Is it legal to download TikTok videos?

The short answer

Downloading isn't the main issue — what you do with the video is. Every TikTok is protected by copyright, owned by whoever made it (and, for music, the artists and labels). Keeping a public video to watch yourself is generally treated as low risk. Sharing, reposting or making money from someone else's video without permission is where the legal risk sits.

Usually fine

• Saving your own videos — they're your work.
• Keeping a public video for private, personal viewing, like watching offline.
• Saving a clip for personal reference, such as a recipe or a workout.

Ask first

• Reposting someone else's video on your account, even with credit.
• Using clips in your own videos, compilations or ads.
• Using TikTok music in content you publish.
• Anything commercial: selling, sponsored posts, client work.

Fair use and fair dealing

In the US, fair use can allow limited use for commentary, criticism, news or education, judged on four factors: the purpose, the nature of the work, how much you use, and the effect on the market for the original. In the UK, "fair dealing" is narrower, covering things like criticism, review, quotation and news reporting with sufficient acknowledgement. Neither is automatic, and neither turns reposting into fair use just because you add credit.

TikTok's own rules

TikTok's terms limit how content from its platform can be used and copied. Downloading through third-party tools isn't something TikTok endorses, so treat downloads as personal and respect creators' choices — including when they turn off downloads.

Good habits

• Ask permission before reposting anyone's video.
• Credit clearly — creator name and handle.
• Respect "no downloads" and private settings.
• Honour takedown requests promptly.

Creators who want to stop their videos being downloaded through Tiktokdow can use our DMCA page.