How to edit videos on TikTok (A step by step guide)

George PhilipAugust 24, 2024

0 4 minutes read

An entertainment application aimed at creating videos of a maximum of three minutes, TikTok has become a worldwide phenomenon. For those who, however, are now arriving on the social network, the first steps to creating and editing a video can sound a little complicated. So that there are no more doubts, below we explain how to edit a video on TikTok using a ready-made recording, made in the app itself or created through photos.

How to make TikTok Video

See below the step-by-step guide on how to record and edit a video on TikTok and learn how to use the resources available on the social network:

Open the TikTok app and click the “+” icon located in the centre of the menu to open the recording screen. First set the recording timeout by clicking 15 seconds, 30 seconds or 3 minutes. And, if you wish, add audio by clicking on the “Add sound” option at the top of the screen;
Even before recording, notice all the options on the side menu: recording speed, various filters; makeup; timer (which starts a countdown, after which recording automatically starts); answer (to answer question box) and flash. Test and activate the options you want. Also if you want, click on the square to the left of the central button to add effects to the image.

Once this is done, finally record your video by clicking on the central red button and keeping it pressed during the entire recording time;

After recording, click on the done icon, located to the right of the lower menu and, on the next screen, see the initial result of the video;
Note all the options in the lower menu with which you can edit your recording: sounds (to add music); effects (brightness, blur, zoom, neon, etc); text and stickers.

In the side menu, test other editing tools: filters; adjust clip (allows you to eliminate a section from the beginning or end of the recording); voice effects (make your voice sound like a megaphone, robot, helium gas, etc.) voiceover (allows you to record a narration to overlay the video); subtitles; enhance (makes the video image more balanced) and noise reduction.

Test and activate the options you want. After that, click on “Next”;

Write a caption and select a cover for your video. Grant or deny the listed permissions and click “Publish”.

How to edit a video from your gallery on TikTok

If your recording is already in the mobile gallery, follow the steps below to upload, edit and post the video on TikTok:

Open the TikTok app and click on the “+” symbol located in the centre of the menu;
Click on the “ Upload ” square located to the right of the main button, select the video in question and tap “Next”;
On the next screen, select the part of the video that will be posted and, if desired, change the playback speed and orientation of the video;
If everything is ok, click on “Next”;
Follow steps 4 and 5 of the tutorial above to continue your editing and posting. Test and activate the options you want Open the TikTok app and click on the “+” symbol located in the centre of the menu;
Click on the “Upload” square located to the right of the main button, select the video in question and tap “Next”;
On the next screen, select the part of the video that will be posted and, if desired, change the playback speed and orientation of the video;
If everything is ok, click on “Next”;
Test and activate the options you want in the lower menu (sounds [to add music]; effects [brightness, zoom, neon, etc]; text and stickers) and in the side menu (filters; adjust clip [allows you to eliminate an excerpt from the beginning or end of recording]; voice effects [make your voice sound like a megaphone, robot, helium gas, etc.] voiceover [allows you to record a narration to overlay the video]; subtitles; enhance [make the video image more balanced] and noise reduction);
Write a caption and select a cover for your video. Grant or deny the listed permissions and click “Publish”.

How to edit a video on TikTok using photos

TikTok has a tool that allows you to use photos from your gallery to record an animated video for the platform. Called MV, this feature has several animation styles available.

To record and edit a video on TikTok using photos, follow the steps below:

Open the TikTok app and click on the “+” symbol located in the centre of the menu;
Click on the “MV” tab, located at the bottom of the screen;
Choose your animation style and click on “Try it”;
Select the number of photos indicated and click “Ok”;
On the next screen, notice all the options in the lower menu with which you can edit your recording: sounds (to add music); effects (brightness, blur, zoom, neon, etc); text and stickers;
Still on this screen, in the side menu, test other editing tools: filters; enhance (makes the video image more balanced) and noise reduction;
Test and activate the options you want. When everything is ok, click on “Next”;
Write a caption and select a cover for your video. Grant or deny the listed permissions and click “Publish”.