How To Do a Photo Swipe on TikTok in 8 Steps

TikTok’s Photo Swipe feature lets creators share multiple images in a swipeable format, and it’s been quickly gaining momentum. It’s a great choice for telling stories, showcasing highlights, or sharing how-to content. Whether you’re looking to engage your audience with travel photos or quick tutorials, this trend is worth exploring. 

Here’s how to do a Photo Swipe on TikTok in a few easy steps.

What’s TikTok’s Photo Swipe Trend?

Similar to Instagram’s carousel feature, TikTok’s Photo Swipe tool lets you display multiple photos in a single post. When these posts appear on people’s feeds, the platform automatically starts scrolling through the pictures. However, viewers can also swipe manually to control how long the images are on the screen.

This feature is popular among TikTok creators because it’s a great way to tell a story or explain how to do something. People also like to make Photo Swipes that follow themes, such as Y2K phone wallpapers or dress styles.

How To Make a Swipe Slideshow on TikTok: 8 Steps

Creating a Photo Swipe on TikTok is pretty straightforward — here’s how to do the photo thing on TikTok.

Step 1: Open TikTok and Tap the "+" Button

Launch the TikTok app on your device and locate the plus button at the bottom-center of your screen. This is the starting point for creating a new video or post.

Pro tip: Make sure your app is updated to access the latest features, including the Photo Swipe function.

Step 2: Select “Upload” From the Bottom Right

Once on the recording screen, swipe to the “Photo” page, then tap the “Upload” option in the corner to access your device’s media library. This lets you manually select the images or short clips you want to include in your swipe slideshow.

Pro tip: Before starting, organize your photos in a folder to make them easier to find.

Step 3: Choose Multiple Photos

Scroll through your camera roll and select up to 35 pictures to feature. Make sure you do this in the correct order — the app will put a small number in the top-right corner of your photos, and that’s how they’ll appear in the slideshow. Once you're satisfied, click “Next.”

Pro tip: When arranging your photos, think about the narrative you're trying to convey. For instance, a before-and-after video should include the older photos first.

Step 4: Switch to Photo Mode

After selecting your images, TikTok may default to video mode. To enable the Photo Swipe feature, tap “Photo” or “Switch to Photo Mode” at the bottom of the screen. This ensures your slides will display as swipeable images.

Pro tip: If you don’t see the photo mode, look for a small downward-facing arrow at the bottom of the screen. This should pull up the “Photo” and “Video” options.

Step 5: Pick a Background Sound

Tap “Original Sound” at the top of the screen to choose the perfect background music. TikTok has a huge library of trending tracks and sound effects to complement your photos.

Pro tip: Use the timer icon to synchronize your slides with the beat of the music.

Step 6: Add Effects or Text Overlays

Add text, stickers, and filters to each image using the menu on the right-hand side of the screen.

Pro tip: Use overlays sparingly to highlight key points without distracting viewers. For example, include small location tags at the bottom of travel photos — this tells viewers where you took the picture but won’t cover too much of the image.

Step 7: Include Final Details

When you’re finished editing, tap “Next.” From this final screen, you can choose your cover photo, create a caption, and write hashtags. Other settings are available, too, such as turning off comments or changing who can view the post. 

Step 8: Post Your Photo Swipe

Once you’re done, tap the “Post” button, and your slideshow will go live.

Pro tip: Timing matters on TikTok, so post during peak engagement hours to get more views. For even better reach, try pairing your photo swipe with TikTok’s trending challenges or hashtags.

5 Ways to Do the Photo Swipe Trend

Looking for creative ways to use TikTok's Photo Swipe feature? Here are five ideas to inspire your next post.

1. Travel Photo Highlights

Share your favorite travel moments in a swipeable sequence. From scenic views to candid shots, a Photo Swipe lets you present your journey in a way that feels immersive and personal. Add brief captions to give your audience context or include location tags to inspire their next adventure.

2. Before-and-After Transformations

Highlight your progress by displaying before-and-after photos. This works well for projects like home renovations, fitness journeys, or artistic creations. Use text overlays to label each photo, guiding viewers through the transformation step by step.

3. Event Recaps

Give your audience a glimpse of an event by compiling key moments into a photo slideshow. Show everything from decorations and food to candid guest interactions. To bring the sequence to life, include captions and music.

4. Tutorials or Step-by-Step Guides

Break down a process, such as recipes or DIY projects, into swipeable steps. Each photo can focus on a specific stage of the process, with text overlays to explain what’s happening and make it easy to follow.

5. Themed Posts

Upload a series of images that follow a theme, such as your favorite foods or dog pictures. You can also chop one long image into multiple pieces so viewers reveal more of the photo as they swipe. This is an easy way to create an aesthetic TikTok post and share a little bit about yourself with your followers.

Improve Your TikTok Creations With Captions

Photo Swipes are a fun and straightforward way to encourage viewer interactions. However, simply following a format isn’t enough to grab attention — you also need to create high-quality, well-edited content. If you’re ready to make your TikToks more engaging, try Captions. 

Start by creating new posts with our AI TikTok Video Generator. Once you’re finished, refine your content automatically using the TikTok Video Editor. Enhance every upload with effects, transitions, and background music — no editing skills required.

Start using Captions today to improve your presence on TikTok.

FAQs

How Do I Turn On Photo Mode on TikTok?

To activate photo mode on TikTok, tap the "+" button, upload your photos, and then tap “Photo” or "Switch to photo mode" on the editing screen. This will display your pictures in a swipeable format.

Can I Add Text or Effects to Photos in a TikTok Photo Swipe?

Yes, you can add text and effects to each photo in your TikTok photo swipe. After selecting your pictures, use TikTok’s editing tools to add text overlays, filters, and effects to enhance your content before posting.

What’s the Best Way To Create a Before-and-After Photo Swipe on TikTok?

To make a before-and-after photo swipe, upload the images in the correct order and describe the transformation using text or captions. You can also add background music to make the video more dynamic.