Chapter 1

Using TikTok for the First Time

IN THIS CHAPTER

Finding TikTok in your app store

Creating your TikTok account

Understanding the basic TikTok interface

Making your first TikTok video

Welcome to the amazing, different, and maybe even intimidating but addicting world of TikTok! There's a good chance your children or grandchildren sent you here, or you were swindled into trying out a TikTok dance, prank, or meme from a friend or loved one. Whatever the reason, the question I keep hearing is, "How do I use this crazy app?"

Well, I'm here, as your furry, lovable (repeating Grover from Sesame Street) TikTok creator, to show you how. I teach you the way I know best and am most comfortable with: by writing a book. (As you soon discover, younger TikTok users would wonder why I'm not creating TikTok videos instead.)

Downloading TikTok for Your Mobile Device

Downloading TikTok is the easiest part. TikTok works on both Android and iOS. I even got it to work on my children's Kindle Fire devices, which are Android-based. Because you already have one of these (see my foolish assumptions in the Introduction), search for the Google Play app (Android) or the App Store (iOS). After you are in either of these app stores, do the following:

1. Find the search functionality in Google Play or the App Store.

   A big Search icon usually appears at the bottom or top of the screen. On my iPhone, the Search icon is in the bottom right.

2. Search for TikTok, as shown in Figure 1-1.

3. Tap the download icon (iPhone) or the Install button (Android).

   The the download icon is a down arrow or a cloud if you've previously downloaded the app (as in Figure 1-1). It may look slightly different on your device.

That's it. Now I show you how to create an account so you can start using the app.

On Kindle Fire devices, the TikTok app is in the Kindle app store. However, keep in mind that your app experience may be limited on Kindle Fire in terms of camera quality and the speed of the app.

FIGURE 1-1: Searching and downloading the TikTok app.

Creating Your Account

After you've downloaded the TikTok app to your mobile device, the first step in using the service is to create an account. When you open the app, you're greeted with a Sign Up for TikTok screen, as shown in Figure 1-2.

You can sign up with your phone number, your email address, or your Facebook, Apple (if on iOS), Google, or Twitter account. (Twitter is available by tapping the down arrow below the Continue with Google option.) Signing up with an account is the easiest option because TikTok autofills many of the sections.

Follow these steps to create your TikTok account:

1. Tap one of the following:
   • Use Phone or Email button: I recommend this option so you can understand the full registration process. Then continue with Step 2.
   • The button representing your Internet account of choice. If you insist on taking the shorter route (hey - I don't blame you!) by tapping the Continue with Facebook, Continue with Apple, Continue with Google, or Continue with Twitter button (to see the Twitter option, tap the down arrow), just follow the on-screen instructions to log into your chosen account. After you're authenticated, skip to Step 5, where you're asked to choose a username.

   FIGURE 1-2: The account setup process.

2. Enter your birthday and then tap Next.

   You must be 13 or older to use TikTok. While some parents lie about their children's ages so that their kids can use TikTok, keep in mind that many videos on TikTok have adult themes. Nudity and illegal activities are not allowed on the service, but your children will be exposed to adult topics and profanity if they use the app.

3. Enter your phone number or email address, tap Next, and complete the Captcha puzzle.

   I chose to enter an email, which is selected by default. See Figure 1-3, left. Tap Email in the upper right if you prefer to use your phone number.

4. Enter a password, as shown in Figure 1-3, right, and then tap Next.

   Your password must be 8 to 20 characters long, and must contain letters, numbers, and special characters. I recommend that you use a password manager such as LastPass.

   FIGURE 1-3: Enter a password.

5. Pick a unique username for your account.

   Your username is how your account will be identified publicly. If the username is taken, you see a message saying, This username isn't available. Don't worry - you can change your username later if you're not entirely sure which username to choose right now!

6. Choose your interests - or not. Then tap Next.

   If you want, select what you want to see most on TikTok. If you'd rather not fill out this part, click the Skip link.

Congratulations! You have a TikTok account. The app will play a little video showing you how to use TikTok, and take you to the For You page, shown in Figure 1-4.

After you create an account and watch the introductory tutorials, the TikTok app will ask you to allow notifications on your phone, as shown in Figure 1-5 (if you haven't previously enabled notifications). I suggest that you turn on notifications for now so you can become familiar with the app and have the app top of mind as you learn how to use it. You can always turn off notifications later in your device's Settings screen.

FIGURE 1-4: The For You page.

FIGURE 1-5: TikTok wants you to turn on notifications.

TikTok, like all apps and social networks, is constantly making changes to its interface, and some options may be slightly different than they are here. Please feel free to ask questions in the Facebook Group I set up for this book at https://facebook.com/groups/tiktokfordummies.

The For You page (refer to Figure 1-4) is the default view for TikTok when you open the app. It's where you can discover new content and users to follow. The other view, Following, displays content from those you are already following. You can switch from one to the other by tapping For You or Following at the top of the page or by swiping right or left.

On either page, swipe up as often as you like for an endless dopamine rush of new content to explore! I discuss the For You and Following pages, and how to discover and follow new content, in Chapter 2.

Exploring Your Settings

People go to your profile page when they want to learn more about you. After you create your account and have had a chance to get acclimated, I recommend that you edit your profile to give the best picture of yourself to the outside world. You might want to update your profile picture (called your avatar), username, and description, along with other information. You might also want to change some settings so they are more to your liking.

If you're really excited about creating a video right now, you can skip this section and go to the "Creating Your First TikTok Video" section, later in the chapter. You can always change your profile and user settings later. However, editing your settings now (by adding a photo and bio) will ensure that others know who you are and give them a reason to follow you, which will help you get more views from the start!

Updating your profile

You can get to your profile from any main TikTok page by clicking the Me icon (the little person) in the lower right. Then to edit your profile, tap Edit Profile. The page shown in Figure 1-6 appears.

You change the following options on this page:

• Change Photo: Tap Change Photo and then tap either Take Photo or Upload Photo (or Select from Gallery on Android). If you want to take a photo with your device camera, select Take Photo and then take a selfie. Otherwise, tap Upload Photo or Select from Gallery and select a photo from your device's photo library. (You can view the photo after you take or upload it.)

  The profile photo you choose appears next to every comment you make, so be sure your photo represents the way you want to be seen.

  When you add a photo, TikTok also lets you add a video to your profile. Only those who visit your profile and click the video can see it.

• Name: If you signed up using another social media platform, your name on that platform appears here. If you signed up using your phone number or email, TikTok generates a name, such as user1234567. This name appears at the top of your profile when other viewers visit your profile page, so be sure it's descriptive of you or your brand! If you want to change the Name field, tap Name, make your changes, and then tap Save.

  FIGURE 1-6: The Edit Profile page on my first visit.