We’ve all been there – you’re scrolling through TikTok, watching funny videos or killing time, when you accidentally refresh the app and lose track of that hilarious video you wanted to watch again or share with friends. Don’t worry, there are a few easy ways to try and find that lost TikTok video again.
Check your likes
If you liked or favorited the video before you refreshed, it will be saved in your likes. Open your profile and tap the heart icon to view all your liked videos. Scroll through until you find the one you’re looking for. This is the easiest way to retrieve a lost video if you proactively liked it.
Look in your share history
If you shared the video before refreshing, either through TikTok’s share button or by copying the link, it will be saved in your sharing history. Tap the arrow icon on the right side of your profile to access your sharing history. View the videos, links, and messages you recently shared to find the video.
Search through comments
If you commented on the video before losing it, you can try searching through videos you’ve commented on recently to find it. Tap your profile icon, then tap the bubble icon to view your recent comments. This will show you videos you’ve commented on ordered by recency. Browse through to see if you can find the lost video.
Check your watch history
TikTok keeps track of videos you’ve watched in your account’s watch history. To view your watch history, tap the profile icon, then tap the clock icon. This will display videos you’ve watched lately in reverse chronological order. Scroll through your recent watch history to find your lost video.
Search using keywords
Try searching for the video using keywords you remember from it. For example, if it was a funny dog video try searching “funny dog” or “hilarious puppy” along with any other descriptive words you recall. Use the search bar at the top of the TikTok app or website to search for relevant terms and browse through results.
Search by sounds
If the TikTok video had a memorable sound or song associated with it, try searching for the sound. Tap the discover icon on the TikTok app and select Sounds at the top. Search for words you remember hearing in the video’s audio. Then you can scroll through videos using that sound to hopefully rediscover your lost video.
Look through your notifications
If the video you’re trying to find came from an account you follow, or if someone tagged you in their comment on the video, it may show up in your notifications. Open up your notifications by tapping the bell icon on your profile. Go through recent notifications for the account, comment, or mention that could lead you to the forgotten video.
Check the creator’s profile
If you can remember details about the creator of the video, go to their profile and scroll through their posted videos to see if you can spot the missing TikTok. Use the search bar to search their username or any keywords related to their account. With any luck your video will be on their profile waiting to be rediscovered.
Use TikTok’s bookmark feature
To avoid this issue in the future, make sure you bookmark videos you want to save or rewatch. TikTok’s bookmark feature lets you keep a running list of videos. To bookmark a video, tap the share icon then select “Add to Favorites”. To view your bookmarked videos, tap your profile, then tap the bookmark icon.
Enable video history
You can preserve your watch history and prevent lost videos by enabling video history in TikTok’s settings. To do this, tap your profile picture, open settings, select “Privacy”, then toggle on “Video History”. This will keep a history of all videos you view so you can refer back any time.
Use a social media downloader
If you originally found the video from another platform like Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter, you may be able to retrieve it using a social media downloader tool or app. Social downloaders allow you to search for and save videos from various apps and sites. Search for the downloader that works with the original platform.
Ask on social media
Post the details you remember about the lost TikTok video on other social networks and ask if anyone knows the video you’re searching for. Share any keywords, audio, the creator name, or other info that could identify the video. Your social media friends and followers may be able to help track it down.
Contact the creator
If you can identify the original creator of the TikTok video, consider contacting them directly and asking if they can resend or reshare the specific video with you. Most creators want to help listeners re-find their content. Just explain what you’re looking for as best you can.
Search Google
Do a keyword search on Google with any details you remember about the TikTok video. Sometimes lost videos get shared and reposted on blogs, news sites, discussion forums or other parts of the web. You may be able to find the video or a link to it with a broad Google search.
Use TikTok search operators
Refine your TikTok search by using special operators like quotes, @usernames, hashtags, etc. Surround specific keywords in quotes like “funny dog”, add @ before creator names you recall, or include hashtags you remember associated with the video. The operators focus the search and improve your chances of re-finding it.
Check again later
Don’t give up your search right away if the video doesn’t turn up with any of these methods. The TikTok algorithm constantly surfaces new content. Check back through your profile, likes, comments, etc. after a day or two. The video you’re searching for may show up in your feeds again or under a different search term.
Accidentally refreshing TikTok before you’re ready doesn’t have to mean losing that hilarious or interesting video forever. Using likes, history, search tools, and other features can help you rediscover that lost content. Follow these tips to get back on track when you refresh away a video you wanted to see again.
