Table of contents:
Key takeaways:
- On TikTok you can make a swipeable slideshow and a non-swipeable video slideshow.
- You can make a slideshow directly on TikTok by uploading your media and customizing it.
- If you want more editing flexibility, consider making a slideshow on an external video editor like Riverside.
TikTok isn't just about videos anymore. Whether you're a brand, creator, or just having fun, slideshows are a fresh way to spice up your content.
You can use them for various purposes: sharing a collection of memories, showcasing multiple products, or simply telling a story.
Creating a slideshow on TikTok is simple- both on iPhone and Android devices.
In this article, we'll walk you through the steps to create one, plus some tips to ensure they always look (and sound) cool.
Swipeable vs non-swipeable slideshows on TikTok
There are two types of slideshows on TikTok: swipeable and non-swipeable. Creating them involves slightly different processes and can serve different purposes.
Swipeable slideshows allow users to manually swipe through images at their own pace.
Swipeable slideshows are great for:
- Showcasing products for sale, each with individual descriptions and prices.
- Upselling services and offers, allowing customers to control their browsing experience.
- Showing multiple slides with a lot of text so viewers can take their time reading.
Non-swipeable slideshows automatically play through images in sequence like a short video. You can create them using Templates, choosing from a range of built-in filters and effects that best suit your audience's preferences.
Non-swipeable slideshows are perfect for:
- Telling stories through compelling visual narratives.
- Controlling the timing of your reels.
- Adding pre-made special effects with Templates.
Let's explore two different ways to create a slideshow on TikTok.
How to make a slideshow directly on TikTok: 7 Steps
Creating a slideshow directly on TikTok is very simple. Before you begin, make sure to capture all the pictures you want to feature using your smartphone's camera. You'll need them for the following steps.
Step 1: Open TikTok
Open your TikTok app on your iPhone or Android phone, then tap on the "+" (plus) icon in the bottom bar.
Step 2: Create a new post
On the interface, select "Photo" and "Post" at the bottom.
Next, tap the small icon showing a preview of your most recent picture from your phone's camera. You'll find it in the bottom right corner of the screen.
Step 3: Open your gallery
At the top of your screen, select "Photos" to browse your most recent pictures.
Then, tap "Select multiple" at the bottom to pick more than one picture for your swipeable slideshow. TikTok supports up to 35 pictures per slideshow.
Step 4: Choose the pictures
Choose the pictures you want to use for your slideshow by tapping each one. The order in which you select them will determine the order they appear in your slideshow. You track this by looking at the numbers that appear in the upper right corner of each selected picture.
Once you've made your selections, tap the "Next" button at the bottom of the screen.
Step 5: Swipeable or non-swipeable?
From this screen, you can choose whether your slideshow will be swipeable or non-swipeable.
At the bottom of the screen, select either “Photo” (swipeable) or “Video” (non-swipeable).
If you can’t see this switch, you may have to click on a small arrow right above the list of pictures you’ve chosen.
Step 6: Customizing your slideshow
Customizing a swipeable slideshow
Select each picture by tapping its icon at the bottom of the screen.
You can edit individual pictures to add text, stickers, filters or effects by clicking on the icons on the right sidebar.
To change the music for your slideshow, open the TikTok music selection menu at the top of the screen.
Customizing a non-swipeable slideshow
In non-swipeable slideshows you can also swipe up to open the video editing menu. Here, you can customize your video in greater detail with a timeline editor.
Once you've finished customizing all your pictures, tap the "Next" button at the bottom to proceed.
Step 7: Add finishing touches
Add your finishing touches to the slideshow.
You can:
- Edit your slideshow's cover
- Add a description and hashtags
- Include links
- Choose your location
- Manage who can see this post
- Share it on other social media, and more.
When you're satisfied with your slideshow, tap the red "Post" button at the bottom to publish your swipeable slideshow on TikTok.
How to make a non-swipeable slideshow with Templates: 5 Steps
Creating a non-swipeable slideshow on TikTok using a Template follows a slightly different procedure. Note that you cannot make swipeable slideshows if you use a template.
As before, make sure to capture all the pictures you want to feature in the slideshow using your smartphone's camera. This way, TikTok can easily access them from your gallery.
Step 1: Open TikTok
Open your TikTok app, then tap on the "+" (plus) icon in the bottom bar.
Step 2: Create a new post
On the interface, select "Templates" at the bottom.
Keep in mind that not every template allows for slideshows with many pictures, as some are designed for a single picture or two. Be sure to choose a template that can accommodate the exact number of pictures you want to include in your non-swipeable slideshow.
Step 3: Choose the pictures
Choose the pictures for your slideshow by tapping each one. The order in which you select them will determine their appearance in your slideshow.
In the bottom bar, you'll see several boxes that will display each of your pictures in your chosen order. Notice that each box has a number on it – this indicates how many seconds each picture will be shown during the reel.
Once you're satisfied with your selections, tap the "Next" button at the bottom of the screen.
Step 4: Customizing your slideshow
You can now customize your non-swipeable slideshow by adding filters, stickers, text, or effects by clicking on the icons on the right sidebar.
If you swipe up, you will open the video editor screen where you can customize your video with a timeline editor.
To change the music for your slideshow, tap the “Add sound” icon at the top of the screen to open a new menu.
Once you’re done with all your edits, click the "Next" button at the bottom to move to the next step.
Step 5: Add finishing touches
Finalize your slideshow by adding the finishing touches. You can:
- Customize the cover
- Write a description
- Add hashtags
- Include links
- Set a location
- Adjust privacy settings, and
- Share it across other social media platforms.
Once you're happy with everything, tap the red "Post" button at the bottom to publish your non-swipeable slideshow on TikTok.
