime users prefer. If the updated mobile app is disruptive or annoying to you, switching to TikTok on the web browser is a handy workaround.
Third-Party Apps
One way to get back some of the feel of old TikTok is to use third-party apps designed to mimic the classic TikTok interface and experience. Some popular options include:
Triller – This app has a similar vertical video feed to old TikTok and promotes itself as a creative community for sharing short-form videos. It has many of the same editing tools and filters as TikTok used to have (https://www.ping.fm/apps-like-tiktok/).
Byte – Created by one of the co-founders of Vine, Byte replicates the vintage Vine/old TikTok vibe. It focuses just on short, funny videos that loop and does not have the personalized algorithmic feed (https://miracuves.com/10-best-tiktok-alternatives/).
While these apps provide the familiar creating and viewing experience of vintage TikTok, their communities are much smaller. But for those longing for the old TikTok style, third-party mimic apps are an option worth trying.
Petitions and Complaints
Many TikTok users have started petitions and campaigns against the design changes on the app. There are several popular petitions on Change.org with tens of thousands of signatures from users asking TikTok to revert to the old design. For example, one petition titled “Petition To Get The Old TikTok Design Back” has over 800,000 signatures as of March 2023 [1].
The petition argues that the new design is confusing, harder to navigate, and takes away features that users enjoyed. The large amount of signatures shows there is a substantial user base unhappy with the redesign. Users have also started hashtag campaigns like #BringBackOldTokTok and #RevertTheUpdate to voice complaints and hopefully get TikTok’s attention. Some users even threatened to delete or stop using the app if the old design is not brought back.
While TikTok has not directly responded to these petitions and campaigns, the widespread backlash highlights that the design changes have been unpopular with many in the TikTok community. The petitions represent users banding together to try and influence TikTok’s product decisions.
Coping With the New Design
Many TikTok users have struggled to adjust to the major redesign of the app in late 2022. After using the same interface and features for years, it can be jarring and frustrating to have to relearn the app. Here are some tips for coping with the new TikTok design:
Take time to explore and get familiar with where everything is now located. Go through the various tabs and menus to see how your favorite features have moved or changed. Don’t expect to get used to it overnight – give yourself time to adapt.
Pin your most-used features or tabs to the bottom navigation bar for quick access. This can help ease the transition since frequently used options will be in consistent spots.
Try using TikTok on desktop or web, where the redesign is less dramatic. This can give you a chance to adjust more slowly before diving into the mobile app redesign.
Turn on notifications for your favorite creators so their new videos appear right in your notifications. This way content discovery can stay somewhat consistent.
Submit feedback directly to TikTok on what you liked better in the old design and what could be improved. There’s a chance they may tweak things in future updates based on user responses.
Remember that millions of other users are in the same boat, adjusting to the major changes. Over time, the new design will start to feel more natural as people get used to it. Focusing on the content you enjoy can help the transition feel less disruptive.
The Future of TikTok’s Design
There has been much speculation about what the future design of TikTok will entail as the platform continues to evolve. According to TikTok’s own press release in October 2022 “TikTok World: Building for the future of entertainment with responsible innovation at the heart of it all – where discovery, community, and culture happen on the platform.” This indicates that TikTok plans to build an immersive entertainment experience while maintaining its core identity.
Some key areas of focus for TikTok’s future design may include enhanced search and discovery features, more tools for creators, and new ecommerce capabilities, as noted in this article on What Can We Expect From TikTok In The Future? At the same time, TikTok is likely to maintain the addictive short-video format that has driven its success so far. The platform will need to balance introducing new features with keeping the app intuitive and focused on fun user-generated content.
While the details remain uncertain, TikTok is poised to continue evolving rapidly. Users can likely expect both exciting new innovations as well as occasional backlash when redesigns alter the familiar user experience. However, TikTok has proven adept at responding to user feedback so far. Although the future design is unknown, TikTok will likely strike a balance between maintaining its essence while pioneering new social media experiences.