How to Download a TikTok Video

Save TikTok videos to your smartphone

By
Brad Stephenson
Brad Stephenson - Lifewire Writer
Brad Stephenson
Freelance Contributor
  • Western Sydney University
Brad Stephenson is a freelance tech and geek culture writer with 12+ years' experience. He writes about Windows 10, Xbox One, and cryptocurrency.
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Updated on April 18, 2024
TikTok

What to Know

  • From the TikTok mobile app, find a video and tap the Share icon. Tap Save Video.
  • At prompt, select option to Share Video on another app, or tap Done. Find the video file on your device.
  • With no download option, use screen recording functionality. Start recording, watch a video, then stop recording.

This article explains how to download and share TikTok videos from your mobile device. You’ll need the official TikTok app installed on your iOS or Android device, and may want to connect to Wi-Fi if your cellular plan has a low data limit.

How Can I Save TikTok Videos?

When you come across TikTok videos that you'd like to download and share, here's how to do so:

  1. Open the TikTok app and find the video that you want to save.

  2. Tap the share icon on the right side of the screen. It’s the one that looks like an arrow.

    The share icon may change to an X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, or other social network icon. This is done to show you the potential platforms where you can share the video. It won’t open another app or immediately share to another social account without your permission.

  3. From the black and white menu, tap Save video. The TikTok video should immediately begin downloading.

    Saving a TikTok video

  4. You’ll be prompted to share the video on another app. Tap on one of these options to share it or tap Done to close this prompt.

    "Share to" prompt

  5. Find the video file on your tablet or smartphone in the same location where all of your saved videos and images usually go.

How Can I Download TikTok Videos With No Download Option?

You may come across some TikTok videos that are missing a download option within their share menu. This isn’t a bug in the app, but a restriction placed on the video by the creator who may not want people saving their work due to a copyright issue or simple personal preference.

It’s important to keep in mind the wishes of the video creator when downloading one of their TikToks. If they don’t want you downloading their work, you can always share the link to their video with your friends or family instead.

One way to get around this is to use the built-in screen recording functionality on Android and iOS devices. Simply begin the screen recording, watch a TikTok video, and then stop recording.

Alternatively, you can put your favorite TikToks into folders to easily revisit them without downloading a thing.

Can I Download TikTok Videos on Desktop?

TikTok is designed to be a mobile experience. While the official TikTok website does allow for people to watch videos, commenting and saving is completely disabled on that platform and users are encouraged to download the apps for access to all features.

As with saving protected TikToks on mobile, you can also use screen recording to record videos that you’re watching on the TikTok website, however, it may actually be faster and easier to just download the iOS or Android app and save your favorite TikTok video the proper way.

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