TikTok is known for its short-form vertical videos, but the app offers more than that. In 2022, TikTok introduced Photo Mode, a suite of tools for creating content from still images.
Photo Mode lets you upload, edit, and share multiple images in a single post, played as a slideshow. These features add variety to your feed, breaking up the video stream, and allow for easy repurposing of content. For instance, your ecommerce brand can use existing product photos to create a slideshow showcasing its merchandise.
Here’s how to make a slideshow on TikTok.
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What are slideshows on TikTok?
TikTok slideshows let you upload and string together a sequence of photos to create a post. You can customize them with transitions, text overlays, filters, music, sounds, and other effects to make them more engaging. A slideshow can consist of a single photo or multiple images, with a timer controlling the transitions. For viewers, the slideshow plays automatically, but they can pause the images or swipe through them at their own pace.
How to make a slideshow on TikTok
- Open TikTok
- Tap the “+” button
- Choose a template
- Select your photos
- Choose your audio
- Edit your slideshow
- Publish your content
Creating a TikTok slideshow is easy. Use TikTok’s native templates and editing tools to make your slideshow. Here’s how to get started:
1. Open TikTok
Launch the TikTok app and create a profile or login. (You need a TikTok account to post a slideshow.) Grant the app access to your photo library to upload images. If you don’t want to share your entire library, you can grant access to select photos and manually choose the images you want to share.
2. Tap the “+” button
Once the app is open, hit the plus sign at the bottom of the screen to create a post. Select “Photo” from the options above the Record button to enter Photo Mode. You'll find an upload option to the right of the Record button and a horizontal menu of content formats at the bottom of the screen.
Select the upload option to create your own slideshow from scratch, or tap “Template” on the bottom menu to browse a selection of customizable slideshow examples.
3. Choose a template
Using slideshow templates is an easy way to add flair to your post and cut down on editing time. They feature preselected filters and other effects, like photo transitions and sounds. TikTok automatically applies these effects to images when you place them in the template.
Select “Template” and use the bottom bar to browse the library, where example videos play automatically. Each template’s name appears above the image, with any restrictions or specifications noted in light gray text below.
TikTok allows up to 35 photos per slideshow, but most templates support a specific number of images—some can support up to 15, while others are for just one photo. Template specifications can also specify an aspect ratio.
Tap the red “Upload photos” button below the image to select a template. Make sure your choice can accommodate all of your photos, but don’t stress about details like color or font. You can customize your post and adjust the preselected filters during the editing process.
4. Select your photos
After you tap “Upload photos,” the app automatically displays your photo library—or the photos you’ve given it permission to access. Tap the “+” button in the upper right-hand corner of the thumbnail to add the photo to your slideshow. Selection order is important—photos will appear in the slideshow in the same order you add them.
After you’ve chosen all the photos you’d like to include, tap “Next.”
5. Choose your audio
A preview of your slideshow will begin playing. Turn your audio on to watch your post preview with sound.
Slideshow templates come with a preselected song. If you don’t like the default, tap “Add sound” at the top of the screen to access a menu of popular audio clips. Scroll through the list and tap a song to preview it in your slideshow. (Uncheck “Original audio” at the bottom right to avoid overlapping songs.)
6. Edit your slideshow
Use the icons on the right-hand side of the preview screen to make additional customizations. TikTok offers simple, built-in tools for adding text, stickers, and filters to your slideshow. You can also apply filters or text elements to individual slides or sections using the editing tool.
Choose additional elements that support or enhance the story you’re trying to tell. Text boxes can capture viewers’ attention or provide more information. Adding animations can make still images more cinematic—the Ken Burns effect, i.e., panning across and zooming in on still photos, is a well-known example of this technique.
Once you’re happy with the preview, tap the red “Next” button at the bottom of the screen.
7. Publish your content
Finalize your slideshow for publication by adding a caption in the blank field at the top of the publishing screen. Use descriptive language and relevant keywords.
Tap the buttons under the caption field to add hashtags or tag collaborators. Select “Edit cover” at the bottom of your image preview to choose a thumbnail for your content. You can also use this screen to add a link directing viewers to relevant product or brand information.
Ensure accuracy by previewing your content before posting. Proofread your caption and text notes and watch your slideshow with the sound on. Attention to these final details can help your video reach the widest possible audience.
How to make a slideshow on TikTok FAQ
What is the “Swipe Up” feature on TikTok?
Swiping up has multiple functions on TikTok. Swiping up is one of the primary ways TikTok users navigate the app and skip to the next video. The Swipe Up feature may also refer to a business tool that lets users swipe up on posts to access product information without leaving the app.
How do you make a video with pictures and music on TikTok?
TikTok offers built-in tools and templates to turn still images into videos. Upload your image, add animation effects or use a template, select a music track, and preview your video in the app.
Do you need to use a third-party app to make a slideshow on TikTok?
No. TikTok’s native editing tools make it easy to create photo slideshows within the app. Creators can upload images and build a custom slideshow or choose from dozens of templates with preselected effects.
