Fix: TikTok Not Allowing Screen Recording

TikTok doesn’t allow users to make screen recordings of videos in the app by default. This is to protect content and prevent unauthorized distribution.

However, there are some workarounds to get TikTok screen recording working again if you need it for legitimate purposes.

Why TikTok is Not Allowing Screen Recording

TikTok blocks the ability to make screen recordings of the app programmatically through iOS and Android. This prevents people from easily saving, reuploading or distributing TikTok videos without permission.

Why TikTok Restricts Screen Recording

TikTok restricts screen recording capabilities to:

• Protect creator content and copyrights
• Prevent reuploads of videos
• Limit functionality that enables piracy
• Uphold their community guidelines

Without limitations, TikTok videos could easily be recorded then shared elsewhere against the creator’s wishes. This would undermine the hard work creators put into making original videos.

The screen recording block provides creators assurance that their content stays within TikTok as intended. It also gives TikTok control over how videos are shared to other platforms.

When You Might Need To Screen Record on TikTok

There are some legitimate use cases where you might want to record your TikTok screen, such as:

• Making compilation or reaction videos
• Creating tutorial or commentary content
• Sharing a dance or comedy clip with friends
• Using a sound or clip in your own creative project
• Showing TikTok videos for educational, journalistic or analytical purposes

TikTok has pathways like its API and partnerships to enable certain official uses. But for casual personal needs, a workaround is required to capture your screen.

TikTok’s Stance on Unauthorized Screen Recordings

TikTok understands some people will screen record against their guidelines using unofficial methods. In most cases, they tolerate it provided the content stays within personal circles and doesn’t get pirated.

However, they discourage it since it violates their policies and creators’ intentions. Unauthorized recording also carries risk of penalty if discovered or reported.

The safest option is getting explicit permission from creators before recording their content. TikTok creators appreciate being asked first before their work gets repurposed.

Bypassing TikTok’s Screen Recording Block on iOS

iOS has native screen recording capabilities through QuickTime that can override TikTok’s restrictions using AirPlay mirroring.

Enable AirPlay Mirroring in Control Center

To mirror your iPhone or iPad’s display:

1. Open Control Center by swiping down from top right corner.
2. Long press the screen mirroring icon.
3. Choose your Apple TV or Airplay compatible device.

Your iOS device screen will now be wirelessly mirrored to the TV/display.

Start QuickTime Screen Recording

With AirPlay mirroring enabled:

1. Open the QuickTime app on your iOS device.
2. Select File > New Movie Recording.
3. Tap the arrow icon and select your AirPlay device.
4. Hit record to capture the mirrored screen.
5. Open TikTok and play a video. It will record remotely via QuickTime.
6. Stop recording when finished and save the clip.

Through this wireless AirPlay method, you can successfully record your iOS device’s screen including TikTok.

Things to Know About iOS Screen Recording

A few pointers when using AirPlay mirroring to record TikTok:

• Video quality depends on WiFi connection strength.
• Enabling microphone audio will also capture audio.
• Works for iPhone and iPad running iOS 12 or later.
• QuickTime recording limits clip to 10 minutes.
• Third party apps like ScreenRecorder can simplify process.

Though more steps than native screen recording, it works reliably for capturing TikTok screens on iOS.

Recording TikTok Screens on Android

Android has more flexibility for apps to request screen recording permissions. This allows third party apps to enable TikTok screen recording again.

Use AZ Screen Recorder App

One popular option is AZ Screen Recorder. Follow these steps:

1. Download and install AZ Screen Recorder from the Google Play Store.

2. Launch the app and enable permissions as prompted.
3. Select the TikTok icon when asked which app to record.
4. Open TikTok and play a video. It will now record.
5. Tap stop and your TikTok recording will be saved within the AZ app.

AZ Recorder overlays controls for capturing any app, including TikTok. The free version has a time limit but still works great.

Trying Other Android Screen Recording Apps

There are other apps that can also override TikTok’s block using advanced permissions and overlays such as:

• Mobizen Screen Recorder
• ADV Screen Recorder
• Google Play Games
• Loom

Look for overlays, resolution options, and audio controls for the best TikTok recording experience. Test different apps to find your favorite.

Things to Know About Android Screen Recording

When recording TikTok on Android:

• Grant screen overlay permission when prompted.
• Video quality depends on Android OS/device specs.
• Microphone audio also gets captured.
• Watch out for app watermarks or time limits.
• Use a recorder that minimizes performance impact.

With the right app and permissions, screen recording TikTok on Android is straightforward.

Using Desktop Software to Record

For desktop screen recording, Windows and Mac both provide built-in options that work with TikTok web.

Recording on Windows

To record TikTok on a Windows PC:

1. Open the Xbox Game Bar by pressing Windows key + G.
2. Click the camera icon to start screen recording.
3. Play TikTok videos in the browser. It will record your screen.
4. Hit stop and the clip will save to Videos > Captures.

The Xbox Game Bar works great for quick and easy screen recording on Windows 10 and 11.

Recording on Mac

To record TikTok on a Mac:

1. Open QuickTime Player from your Applications folder.
2. Select File > New Screen Recording.
3. When ready, click the Record button.
4. Play TikTok videos in your browser to record.
5. Click Stop when finished. The clip will save instantly.

Mac’s QuickTime Player makes light work of capturing any on-screen activity.

Tips for Desktop TikTok Recording

When using desktop software for TikTok screen recording:

• Use a solid state drive for better performance.
• Close other resource intensive apps.
• Disable sleep/screensaver during recording.
• Select maximum resolution and frame rate.
• Use fullscreen browser mode.
• Enable audio inputs to capture system sound.

