TikTok Photo Mode: How To Make Photo Slideshows

Photo carousels are more commonly seen on Instagram than they are in TikTok feeds. That may be because the TikTok feature was introduced much later than Instagram’s, in 2022.

TikTok’s version allows users to create more entertaining slideshows, though. In “photo mode,” TikTok users can upload as many as 35 images from their camera reels to be shown sequentially in a format that looks just like a video TikTok post. They can also add sounds, edit each photo, add text, and use the editing techniques available for TikTok videos.

How do you get to photo mode on TikTok? It’s easy.

Creating a TikTok Slideshow in Photo Mode

You start the process the same way you would if you were going to record a video.

1. Enter TikTok’s “Create” screen by tapping the big “+” button at the bottom of the home screen.
2. Instead of starting to record, though, tap the picture from your photo reel that’s just to the right of the record button. That will open your camera reel and show you all of the content saved on your phone.
3. Make sure the “Select multiple” option is checked in the bottom left corner.
4. Tap “Photos” in the menu at the top of the screen, and you’ll see just the images you’ve saved to your camera reel.
5. Choose as many as 35 photos to include in your slideshow. If the pictures open full screen, be sure to hit the “Select” button and then click the back arrow (<) to return to your camera reel to make your next choice.
6. When you’ve picked all of the photos you want to use, there are two options. To just have the photos display one at a time, click “Next.” To have TikTok edit them together with transitions and fancy effects, tap “AutoCut.”
7. Your photo carousel will display on the screen, along with the editing icons on the right-hand side that can be used to change the slideshow in any way you’d like.
8. The editor will auto-select music to add to your slideshow. If you want to change the music, tap “x” next to the name of the song at the top of the page, and then click “Add sound” to choose your own.
9. When you’re satisfied, tap “Next” to get to the Posting screen where you can add descriptions and hashtags, set options, and upload your new slideshow.

Give it a try. You’ll find that varying the format of the material you add to your TikTok account can attract different types of audiences while also making your content more interesting to your existing TikTok fan base.