TikTok is a popular short-form video app where users can create and share 15 to 60 second videos on any topic. It is currently one of the fastest growing social media platforms, with over 1 billion monthly active users globally as of 2022 according to Statista. What started as a place for fun lip-syncing videos has evolved into a diverse platform for all kinds of content like comedy, talent, education and more.
The purpose of this article is to outline the minimum requirements and steps needed to join the TikTok community. We’ll cover the basics like minimum age, what devices you’ll need, setting up an account and profile, and tips for getting started with creating videos.
Minimum Age
According to TikTok’s Guardian’s Guide, the minimum age to join TikTok is 13 years old. This age requirement is consistent across most countries, with a few exceptions like South Korea and Indonesia where the minimum age is 14. TikTok has this age limit in order to comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) which prohibits online services from collecting personal information from children under 13 without parental consent.
While younger children can technically sign up by entering a false birth date, TikTok has mechanisms in place to try to verify user ages and remove underage accounts. Parents should be aware of the minimum age requirement and monitor their children’s activity if they do join TikTok under 13.
A mobile device is required to use TikTok. The app is designed for mobile platforms like iOS and Android. You’ll need a smartphone or tablet with a good camera to create and upload videos. TikTok officially supports the following mobile platforms:
- Android 5.0 or higher
- iOS 10.0 or higher
Older devices may be able to download the app but may have limited functionality. For the best experience, use a newer iPhone or Android phone with a good quality camera. Avoid using TikTok on outdated mobile operating systems as you may miss out on key features.
Internet Connection
To use TikTok, you’ll need a stable internet connection. This is important for being able to upload and download videos in the app smoothly. TikTok recommends using a WiFi or LTE cellular data connection. Slow or unstable connections like 3G can lead to problems with uploading and viewing videos.
A good internet connection is especially important if you want to live stream on TikTok. Live streaming requires a lot of bandwidth to broadcast video in real-time. TikTok recommends a minimum upload speed of 3 Mbps for smooth live streaming, but faster speeds are ideal. Anything lower may cause lag or connection issues during a live broadcast.
In summary, a fast and reliable internet connection is a key requirement for getting the most out of TikTok. Look for download speeds of at least 5 Mbps and upload speeds of 1-3 Mbps or higher from your internet provider. This will ensure you don’t run into problems using the app’s core features like uploading videos, viewing other’s content, and live streaming.
According to TikTok’s own recommendations, here are the internet connection speeds needed:
– For viewing live streams: minimum 1.5 Mbps [1]
– For smooth live streaming: minimum 3 Mbps upload speed [1]
Email Address
To create a TikTok account, you need to provide either an email address or phone number during registration. This allows TikTok to verify your identity and prevent fake accounts. If you don’t have an email, you can use your phone number instead. However, having an email connected to your TikTok account has some advantages:
- You can use your email to log in if you forget your password, since TikTok can send a password reset link.
- TikTok can email you notifications about new followers, messages, and other account activity.
- If your phone number changes, you can still access your account with your email.
So while a phone number alone lets you make an account, having an email address as well makes it easier to manage your account long-term. You can add an email later if you register initially with just a phone number. Overall, an email address is recommended but technically optional during TikTok sign-up.
TikTok App
To get started on TikTok, you’ll first need to download the TikTok app. The app is free and available on both iOS and Android devices. On an iPhone or iPad, you can download the TikTok app from the App Store. Just search for “TikTok” in the App Store app or visit https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tiktok/id835599320. For Android devices, you can download the TikTok app from the Google Play store. Search for “TikTok” in the Play Store app or go to https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zhiliaoapp.musically&hl=en_US&gl=US to get the app.
User Profile Information
Signing up for a TikTok account requires entering some basic personal information to create your profile. According to TikTok’s help center, the first step is to download the TikTok app and tap on the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Then you will need to tap “sign up” and choose to sign up with email, phone number, Facebook, or Google Creating an account | TikTok Help Center.
Next, TikTok prompts you to enter your birthdate and gender. You must be at least 13 years old to create an account. After entering this info, you will create a unique username and password for your TikTok account. The username you choose will be your unique identifier on TikTok. You can also add a photo or short bio to further customize your profile.
Creativity
You don’t need any special video editing skills or equipment to be creative on TikTok. The platform encourages and rewards creativity and originality. Some tips to get your creative juices flowing:
– Use trending sounds, songs, effects, filters, and hashtags to put your own spin on what’s popular.
– Film short clips or snippets and get creative with editing them together in unique ways.
– Show your personality and humor through your videos.
– Try challenges, trends, and memes but add your own twist.
– Use creative transitions, split-screen effects, green screen, etc. to make visually engaging videos.
– Mashup, remix and sample content to make it fresh and new.
– Collaborate with others to produce original content.
The key is to let your inner creativity shine through in a fun and authentic way. TikTok is the perfect platform to express yourself creatively and find a niche with an engaged audience.
Video Editing
Having basic video editing skills can help you make your TikTok videos more engaging and professional-looking. While you can record and post videos directly within the TikTok app, using a separate video editing app allows you to trim clips, stitch together multiple clips, add text overlays and effects, and more. Some of the most popular video editing apps used by TikTok creators include:
Movavi (https://influencermarketinghub.com/tiktok-video-editing-apps/) – Offers features like trimming, filters, transitions, titles, stickers, and speed control. Available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
InShot (https://www.pcmag.com/picks/tiktok-beyond-the-best-mobile-video-editing-apps) – Free mobile video editor for iOS and Android with handy templates and effects.
Having a toolbox of video editing skills can help take your TikTok videos to the next level.
Conclusion
In summary, there are just a few key requirements needed to join TikTok. First, you must be 13 years or older to have your own account. You’ll also need a mobile device like a smartphone or tablet and a reliable internet connection. An email address is necessary to sign up for an account. Of course, you’ll need to download the TikTok app itself, either from the App Store or Google Play. When setting up your profile, think about the username you want and add some basic info about yourself. While not mandatory, having creativity, video editing skills, and the ability to make fun videos will help you thrive on TikTok. With just a bit of effort, anyone can start sharing their own short videos on this popular social media platform.
Don’t let the idea of creating videos hold you back from joining TikTok. Focus on having fun and being yourself. You may be surprised at the videos you come up with using just your mobile device. TikTok is open to all levels of creators, so feel free to join the community!
