How to Change a TikTok Video Cover After Posting

You’ve just published your latest TikTok video, only to realize the cover image is blurry, awkward, or just plain wrong. It’s a frustrating moment that every creator and social media manager has faced. Your video is live, the first few views are trickling in, and the one thing people see before they click - the cover - isn’t doing its job. This guide will walk you through exactly what you can do about it and how to prevent it from happening again.

The Hard Truth: You Can’t Directly Edit a TikTok Cover After Posting

Let’s get this out of the way first. As of now, TikTok does not have a feature that allows you to go back and edit the cover photo of a video that has already been published. Once your video is live, its title card is locked in. The same goes for the caption, sounds, and effects - they are permanent for that specific post.

Why is this the case? While TikTok hasn’t given an official reason, it’s likely tied to how the platform’s algorithm and user experience work. A video’s initial performance, heavily influenced by its cover and caption, helps the algorithm decide who to show it to. Allowing changes after the fact could complicate this process. From a user perspective, it ensures that the video you see advertised by a cover is the video you get, maintaining consistency.

But don't worry, just because there isn't an "edit cover" button doesn't mean you're completely stuck. There is a widely used workaround that lets you fix the issue, though it comes with a significant trade-off.

The Official Workaround: The Save, Delete, and Repost Method

The only way to change the cover of a live TikTok is to take the video down and upload it again. It’s not a perfect solution, but if your cover is genuinely hurting your video’s potential or making your profile grid look messy, it's the best option you have. Follow these steps carefully to do it right.

Step 1: Save the Original Video to Your Device

Before you do anything else, you need to save a copy of the video you want to fix. If you don't save it, it will be gone forever once you delete it from TikTok.

• Open the TikTok app and go to the video with the cover you want to change.
• Tap the three dots (...) on the right side of the screen.
• In the menu that appears, tap on "Save video." The video will download to your phone’s camera roll.

A Quick Note on Watermarks: When you save a video this way, TikTok will add its watermark, which includes the TikTok logo and your username. For some, this is fine. But if you want a clean-looking video, the watermark can be a bit of a pain. We’ll address that in the next part.

Step 2: Delete the Original TikTok Post

This is the part that feels a little scary, but it’s a necessary step. At this point, you are committing to sacrificing any views, likes, comments, and shares your original video has already earned. For a video that was posted just minutes ago, this is no big deal. For a video that’s been up for a few hours and has gained traction, you’ll need to weigh the pros and cons carefully (more on that later).

• Go to the video on your profile.
• Tap the three dots (...) again.
• Swipe along the bottom row of options until you find the "Delete" button (it looks like a trash can).
• A confirmation pop-up will appear. Tap "Delete" again to permanently remove the video.

Step 3: Re-upload the Video and Select Your New Cover

Now that the old video is gone, it’s time to upload it again, this time with the right cover. If you plan on doing this often, a great proactive habit is to get into the routine of saving your final video draft to your phone *before* you hit publish the first time. This gives you a clean copy without the watermark.

But since we're working with the saved, watermarked video, here’s the process:

1. Tap the "+" icon at the bottom of the TikTok home screen to start a new post.
2. Tap "Upload" and select the video you just saved from your camera roll.
3. If you want to try and remove the watermark, you can use the editing tools right in the app. Use your fingers to pinch and zoom the video slightly, cropping out the edges where the watermark appears. Just be mindful not to crop out any important action.
4. Make any other edits or adjustments needed, then tap "Next."
5. You are now on the "Post" screen. This is where the magic happens. Look for the small preview image of your video in the top right corner with the text "Select cover" on it. Tap it.

Step 4: Design the Perfect Cover Image

You have two main options on the "Select cover" screen. Take your time here - you don't want to have to do this all over again!

Option 1: Choose a Frame From the Video

At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see a filmstrip of your entire video. You can drag the pink box along this timeline to scrub through every single frame. Find a moment that is clear, engaging, and accurately represents the video's content. A good cover should be visually interesting and make someone want to stop scrolling and watch.

Option 2: Add Custom Text and Styles

After finding your perfect frame, you can add a stylized text overlay. TikTok offers several different font styles and designs. This is a powerful tool for adding context or a hook. For example, a video about a recipe could have a cover that says “EASY 3-INGREDIENT PASTA.” This tells viewers exactly what they're getting and can dramatically increase views.

