Key Takeaways
- You can use TikTok’s website or mobile browser to watch videos without creating an account.
- You can also use a third-party viewer like Urlebird to explore TikTok content, but beware of poor-quality ads and site performance issues.
- Using TikTok without an account limits interaction with the platform, including liking, commenting, and following.
There is so much content to see on TikTok that you’ll likely find videos that appeal to your unique interests. But if you would rather not create an account on another social media platform, here’s a look at how to use TikTok without the app or an account.
1. Use the TikTok Website on Your PC
You can use a desktop browser to open the TikTok website and watch videos without logging into an account. TikTok doesn’t place any restrictions on the number of videos you can watch without logging in.
A prompt to log in to TikTok will come up from time to time, but you can simply close it and continue watching.
2. Use TikTok’s Mobile Browser Website
Alternatively, you can watch videos on TikTok’s mobile website if you don’t want to use the app but still want to browse on your smartphone.
Opening TikTok on a mobile browser takes you to a For You page. A prompt should come up, asking you to download TikTok Lite or the main TikTok app. Select Not now and continue to watch videos. It will continue to pop up from time to time but you can dismiss it.
There is a limit to how far back you can go into a particular creator’s post history before you are cut off and asked to download TikTok (unlike the desktop site).
You can find trending songs and hashtags on the Discover tab on the mobile website. The mobile interface is closer to the TikTok app than the desktop website.
3. Use a Third-Party TikTok Viewer
If you don’t want TikTok tracking your viewing activity, you can use a third-party viewer website to explore TikTok content. Urlebird is a popular TikTok viewer that shows trending videos and allows you to search for users and hashtags.
The Music tab helps you keep track of trending songs on the platform, and you can download TikTok videos with Downloader. It does have some drawbacks though. For one, trending content is usually not what you want to see and you are not likely to find any useful recommendations.
The website includes a lot of poor-quality ads and the site’s performance is also not always reliable.
Can You Use the TikTok App Without an Account?
The TikTok app doesn’t require users to create and log in to an account and this applies to both TikTok Lite and TikTok. All you need to do is install the app and start watching. The non-lite version of the TikTok app even allows you to choose your preferences.
The Limitations of Using TikTok Without the App or an Account
There are certain merits to using TikTok without logging in. It allows you to browse the platform without sharing as much personal information, it helps you avoid notifications and messages, and it makes it easier to discover new, fresh content.
There are ways to view a person’s TikTok profile anonymously without logging out of your account, so you shouldn’t have to avoid using the app with an account if you don’t want people to see that you’ve viewed their profile. Using TikTok without logging in is not for everyone though, as it has a few key limitations:
- You won’t be able to like and comment on videos, nor can you follow any accounts.
- You also won’t have a watch history without an account, making it hard to re-watch videos you enjoyed.
- You won’t be able to watch TikTok LIVE without creating an account or logging in. LIVE videos will only play for twenty seconds before TikTok asks you to log in.
- You can’t customize your TikTok’s For You page to suit your preferences. However, when using the platform, it does try to personalize some of the recommendations.
It is also important to know that using the TikTok website or app without an account is not completely anonymous. TikTok tracks you even without an account. However, you can clear cookies or delete the app’s cache after each browsing session. You can also try watching on your browser in incognito mode.
Using TikTok without an account means you won’t be able to interact with any of the content you see on the platform. This might lead to a passive and somewhat isolated experience on the platform.
