How to Do Text to Speech on Tiktok
What do TikTok tutorials, sketches, and most viral videos have in common?
They use text to speech.
The text to speech option on TikTok allows creators to add a unique voice to all their videos.
In a way, it makes every TikTok video feel more authentic.
So how do you add text to speech to a TikTok video?
It’s just like adding closed captions to a video.
If you want to give more personality to your videos, here’s all you need to about this feature:
- How to do text to speech on TikTok.
- How to change the text to speech voice.
- When to use the text to speech feature.
How to Do Text to Speech on TikTok
The text to speech feature allows users to make a voiceover without actually recording one.
The beauty of the feature is that you don’t have to record many takes to have a perfect audio track.
You just need to write your words beforehand, and you can modify them at any time during the creative process.
Note: If you aren’t sure about how to add a text box, learn how to add text to TikTok first.
TikTok’s text to speech feature works in the same way. The app has implemented new features to make it easier to edit and make captions.
Now, here’s our step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Open Your TikTok App
Start by ensuring your TikTok app is up to date, so you have the feature enabled.
Then, open the app.
Step 2: Create Your TikTok
Press the + icon on the bottom center of your screen.
Now, you’ll need to record a new video.
Make sure to create a video that works with the TikTok text to speech feature.
When you start recording, make sure the video is long enough for the text you want to write.
If the video is short and you use too many words, the voice may not finish speaking.
You usually use the voice when you want to explain something on a TikTok video.
After you have edited video is done, next:
Step 3: Select Text To Speech
After you have finished recording, tap next.
Here, you’ll be able to add text.
To do so, tap the text icon on the bottom of the screen.
Write your desired text.
Next, long-press the text and then tap text to speech.
The default voice will start reading out loud word for word.
The voice has a set duration, and you can’t change the audio speed.
Step 4: Publish Your Video
Now, upload and post your video.
Remember that you can combine text to speech with other popular TikTok features, like green screen or duet videos.
Avoid using the text-to-speech setting whenever you are using background music as well.
That’s because the audio might get messy, and your viewers could have trouble understanding what they hear.
How To Change The Text To Speech Voice
TikTok changed the original voice actor because of a lawsuit back in mid-May.
The original voice actor supposedly worked for a state-backed Chinese Institute program and not the app.
Specifically, the automated voice was recorded for the acoustics research body, but TikTok decided to convert those recordings into “text to speech.”
That’s why you can’t get a Siri-like voice read anymore.
But not a lot of users like the new voice artist.
That’s why some TikTok users use third-party apps for editing their videos.
They are trying to emulate the original voice.
But we do not recommend you do this, as those apps can mess with your phone.
It’s better to upload TikToks directly from the app.
When To Use The Text To Speech Feature
You don’t always want to use the voice feature on TikTok.
If the background audio is already loud, your viewers won’t even understand the voice.
Instead, use TikTok text to speech whenever you want to explain the context of a situation or to give a voice to an animal or thing that doesn’t have one.
- When you don’t want to read aloud instructions yourself.
- When you want to give a voice to an internal monolog.
- You want your video to reach more people.
Whenever you are editing your next video, remember that most users watch videos on the platform because they are fun.
And that’s the most important thing about posting videos on the TikTok website. Always have fun.
Have fun when editing a video, when you search for ideas, and when you make a new sound.
But especially, try to have fun when using the text to speech on TikTok.
Text To Speech on TikTok FAQ
Where Can I Find The Text To Speech Feature?
The add text to speech feature is just adding regular text to TikTok videos.
Content creators use text to speech to add context and as closed captions.
Karen is a senior technical writer and copywriter at Hypegrowth. Her area of expertize are social media apps and new media.