TikTok has exploded in popularity over the last few years, becoming one of the most used social media platforms globally. As of 2022, TikTok had over 1 billion monthly active users worldwide (Source). With such a massive userbase, TikTok is continuously releasing new updates to improve features, fix bugs, and enhance the overall user experience.
Like any app, it’s important to keep TikTok updated to the latest version to enjoy the newest features and security enhancements. New TikTok updates also squash pesky bugs that can disrupt your experience. Outdated app versions may exhibit glitches, crashes, or other issues that are already fixed in newer releases.
This article will provide a step-by-step guide to updating TikTok on both iOS and Android devices. We’ll also look at reasons why staying updated is important for all TikTok users.
Check Your Current TikTok Version
The first step in updating TikTok is to check what version you currently have installed. Here’s how to find your current TikTok version on iOS and Android devices:
On iOS:
- Open the App Store app
- Tap your profile icon in the top right
- Scroll down and tap TikTok
- Check the version number listed below the app name
On Android:
- Open the Google Play Store app
- Tap the hamburger menu icon in the top left
- Tap My Apps & Games
- Scroll and select TikTok
- Check the version number listed below the app name
Knowing your current TikTok version will allow you to determine if you’re up to date or need to update to the latest release. It’s recommended to always keep TikTok updated to ensure you have the newest features and security enhancements.
Back Up Your TikTok Account
Backing up your TikTok account before updating to the latest version is highly recommended. This ensures that all your videos, comments, messages, and other account data is securely stored in case anything goes wrong during the update process. Without a proper backup, you risk losing access to your content and followers if the update causes unexpected issues.
Fortunately, backing up TikTok is easy and only takes a few minutes. You have a couple options:
- Use the built-in backup feature in the TikTok app. This allows you to export your videos, drafts, profile information, and more to your camera roll or external storage. Just go to “Settings > Manage my account > Export user data” to access the backup tool.
- Utilize a third-party website like Spikerz to securely store your TikTok data online. These services walk you through the process of creating a backup.
Once your TikTok content is safely backed up, you can proceed with updating the app worry-free. Having the peace of mind that your videos and account details are protected makes the update process much smoother.
Update TikTok on iOS
To update TikTok on your iPhone or iPad, follow these steps:
- Open the App Store app on your iOS device.
- Tap on your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen.
- Scroll down and tap on “Available Updates.”
- Look for TikTok in the list of apps with available updates and tap “Update” next to it.
- Enter your Apple ID password when prompted to begin downloading the latest version of TikTok.
- Once the update is complete, open TikTok to start using the latest version.
If you don’t see the update available, try refreshing the App Store by pulling down on the screen until the loading icon appears. The TikTok update should then show up. Keep your apps up-to-date for the latest features and security improvements.
(Source)
Update TikTok on Android
Updating TikTok on your Android device is easy and ensures you have the latest features and security updates. Here are the steps to update TikTok on Android:
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
- Tap on the profile icon in the top right corner.
- Tap “Manage apps & devices.”
- Under “Updates available,” you will see TikTok listed if there is an update available.
- Tap “Update” next to TikTok to update it to the latest version.
- The update will start downloading. Once it finishes, you will have the latest TikTok version.
Updating frequently keeps your app working smoothly and allows you to take advantage of new TikTok features and fixes. Make sure auto-update is enabled in the Play Store settings to always have the most recent TikTok version.
Update TikTok on Desktop
To get the latest version of TikTok on your desktop, you’ll need to update the TikTok desktop app on Mac or Windows. Here’s how:
On Windows:
- Open the Microsoft Store app.
- Click on the profile icon in the top right and select Downloads and updates.
- Find TikTok in the list of apps. If an update is available, you’ll see an Update button next to it.
- Click Update to download and install the latest TikTok version.
On Mac:
- Open the App Store app.
- Click on the Updates tab at the top.
- Find TikTok in the list of apps with available updates.
- Click Update next to TikTok to download the latest version.
The TikTok desktop app automatically updates whenever new versions are released (source). Keeping TikTok up-to-date ensures you have the latest features and optimizations for the best experience watching and creating TikTok videos on your computer.
Why Updates are Important
It’s crucial to keep your TikTok app up-to-date for several key reasons:
Security
TikTok regularly releases updates to enhance the security and privacy of the app. Updates may contain critical patches for vulnerabilities as well as improved encryption and data protections (Product Feature Updates | Creator Portal). Keeping TikTok updated ensures you have the latest protections in place.
New Features
Updates allow you to access the newest TikTok features. Recent additions include avatars, new creative tools like Singing Text-to-Speech, the ability to refresh your For You feed, and more (Introducing a way to refresh your For You feed on TikTok). Updating gives you all the latest and greatest the platform has to offer.
Bug Fixes
Developers frequently push out updates to address bugs and glitches. Updating eliminates issues you may experience with the current version and improves overall performance.
In summary, updating TikTok ensures you have the most secure and fully-functional app with access to all the newest features for an optimal user experience.
Troubleshooting Update Issues
Sometimes updating TikTok doesn’t go as smoothly as planned. Here are some solutions for common update problems that users face:
If the update gets stuck halfway, try force closing and reopening the TikTok app. On iOS, swipe up to close the app entirely. On Android, open your recent apps and swipe TikTok away. Then reopen TikTok and check if the update resumes.
If the app says your device software is too old, you may need to update your phone’s OS before you can update TikTok. Go to your phone’s settings to check for any available system updates and install them first.
If you get a “Verify its you” error message, try logging out and back into your TikTok account. This should allow the update to proceed.
As a last resort, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling the TikTok app if the update fails. Make sure your account and data are backed up first. After reinstalling fresh, TikTok should automatically download the latest version.
For any other issues, consulting TikTok’s troubleshooting guide at https://support.tiktok.com/en/troubleshooting may provide additional solutions.
TikTok Alternatives
If you decide TikTok isn’t for you, there are plenty of other apps with similar short video formats that you can try out instead. Here are some top alternatives to consider:
Triller is one of the most popular TikTok replacements, offering tools to create and share short music videos. It has similar video editing functionality and also includes features like challenges and hashtag trends.
Funimate is great for making short music videos and slideshows. It provides an array of video effects, fonts, stickers, and editing tools to enhance your content before sharing.
If you want more professional level video editing, Vimeo is a solid option. It allows uploading longer high-quality videos and offers advanced tools for trimming, audio editing, filters, and more.
For a YouTube-like alternative, check out YouTube Shorts which lets you produce brief vertical videos optimized for mobile watching. You can tap into YouTube’s massive built-in audience.
There are many other apps like Likee, Firework, Snapchat, Instagram Reels, and more to explore if TikTok doesn’t fit your preferences or needs.
Conclusion: Summary and Final Thoughts
Updating your apps regularly is an important part of digital safety and ensuring you have access to the latest features. With social media apps like TikTok, updates also provide bug fixes and patches for potential security vulnerabilities.
While updating TikTok is a straightforward process on iOS, Android, and desktop, it’s important to back up your content first in case anything goes wrong. Make sure you have your username, password, and 2FA authentication method available during the update process.
If you encounter any issues updating TikTok, you can try basic troubleshooting steps like rebooting your device or reinstalling the app. Alternatively, consider switching to another short-form video app like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, or Triller.
Overall, keeping TikTok updated allows you to safely access the latest viral videos and connect with friends. Just be sure to backup your account, follow the step-by-step update instructions, and don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you have any problems.
