So you have an idea for a new TikTok and you’ve written out the script. Now what? You’ve likely seen the easy way to make that script come to life—it’s used by some of your favorite creators—AI voiceovers. Text-to-speech AI voiceovers are an easy and simple way to add spoken content to your video, without the hassle of recording it yourself.
In fact, AI voiceovers have become a TikTok trend in themselves—the bright, peppy AI voiceover called “Jessie” took the platform by storm, becoming so beloved among users that a video from the original voice actor amassed more than 50 million views.
Here’s what TikTok’s AI voice feature can do and how you can use it for your own content.
What is TikTok’s AI voice feature?
TikTok’s AI voice feature is a built-in tool that allows users to turn text boxes into voiceover audio for their videos. The platform offers several AI-generated voices, including the popular, peppy “Jessie” voice.
Why are TikTokers using AI voice?
An AI text-to-speech voiceover is a great resource for content creators because it:
- Taps into the power of sound-on content. From voiceover to music, audio matters to social media audiences—88% of TikTok users say sound is essential to their browsing experience, according to a report from the social media platform. In addition, adding sound makes your content more accessible for visually impaired users.
- Allows for greater customization. AI tools offer a wide range of audio options for content creation, with different accents, voice qualities, and moods.
- Doesn’t require recording equipment. Getting a high-quality audio file can be a hassle; AI-generated audio simplifies the process because it doesn’t require expensive audio equipment, a quiet room to record, or time for multiple takes.
- Offers extra privacy for content creators. Some content creators prefer to keep their faces and voices private, and AI text-to-speech tools allow them to add personalized audio while still avoiding unwanted attention.
- Helps catch typos. While the AI text-to-speech tool is specifically designed for voiceovers, you can use it even if you don’t want narration in your videos; instead, use it to read text aloud and review your content before you post.
How to use AI voice feature on TikTok
- Create a new video
- Make a text box
- Set up text-to-speech
- Hide your text box (optional)
- Post your video
Ready to try out TikTok’s native text-to-speech feature? Here’s how to get started:
1. Create a new video
To use the TikTok voice generator tool, start with a piece of content. From the home screen, tap the “Plus” button on the bottom center of your screen. You can either record a video directly in the TikTok app or tap the “Upload” button on the bottom right to import a video from your camera roll.
2. Make a text box
Tap the text box button on the far right of the screen, designated as “Aa.” Type the words you want the voiceover to say.
3. Set up text-to-speech
Just above your text box, you should see a button that says “Text-to-speech.” When you tap this, it will access a menu with a variety of voices to choose from, designated as characters like “Granny” or “Trickster.” Several tabs organize the voices according to tone and use—for instance, a funny video will likely use an option in the “Humor” tab. Tap each voice to play a sample.
4. Hide your text box (optional)
If you want an AI voiceover without text on the screen, you can hide your text box. Pinch it with two fingers to shrink it, then drag it down to the bottom of the screen beneath the toolbar.
5. Post your video
Tap the red “Next” button at the bottom right to post your video with voiceover to TikTok.
TikTok’s AI-generated speech feature has a few limitations. It isn’t available in many countries, and as of June 2024, supports just eight languages. English has the most number of voice options, while Indonesian has the fewest at just one. In addition, you can only use one voice per video; there is no dialogue feature or option for multiple languages.
How to use external AI voice features on TikTok
In addition to TikTok’s native AI voice generator, there are some third-party tools with even more voice styles, languages, and customizability. Popular developers include Speechify, FlexClip, and LOVO. If you like TikTok’s native voiceover tool but still prefer editing your videos outside of the app, there’s also TikTok TTS, which offers TikTok’s API in a third-party browser.
These external tools allow you to generate and download audio files for later use, which you can then combine with video in a video-editing app like Adobe Premiere or CapCut. They’re not TikTok-specific either—you can use the audio you generate on other platforms, like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.
While each tool has its particulars, the process for creating AI voiceovers is generally similar:
1. Open the tool. Most popular AI voiceover tools are browser-based, so navigate to the program on your phone or desktop to begin. Some tools, like Speechify and FlexClip, have free versions, while others, like LOVO, require a subscription.
2. Type your text. Type your text into the tool and use its interface to customize the voice, tone, pace, and more.
3. Download the audio. Once you’re happy with the voiceover, download the MP3 file.
4. Edit your video. Open your video-editing software and upload your audio clip to a project. Once you’re satisfied, you can export your video and upload it to TikTok.
TikTok AI voice FAQ
What is the voice effect everyone is using on TikTok?
The “Jessie” voice is TikTok’s most popular AI text-to-speech voice, known for its bright, peppy sound. TikTok has also rolled out an AI voice effect filter that turns any voice into a Jessie soundalike.
How do you get the AI voice changer on TikTok?
To get the AI voice changer filter on TikTok, record or upload a video, then tap the “Audio editing” option on the far right of your screen (designated by a microphone icon). This will bring up a window with voice options on the bottom. If you don’t see these options, make sure your app is fully up to date.
What are popular voiceover tools for TikTok videos?
TikTok has an in-app voiceover tool that lets you record your own voice or convert text to speech. There are also plenty of third-party tools, including Speechify, FlexClip, and LOVO, that content creators use paired with an editing program like Adobe Premiere or CapCut.
