TikTok is primarily known as a short-form video-sharing platform where users create, share, and interact with content through likes, comments, and duets. As its popularity has grown, TikTok has introduced various features to enhance user engagement. One question that often arises, especially among new users or those coming from other social platforms, is whether it is possible to make calls on TikTok.
Does TikTok Support Voice or Video Calls?
As of now, TikTok does not offer a traditional calling feature like voice or video calls within the app. Unlike platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram, or Facebook Messenger that integrate messaging with voice and video communication, TikTok focuses almost entirely on content consumption and interaction through videos.
The messaging feature on TikTok is limited to text-based direct messages (DMs). Users can send messages, share videos privately, and reply to content in their inbox. However, these messages do not include options for initiating a voice call or a video call within the app.
Interaction Features That Feel Like Real-Time Communication
While TikTok does not provide a built-in call function, it does offer interactive features that mimic real-time engagement. One of these features is TikTok LIVE, where creators can stream live video sessions to their followers. During a live session, followers can comment in real time, send virtual gifts, and ask questions, creating a dynamic back-and-forth interaction between the host and the audience.
Some creators also collaborate during live sessions using the “Go LIVE Together” feature, where two users can broadcast simultaneously to their audiences. This is the closest TikTok comes to a form of real-time video communication, but it is not the same as a private video call. These sessions are public or semi-public, depending on the host’s privacy settings and audience controls.
Third-Party Apps and External Communication
Because TikTok lacks a native calling feature, many users who want to communicate more directly resort to other apps. It is not uncommon for content creators or followers to exchange contact information like Instagram handles, Snapchat usernames, or WhatsApp numbers in order to connect outside TikTok. However, doing this comes with privacy risks, especially if such information is shared publicly in comments or profiles.
Also Read: How to See Deleted Messages on TikTok
TikTok’s community guidelines also discourage users from engaging in behavior that compromises their privacy or encourages others to move to other platforms for potentially unsafe interactions. Users are urged to be cautious and avoid sharing personal information unless they trust the other party and understand the potential consequences.
Future Possibilities
With TikTok continuously updating its features and expanding its functionality, there is always the possibility that voice or video calling could be introduced in the future. However, the app’s current focus remains on content creation, discovery, and engagement through videos rather than direct communication tools. Any future addition of calling features would likely be designed with safety and moderation in mind, considering the platform’s large youth demographic.
