I used my Apple ID for convenience, but you can also sign up with your phone number or email address. It's easy enough, and you can link it to other social media platforms like Facebook, Google, Twitter, and Instagram. But if you want to like or follow users, you will need to set up an account. You can watch what's trending and discover videos online without having an account. If you're not intending on keeping a catalogue of dog videos like I am, you don't actually have to set up an account to watch videos. This is not a social media platform you can engage with without the sound on. There's quite the selection, which includes comedy, animals, beauty & style, gaming, DIY & life hacks, dance, and daily life. You don't have to do this, but if you want a feed to immediately scroll through, I'd recommend choosing a couple. From there, open the app once it's finished downloading and you'll be greeted with a screen asking to choose your interests. As with most apps, you'll find TikTok on your device's App Store. We must pass the baton on with grace and composure.' But self-isolation means we're firmly holding onto the baton, so to being your TikTok experience. Very boomers joining Instagram, very ungroovy. Journalist and podcaster Dolly Alderton hilariously tweeted: 'Millennials must not join TikTok, I feel very strongly about this. (Notably, TikTok is not owned by Facebook, which Instagram is.) Popular among tweens and teens, TikTok has been downloaded over 1.5 billion times, per Business Insider, and even outstripped Instagram by roughly 238 million downloads in 2019.

What is TikTok?įor the uninitiated, TikTok is a short-form video social network built on the shoulders of the lip-synching app Musical.ly. So here's how to navigate TikTok if you're not a Gen Z. Whether that's because I'm a millennial or just haven't got round to it, that's all about to change. Up until now, I've been watching compilations on YouTube rather than in the actual app. But even for me, there are points in the day where I need something other than Animal Crossing or countless episodes of ER to distract me. As an introvert, the prospect of staying at home and social distancing wasn't too daunting.

Tik tok cute pink whatsapp icon