Like the musical duet, they can include people who harmonize together. But the Duet on TikTok goes far beyond that, with people using it to react to videos, create dialogs, or even Duet with themselves.
The TikTok duet tool is easy to use and can be a lot of fun. Our guide will explain how to do a Duet on TikTok, with everything you need to know to get started.
What Is a Duet on TikTok?
You already know that you can identify this type of video by the split in the middle, but let’s dig in a little deeper. Duets don’t happen in real-time, rather they start with an original video, which users can create a follow-up or response to.
You can only Duet with TikTokers who allow that in their preferences. Users may choose to turn off the feature if they want to preserve the authenticity of their message, if they think that they might get nasty Duets, or if they want it to simply be a standalone piece of content. Or they may only allow duets with followers that they follow back.
Another restriction is that you can’t replace the sound of the original video, only add to it. But why would you? The whole point is to make an integrated creation of something new and exciting.
How to Duet on TikTok
So how do you Duet on TikTok? The first step is to locate a video that you want to collaborate with. For those who are absolute beginners, it’s best to read how to make a TikTok video first.
If you want to collaborate with someone else, you can search for phrases like “duet with me”, “duet this”, or other similar combinations. Most of these will be videos where the creator wants you to partner with them.
If you come across a video that you know you have something to add to, you can also see if it’s open to Duets.
Once you have found the video that you want to create a TikTok Duet with, follow these steps:
Tap the Share button on the bottom right of the screen. It’s the one shaped like a curvy arrow. In the popup window, select the Duet button. As long as it’s not gray, you’re good to go (sometimes it may be gray and still works, so always tap if you want to be sure). The following screen shows the original video next to the one from your camera.
The next part of the process involves recording your part of the Duet. This is where the fun starts…
Here’s how to add your video to the TikTok Duet:
First, pick your layout with the Layout button on the right menu. It can either be the classic side-by-side, a green screen (which shows the video behind you), a reaction (at the corner of the screen), or top & bottom. After you pick, either press the Back button or tap away from the layout options, depending on your phone model. Tap the red Record button to start recording your reaction. After you’re finished, you can add filters and effects. When you’re done, tap the V. On this screen, you can add a voiceover, text, stickers, and even more effects. Tap Next again. In the final screen, you can set the caption, hashtags, and post. It will automatically include the handle of the person you created the Duet with.
If you don’t like what you recorded, you can always go back and try again.
How to Do a Duet on TikTok With Yourself
You can also create a Duet on TikTok with yourself. The easiest way to Duet with yourself is to pick a video from your profile and follow the same steps above. However, the original video for the Duet doesn’t have to be fully published.
The first half of your Duet may be something you don’t want to share with the world. In some cases, it’s not interesting enough on its own or looks odd without the other half of the Duet.
In that case, you should go through the following steps to first create a private video:
Tap the + button to create a new video. Go through all the steps—such as adding filters, effects, stickers, etc. —until you are satisfied with the results. On the final screen, before posting, change the settings for who can see this video to Only Me. Make sure that you also enable Duets. Post the video.
Then, to create your Duet with yourself, you will use your private video as the first half.
To start the Duet with yourself using this video, follow these steps:
In your profile, go to the private videos tab and open the video you want to Duet. Tap the three dots on the right side of the screen, which opens a pop-up. Tap Duet, and follow the steps for creating a regular Duet.
Why Would You Want to Duet on TikTok?
TikTok has a lot of interesting features, like Stitching another TikTok video and TikTok Q&A that allows people to ask you questions, so what makes the Duet unique? The first reason is purely artistic—if you feel inspired and want to contribute. As we’ve mentioned, you can react to a video with your own opinion or a different point of view.
You can sing along to other singers (even famous ones), dance alongside other TikTokers, experiment with challenges, or create a whole new interpretation. Some use it as a way to collaborate with people they know, while not needing to be in the same space.
A TikTok Duet with yourself can provide a myriad of opportunities to innovate and create viral videos. You can act across yourself, create a dance routine with two people performed by just one, or harmonize with yourself.
One more important reason for you to Duet on TikTok is the chance to gain new followers and exposure. If the original video you choose to respond to is performing well, you may get the opportunity to appear in front of a whole new audience.
On the opposite side of this equation, you can try to create a video that other people want to Duet with, by suggesting challenges or just writing it in the captions. When others choose to Duet with you, your username will appear in their caption, which can generate more traffic to your profile.
Start Doing Duets on TikTok
With any TikTok video, it’s hard to tell what has a chance to go viral and what will flop. Even if you choose the most popular video to Duet on TikTok with, and do your best, it may not pay off. In other cases, the most simple Duets, like a person watching a video, can gain a million views.
The more you experiment and try new things, the higher the chances of success. You can also learn a lot by just watching other TikTok Duets and seeing what works. Either way, after you learn how to do a duet on TikTok, the process can be just as fun as the result.
