How To Do The “Swipe Thing” On TikTok

When discussing TikTok, the word “swipe” usually means swiping through your feed to see the next TikTok videos in your queue. In fact, swiping up (or down, or right, or left) is a very common technique when using all sorts of apps.

The “swipe thing” that many TikTok users and creators refer to, though, is a trend that’s taken hold over the last few years. It’s nothing groundbreaking; it’s simply a slideshow that seamlessly displays multiple photos in a single TikTok post, with an editing effect that makes it seem like the viewer is swiping through the pictures. (Users can swipe manually on the photos, too.)

TV and movie pros have been using similar editing approaches for years, and the swipe thing isn’t much different than a photo carousel on other social media platforms. However, the latest versions of the TikTok app have settings that let you create the effect in just seconds.

How To Create a “Swipe” Slideshow on TikTok

Here’s a step-by-step guide to doing the “swipe thing” with your photos in the TikTok Editor.

1. Start on your home page and click the “+” button to open the Creator page.
2. Choose “Photo” mode from the row directly above the large record button, and then tap the thumbnail to the right of the button. That opens up your camera reel.
3. Select the photo(s) (you can use short videos as well) that you want to include in your carousel. You can choose as many as 35; be sure you’ve checked the “Select multiple” box at the bottom left of the screen. Important: choose the photos in the order you want them to appear in your slideshow. You’ll see them numbered so you can change their order before continuing.
4. Make sure “Photos” or “Photo Mode” is selected, and click “Next” to preview your swipe.
5. Choose a sound (song) to use as background music. The app may default to a trending song, but if you want to use a different one, just “x” out of the current song, click “Add sound,” and select your own.
6. The expandable row of icons on the right-hand side of the screen allows you to edit your show and add text, stickers, filters, and all other sorts of effects.
7. When you’re satisfied, click “Next” at the bottom of the screen.
8. All that’s left to do is add the details you want to appear in your post, including caption and description, hashtags, and who can view the swipe video. Choose to save it to your drafts or post it, and you’re done.

If you can’t get the swiping effect to work, you probably have an older version of TikTok. Update to the latest version and you should be all set.

Can “The Swipe Thing” Mean Anything Else on TikTok?

Actually, it can. Another trend on the app has been to film a video that includes transitions between segments with a “manual” swipe.

Users who use this approach shoot the first part of their vid, ending by smoothly moving their hand from one side of the camera to the other in a “swiping” motion. They then stop recording, set up the next part of the video, put their hand in the same position it was when the first “swipe” ended, and begin filming the next part of the clip by swiping in reverse.

This method ideally creates a seamless transition between segments of the video — but few people can make the swipes match exactly. Fortunately, the trimming tool available in TikTok’s editing screen allows users to make small adjustments to make the swipe appear perfect.

It’s impossible to explain why doing these manual swipes has become a TikTok trend, but that’s usually the case with anything that soars in popularity on the app. If it appeals to you, give it a try!