How to Change Your Cover Photo on TikTok

Choosing the right cover photo for your TikTok video is a tiny detail that makes a huge difference. An eye-catching cover can be the single reason a user stops scrolling and taps on your video, so getting it right is a big deal. This guide is a complete walkthrough on how to change your cover photo for new drafts and videos you've already posted, plus our best strategies for picking a cover that actually earns you more views.

Why Your TikTok Cover Photo Is More Important Than You Think

Most creators focus 99% of their energy on the video itself and treat the cover photo as an afterthought. That's a mistake. The cover is your video's packaging, its headline, and its first impression all rolled into one. Before your amazing video has a chance to win someone over, the cover does the initial work of stopping them in their tracks.

Here’s why it’s so vital to get right:

• It’s Your Profile Grid’s First Impression: Your profile is a mosaic of all your cover photos. When new followers (or potential brand partners) land on your page, they scan this grid to decide if you're worth following. A messy, inconsistent grid with blurry or random covers suggests low effort. A clean, cohesive grid with clear, engaging covers looks professional and tells people you have a strong brand identity.
• It Hooks Viewers from Search and Profile Visits: If someone finds your video through a search or comes to your profile to see more, the cover is what compels them to click. A great cover with clear text or an interesting image acts like a mini-poster, promising value or entertainment. For example, a video series with covers labeled "Part 1," "Part 2," and "Part 3" is far more likely to get binge-watched.
• It Works for the For You Page: While the FYP auto-plays, the static cover image is still the first thing a user mentally registers. A bright, clear, and intriguing shot is more likely to pause a thumb that's endlessly scrolling. In a sea of content, your cover has a split second to make an impact.

How to Change Your Cover Photo Before Posting

Thankfully, TikTok makes it incredibly simple to select the perfect cover photo for a new video during the upload process. You have full control to either pick the best frame from the video or use one of TikTok’s stylish templates.

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Record or Upload Your Video Content

Start your post as you normally would. Either record your video directly in the TikTok app or upload a pre-edited clip from your camera roll.

Step 2: Proceed to the Final Posting Screen

Once you’ve added your sounds, text overlays, and filters, tap the “Next” button. This takes you to the final screen where you write your caption, add hashtags, and tag other users. This is also where the cover-selection happens.

Step 3: Tap on "Select Cover"

Look at the top right of the "Post" screen. You’ll see a small preview thumbnail of your video. Superimposed on this thumbnail are the words "Select cover." Tap on it to open the cover selection interface.

Step 4: Choose Your Perfect Cover Image

This screen is where you get to work. You have two main ways to create your cover:

Option 1: Scrub Through the Filmstrip

At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see a filmstrip of your entire video. A pink box will be highlighting one frame. Simply drag this box left or right to scrub through the video timeline. As you move it, the main image preview above will update to show you exactly what that frame looks like.

Tips for picking a good frame:

• Avoid Blur: Find a moment where the action is clear and sharp. Motion blur makes for a sloppy-looking cover.
• Look for High Emotion or Action: Pick a frame that is an emotional peak - a huge smile, a look of surprise, or the climax of an action.
• Find a Frame That Explains the Video: If your video is a tutorial, choose a frame that shows the finished product. If it’s a story, pick a frame that establishes the central theme.

Option 2: Use an Animated Text Template

At the very bottom of the cover selection screen, you’ll see several graphic styles with text like "Text Style," "Minimalist," and "Vlog Day." These are beautifully designed text overlays you can add to your cover. If you tap on one, you can enter your own text.

These are powerful because they allow you to add a "headline" to your video. Instead of relying only on the visual, you can tell people exactly what your video will deliver. Some great headline ideas are:

• For a Series: "Part 1: The Backstory"
• For a Tutorial: "How to Air Fry Chicken"
• For Storytime: "I Got Fired For This"
• For Lists: "Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid"

This simple addition transforms your cover from a simple picture into a proper hook, telling users why they should invest their time in your content.

Step 5: Tap 'Save' and Finish Your Post

Once you're happy with your chosen frame and any text you’ve added, tap the "Save" button in the top right corner. You'll be returned to the post screen, where your newly selected cover will be displayed. From there, just add your caption and post away!

Can You Change a TikTok Cover Photo After Posting?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions about TikTok, and it deserves a direct answer. Officially, no, you cannot edit the cover photo of a TikTok video once it has been published. There is no 'edit' button that lets you go back and change it, the way you might edit a caption.

Once a video is live, its cover photo is locked in. However, there is a workaround. While you can't technically 'edit' the old one, you can 'replace' it by deleting the original video and re-uploading it with a new cover. This method comes with a significant trade-off, so it’s important to understand the process and its consequences.

