What Is TikTok Now and How Does It Work?

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Carolyn Howell

Last Updated: May 21, 2024

TikTok 101
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What is TikTok Now, and why is everyone using it? The Now feature on TikTok is a newly launched one and is often compared to the famous ‘BeReal’ application. The app reminds you to capture snaps from your front and back camera at a specific time. It, however, has a few different attributes which make it stand out.

It gives you a chance to stay connected with your friends, alongside your followers and grow your audience. This feature is a great way to revolutionize the entire experience. Stick around to find out more.

A girl in a black outfit recording a TikTok Video.

What Is TikTok Now App?

The question of the century: What is TikTok Now App, the new feature everyone is talking about? TikTok Now is a new feature allowing users to capture real-time moments using their front and back cameras. It provides a daily prompt for users to share a 10-second video or a static photo with their friends. It is available within the standard app or as a standalone app, depending on the region. Active users can only see the posts for a limited time. They can view them only after they have posted their posts for the day.

Users must be at least 13 years old (14 in South Korea and Indonesia) to use it. It is similar to the French app BeReal, which encourages authenticity by prompting users to capture unfiltered photos randomly. It offers a longer time period of three minutes for users to prepare their uploads than BeReal’s two minutes. It is available in the normal app in the US. In other parts of the world, it is a separate app.

Three people recording a dance video for TikTok.

What Is TikTok Now’s Difference With BeReal?

Since everyone compares both apps so much, you may be wondering what is TikTok Now’s difference from the BeReal app. The main differences between the two apps are minimal. In BeReal, you can customize your emoji reactions with ‘RealMojis,’ capturing the essence of the chosen emoji in a photo. It’s fun because the creators can see these reactions, including the customized ones.

BeReal has two feeds, “My Friends” and “Discovery,” which you can only access by posting a BeReal photo. TikTok Now follows a similar concept with its “Now” feed, but it doesn’t have a discovery option and only shows posts from your followers.

The “For You” page on TikTok mainly focuses on favorite videos. So, it’s unlikely to include “Now” photos, but the ten-second videos have potential. Unlike BeReal, it allows you to create 10-second videos too.

When it’s time to post, BeReal prompts you with “It’s time to BeReal,” while TikTok Now uses “It’s Time to Now” for its daily countdown. BeReal keeps photo sharing limited to a small circle of close friends. TikTok Now lets you share your posts with a wider audience, although it defaults to sharing with friends. It is giving BeReal a run for its money, and in some countries, it even has its own separate app.

What Is TikTok Now’s Differences With Snapchat?

Snapchat is also an application that revolves around capturing pictures and videos and sharing them with friends. Hence, you may be wondering what is TikTok Now’s difference with Snapchat. Like TikTok Now, Snapchat enables friends to keep in touch through photos/videos that you can send whenever you like. If you send your friends a ‘snap’ every day, you can create a ‘Snapchat streak’ with them.

You can also share a snap with all your friends on Snapchat by posting it to your story. You can also add to the Snapchat spotlight or snap map which shares your snap with more users.

The only major difference between the two is that Snapchat does not prompt users to take photos. It is not necessary for you to take a snap each day or at a specific time. You can send snaps whenever you like and at any time convenient.

What Is Now on TikTok and Do I Need a TikTok Account to Use It?

Here are some other questions you may have: What is the now feature on TikTok? Do I need to have a TikTok account to use it?

To answer that, yes, you must be a previous user to use the Now feature. It’s important to note that the availability of the app may vary by region. In regions where the TikTok Now standalone app is available, there’s no need to download the app separately. However, you still need to create an account.

To begin using the app, follow these steps to sign up or log in:

  1. Download the app from either the Google Play Store or the App Store.
  2. Once you install the app, open it on your device. Here are the options you’ll see:

  • If you’re new to TikTok, you can create an account that will work for both the normal and standalone app. Simply tap the ‘Sign-up’ button at the bottom of the screen and follow the instructions to set up your account.
  • You can log in using your existing credentials if you already have an account. Tap the Start button if you want to use the account you’re currently logged into on your device. Alternatively, choose the Other TikTok accounts option to log in using a different account.

By following these steps, you can easily sign up or log in to the app. 

A girl in a blue sweatshirt recording a TikTok on her smartphone.

What Is TikTok Now Used For?

Are you wondering what is TikTok Now used for? Well, the feature is excellent because it works independently and has all the features you love from the regular app. From creating TikTok challenges, and participating in trends to posting videos, you’ll have access to all. Plus, it even has an Explore feed to discover new stuff. You can use it by itself or alongside the TikTok app, whichever you prefer.

The best part is that creating an account automatically links it with the TikTok Now app. That means you can stay logged in and easily switch back and forth between the two apps. 

The essential use of the TikTok Now app is to stay in touch with your friends through a daily post. Therefore, you can stay connected with your friends regardless of your busy schedule. Stay updated with their lives, even if you don’t have time to chat. It’s as simple as that.