Tips for creating a good TikTok slideshow
As you can see, creating a TikTok slideshow is really straightforward. But, creating an engaging slideshow that keeps your audience glued to the screen requires more than just stringing a few photos together.
Here are some tips for creating a high-quality TikTok slideshow that will stand out:
Add High-Quality Photos
The foundation of an enticing visual story is high-quality imagery. No one will stick around if your slideshow doesn’t look good.
Choose crisp, high-resolution images that make your content look polished and professional. For product showcases, ensure every item is well-lit and any text is clearly readable. When sharing personal content or brand stories, select images that evoke powerful emotions.
Craft a compelling narrative
People love stories—that’s why we watch movies or TV shows, and read books. Whether you're showcasing products, sharing memories, or telling a brand story, your slideshow should tell a visually engaging story to avoid feeling flat or boring. Crafting a compelling narrative will hold your audience's attention and keep them interested (and swiping) tilll the end.
Add Relevant Music
The right soundtrack is the icing on the cake to make sure your slideshow looks good and sounds good as well. Striking the right chords helps your content resonate with viewers, increasing its appeal and making it more memorable.
Choose music that complements your visual story's mood and theme rather than distracting from it. If the soundtrack’s rhythm matches the pace of your image transitions, people will remember them long after they’ve finished watching.
Add Text to Your Photos
Text is part of your story: it can help you tell it, or make every image more impactful.
Use concise, readable sentences of no more than 5-6 words to ensure your audience can read them before swiping to the next picture. Make your first image's caption the most captivating to draw attention immediately. Choose bold fonts and colors that contrast well with your images but don’t obscure important elements of the visuals.
Use Filters and Stickers
Filters and stickers are fun and creative tools to make your content look more colorful and lively. Use them to set a mood, transform the aesthetics of your slideshows, or highlight specific elements.
Experiment with emojis or animated stickers like text bubbles to add action to your pictures, or simply make your content look more playful. Just be careful not to overdo it—use filters and stickers strategically to avoid making your slideshow look garish or cluttered.
How to make a TikTok slideshow video with third-party software
Creating a slideshow with TikTok built-in tools is easy and convenient. It’s usually sufficient to create quick content on the spot. But, if you want to ramp up your game, third-party software can offer much more.
For example, with Riverside, you’ll have access to a bigger variety of editing tools.
You can easily:
- Import high-resolution images
- Add custom backgrounds
- Customize your own dynamic captions
- Upload your brand logo
- Add text overlays and music
- Fine-tune your audio with AI
And more!
Work directly on your desktop rather than on the crowded TikTok interface. Everything saves to the cloud, so you can access the same video from the mobile app.
And creating and editing a non-swipeable TikTok slideshow on Riverside is surprisingly easy, too. Just follow these steps to create some truly stunning content for your TikTok audience:
Step 1: Open your Recording
Login into your dashboard and select a studio or create a new one (you can learn how here).
Choose a relevant recording by clicking on it. You can also click on the “Upload” button at the top if you want to upload your own recording.
Step 2: Choose an audio or video base
Select the video or audio you want to edit, then click "Edit" to open the recording in the editor.
Step 3: Setup your video
If you selected a video, you can create an blank audiogram by hiding the video track.
Tap the "Tracks" button on the right sidebar, select your track, then turn the toggle ON next to "Hide Video."
We also suggest you resize your video to match TikTok’s dimensions. Click on the layout button at the top and select “16:9”, which is best for TikTok.
Step 4: Add images and edit
Add your images by clicking the "Uploads" button on the right sidebar, or choose from our royalty-free image library by clicking "Images."
Customize your slideshow by adding captions, text, background, logo, and more – all from the right sidebar.
You can also resize the image to fit the screen by clicking on the “Fill video” button. (This is the two small arrows that appear when you click on the image).
You can control when each image appears in your slideshow and for how long with the timeline editor at the bottom.
Step 5: Export your slideshow
When you're satisfied with your edits, click the "Export" button in the top right corner. Select your video quality, then tap "Export video."
Step 6: Download the slideshow
Find your exported video at the bottom of your recording's dashboard. Hover over the clip to reveal the "Download" button. Your slideshow is now ready to be uploaded on TikTok as a normal video!
FAQs on How to Make a Slideshow on TikTok
What is the best format for photos in a TikTok slideshow?
The best format for photos in a TikTok slideshow is 1080 x 1920 pixels with a 9:16 aspect ratio (vertical) since it fits perfectly with the platform’s native display. 4:5 or 1:1 ratios will also work.
Use high-res, JPEG or PNG images that look crisp and clear. For text overlays leave a 64 margin on the sides and 150 on top and bottom.
Can I add videos to my TikTok slideshow?
Yes, you can mix both photos and short video clips in your TikTok slideshow.
After tapping the “+” button to create your slideshow, you can select video clips along with your photos by tapping “All” at the top of the screen.
Note that if you add videos, you can only create non-swipeable slideshows.
How do I delete a photo from my slideshow on TikTok?
To remove a photo from a swipeable slideshow, tap on the image thumbnail in the editing interface and keep it pressed for a second or two. The “Delete” button (trash can icon) will appear, and you can remove it.
If you're using a Template, you can’t delete unwanted pictures outright, and must go back to the previous screen, discarding all changes in the process.
How can I preview my slideshow before posting it?
Right before posting, you’ll have a screen to add post details and captions, plus preview your entire slideshow.
Click on one of the pictures on the top to access the “Preview” interface.
If you generated your slideshow with a Template, instead, just click on the “Preview” text right above the “Edit cover” button on the top right corner of the same screen.
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