How to Use TikTok's New Photo Mode

  • TikTok has added a new "Photo Mode" that lets you upload a picture slideshow, just like you would a video.
  • Like a normal TikTok video, you can add music, filters, and stickers to your Photo Mode slideshow.
  • To upload a Photo Mode slideshow, go to TikTok's video editing screen and tap "Upload" then "Select multiple."

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TikTok is best known for its rapid-fire short form videos, which can range in length from 15 seconds to 10 minutes. But after a recent update, TikTok is dipping into the world of photos too.

TikTok's Photo Mode lets you post up to 35 pictures at once, contained inside a single slideshow that viewers can freely browse through. It's a great way to show off moments that you captured in still photos instead of videos.

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How to use Photo Mode on TikTok

Although it's true that photo slideshows are very different from videos, you can make both of them using the same editing menu.

1. Open TikTok and tap the plus icon at the bottom of the screen to open TikTok's video editing screen.

2. Next to the capture button, tap Upload.

Upload your photos from this screen. TikTok; William Antonelli/Insider

3. Tap Select multiple in the bottom-left corner, and then start picking all the pictures you want to include in your slideshow by tapping the bubbles in their top-right corner. You can have up to 35 photos in one slideshow.

Note: If you try to select a photo and TikTok tells you that its Current resolution is not supported, that means the picture is too wide and not tall enough.

4. Once you've picked all the photos you want, tap Next in the bottom-right.

5. At the bottom of the screen, look for an option that says Switch to photo mode, and then tap it. If it says Switch to video mode instead, just leave it alone.

Your slideshows can be up to 35 photos long. TikTok; William Antonelli/Insider

6. Use the controls at the top and on the right side of the screen to add music, text, stickers, effects, and filters. These work just like they do on a standard video.

7. When you're ready to post, tap Next in the bottom-right, and add all the final details.

Photo Mode posts aren't sorted into a different feed than regular videos or anything like that. When a user comes across a Photo Mode slideshow in their feed, they can browse through the photos by swiping left or right.

Tech Reporter for Insider Reviews

William Antonelli (he/she/they) is a writer, editor, and organizer based in New York City. As a founding member of the Reference team, he helped grow Tech Reference (now part of Insider Reviews) from humble beginnings into a juggernaut that attracts over 20 million visits a month. Outside of Insider, his writing has appeared in publications like Polygon, The Outline, Kotaku, and more. He's also a go-to source for tech analysis on channels like Newsy, Cheddar, and NewsNation. You can find him on Twitter @DubsRewatcher, or reach him by email at wantonelli@insider.com. Read more Read less

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