How to Save Your TikTok Content Before It Disappears (Step-by-Step Guide)

Holly Hartman
Dec 16, 2024
4 min read

By Holly Hartman, Brand Specialist, TikTok Lifesaver, and Canva Extraordinaire

Oh no, it’s happening. If you’ve been glued to the headlines (or TikTok itself), you’ve probably heard whispers about the app getting banned in January. Whether you believe it’ll vanish or not, one thing’s for sure:

Your content deserves better than to go down with the ship.

So, if TikTok really does throw us all into a January panic spiral, I’m here to help you save your hard work, preserve your content, and back up your videos—without losing your mind. Yes, it’s a pain. Yes, we’d all rather be scrolling endlessly or choreographing the next viral dance.

But let’s face it: Your content is gold, and we’re not leaving it behind.

Grab a snack, open up TikTok, and let’s do this. We’ll laugh about it later when your videos are safe and sound.

Step 1: Download Your Videos One by One

(Yes, All of Them)

Welcome to the slightly annoying part—but hey, at least you’ll get to relive all your TikTok glory!

How to Save Each Video:

Open TikTok and head to your profile page (tap that little person icon in the bottom right).
Click on a video you want to save.
Tap the Share icon (it looks like a right-pointing arrow).
Select “Save Video.”
Rinse, repeat, cry a little, and move on to the next one.

👉 Reality Check: TikTok slaps its watermark on these downloads, so if you’re not a fan of branded bouncing logos, skip to Step 3 for third-party tools.

Bright Side: Think of it as a nostalgic walk down memory lane. Remember that video that flopped but was secretly your favorite? Now’s its time to shine in your archives.

Step 2: Request Your TikTok Account Data

(For All the Nerdy Stuff)

If you’re thinking, “I want everything—videos, likes, and my sparkling list of followers,” TikTok lets you download a ZIP file of your data.

Here’s how:

Open TikTok → Tap the three-line menu on your profile page.
Go to Settings and Privacy → Privacy → Download Your Data.
Choose a format:
- TXT: Easy to read.
- JSON: Best for videos and techy stuff.
Hit Request Data and wait. (TikTok says it could take up to 3 days, but we all know it’ll show up at the most inconvenient time.)
When TikTok says it’s ready, go back to Download Your Data and grab the ZIP file.

What’s in the Box?

Your videos
Account activity (comments, likes, and follows)
Profile info

It’s basically a scrapbook of your TikTok life—minus the screenshots of cat videos you keep sending your friends.

Step 3: Skip the Manual Labor—Bulk Download Your Videos

Saving your videos one by one might feel like punishment for crimes you didn’t commit. If you’re ready for a shortcut, third-party tools can help you download videos in bulk (and bonus: some strip off the watermark).

Option A: 4K Tokkit

Download 4K Tokkit (it’s like a lifeboat for your content): 4K Tokkit Website.
Log into TikTok and paste your profile URL.
Select all your videos or just your favorites, and let it work its magic.

Option B: Online Downloaders

Websites like SnapTik (snaptik.app) or TTDownloader can save videos without the TikTok watermark.

Open your video → Tap Share → Copy Link.
Paste the link into one of these websites and hit download.
Repeat until your videos are free and happy on your device.

A Gentle Reminder: Use these tools wisely. Third-party tools are handy, but make sure you’re comfortable with them and their terms.

Step 4: Save Your Drafts—Because We Both Know You Have Them

Draft videos can’t be downloaded directly, but don’t panic—we’ll work around it:

Open each draft.
Set the audience to “Only Me.”
Post the video privately.
Use Step 1 or 3 to download it.

It’s an extra step, but hey, your behind-the-scenes content is worth saving, too.

Step 5: Back It All Up (Seriously, Don’t Skip This Part)

Saving videos to your phone is great… until your storage yells at you. Avoid losing everything by backing up your content:

Cloud Storage:
- Use Google Drive, iCloud, or Dropbox.
- Create a dedicated folder for TikTok videos.
External Storage:
- Transfer your files to an external hard drive or USB stick.
- Bonus points if you label it “TikTok Backup – Just In Case.”

Key Takeaways (A TL;DR for the Tired)

TikTok might be shutting down, but your content doesn’t have to disappear with it.
Save videos manually or use bulk tools like 4K Tokkit or SnapTik for efficiency.
Don’t forget your drafts and account data!
Back everything up—cloud storage, external drives, whatever works for you.

Feeling Overwhelmed? Let’s Make It Easier.

Look, I know this process isn’t exactly a party—backing up TikTok content is not how any of us planned to spend our day. But trust me, the peace of mind is worth it.

If you’re feeling stuck, take it one step at a time:

Save a few videos each day—no need to do it all at once.
Use tools that speed up the process (like bulk downloaders).
Set a deadline for yourself to keep things moving—because procrastination won’t save your videos!

Need extra help? Share this guide with your Virtual Assistant, teenager, or tech-savvy friend—sometimes delegation is the best strategy.

Final Thought: Your hard work deserves to be saved, and future you will thank you for it. Grab that coffee, pull up TikTok, and get backing up. You’ve got this!

About the Author

Holly Hartman is a neurospicy Brand Specialist and Marketing Expert who believes your content deserves to live on, no matter what the algorithms or politicians decide.

Through Canva POP Sessions: Done-With-You services at ThePOP.Agency, she helps purpose-driven small business owners create branding that pops, connects, and lasts.

Holly believes in making design approachable, fun, and accessible for everyone—especially busy, multi-hat-wearing small business owners. Join her Monthly Canva Clean-Up Co-Working Sessions to organize your designs, boost your creativity, and get back to what you love most about your business.

Let’s save your videos, preserve your brand, and keep you shining bright.

Questions?: Email at hello@thepop.agency