With the built-in tools, desktop screen recording gives great results for TikTok.

Using Mobile Screen Recording Apps

Dedicated screen recording apps for iOS and Android typically won’t work with TikTok anymore. But there are still a few specialty apps that may work using accessibility workarounds.

iOS Screen Recorders to Try

A couple iOS apps that may still bypass TikTok’s restrictions:

• AirShou – Uses accessibility features to enable screen recording. Must turn on its services in Settings.
• Reflector 4 – Mirrors screen wirelessly like AirPlay allowing 3rd party recording. More steps but still works.

These leveraging accessibility permissions in clever ways. But TikTok works to block these methods through app updates so results vary.

Android Screen Recording Attempts

Some Android apps try to beat TikTok’s blocks by:

• Enabling developer options – Like turning on USB debugging to keep access.
• Overlay tricks – Floating invisible overlays on the screen to capture taps and screenshots.
• Accessibility workarounds – Similar to iOS tactics by abusing accessibility permissions.

However, TikTok aggressively detects and shuts down these tactics through ongoing security patches. Any success is often short-lived.

Challenges of Specialized Screen Recorders

When trying niche screen recording apps for TikTok:

• Few work reliably as TikTok targets their methods.
• Need to dig through lots of low quality options.
• Features and interfaces are less refined.
• Risk of misusing apps that exploit accessibility needs.
• Ongoing cat-and-mouse game as TikTok fights their workarounds.

Unfortunately most dedicated screen recording apps are now blocked for TikTok. Stick to the mainstream methods covered earlier for best results.

Using a Separate Camera to Record Screen

If all else fails, you can just use an external camera to manually record your screen displaying TikTok.

How to Record TikTok From a Camera

To physically record TikTok from a camera:

1. Place your phone or computer in front of a fixed camera on a stand.
2. Ensure the camera view fully captures the device’s screen.
3. Hit record on the camera while playing TikTok on your device.
4. Keep both screens steady and framed in view.
5. Stop the camera recording when finished capturing the TikTok video.

While very manual, this physically recording your screen guarantees capturing a TikTok no matter what digital blocks are in place.

Tips for Physically Recording TikTok Screens

To get good visual results:

• Use a quality camera with fine resolution.
• Ensure proper lighting to see screens clearly.
• Stabilize both devices to avoid shakes and blurring.
• Frame both screens fully with some minor space around.
• Use clean backdrop with no visual distractions.
• Play TikTok at maximum brightness for best visibility.

While cumbersome, physically recording screens with a camera avoids any digital restrictions.

Getting Permission from TikTok Creators

The best approach when wanting to record and re-share TikTok videos is getting direct permission from the creators.

How to Ask for Permission

To request permission to use someone’s TikTok content:

• Comment on the video politely asking if you can record and repost their content with credit.
• Send a respectful DM explaining your specific need and intent for reusing their creative work.
• Email the creator if possible detailing your project and need to include their content.
• Offer to collaborate or pay them for the right to officially reuse and record their content.

Being upfront allows them to approve and work with you to make it a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Providing Value to Creators

Some ways to provide value to a creator in exchange for reusing their content:

• Give them exposure by featuring their content or linking their TikTok.
• Offer monetary compensation for use of their commercially successful content.
• Let them co-produce or contribute to your planned derivative work featuring their clips.
• Give them credit as the original creator everywhere you reproduce their content.

Building relationships with creators allows ongoing collaboration versus one-off extractions of content.

Respecting Creators When Re-Sharing

Always be respectful when reposting TikTok content, even with permission:

• Credit creators and link their profile.
• Abide by any restrictions or guidelines they request.
• Remain positive and avoid harmful or unapproved contexts.
• Take down their content immediately upon request.

Gaining consent directly from a creator protects their rights and your ability to reuse content fairly and thoughtfully.

Abiding by TikTok Guidelines

If recording TikTok content through unofficial means, be sure to abide by community guidelines:

• Don’t redistribute or reupload full copied videos elsewhere.
• Don’t utilize recordings for harassment, impersonation or deception.
• Don’t utilize content in unethical, dangerous or hateful contexts.
• Don’t use content commercially without formal licensing agreements.
• Delete any unauthorized recordings immediately upon request.

Staying within guidelines helps maintain your account in good standing even when testing restrictions.

Why Screen Recording Still Matters

Responsible TikTok screen recording has valid uses cases despite the barriers:

• Creating inclusive compilations and accessible formats for those unable to use TikTok directly.
• Producing commentary content that transforms clips through critique and analysis.
• Developing best practices by demonstrating techniques from exemplary creators.
• Making reaction mashups or collaborations that intersect communities.
• Documenting events or examining trends unfolding on the platform.
• Scholarship and research on media formats, algorithms, data analysis and culture.
• Acts of political activism like recording evidence of oppression.
• Legal use such as proving infringement, tracking harassment or submitting firsthand documentation.
• Salvaging memories at risk of loss due to bans, blocks or deletions.
• Archiving standout creative works for long-term cultural preservation.

Screen recording enables building upon great ideas while still supporting creators. TikTok has a responsibility to enable fair use and Scrren recording, when done properly, pushes platforms to expand legal protections for transformative reuse.

By understanding the motivations behind restrictions alongside methods to overcome blocks, users can balance creative opportunities with obligations to rights holders. While the tools and policies evolve constantly, the principles for reconciling interests remain timeless foundations.