To watch TikTok offline, go to Profile, tap the Menu button, then Settings and privacy, Offline videos. Choose how many videos you want, tap Download, and TikTok saves a batch of recommended videos to your phone. You can then watch them with no internet or mobile data, from the same Offline videos screen.
This is a lifesaver on flights, on the Underground or anywhere your signal disappears. It isn't a way to download any video you like, though. TikTok picks the videos for you, based on your For You feed, and that's the bit worth understanding before you rely on it.
How TikTok's offline videos work
According to TikTok's help page, offline watching downloads a feed of recommended videos so you can keep watching when your connection is unstable, slow or missing. In short:
- TikTok chooses the videos, based on your For You feed recommendations and your watch history.
- The videos are stored on your phone, so they play without internet or mobile data.
- You refresh the selection by reconnecting and downloading again.
- If you open the app with no connection, or a very shaky one, TikTok may suggest offline mode for you.
How to download TikTok videos for offline watching
- Open TikTok and tap Profile at the bottom.
- Tap the Menu button at the top, then Settings and privacy.
- Tap Offline videos, then choose how many videos you want to download.
- Tap Download.
Do this before you leave the house. TikTok recommends downloading over Wi-Fi, because the videos take up storage on your phone and it saves your mobile data.
How many to pick is up to you. More videos means more to watch on a long journey, but also more space used on your phone, so a smaller batch makes sense if your storage is already tight.
The controls on the Offline videos screen
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Download over Wi-Fi only | Turn this on or off to control whether downloads can use mobile data |
| Pause | Pauses a download in progress |
| Close | Starts the downloaded feed so you can watch |
| Clear | Removes the downloaded videos and turns off the offline videos feature |
How to watch your offline videos
When you're ready to watch, go back to the same place: Profile, the Menu button, Settings and privacy, then Offline videos. Your downloaded feed is there, ready to scroll.
TikTok suggests reconnecting now and then so it can refresh your offline videos and keep them up to date. Otherwise you'll be watching the same batch on repeat.
Looking for a particular type of video? See how to see duets on TikTok.
How to delete offline TikTok videos
- Go to Profile, the Menu button, then Settings and privacy.
- Tap Offline videos.
- Tap the Settings button at the top.
- Tap Clear, then Clear again to confirm.
Keep in mind that clearing removes the videos from the app and your phone, and switches the offline feature off. If your phone is running low on space generally, my guide to clearing the TikTok cache covers the other storage TikTok builds up.
Offline videos vs saving a specific TikTok
If there's one particular video you want to keep, offline mode won't help, because you don't choose what's in it. For that, you need to save the video itself, which I've explained in my guide to saving a TikTok video. Offline mode is for having something to watch; saving is for keeping something you've found.
A thought for creators
Because offline feeds are built from For You recommendations, your videos can end up in someone's downloaded batch and get watched on a train with no signal at all. That's one more reason to make the first second count and to use on-screen text, since people watching offline often have the sound down. It's the same advice I'd give for any short video, but it's nice to know the audience includes people who aren't even online.
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Prefer the big screen? Read how to cast TikTok to your TV.
Related guides live in the TikTok Help: 19 Guides to Views, Pay, Freezing Fixes, Followers and TikTok Shop.
Frequently asked questions
Can you watch TikTok offline?
Yes. In Settings and privacy, tap Offline videos, choose how many videos you want and tap Download. TikTok saves a feed of recommended videos you can watch with no internet or mobile data.
Can I choose which TikTok videos to watch offline?
No. TikTok picks the offline videos for you, based on your For You feed recommendations and watch history. To keep a specific video, save it instead.
Does TikTok offline mode use storage?
Yes. TikTok says offline videos are stored on your device and use storage, so it recommends downloading them over Wi-Fi.
How do I delete my offline TikTok videos?
Go to Settings and privacy, Offline videos, tap the Settings button at the top, then tap Clear and Clear again. This also turns off the offline videos feature.
Does TikTok offline mode use mobile data?
Watching your downloaded videos doesn't need internet or mobile data. For the download itself, you can turn the Download over Wi-Fi only setting on or off on the Offline videos screen.
How do I refresh my offline TikTok videos?
Reconnect to the internet and download again from the Offline videos screen. TikTok recommends reconnecting now and then so your offline videos stay up to date.