The Re-Upload Method: A Step-by-Step Guide

If a terrible cover is harming an otherwise great video, or you made a typo in the cover text, here’s how to fix it.

Step 1: Save Your Posted Video to Your Device

Before you do anything else, you need a copy of the video. Open the video on your TikTok profile, tap the three-dots 'More' menu, and select "Save video." This will download it to your phone's camera roll.

A quick word of warning: This downloaded version will have the TikTok watermark. If you want a clean version, it's best to use the original, un-watermarked video file if you still have it saved somewhere. For a cleaner re-upload, the original file is always the best choice.

Step 2: Copy Your Original Caption and Hashtags

This is an optional but highly recommended step that saves a lot of headaches. Before deleting, go to your post, select the caption text, and copy it. Paste it into your Notes app or somewhere safe. This way, you don't have to rewrite it and try to remember all the hashtags you used.

Step 3: Delete the Original TikTok Video

This is the point of no return. Navigate back to the video on your profile, tap the three-dots menu again, and swipe along the bottom options until you see the 'Delete' icon. A confirmation prompt will appear, warning you that the action is permanent.

Remember: When you delete the video, you will permanently lose all associated views, likes, comments, and saves. There is no way to get this engagement back.

Step 4: Re-Upload the Video and Choose Your New Cover

Now, simply start a new post using the video you saved in Step 1. Go through all the standard steps for posting. When you get to the "Select cover" screen this time, carefully choose a better frame or create a more compelling text overlay.

Step 5: Paste Your Caption and Post Again

On the final screen, paste your saved caption and hashtags back into the description box, and then hit "Post." Your video will now appear on your profile again, with the new, improved cover photo and a fresh start at zero views.

When is Re-Uploading a Good Idea?

Since you lose all your engagement, re-uploading isn't a decision to take lightly. Here's a quick guide on when it's worth it:

• Immediately After Posting: If you spot a mistake within minutes of posting and the video has very few views, go for it. A quick fix won't cost you much.
• For Typos or Errors: If your cover has a glaring typo or wrong information, it’s usually best to fix it to maintain professionalism.
• During a Profile Rebrand: If you're overhauling the look of your profile grid and an old video cover is completely out of place, you might re-upload it to fit your new aesthetic.
• You should ALMOST NEVER re-upload a video that is performing well. If a video has thousands of views and great engagement, LEAVE IT ALONE. A 'better' cover is not worth sacrificing real momentum.

Bonus: Pro Tips for Creating Covers That Get More Clicks

Getting the mechanics right is one thing, mastering the strategy is another. Here are a few expert tips for choosing covers that pull people in.

1. Prioritize Bright, High-Contrast Frames

Your cover needs to pop on a crowded screen. When scrubbing through your video, look for a frame with vibrant colors and clear contrast between the subject and the background. Avoid dark, muddy, or low-light scenes, as they tend to fade into the background when users are scrolling quickly.

2. Let Faces Do the Talking

People are hardwired to respond to human faces, especially ones showing emotion. If your video features a person, a clear, expressive close-up often makes the best cover. A confused expression, a big laugh, or intense focus can all create enough curiosity to make someone tap play.

3. Design Your Grid, Not Just One Cover

Think like a magazine editor. Your TikTok profile grid should have a consistent look and feel. Do you use a certain color palette? A specific text template on every cover? Maybe you test two cover styles. For example, a food blogger might use a similar text overlay for all recipes, instantly signaling to a visitor what their brand is about. Consistency builds brand recognition and makes your profile look intentional and trustworthy.

4. Test Your Headlines on Text Covers

Don't just use the text templates to state the obvious. Use them to create intrigue. Instead of "Making Coffee," try "The Coffee Mistake You're Making." Instead of "Spain Trip," try "The #1 Place to Visit in Spain." Ask a question, promise a solution, or hint at a conflict. Give people a compelling reason to discover what’s inside the video.

Final Thoughts

Perfecting your TikTok cover photo is a quick step that pays off in the long run. The process is simple for new videos, giving you full control to set the right first impression. While you can't directly edit a cover after posting, the re-upload method gives you a second chance, as long as you're willing to sacrifice the existing engagement.

Fine-tuning small details like your TikTok camera settings and cover photo options is just one piece of creating a strong brand on social media. As we built our own brands, we realized that juggling this level of detail across TikTok, Shorts, and Reels every day was disorganized and complicated. With a visual calendar designed for modern, video-first content, planning becomes much simpler. With Postbase, we can see our entire social strategy at a glance, plan our video schedule weeks ahead, and make sure every small detail - covers included - aligns with our goals, moving us from feeling like every post is an emergency to having a thoughtful plan.