The STEM news feed, the lighter screen display, the slowing down of video scrolling, the personalization of the “For you” feed… Here are 10 hidden features of TikTok.
TikTok is undoubtedly one of the most popular apps in the world. Some of us can spend hours scrolling through videos through an endless feed.
However, even though we spend a lot of time on this content sharing platform, certain features remain little known. Here is a selection of 10 hidden features of TikTok.
Turn a TikTok into a Gif or sticker
It is entirely possible to create a Gif from a simple TikTok video. To do this, simply press for a few seconds on the video that interests you. Then, click on the “Share” tab and select the “Share as Gif” option. Finally, you can select the extract you want to transform into a Gif.
Note that you must follow the same steps to transform a TikTok into a sticker, with the exception that you must click on the “Create a sticker” option. Note also that not all videos allow you to create a sticker or a Gif.
Slow down video scrolling
On TikTok, everything moves very quickly. In reality, this is the very principle of this content sharing platform. One video ends, the next one appears just as early to keep your attention. However, a feature allows you to slow down the pace of videos a little. To do this, you must go to the settings and click on the “Accessibility” option. You will be able to activate or deactivate the “Faster scrolling speed” functionality. Please note that this feature is enabled by default.
Note also that it is possible to deactivate automatic scrolling. Just press a few seconds on a video to find the “Manual scrolling” tab.
Remove texts from a video
This feature allows you to hide the different texts present on the screen in order to focus on the content of a video. A rather practical feature for long formats. To do this, simply press a few seconds on a video and find the “Lite Display” tab. Unfortunately, the lite display disappears once you navigate to another video. You must therefore repeat the operation each time.
Note also that it is possible to adjust the size of the texts displayed on the screen. Once you have gone to the settings, simply go to the “Accessibility” tab and click on the “Text size” option.
Limit your screen time on the app
Time spent on TikTok, a problem that plagues many of us. If this application does everything to make us addicted, it offers a functionality intended to control our time spent on it. To do this, simply go to the settings and click on the “Screen Time” tab.
You can choose to limit your screen time to hours per day or per week. Of course, it is possible to change these settings at any time.
Activate STEM News Feed
If you find there are too many dance videos or not enough interesting content on TikTok, we have a solution: the STEM News Feed. STEM is the acronym for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. As you will have understood, this news feed is entirely dedicated to education and knowledge.
Please note that this news feed is activated by default for those under 18. For older users, go to the settings and click on the “Content Preferences” tab. You will then be able to activate or deactivate the STEM news feed. This news feed will be located next to the “For you” and “Following” feeds.
Translate all videos
On TikTok, a lot of content is in English or other languages. But if you don’t speak the language spoken in a video, don’t panic, it is possible to activate real-time translation.
To do this, two methods are available: either you press the video for a few seconds before selecting the “Captions and translations” option, or you go to the settings to access the “Language” category.
Enable dark mode
We can spend some time on TikTok scrolling through videos. In order to give our eyes a little rest from the light of the screen, the application offers us a dark mode. To activate it, simply go to the settings and access the “Display” tab.
Through the “Display” tab, it is also possible to match the appearance of the application to the display and brightness settings of your smartphone.
Hide “likes”
While Elon Musk decided to hide the “likes” of all X users by default, TikTok still leaves them in public today. Therefore, if you want more confidentiality, or if you do not want curious people to come and examine your account, it is better to hide the “like” mentions.
To do this, you must go to the settings and click on the “Confidentiality” tab. Then go to the “Liked videos” section. You will then have the choice between two options regarding the visibility of your likes: “Everyone” or “You only”.
Block targeted ads
Unsurprisingly, TikTok collects the data we leave on the web in order to offer us targeted advertisements. The content sharing platform specifies in its conditions of use: “ If you activate the option [le ciblage des publicités]personalized ads from TikTok and its partners will be displayed based on your activity inside and outside TikTok ».
However, it is entirely possible to block targeted advertisements. To do this, simply go to the settings and click on the “Ads” tab. You can then deactivate the “Personalized ads” functionality.
Please note that if you deactivate this functionality, you will no longer benefit from personalized advertisements.
Better personalize the video stream
Remember that it is possible, to a certain extent, to filter the videos offered by TikTok using the functionality “Not interested.” To do this, simply press for a few seconds on the video that doesn’t interest you (or that annoys you) to access an emoticon in the shape of a broken heart. Although this functionality is undoubtedly quite well known, it is nevertheless oh so neglected.
Let’s also point out something else: TikTok’s algorithm considers time spent watching a video as an interest slider. Therefore, if you watch a video that annoys you (it happens to all of us), TikTok will subsequently recommend similar content.
Finally, we offer you an eleventh hidden feature: how to open TikTok without the sound blaring through the speakers.
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