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Frankly, TikTok is one of my favorite social media apps. While many of its features are widely recognized, there are quite a few that don’t get the attention they deserve. Here are a few underrated TikTok features that I believe will definitely enhance your experience!
1Offline Videos
I spend more than three hours commuting every day. Given how busy I am with work and academic commitments, I rarely get the chance to binge-watch Netflix or mindlessly scroll through TikTok (my form of self-care). So, I make the most of my 3-hour bus ride by shamelessly watching TikToks, Netflix, and listening to music.
Downloading TikToks manually is not only time-consuming but also takes up a lot of storage space. Luckily, TikTok has a feature called Offline Videos that lets youwatch Tiktok videos offline without Wi-Fi or mobile data.
To enable Offline Videos, tap theprofile iconin the bottom-right corner of the screen. Then, tap thethree-line iconin the top-right corner, and head toSettings and privacy. Scroll down a bit, and tapOffline videosunderCache & Cellular. you’re able to now choose whether you’d like to download 50, 100, 150, or 200 videos, and then tapDownload.
That’s all you need to do —TikTok will download videos from your For You page and refresh them when you’re back online. Whether you’re commuting like me or traveling soon, TikTok’s Offline Videos feature is a great way to kill time and stay stay up-to-date with the social world.
2Auto Scroll
I’m Gen-Z — and one thing you’ve probably heard about us is that we struggle to focus. Like many people, having a video playing in the background really helps me concentrate.
Though I’m not proud of it, I’ve noticed that I strangely focus better when TikToks are playing in the background. But of course, how many times can you watch the same TikTok without scrolling down? The problem was that the moment I scrolled to the next video, I’d end up picking up my phone, and before I knew it, I’d be laughing at an Instagram Reel my friend sent me.
Here’s whereTikTok’s auto-scroll modecomes in, which I’ve always felt like isn’t talked about enough. Like the name suggests, Auto Scroll eliminates the need of having to manually swipe to the next video and automatically transitions to the next TikTok once one ends, giving you a continuous stream of content.
Enabling Auto Scroll is simple. All you need to do is head to your For You page and start watching a video. Then hold down on the screen and selectAuto scrollfrom the video controls that appear.
A message will then appear at the top, informing you that Auto Scroll is enabled.
3Speeding Up Videos
Whether it’s watching a two-hour-long calculus lecture or a podcast, I’ve never been one to think thatlistening at 2x speed is ridiculous. Like I mentioned before, I tend to lose focus easily, so speeding up a video not only shortens the time but also tricks my brain into paying attention.
Since I’ve developed the habit of listening to everything at twice the speed — it’s hard for me to watch influencers go on and on about a product at a regular speed. I’d rather fast-forward to get to the good parts. While I don’t need to watch short TikToks at 2x speed, there’s no way I’m sitting through a 10-minute video at normal speed. So, I watch most TikToks at 2x.
You can change a TikTok’s playback speed by long-pressing the video and selectingPlayback speedfrom the controls. But there’s also an easier way. All you need to do is tap and hold the left or right side of your screen while the video plays! It’s worth mentioning that this quick method only works if you want to watch a video in 2x speed — it won’t work for other speeds like 1.5x.
4Picture-In-Picture Mode
As you’ve probably gathered, I’m a big fan of multitasking, and what’s better than watching funny TikToks while drafting an email?TikTok offers a built-in picture-in-picture (PiP) mode, which minimizes the app into a small floating window.
Similar to enabling Auto Scroll, you’re able to enable picture-in-picture mode by heading to your For You page and long-pressing on a video. Simply selectPicture-in-picturefrom the video controls that appear, and you should seePicture-In-Picture Turned On.
The best part? Picture-in-picture mode works with Auto Scroll as well, meaning I can use two of my favorite features simultaneously and take my multitasking to the next level!
5Auto-Generated Captions
Whether I’m watching a movie on Netflix or a YouTube video, I simply can’t do so without closed captions. While a few TikTok creators do take the time out to add subtitles to their videos, the majority don’t.
Thankfully, TikTok has an auto captions feature that automatically generates subtitles for videos. Though it was introduced to support people who are hard of hearing, I think everyone would find it useful.
To use it, all you need to do is long-press a video, and selectCaptionsfrom the video controls that appear. Then, toggle on the switch next toShow captions (auto-generated), and you’re all set!
6Refreshing Your For You Feed
One of my favorite things about TikTok is its algorithm — it’s great at recommending content you will enjoy. While this means you’ll often find me spending hours scrolling on TikTok, it’s always great to come across relatable content.
Like every algorithm, TikTok sometimes gets it wrong and suggests content that doesn’t match your interests. While there are a few ways toreset your TikTok For You page, the most foolproof method is to refresh your feed entirely. This allows you to rebuild your content preferences from scratch.
You can reset your TikTok feed by tapping theprofileicon at the bottom right of the screen. Then, tap thethree horizontal linesand selectSettings and privacy. Head toContent preferencesunder theContent & Displaysection, and tap onRefresh your For You feed. TapContinue, and thenRefresh.
Once you’ve done this, make sure not to fall into the samemistakes that ruin your TikTok recommendations.
7Hiding Liked Videos
I have a weird sense of humor that not everyone gets, and I tend to like a lot of embarrassing TikToks. The last thing I want is to broadcast all my liked videos to my followers. Luckily, TikTok lets you hide your liked videos.
To do so, tap theprofilebutton in the bottom-right corner. Then, tap thethree horizontal linesin the top-right corner of the screen, and selectSettings and privacy. Head toPrivacy, and tapLiked videosunderInteractions. Finally, selectOnly youunder theWho can watch your liked videossection.
Now, you’re able to like all the content you want without worrying about receiving embarrassing messages from friends laughing at your sense of humor.
These are all features I’d definitely recommend enabling. They’ve made my TikTok experience much smoother, and I’m sure they’ll improve yours too!
