How to make a story on TikTok

TikTok is widely known for its short-form videos, but the platform also allows users to create stories—temporary posts that disappear after 24 hours, similar to Instagram or Snapchat stories. TikTok stories are perfect for sharing behind-the-scenes moments, personal updates, or quick thoughts without committing to a permanent post. If you’re new to the feature, here’s a detailed guide on how to make a story on TikTok.

Table of Contents

What is a TikTok Story?

A TikTok story is a temporary post that can include video, images, or text. Stories are visible to your followers for 24 hours and allow for a more casual and spontaneous way to engage with your audience. Unlike regular TikTok videos, stories won’t appear on your profile grid, keeping your main feed curated.

Step 1: Update TikTok App

To use TikTok stories, ensure your app is updated to the latest version. Older versions may not have the story feature. Check your App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) for updates.

Step 2: Access the Story Camera

Open TikTok and tap the plus (+) icon at the bottom of the screen to create a new post.
At the top of the camera screen, tap the “Story” tab.

Step 3: Record or Upload Content

TikTok stories can be created in two ways:

Record a Video: Press and hold the red record button to capture a video for your story. You can record multiple clips and trim them as needed.
Upload Existing Content: Tap the upload icon to add photos or videos from your gallery.

Step 4: Edit Your Story

Once your content is ready, TikTok provides various editing tools:

Text: Add captions or messages to your story.
Stickers: Include GIFs, emojis, or interactive stickers like polls.
Filters and Effects: Apply TikTok’s wide range of visual effects and color filters.
Drawing Tools: Highlight or annotate directly on your story.

Make sure to position and style your text and stickers so they’re clearly visible.

Step 5: Add Captions and Tags

You can also:

Add hashtags to increase discoverability.
Mention other TikTok users by typing @username.
Choose whether the story is visible to all followers or a select group via privacy settings.

Step 6: Post Your Story

After editing, tap “Post” to share your story. It will now appear at the top of your followers’ feeds in the story tray for 24 hours.

Step 7: Manage Your Story

You can manage your stories by:

Viewing Views: Swipe up on your story to see which followers have watched it.
Deleting a Story: Open the story, tap the three dots, and select Delete if you want to remove it before the 24-hour window.
Saving a Story: Download your story to your device before it disappears by tapping the download icon.

Tips for Creating Engaging TikTok Stories

Keep it Short and Sweet: Stories are meant to be quick updates, so focus on concise content.
Use Interactive Features: Polls, questions, and GIFs make your story more engaging.
Post Regularly: Frequent stories can help keep your audience engaged without overwhelming your main feed.
Experiment with Formats: Mix video clips, images, text, and stickers to create dynamic stories.