Can’t Save The TikTok Content You Want? Screen Record It

When you’ve seen a great TikTok video that you want to be able to watch again, you might download it. Not all videos have downloads enabled, though, and some can’t even be bookmarked by every user.

If you’re watching an entertaining TikTok live stream while multitasking, you might want to save it so you can go back and watch the full session later. Sorry, but Lives aren’t available for downloading and aren’t archived for replays; only the creator can view them again.

That doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re out of luck, however. If you know how to screen record on your phone or device, you have an alternative way to save the videos and Live streams you want to keep.

One warning before we get to the specifics.

Any TikTok user who creates content owns it. If you download or copy it and then show it publicly in any way (including but not limited to posting it elsewhere and claiming that it’s yours), you’re violating the content creator’s copyright. That’s illegal.

It’s unlikely that anyone will say “boo” when you make a screen recording. To stay safe legally, though, you should only use downloaded or screen-recorded TikTok content for your own personal enjoyment.

Now, let’s talk about recording a video right from your screen.

How To Screen Record on TikTok

Some people have the misconception that screen recording a video will save just the video, not the other menus, comments, or icons you see while watching on your phone. That’s not the case. A screen recording will capture everything visible on your device’s screen; if you want to eliminate the extraneous “stuff,” you’ll have to use an editing app to crop the video.

The method you use depends on the type of phone or tablet you have. Here’s a breakdown.

Screen Recording TikTok on iPhones andiOS Devices

This will work for TikTok posts, TikTok Live sessions, or any other content on the app.

1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open the Control Center panel.
2. Tap the “+” at the top right of the Control Center and then click “Add a Control” at the bottom.
3. Find the “Screen Recording” icon (it looks like a bullseye) on the menu and tap it to add it to your Control Center panel.
4. Open your TikTok app and find the content you want to record.
5. Open the Control Center again and tap the “Screen Recording” icon.
6. You’ll have three seconds to switch to TikTok and start playing the content you’re saving.
7. To stop recording, tap the icon again, and your video will be saved to your camera reel.

Screen Recording TikTok on Android Devices

This process is very similar.

1. Find the TikTok video you want to record.
2. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open your phone’s Quick Settings.
3. Tap the “Screen Recorder” icon. (If it’s not there, click the “+” sign, find the app’s icon, and drag it to the Quick Settings menu.)
4. Choose whether the audio from TikTok or your phone’s microphone should be recorded.
5. Click “Start Recording” and a countdown will begin.
6. Switch back to TikTok and start the video playing.
7. When your recording is done, hit the “Tap here to stop recording” button. The video is now saved in your Gallery app.

Recording on a computer usually requires downloading a separate screen recording app. There are many to choose from when you do a quick Google search.

As a reminder, screen recording a TikTok video does not give you the legal right to post it or use it anywhere else. Just use it for your own viewing, and everyone will be happy.