How to Add TikTok Filters and Effects

What to Know

• Effects: Tap Effects. Tap a category name to browse other options.
• Filters: Tap Filters. Choose a filter. Drag the white dot to raise and lower the intensity.
• Text: Tap Text > type message > choose font or color from the menu above the keyboard > tap A to add an outline.

The TikTok app has integrated video filters and effects that you can add after or during a recording. This article explains how to get more filters and effects on TikTok and add text to a TikTok video.

How to Add Effects to a TikTok Video

TikTok effects are used by both casual users and popular social media influencers to make their videos more engaging and entertaining. You can also add photos to your videos.

Here's how to add video effects on TikTok.

1. Tap the Plus (+) icon in the center of the bottom menu.

2. Tap the red Record icon to record a new video, or tap Upload to upload an existing clip from your device.

   Vertical videos look better on TikTok and tend to get more engagement.

3. Tap Effects from the lower menu.

   

4. The TikTok app will show you a live preview of your video with a timeline underneath it. Drag the white marker to where you would like an effect to start.

   If you want to place an effect over the entire video, leave the white marker at the beginning.

5. Available effects appear as circle icons under the timeline. Swipe left or right to browse the list. Once you find an effect you want to try, perform a long tap on its icon to apply it.

   The default effect category is Visual. To view effects from other categories, tap the category name under the circles.

   

6. Tap the Play button to play the video back. If you're not happy with the results, tap the arrow icon under the timeline to undo it.

7. Repeat with as many effects as you like in other parts of your video or even over the top of existing ones. When you're ready, tap Save.

   Usually only one TikTok effect from the Sticker category can be used per video. Other effects can be used over these type of effects though.

   

8. Make any other changes you want and tap Next.

   It's perfectly fine to tap Next without making any further changes.

9. Enter a good description, choose your hashtags and settings, and tap Post. Your TikTok video will now be live with the effects that you chose.

   

How to Add Filters to a TikTok Video

While effects on TikTok are used to create dynamic or creative visuals, TikTok filters are used to make more subtle changes and function in much the same way as photo filters on Instagram.

1. Tap the Plus (+) icon in the center of the bottom menu.

2. Tap the red Record icon to record a new video, or tap Upload to use a clip saved on your device.

   You can upload or record several bits of footage to use in your TikTok video if you like.

3. Tap Filters in the upper-right corner of the vertical menu. This menu may be hard to see if your video has a lot of white.

   

4. A variety of filters appear along the bottom of the screen. Tap one to view a live preview of it on your video. Drag the white dot to decrease or increase the intensity of the TikTok video filter. Once you have your TikTok video looking the way you want, tap it to close the Filters menu.

   To remove all applied filters and begin again, tap the icon on the left that looks like a circle with a line through it.

5. Make any other edits you want and tap Next.

6. Finish by entering the appropriate information and choosing the settings you want, then tap Post to publish your video.

   

Where’s the TikTok Sparkle Filter?

One of the trendiest filters on TikTok is the one that adds shiny sparkles over the video. This can be hard to find because it's not a filter, it's an effect, and can be found in the Effects menu. There also isn't actually an effect named Sparkle.

TikTok users who have videos with a sparkle effect likely used one or more of the following TikTok effects:

• Gold Powder
• Heart
• Rainbow
• Heart Bling
• Bling
• Streamer
• Starlight
• Fireworks
• Colorful
• Leak

All of these effects are within the Visual category.

/GettyImagesPlus

How to Add Text to a TikTok Video

Adding text to a TikTok video is fairly straightforward and is done in a similar way to how you add text to an Instagram Story.

1. Tap the Plus (+) icon in the center of the bottom menu.

2. Tap the red Record icon to record a new video, or tap Upload to upload an existing clip from your device.

3. From the lower menu, tap Text.

   

4. A keyboard appears in addition to a variety of format options. First, type your message.

   If you accidentally exit the text edit screen, tap your words in the video preview and tap Edit.

5. Choose your font style and color from the menu above the keyboard. Tap the A icon to add a color outline around your text. Tap the icon with the lines to choose an alignment preference.

   Adding an outline can be a great way to enhance readability both on the video and on its thumbnail.

6. Tap Done.

7. Using two fingers, resize, move, and rotate your text to get it where you want. Make any other changes you want, then tap Next.

   

8. Make the usual choices, enter a description with hashtags, and tap Post to publish your TikTok video.

FAQ

• How do I add captions to TikToks?

  To add TikTok captions automatically based on your video's audio, create your TikTok and tap Captions. To add captions manually, tap Captions, let the captioning process finish, and tap Edit (pencil icon). Finally, edit or add your manual caption.

• How do I add a link to a TikTok bio?

  You'll need a TikTok business account to be able to add a link to your bio. To add a link to your TikTok bio, tap the Me tab followed by Edit Profile > Add Your Website. Next, type your website or desired link in the Website box and tap Save.

• How do I add my own sound to TikTok?

  To add your own sound on TikTok using a voiceover, select the plus sign in the bottom center, record or select your video, and choose Next > Voiceover. Next, prepare your audio and select Record to record the audio over your video. You can also use a video editing app to insert sound clips from your library into your video.

Was this page helpful?