How to Send a Private TikTok to Someone? The Definitive Guide

So, you’ve stumbled upon or created a TikTok gem and want to share it discreetly? You’re in the right place. The simple answer is this: You can send a TikTok to someone privately through TikTok’s Direct Messaging feature. Find the video, tap the Share icon, and then select the recipient from your followers or search for their username. However, there’s nuance involved, and this guide dives into the specifics and nuances of sharing TikToks privately.

Understanding Private Sharing on TikTok

Before we get started, it’s important to understand the concept of “private” on TikTok. When we talk about sending a private TikTok, we typically mean sharing it directly with a specific individual or a small group of people through the app’s built-in messaging system. This differs from posting a video publicly for all your followers (and potentially the world) to see.

The Step-by-Step: Sharing a TikTok Privately

Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to send a TikTok to someone privately:

1. Locate the Video: Find the TikTok you wish to share. This could be one you created, one you found on your “For You” page, or one discovered through search.

2. Tap the Share Icon: Look for the Share icon, represented by an arrow pointing to the right (sometimes looking like a paper airplane). It’s typically located on the right-hand side of the screen, near the bottom.

3. Choose “Send to”: A menu will pop up. Look for the “Send to” option. This will bring up a list of your followers and suggested contacts.

4. Select Your Recipient(s): You can either scroll through your list of followers or use the search bar at the top to find a specific user by their username. Tap on the profile picture of the person (or people) you want to send the TikTok to. Multiple selections are possible.

5. Add a Message (Optional): Before sending, you can add a personal message to accompany the video. This is a great way to provide context, add a comment, or simply say “Check this out!”

6. Hit Send: Once you’ve selected your recipient(s) and added a message (if desired), tap the “Send” button. This will send the TikTok directly to their inbox.

Important Considerations for Private Sharing

• Account Privacy Settings: The recipient’s privacy settings might affect whether you can send them a TikTok. If their account is set to private and they don’t follow you, you might not be able to send them a direct message.
• Original Poster’s Privacy Settings: If the original creator of the TikTok has disabled sharing, you won’t be able to send it privately (or publicly). Look for a message indicating sharing is disabled.
• Potential for Resharing: Be aware that even though you’re sending the video privately, the recipient can still potentially reshare it with others, either within TikTok or on other platforms. Exercise caution and only send videos to people you trust.
• Blocked Users: If you have blocked a user on TikTok, you won’t be able to send them direct messages, and vice versa.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Recipient Not Showing Up: If you can’t find the recipient in your list, double-check their username and ensure they haven’t blocked you. It’s also possible they don’t follow you, and their privacy settings prevent messages from non-followers.
• “Sharing Disabled” Message: This means the original creator of the video has disabled the sharing feature. You won’t be able to send the TikTok privately or publicly.
• Message Not Sending: Check your internet connection. A weak or unstable connection can sometimes prevent messages from sending. Restarting the app or your device may also help.

TikTok Private Sharing: FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the process of sharing TikToks privately:

1. Can I send a private TikTok to someone who doesn’t follow me?

It depends on the recipient’s privacy settings. If their account is set to allow messages from anyone, you can send them a TikTok even if they don’t follow you. However, if their settings are restricted to followers only, you won’t be able to send them a message unless they follow you back.

2. How do I know if someone has seen the private TikTok I sent them?

TikTok will usually indicate when a message has been “Seen” with a small indicator below the message bubble in your Direct Messages. Keep in mind that this isn’t always foolproof; sometimes, the recipient may have viewed the message without it registering as “Seen.”

3. Is there a limit to how many people I can send a TikTok to privately?

While TikTok doesn’t explicitly state a hard limit, sending the same TikTok to a large number of people simultaneously could be flagged as spam. It’s best to send it to a smaller, more targeted group of friends or contacts.

4. Can I send a TikTok to someone outside of TikTok?

No, you cannot directly send a TikTok video from the app to someone via SMS, email, or another social media platform within the app. However, you can download the video (if the creator allows it) and then share the downloaded file. You can copy the video link and share that link to other platforms for viewing within TikTok.

5. How do I disable the ability for others to share my TikTok videos privately?

To disable sharing for your videos, go to your Profile, tap the three lines (menu), select Settings and privacy, then Privacy. Under the “Interactions” section, select Direct messages and then limit who can send you messages. To disable sharing for a single specific video, adjust the privacy settings before posting the video.

6. Can I send a TikTok to a group chat?

Yes, you can send a TikTok to a group chat. Simply select the group chat from your list of contacts when sharing the video.

7. What happens if the person I sent the TikTok to deletes their account?

If the recipient deletes their TikTok account, the message containing the TikTok will likely disappear from your conversation history, and they will no longer be able to access the video.

8. Can I unsend a TikTok I sent privately?

Yes, you can unsend a TikTok you sent privately. Simply press and hold the message, then select “Unsend.” Keep in mind that the recipient may have already seen the video before you unsent it.

9. Will the original creator know if I sent their TikTok to someone privately?

No, the original creator will not be notified if you send their TikTok to someone privately through direct messaging. They will only know if you share it publicly.

10. Can I send a “Draft” TikTok privately?

No, you cannot directly send a TikTok that is saved as a “Draft” privately. You must first post the video (even if it’s only visible to you) and then share it privately. You can adjust your privacy settings before posting to limit who can see the video.

11. I accidentally sent a TikTok to the wrong person. What should I do?

The best course of action is to immediately unsend the message (as described above). You might also consider sending a follow-up message to explain the mistake.

12. Are there any third-party apps that allow me to share TikToks more privately?

While there might be third-party apps that claim to offer enhanced privacy features for sharing TikToks, it’s generally not recommended to use them. These apps can pose security risks and may violate TikTok’s terms of service. Stick to using TikTok’s built-in messaging system for sharing videos privately.

Sharing TikToks privately is a straightforward process that allows you to connect with friends and family and share the content you love. By understanding the steps involved and considering the important factors discussed in this guide, you can confidently navigate the world of private sharing on TikTok. Remember to always be mindful of privacy and only share videos with people you trust.