TikTok Going Down? How to Bulk Save Your Videos

Better Safe Than Sorry!

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

TikTok has become a stress reliever for some, a source of income for many, and an addiction for almost all of us. Whether you’re there for everyday life hacks, catching up on your favorite creators, learning new skills, or earning money, TikTok has smoothly integrated into the lives of millions. Any sudden disappearance of the app would undoubtedly be unwelcome. 

According to recent reports, the decision on a potential TikTok ban in the US is expected to unfold by Sunday, 19th January. With approximately 170 million Americans currently using the platform, the possibility of a shutdown is looming large, and there may be little to no room for last-minute fixes. 

If you want to save your favorite content, now is the time to act. Don’t wait for the unexpected; take proactive steps to secure your TikTok videos before it’s too late. It’s also not too early to start exploring alternatives to prevent disruptions in your digital legacy.

Now Where is This Coming From? 

In April, then-President Joe Biden signed legislation requiring TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, and transfer ownership to a U.S.-based company or face the threat of being banned. This law was enacted by Congress amid growing concerns that Chinese ownership might be subject to influence by the Chinese government, potentially posing a national security risk.

Can All Still Be Saved?

The fate of TikTok largely rests with the Supreme Court, which could rule the law unconstitutional before the ban takes effect, potentially allowing the app to continue operating. However, if the ban proceeds, TikTok will have significant challenges to address.

All hope may not be lost, though. Donald Trump, the president-elect set to take office the day after the ban is scheduled to begin, is reportedly considering issuing executive orders to delay the shutdown by 60-90 days. That said, the legality and feasibility of such a move remain uncertain.

There are chances that TikTok might go dark, or it could remain accessible to current users but without updates, new downloads, or bug fixes, eventually rendering the app unusable over time. This ban will also ultimately affect users outside the U.S.

Looking back at the TikTok ban in India, the effects were immediate. With no time to prepare, both individuals and brands were left stranded. India had approximately 200 million TikTok users, and the sudden shutdown forced many to shift to platforms like Instagram, which introduced Reels, and YouTube, which launched Shorts as alternatives.

For people with full-time careers on TikTok and companies that rely on it as a core marketing tool, this potential shutdown represents a significant and far-reaching loss.

What Can We Do?

To secure your hard work and preserve your memories, or simply to transfer your content to another platform, it’s essential to start saving your TikTok videos now. Whether they’re personal moments, your source of income, or creative hobbies, saving them is key. 

For individual videos, the process is simple: open the video, tap the three dots, and select the “Save Video” option. This will directly download the video to your device’s gallery, ensuring you keep what matters most.

For videos from other creators, it depends on whether they’ve enabled downloads. If they have, you can open the video, tap the share arrow, and select “Save Video.”

A person making a TikTok of another.
Our digital legacy doesn’t have to go with the ban. Source: The HR Observer

However, if you’re looking to save your entire TikTok library, whether it’s your career’s work or just a large collection, there are efficient ways to do so. By bulk downloading, you can preserve your digital legacy and repurpose content for other platforms, ensuring that your work continues without loss. Each video showcases your evolution, milestones, and moments that resonated with your audience. They are not just videos; they are your biggest informants and serve as a living portfolio of your journey.

For bulk saving, you’ll need a computer, as the process can be time-consuming depending on the amount of content.  Even if the ban doesn’t go through, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared, right? 

How to Bulk Save Your TikTok Videos

Let’s explore the most effective methods to bulk save your TikTok videos to save time and effort.

Downloading All Your TikTok Data

TikTok provides an option to download your entire account data, including your username, followers, following, video links, activity, and messages. Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Open TikTok and navigate to your profile.
  2. Go to settings. Click on the menu button (three lines) at the top corner and choose “Settings and Privacy.”
  3. Request your data. Select “Account” and then choose “Download Your Data.”
  4. You’ll be prompted to select the data categories you want to include in the download file. Be sure to check “Profile and Posts” to ensure your videos are saved.
  5. Select the desired format for the data (usually .txt or .json).
  6. Click “Request Data” to begin the process.
  7. Wait for the file. Depending on the size of your data, it may take anywhere from a few minutes to several days to receive the download file.

Important Notes

  • The videos downloaded this way may have lower resolution and will retain TikTok watermarks.
  • This method is ideal for backing up all your account-related data, including video links, but may not be the best for high-quality video downloads.

This approach ensures you don’t lose important account details and content during a potential TikTok shutdown.

Third-Party Apps

While third-party apps can help with downloading TikTok content, they come with certain risks. Many of these apps require you to input your login credentials, which could compromise your account’s security. Additionally, the quality of downloads may vary, and some apps might even violate TikTok’s terms of service. It’s important to conduct thorough research and check user reviews before using any third-party tool to ensure the safety and reliability of the service.

We’ve gathered tried-and-tested methods to ensure your security and satisfaction, helping you navigate these options safely.

Using DevTools Console

This method might seem a bit complicated, but it’s effective and, most importantly, free. By utilizing Chrome’s Browser Console, you can quickly gather all your video links, save them into a spreadsheet, and use an online tool to download the videos in bulk. 

