How to Make a Slideshow on TikTok

Did you know you can post still images on TikTok instead of videos? Still-image slideshows are not exclusive to platforms like Facebook and Instagram anymore.

While TikTok is famous for its short videos, you can make a real impact if you know how to put a slideshow together properly.

The Basics of Creating a Slideshow

Slideshows are great for entertainment, and they’re also very easy to make. Even if you have only created videos before, the following steps will have you making slideshows before you know it.

All you need to do is:

• Open TikTok and tap on the + button. This will launch the in-app editor.
• Go to ‘Templates’ and choose one you like. The template you use should fit the style of the images and text you want to use.
• Ideally, you should find a template that can fit all your photos. If you choose a template with too few slots, you will have to split your slideshow into different parts.
• Upload the photos you want to use and arrange them in the order you want them to appear in the slideshow.
• You can add the same extras to your slideshow as a video. These include music, voiceovers, and stickers. You’ll notice a preselected music track comes with your template, but you can change this.
• Add a caption to your slideshow and include up to five hashtags.
• Post your completed slideshow to your page.

You can choose either a swipeable or non-swipeable template for your slideshow.

Non-swipeable means the images will automatically transition. You should select this option if you are telling a story.

Swipeable means viewers can swipe through the different slides at their own pace.

Why Should You Post Slideshows on TikTok?

You may wonder why you should bother with slideshows since most people create videos instead.

The best reason to use a slideshow now and then is to give your audience a different content experience.

Slideshows are especially effective for emotional storytelling. You’ll see lots of content creators going through health issues use slideshows to detail their recovery journey.

You can also use a slideshow to tell the story of your brand or business. Each photo represents a different stage of your business.

For instance, your first photo can depict the ribbon cutting at your brick-and-mortar store.

The second photo can show your first customer buying a product in the store, and so on. You want to use each slide as a chapter in the story you tell your followers.

Furthermore, using one static image instead of a slideshow may be easier. Still, the swipe effect and other special effects draw more viewers. This is why slideshows are always more viewed than static posts.

Slideshows are also very easy to create compared to videos. All you need are images or video clips, and it will take you a minimal amount of time to assemble the slides.

Remember that the TikTok algorithm favors moving content (transitions and slides) over static content. As you add these features to your content, you increase your profile’s visibility on TikTok.

How to Create a TikTok Slideshow That Stands Out

Just because a slideshow is easier to make than a video doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put some effort into it. If you want your slideshow to stand out, ensure the following are in place:

• You should only use high-quality photos or images.

  If the slides are blurry, people will not bother watching to the end. If you use your own photos, make sure they are bright and clear.

• Don’t use too many images in one slideshow.

  In most instances, six to ten images should do the trick. When you add more than ten images, people may abandon the slideshow halfway through.

• Don’t make the mistake of using the wrong music.

  It is important to add a backtrack or sounds that suit the message of the slideshow. For instance, you don’t want a funeral march for a slideshow about funny cats.

  
  

  That may sound strange, but TikTok is full of slideshows with music elements that make no sense.

• You must organize your photos to follow your storyline.

  This means you must have a start, middle, and end to create a narrative that people can follow. If your story is muddled or unclear, people won’t continue swiping through or watching your slideshow.

• Don’t post your first attempt at a slideshow.

  If you have never created a slideshow before, you should experiment with a couple of ideas before posting anything.

  
  

  You can also try special effects and transitions to see what flows best with your storyline.

  
  

  If you don’t know where to start, try emulating a current trend. That may spark some ideas for creating a unique slideshow.

• Don't forget the hashtags.

  Remember to add hashtags to your slideshow before posting so more people can find it on TikTok.

Slideshow Troubleshooting

You may experience some issues when you create a TikTok slideshow for the first time. Here are some of the most common problems and how to fix them.

• App updates

  If you don’t update your TikTok app regularly, you may miss out on improvements that affect the slideshow creation process. Regular updates will also ensure you can use the latest editing tools and transitions for your slideshows.

• Incorrect photo formats

  Use only JPEG or PNG images for your slideshows. It is easier to maintain high resolutions with these formats. You should also size your images to 1080 x 1920 pixels so they don’t lose crispness on another device.

• Freezing or crashing

  If the TikTok app keeps crashing or freezing when you try to upload a slideshow, restart it. If that doesn’t work, delete the app and reinstall it. You might also need to restart your phone or tablet to clear background processes interfering with the app.

Creating Slideshows in 2025

You can do so much with a handful of photos and a TikTok slideshow template. Whether you choose a swipeable or non-swipeable template, you can make the most of this content format in 2025.

Experiment with transitions, sounds, music, and hashtags, and you will soon have your audience asking for more of your content.