• Choose a design style you like.
• Type your title. Position it where it's easily readable and doesn’t cover up the most important part of the visual.
• When you’re happy with it, tap "Save" in the top right corner.

Step 5: Finalize and Publish Your Repost

You're almost there! Before you hit "Post," make sure to restore all the details from your original upload.

• Write your caption again. Hopefully, you remember what you wrote. If not, try to rewrite it with the same keywords and call to action.
• Add your hashtags. Re-enter all the hashtags you used previously to help the video get seen by the right audience.
• Tag relevant accounts. Did you tag anyone in the original? Remember to tag them again.
• Check your settings. Make sure comments and duets are set to your preference.

Once everything looks good, hit "Post" and your video will go live with its new, improved cover.

Is Reposting Always Worth It? Weighing the Pros and Cons

The "save and repost" method is effective, but it's not without its drawbacks. Before you decide to delete your original video, consider if it’s truly the right move. Here's a quick breakdown to help you decide.

Reasons You *Should* Repost to Change the Cover:

• The Video is Brand New. If you just posted it a few minutes ago and it has less than 100 views, there’s virtually no downside. You've lost minimal engagement.
• The Cover has a Major Flaw. Did you make a typo in the title? Is the cover frame incredibly blurry or showing a really awkward expression? If the cover actively makes your video look unprofessional or unappealing, a repost is a good idea.
• The Cover Misrepresents the Content. If your chosen cover gives a false impression of what the video is about, it could lead to poor watch time as viewers click away immediately. Fixing it can improve your video’s retention metrics.
• It Ruins Your Profile Aesthetic. For brands and creators who maintain a carefully curated profile grid, a single bad cover can stick out like a sore thumb. If that aesthetic is important to your brand identity, reposting is worth the effort.

Reasons You Should *Leave It Alone*:

• The Video is Already Performing Well. If the video has already started gaining traction - hundreds or thousands of views, lots of comments and likes - *do not delete it!* You will lose all of that social proof, and there is no guarantee that the algorithm will pick up the re-uploaded video in the same way. An "okay" cover on a viral video is better than a perfect cover on a video with zero views.
• The Flaw is Minor. Is the cover not your absolute favorite frame, but it's generally fine? If it's clear and not misleading, it’s probably best to let it be and focus on making your next video's cover even better.
• You've Already Waited Too Long. If the video has been live for a day or more, its initial algorithmic push is likely over. Reposting at this stage probably won't do much good and just deletes the engagement it's earned.

A Proactive Approach: How to Nail Your TikTok Cover the First Time

The best strategy of all is to never have to worry about this issue in the first place. By putting a little extra thought into your cover before you post, you can ensure your video always puts its best foot forward.

• Think About the Hook. Your cover is the first hook. What single frame or title will make someone stop scrolling? Use a moment of high action, a dramatic reveal, or a visually stunning shot.
• Add Context with Text Overlay. Don’t assume viewers know what your video is about. A simple, bold title like "My Top 5 Travel Hacks" or "You're Cleaning Your Pans WRONG" provides instant value and sparks curiosity.
• Keep Your Branding Consistent. If you're a business, using a consistent text style, color, or layout for your covers makes your profile page look unified and professional. It helps people instantly recognize your content in their For You Page.
• Check for Readability. Make sure your text title doesn’t clash with the background image. Position it in a clear space and use colors that pop. Also, remember that parts of the interface will cover your thumbnail in some views, so keep important text closer to the center.

Final Thoughts

While you can't just tap an "edit" button to change a TikTok video cover after posting, the save-and-repost method is a reliable workaround for fixing major mistakes. The key is to act quickly before your video gains significant views, otherwise you risk losing valuable engagement and social proof by deleting it.

Planning content in advance is the best way to prevent these kinds of small mistakes from happening. Being proactive rather than reactive with your content is a cornerstone of smart social media management. That’s why at Postbase, we focused on building a visual content calendar that lets you see exactly how your posts, including your TikToks and their covers, will look before they ever go live. Getting an overhead view of your schedule helps catch errors ahead of time and gives you the confidence that every part of your content is polished and on-brand.