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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 bulk download watermarkless TikTok videos legally on different devices.
Is It Legal to Download TikTok Videos?
Personal backups are "fair use" in the U.S. and most jurisdictions, but secondary distribution is a copyright red herring. In January 2025 the Supreme Court ruled that the "sell or block" act is constitutional, while the DOJ still allows for a 75-day transition period for technology.
- Safe practice: Download only videos you created or have licensed.
- Infringement Risk: Publicly upload to YouTube Shorts after watermarking → High risk.
- Regional Exception: The EU GDPR has a special exemption for "whole packet data export".
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. For private videos or videos from users who have turned off the download option, a third-party application is needed.
Furthermore, there's a restriction on transferring these downloaded videos to other media players, which could potentially be inconvenient.
How to Download TikTok Videos on iPhones and iPad?
When it comes to download TikTok videos on iPhone and iPad, you can use Total Files app to effortlessly save videos. Check the simple steps below:
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 of its free cost and customizable via CLI.
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 download multiple TikTok videos in bulk as MP4 or MP3 files. Whether you want to save all videos from a specific creator, your liked list, or any other source, this tool has you covered.
- 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 also can save watermarkless version of the TikTok video you want.
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 Removal | 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 legal to download TikTok videos?
Generally, it is legal to download TikTok videos for personal use, as long as you respect the copyright and privacy of the original creators.
AHow can I remove the watermark from TikTok videos?
The easiest way to remove the watermark from TikTok videos is to use a third-party app, such as SnapTik, StreamFab TikTok Downloader, etc.
AFinal Wrap-up
If you've read this far, congratulations: your TikTok downloading skills have leveled up to "full-stack": from official HD saves to watermark-free bulk backup solutions like StreamFab, yt-dlp, and Cobalt, as well as how to navigate the U.S. "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 Cobalt for single videos (watermark-free, zero tracking); rely on yt-dlp for entire account backups. It's already patched for the latest API changes.
- 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.
