You open the Share menu on a TikTok and the Save video button is missing or greyed out. That is not a bug: the creator has turned off downloads for their videos. It is one of the most searched TikTok questions, so here is what is going on and what you can still do.
Want the video now? Paste the link below and press Download, or open the full TikTok downloader.
Free, no signup. Tip: press Ctrl+V anywhere on this page, or drop a link on it.
Why the TikTok save option is disabled
- The creator turned off downloads in their privacy settings. This is the usual reason.
- The video uses licensed music that TikTok does not allow to be saved in some regions.
- Accounts of younger users have downloads switched off by default.
- The video is an ad or a promoted post.
How to download a TikTok when saving is disabled
The Copy link button usually stays available even when Save is off. As long as the video is public, PullClip can read it from the link.
- Tap Share and choose Copy link.
- Paste it into the PullClip TikTok downloader.
- Press Download and choose the No watermark row.
- Tap Save.
If Copy link is also missing, open the video on tiktok.com in a browser and copy the address from the address bar instead.
Respect the creator’s choice
When a creator turns off downloads, they are telling you they do not want their video shared outside TikTok. Saving it to watch later yourself is one thing; reposting it is another. Do not re-upload these videos, and never remove credit from them. If you want to share it, share the TikTok link so the creator still gets the views.
Turning downloads on or off for your own videos
- Open your Profile and tap the menu (three lines).
- Go to Settings and privacy, then Privacy.
- Open Downloads and switch it on or off.
Menu names can change slightly between app versions, but the Downloads switch has stayed under Privacy for a long time.
When it still will not download
- Private account: only public videos can be read.
- Deleted video: nothing left to fetch.
- Photo slideshow: save the sound as MP3 instead.
For the full walkthrough on every device, read how to download TikTok videos without watermark. Only after the sound? See TikTok to MP3 320kbps.
TikTok save video without watermark
Even when the Save button works, TikTok adds a moving logo and the creator’s name to the file. The PullClip TikTok downloader saves the video without that watermark, in the best quality TikTok has. If you repost it, credit the creator in your caption, since the watermark is no longer there to do it for you.
Saved in TikTok vs downloaded
| Favourites in TikTok | Downloaded MP4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it lives | Inside the TikTok app | Your gallery or Files |
| Works offline | No | Yes |
| If the video is deleted | Gone | You still have it |
| Share outside TikTok | As a link | As a file |
Tapping the bookmark icon in TikTok only adds the video to your Favourites list. It does not put a file on your phone.
TikTok saver on a computer
On tiktok.com, open the video, copy the address, then open PullClip and press Ctrl+V. The MP4 goes to your Downloads folder. To get it onto your phone, click Send to phone and scan the QR code.
Only want the sound?
If saving is disabled because you want a sound, convert the video to MP3 instead. See TikTok to MP3.
On iPhone and Android
The steps are the same on both: copy the link from the Share menu, paste it into PullClip in Safari or Chrome and save. On iPhone the video goes to Files first; our iPhone guide shows how to move it to Photos. On Android it lands in the Download folder and your gallery.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I save some TikTok videos?
The creator has turned off downloads, the video uses licensed music, or it belongs to a younger user’s account.
Can I still download it?
If the video is public, paste its link into PullClip. Please respect the creator and do not repost it.
How do I turn off downloads for my own TikToks?
Profile, menu, Settings and privacy, Privacy, Downloads, then switch it off.
Will the creator know?
No. PullClip does not use your TikTok account.
Is a downloaded TikTok saved without a watermark?
Yes. PullClip saves TikTok videos without the moving TikTok logo.
Can I save a TikTok from a private account?
No. Only public videos can be downloaded.
Does the TikTok downloader work on iPhone?
Yes. Use it in Safari; the MP4 is saved to the Files app.