Can You Send Pictures on TikTok? Account Hacks

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Carolyn Howell

Last Updated: Jul 19, 2024

TikTok 101

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Videos still reign supreme on TikTok, but the platform also makes space for image and text posts on feeds and Stories. But can you send pictures on TikTok? 

There’s a way to share photos with your contacts on TikTok. However, it’s different from how you usually do it on other platforms. 

Keep reading to learn more!

A group of young people with paint on their faces takes a photo together.

Can You Send Photos on TikTok?

Aside from creating image posts, can you send images on TikTok via direct messages (DM) or comments? Unlike other social media platforms, TikTok has no direct option to share pictures via the inbox or the comments section. There’s a way to do it; but the photo has to come from a TikTok image post. 

How To Send a Picture on TikTok

Want to know how to send a picture on TikTok? Take note that you can only send a photo from a post. You will have to create an image post first, then share it via TikTok Direct Messages

Follow these steps:

  1. From your image post, tap the Share button. 
  2. The top row of the Share to options will show you suggested TikTok contacts. Scroll through it and select a contact or friend to message with the image. Or tap More/the magnifying glass icon to view more contacts. 
  3. Type your message and then hit Send. Typing a message is optional. 

What if you want to keep the image/s private? You can customize your image post’s audience. However, your selected contact has to belong to the post’s custom audience. 

If your selected contact is a TikTok Friend (a follower you follow back), you can select Friends as your custom audience. This means your other Friends can also view the image post. 

Can you send a picture on TikTok from another account’s post? Yes! Just follow the same steps above. Alternatively, you can select the Copy link option and send the link via the direct message icon. 

You can only share public image posts or posts from private accounts both you and your contact are following. Again, the post’s privacy settings will determine its accessibility to your chosen contact. 

When the recipient taps the image you sent, it will take them to the original post. 

High Social’s screenshots show how to send an image post via Direct Message on TikTok.

How To Comment Pictures on TikTok

How do you post a photo in TikTok comments? TikTok only allows users to share a photo via the comments section as a reply to another comment. 

Here’s how to comment pictures on TikTok:

  1. On the video where you want to post a photo, tap the Comments icon. 
  2. Select a comment you want to reply to, then tap Reply
  3. Tap the video camera icon in the comment box. This will launch the in-app camera.
  4. Tap Photo, then take a new picture using the camera. Or tap Upload to select a photo from your device gallery. 
  5. Post your reply. 

Want to learn a trick for sending a picture in the comments section? First, comment on the post. And then, reply to your own comment with a photo. 

High Social’s screenshot shows how to send a photo in a comment on TikTok.

Can You Send a Picture on TikTok Messages? And Other Frequently Asked Questions

Does TikTok have a photo sharing option?

TikTok’s photo mode or image post is the app’s only direct photo-sharing option. You can share multiple photos on TikTok via an image post. 

If you want to send photos to your contacts via DM, the photos must come from a TikTok post. You can send an image post via the Share button. 

Does TikTok allow photos?

Yes, TikTok allows photos on the feed and in Stories. You can post images via video mode/carousel or photo mode/manual swiping

Can you send videos from camera roll on TikTok?

As with sending photos, you can’t send videos straight from your camera roll to your TikTok contacts. You’ll have to go through the same process as sharing image posts via DM or comments.

You will first have to create a post from your video, then use the post’s share option. 

How do you create an image post on TikTok?

The process of creating an image post is the same as when creating a video post. You’ll have access to the same editing tools, including the Add sound feature. 

You can share a single image or multiple photos in a carousel. A single TikTok image post appears for up to ten seconds, while a carousel post can include up to 35 images. 

High Social’s screenshot shows how to share an image post via the Copy link option on TikTok.

Can You Send Pictures on TikTok? Communicate With a Stronger Impact

For creators or brands, image posts on TikTok allow them to focus their audience’s attention on specific content details. This is especially helpful when promoting products or sharing a step-by-step visual guide. 

Don’t limit yourself to video posts on the platform; sometimes, you can make a stronger impact on your viewers by using images!

Can you send pictures on TikTok? Yes, but only from an image post. However, the option gives you another option to promote a post and share it with more audiences. Are you looking for expert help connecting with users who are likely to engage with your content and hit your follow button? Sign up for a High Social plan! 

Sharpen your targeting power with High Social’s advanced, proprietary AI technology. It works perfectly alongside TikTok’s recommendation algorithm — instantly doubling your audience-targeting capability. Deliver your content to more viewers whose interests align with what you have to offer.

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TikTok 101