Joanne Moxam has provided a step-by-step guide along with the necessary codes for you to follow. For your convenience, we’ve summarized the key points below:

  1. Navigate to your TikTok profile by clicking the personal icon located at the top right corner of the TikTok webpage.
  2. Access the Browser Console. This can be done by pressing the F12 key on Windows and Fn + F12 on Mac. A window with code will appear on the right side of your screen. Don’t worry; you won’t need to dive too deeply into the code.
  3. Look at the top menu of the opened window. You’ll see options like Elements, Console, Sources, etc. Make sure Console is underlined.
  4. Scroll to the bottom of the console window where you’ll see a prompt (>). Here, paste the code mentioned in the video. When pasting the code into the console, a warning may appear advising against pasting code you don’t understand. To proceed safely, type ‘allow pasting’ into the console and press “Enter.” Rest assured, if you’re following trusted instructions, there should be no issue.
  5. After bypassing the warning, paste the second code provided to automate the process. This will generate a CSV file containing links to all your TikTok videos. Save this file to your computer.
  6. Open the downloaded CSV file in your preferred spreadsheet software (Excel, Google Sheets, etc.). This will give you a clear, organized list of your video links.
  7. With your links ready, it’s time to download your videos in bulk. For this, use TOKdownload, a free online platform designed for bulk TikTok video downloads. Simply open TOKdownload in your browser and copy-paste the video links from your spreadsheet into the designated area on the platform.
  8. Click the “Download” button. The platform will process the links, which may take some time depending on the volume of content.  If you’re downloading a large number of videos, work in batches of 50 links at a time to prevent the tool from crashing.
Tiktok
Your memories, your content, your voice: save them all. Source: Walk The Chat

Once the process is complete, you’ll receive two download options:

  • Download All Videos
  • Download All Covers

Select “Download All Videos” to receive a zip file containing all your TikTok videos in MP4 format. Extract the file, and you’re good to go!

Repurpose.io

If you’re looking for a simpler solution, it may require some investment. Repurpose.io is the best option. It can cost about $35 monthly and $349 annually. It used to offer free downloads from TikTok over to Dropbox and Google Drive, but due to high demand, it introduced the paid system. But it does allow you to download 10 videos free of cost for 14 days, so you can start with that. 

Key Features

  • Once connected, Repurpose.io automatically picks up your TikTok videos and transfers them to your desired destination (e.g., Google Drive).
  • Supports data transfer from multiple services, including YouTube, Zoom, and Instagram, to various cloud storage options.
  • Allows you to schedule regular transfers, repurpose content, and even create short clips for different platforms.
  • Provides an easy-to-navigate interface that tracks the progress of your video transfers in real time.
Different social media platforms, such as Instagram and YouTube, where you can move your content if TikTok shuts down.
Repurpose your content onto new platforms. Source: Fireside Agency

This platform allows unlimited transfers for up to five accounts, making it ideal for creators looking to migrate or manage their content across different platforms. For creators, influencers, or even casual users, Repurpose.io is a valuable tool to secure your TikTok content while preparing for an effortless transition to another platform.

Additional Considerations

If you’re a frequent TikTok user, there’s a high chance you also use CapCut for editing your videos. Unfortunately, since CapCut is owned by ByteDance, it will likely be affected by the potential TikTok ban. To avoid losing ongoing work, it’s crucial to save all your ongoing projects, export any templates and drafts, and transition to another trusted video editor that meets your creative needs.

Alternatives to Consider

For video editing and content creation, Captions is a strong alternative. It will soon offer a free tier, featuring tools like adding captions, sound effects, zoom effects, transitions, and more. Alongside this, platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are great places to share your content, offering similar features to TikTok. By taking these steps, you’ll ensure a smooth transition and keep your creative work going.

Start Saving Up!

As the future of TikTok remains uncertain, it’s crucial to act swiftly and safeguard your content. Whether it’s through downloading videos, exporting data, or transitioning to alternative platforms, taking proactive steps now will help ensure your creations and online presence remain intact. Stay ahead of the curve, protect your digital legacy, and adapt to the changes. The future of your creative work is in your hands. Take control now!

Visit Inside Tech World today for more insightful articles!

FAQs

What happens if TikTok is banned?

If TikTok is banned, the app may still function but won’t receive updates, and new downloads will be unavailable. The platform may eventually stop working, and users may have to shift to alternatives like Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts.

How can I save my TikTok videos before the ban?

To save your personal TikTok videos, simply open the video, tap the three dots, and select “Save Video.” For other creators’ videos, if they allow downloads, you can click the share icon and select “Save Video.” For bulk downloads, use tools like TOKdownload or Repurpose.io.

Can I save all my TikTok content at once?

Yes, you can use DevTools in your browser to extract all your TikTok video links, export them to a CSV file, and download them in bulk through tools like TOKdownload.

Are third-party apps safe for downloading TikTok videos?

While third-party apps can help with video downloads, they may pose security risks as they require login details. Be cautious and go through reviews to ensure they are reliable and secure.


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