How to Record Hands‐Free on TikTok on iPhone or iPad

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Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: February 24, 2025 Tested

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• Using the Stopwatch
|
• Using "Tap to Shoot"
|
• Q&A

|Show more |Show less

This wikiHow guide teaches you how to take a video in TikTok on your iPhone or iPad without having to keep your finger on the record button.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using the Stopwatch

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1. 
   1
   Open TikTok on your iPhone or iPad. It’s the black icon with a white music note inside.
2. 
   2
   Tap +. It’s at the bottom-center part of the screen.
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3. 
   3
   Position your iPhone or iPad in preparation to record. You can put it on a tripod if you have one or just lean it against something. Just make sure the viewfinder is showing where you want it to capture.
4. 
   4
   Tap the stopwatch icon. It's towards the bottom of the icon column on the right side of the screen.
5. 
   5
   Select when you want your recording to end. Drag the pink line along the timeline to indicate how long you want your video to be; the app will stop recording automatically at that point.
6. 
   6
   Tap Start Countdown. A countdown will begin (3, 2, 1…). When the countdown ends, TikTok will begin recording immediately. There’s no need to press the recording button, though.

   • To pause the recording, tap the stop button at the bottom of the screen.
   • To start recording hands-free after pausing, tap the timer icon again.
7. 
   7
   Tap the checkmark when you're finished recording. It's at the bottom right of the screen.
8. 
   8
   Edit your video and tap Next. Use the editing options at the top and bottom of the screen to adjust the way your video looks.
9. 
   9
   Add a caption and tap Post. It's the pink button at the bottom of the screen. Your hands-free video is now shared on TikTok.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using "Tap to Shoot"

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1. 
   1
   Open TikTok on your iPhone or iPad. It’s the black icon with a white music note inside.
2. 
   2
   Tap +. It’s at the bottom-center part of the screen.
3. 
   3
   Position your iPhone or iPad in preparation to record. You can put it on a tripod if you have one or just lean it against something. Just make sure the viewfinder is showing where you want it to capture.
4. 4
   Tap on the recording button to start recording. TikTok will start recording, and continue recording until you tap the button again to stop.

   • To start recording hands-free after pausing, tap the button again.
5. 
   5
   Tap the checkmark when you're finished recording. It's at the bottom right of the screen.
6. 
   6
   Edit your video and tap Next. Use the editing options at the top and bottom of the screen to adjust the way your video looks.
7. 
   7
   Add a caption and tap Post. It's the pink button at the bottom of the screen. Your hands-free video is now shared on TikTok.
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  How do I make the timer be longer than 3 seconds?

  

  Aasim

  Top Answerer

  You cannot change the timer length. However, you can change the length of the video by tapping on the "more" button and choosing the recording mode button.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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