What Is the Now Button on TikTok and How to Use It?

Since you know What Is the Now Button on TikTok, let’s teach you the correct way to use TikTok Now. To share a TikTok Now, you have a few options. Firstly, you can tap the daily push notification. Alternatively, you can tap the prompt in the Now feed if you’re using the normal app. Some users might find the Now option in the Friends Tab. The prompt can be found in the Friends feed for those using the standalone app.

You can capture a photo or video once you’ve accessed the feature. The app will prompt you to grant access to the camera and microphone. You’ll have a three-minute window to take a photo or video using front and back cameras. After capturing the content, you can review it and delete or retake it.

It’s important to note that the three-minute countdown continues during this review period. Once satisfied, tap the Post button to share. Your post will appear in the Now feed within the TikTok app or the Friends feed within the standalone app. Your friends will then receive notifications about it. You can also post multiple times in a single day.

Remember, when taking a post, the front, and back cameras are in use. It’s essential to be considerate of those around you and your location. Avoid posting content in sensitive areas or places where people expect privacy. Additionally, ensure that any content you post aligns with the Community Guidelines. This helps create a welcoming, safe, and enjoyable experience for everyone.

A person holding a smartphone and clicking on the TikTok app.

Where to Access TikTok Nows

You may be wondering, What is TikTok Now and how to access it? These ways may also vary if you’re accessing the app through the standalone app or the normal app. To access posts, you can find them in the following sections:

To access TikTok Nows from the normal app, you can use the:

  • Now feed: Discover TikTok Nows from your friends and suggested accounts in the community. You can find it on the main screen.
  • Memories: Access all your posts by tapping the Now memories button at the top of the screen.

To access TikTok Nows from the standalone app, you can use the:

  • Friends feed: Stay updated with TikTok Nows from your mutual friends and suggested accounts.
  • Explore feed: Explore public posts created by creators in your region.
  • Memories: View all your posts conveniently in one place.

These different areas provide a variety of posts to enjoy and keep track of your memorable moments.

Want to Find and Connect With More Friends on TikTok Now? Here’s How:

If you want to connect with more friends on TikTok Now, you can easily do so. First, try telling your friends what is TikTok now and convince them to join the app. Additionally, you can make new friends who are already on the platform. 

In the normal app, go to your profile, tap the Menu button, and select Settings and Privacy. From there, you can control suggested accounts by toggling the Sync contacts and Facebook friends settings. You can even remove previously synced contacts. You can also use the ‘Add friends’ button to discover contacts, invite friends, and follow suggested accounts.

In the standalone app, it’s just as easy. Tap your profile photo, the Menu button, and go to Privacy to manage the Sync contacts and Facebook friends settings. Alternatively, tap the ‘Add friends’ button to explore different methods for connecting with friends.

Remember, if TikTok disables access to your phone contacts, it will also disable contact syncing. However, it may still suggest accounts from your previously synced contacts. To remove all synced contacts and stop contact syncing on all devices, simply use the Remove previously synced contacts. This option can be found in the Sync contacts and Facebook friends setting.

So go ahead, find and connect with more friends to make your experience even more fun and engaging!

A man recording a TikTok video of himself.

What Is TikTok Now and How to Delete One?

Since the timeframe for capturing a post is less, you may want to delete a picture if not taken properly. Here’s how you can do so.

If you’re using the TikTok app and want to delete a post, follow these steps:

  1. Tap the Share button located at the top of your app.
  2. Select the option to Delete.
  3. Confirm the deletion by tapping Delete again.

For users of the TikTok Now app, the process to delete a post is slightly different:

  1. Tap your profile photo located at the bottom of the app.
  2. Navigate to the specific post you wish to delete.
  3. Tap the More options button positioned at the top of the app.
  4. Choose the option to Delete.

By following these steps, you can easily remove a TikTok Now post from either the normal or the standalone app.

What Is TikTok Now: Revolutionizing the TikTok Experience

TikTok Now is a feature that lets users capture real-time moments and share them with friends. You can use it within the TikTok app or as a standalone app. What the now feature on TikTok offers a longer time frame for capturing and preparing uploads than BeReal. It requires a TikTok account, and you can easily sign up or log in.

Sharing a TikTok Now post involves capturing, reviewing, and posting it to the Now or Friends feed. The app allows for seamless switching between TikTok and TikTok Now. Overall, TikTok Now enhances the experience by enabling real-time sharing and staying connected with friends.

The TikTok Now app allows you to increase your followers on TikTok and reach a better audience. The best way to gain a well-targeted audience is using the help of a TikTok growth service, like High Social. 

This will certainly give you an invaluable advantage and help you accelerate your organic growth on the platform. Make sure you reach the right viewers to build genuine and meaningful connections with the help of High Social. Start growing your TikTok today!

TikTok 101