Quick answer: Copy the link again with Share → Copy link, check the post is public by opening it in a private browser window, and make sure you chose the right format. If it still fails, turn off ad blockers for the site, free up storage and update your browser.
Most failed downloads come down to the link, the post's privacy setting, or the browser. Work through this list from the top; nine times out of ten the first three fix it.
- Copy the link again. Use Share → Copy link, not the text of a chat message. The box should hold just one link starting with https://. See how to copy a TikTok link.
- Check the post is public. Open the link in a private browser window without logging in. If it does not play, it is private, friends-only or deleted.
- Pick the right format. A photo post needs Photos, not Video. A profile link needs the profile picture tool.
- Stories expire. A story link stops working 24 hours after it was posted.
- Live streams cannot be saved while they are live.
- Region-blocked videos may not be reachable from our servers.
- Safari asks first. On iPhone, tap Download again on the "Do you want to download…" prompt.
- Check storage. A full phone can silently cancel downloads.
- Turn off ad blockers or data savers for this site if the button does nothing. Some block all downloads.
- Update your browser. Very old browsers cannot run the download step. Update Chrome or Safari from your app store.
The video downloaded but will not play
- On Windows, open it with VLC or the Films & TV app if another player complains.
- If the file is 0 KB, the download was interrupted. Try again on a stable connection.
- If there is no sound, check whether the original video plays with sound in TikTok — some are muted for copyright.
The file is in the wrong place
On iPhone, look in Files → Downloads, or the folder of the browser you used. On Android, open Files → Downloads. On a computer, press Ctrl+J (⌥⌘L in Safari) to open the downloads list.
Still stuck?
Contact us with the link, your device and your browser, and we will look at it. Most reports get an answer within two business days.
Tools used in this guide
- TikTok profile picture viewer — The app shows profile pictures as a tiny circle. Paste a profile link to see and save the avatar in full size.