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TikTok has become an integral part of our lives, providing endless entertainment tailored to our preferences. There may be instances where you'd want to download a video from TikTok to your device, either to watch offline when there's no internet or to save data on your phone.
Source: Statista, Business of Apps, StatsUp
Now you are in the right place. Come and check what I prepared for you to safely save TikTok videos on different devices for personal backup and offline viewing, while respecting TikTok’s rules and creators’ rights.
Is It Legal to Download TikTok Videos?
The rules for saving online videos differ a lot by country and platform. In many places, even when you pay for a service, that does not automatically mean you can keep copies in any way you like. Platforms like TikTok also set their own terms about how videos may be saved or reused.
Because of this, you should treat any download or backup as something to do only with videos you created yourself or have clear permission to handle, and only for private viewing. If you are unsure what is allowed, check TikTok’s latest terms and the laws in your region, or ask a professional before relying on any of the methods below.
- Safe practice: Download only videos you created or have licensed.
- Infringement Risk: Publicly upload to YouTube Shorts after watermarking → High risk.
- Regional Exception: Some regions have special rules about exporting your own account data, but these do not automatically allow copying other people’s videos.
How to Download TikTok Videos on Android Devices?
On Android smartphones and tablets, the answer to how to download TikTok videos is easy, you can just use the inbuilt download feature of the TikTok App.
Here below are steps you can follow in case you are not familiar yet:
for offline viewing.
Note: Downloading videos from TikTok on an Android device using the TikTok app is quite straightforward; however, this approach only applies to public videos where the creator has allowed downloads. For private videos or videos from users who have turned off the download option, you should respect that setting and avoid trying to save the clips by other means.
TikTok also limits how and where these saved videos can be used. Those limits are part of how the service works, so it is better to work within them instead of trying to get around them.
How to Download TikTok Videos on iPhones and iPad?
When it comes to saving TikTok videos on iPhone and iPad, some people use file manager apps such as Total Files to keep a local copy of clips they made themselves or are allowed to back up. Here is a simple example of how that process generally works:
Note: Total Files can be both a TikTok Video Downloader and a file manager. But here is the thing. Its download success rate is not high, especially when you download TikTok videos on iPad. It may crash sometimes.
How to Download TikTok Videos on Windows and Mac?
In fact, if the TikTok video you want to download on PC is not private, then you can directly right-click the video in the browser to download it. But the watermarks and the hassle to download multiple TikTok videos are annoying.
1. yt-dlp
The Hot category on Reddit r/software 3 months ago showed that yt-dlp was voted by over 68% of participants as the most reliable batch tool. Why? Of course because it is free and highly customizable through a command-line interface, especially for people who want to back up media from their own accounts.
The only question is, its learning curve is totally a steep. You might be got a headache just at the beginning of learning about it. I only can offer a basic guide refer to the yt-dlp documentation here. If you expect to handle more customizations on the TikTok videos you want to download, I suggest you to get more professional tutorials in the official GitHub page or in related Subreddits.
2. StreamFab TikTok Downloader
StreamFab TikTok Downloader allows you to save multiple TikTok videos as MP4 or MP3 files in one place. It is most useful when you want to keep clips from your own account or from creators who have clearly given you permission to keep copies, so you can organize them for offline viewing or listening.
- Download TikTok videos without watermark
- Save TikTok videos in original quality
- Save the downloads as MP4/MKV files
- Download TikTok videos as MP3 audios
- Batch-download TikTok videos in one go
- Built-in browser for better download experience
Moreover, its auto-download function, according to my test, is truly a time-saver. This function can let StreamFab TikTok Downloader automatically detect and download the latest uploaded videos from the TikTok influencer or blogger you're following, based on the schedule customized by user totally.
Here below are the steps of how to download TikTok videos on Windows and MacBook with this downloader:
3. Cobalt
I keep Cobalt in my "Favorites" for a simple reason: it's fast, ad-free, unlimited, and completely open-source. And now it is pretty popular since its free, ad-free features has been spotted by more and more people. It can also save a clean version of the TikTok video for personal offline viewing.
But it's not perfect as well. Every time TikTok updates its interface or blocks domains, Cobalt's public service becomes completely unable to fetch videos for extended periods. Over the past six months, there have been at least three similar error reports (#1059, #1060, #1061), and the maintainer has acknowledged that "the US server is temporarily down."
So, if you require 24×7 stable downloads, it's best to set up a local instance or prepare alternative tools.
Which TikTok Video Downloader Suits You?
| Tool/Method | Quality | Speed | Watermark Handling | Batch Downloads | Platform Support | Additional Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Download | 1080p | 5MB/S | ❌ | ❌ | Mobile/Desktop | Built-in, no third-party tools needed |
| Total Files | 720p | 6MB/S | ✅ | ✅ | iOS | Metadata extraction, format options |
| StreamFab Downloader | 1080p | 9MB/S | ✅ | ✅ | Desktop | Scheduled downloads, H.265/H.264 support |
| yt-dlp | 1080p | 8MB/S | ✅ | ✅ | Desktop | Custom formats, metadata, scripting |
| Cobalt | 960p | 5MB/S | ✅ | ✅ | Web-based | No login, proxy-friendly |
FAQs
Is it actually legal to download TikTok videos?
If you’re just saving them for your own little offline joyride and not reposting or profiting, you’re fine. The key thing is: don’t mess with the creator’s rights or privacy. Basically, be cool about it.
AHow do I get rid of that annoying TikTok watermark?
The watermark is there to credit the creator and show the video comes from TikTok, so the safest choice is to keep it. If you really need a clean version, only use your own original files or get explicit permission from the creator.
AFinal Wrap-up
If you’ve made it all the way here—bravo! You’re now basically a TikTok downloading ninja. You know the drill: from high-quality official saves to watermark-free backups using tools like StreamFab, yt-dlp, or Cobalt. Go forth and download wisely (and legally, please). "sell or ban" deadline before September 17, 2025. I wrote this article to leave you with just two parting words: prioritize legality and compliance before efficiency; back up precious content before chasing algorithmic trends.
- Define your purpose: Is it just for personal backup? Or for a clip? Don't overlook TikTok's official download permissions.
- Choose the right tool: Use simple web tools like Cobalt for single clips you are allowed to save, and rely on command-line tools such as yt-dlp when you need a more controlled backup of your own account content.
- Monitor policy: The White House just extended the forced divestment deadline to September 17, but business variables remain high; ByteDance is also prepping a "U.S.-only version" as a fallback. Don't wait until the final 48 hours to back up.
- Regularly review: TikTok rolled out new players for desktop and large-screen devices this year, and download logic may shift anytime. Bookmark this article—I'll update it promptly with patches.
Mandatory Disclaimer: All methods and tools described in this article are intended only for saving TikTok videos that you created yourself or have clear permission to back up, and only for your own, non-business viewing. Always follow TikTok’s latest terms and the laws in your region, and do not share or upload any saved files in ways that go beyond what the original creator allows.
