How to Make a Swipe Slideshow on TikTok

Creating a swipeable photo slideshow on TikTok is one of the best ways to get your audience to stop scrolling and engage with your content. This feature, known as Photo Mode, turns a series of static images into an interactive experience, almost like an Instagram carousel but supercharged with TikTok’s powerful music and effects engine. We'll walk you through exactly how to create these popular slideshows, step-by-step, and share some strategies to make your content truly stand out.

What is TikTok's Photo Mode (Swipe Slideshow)?

Unlike a traditional video slideshow where images appear for a set duration, TikTok's Photo Mode allows users to manually swipe through a collection of high-quality images at their own pace. When you upload photos and select this mode, they are presented as a sequence that viewers can tap or swipe through horizontally. This format is incredibly effective for storytelling, tutorials, photo dumps, and before-and-after reveals.

Why has this format taken off? It puts the user in control. Instead of passively watching a video, they are actively participating by swiping. This simple action can increase watch time and engagement, as users spend more time with your content to see every photo in the series. Paired with a trending sound, a swipe slideshow can be a low-effort, high-impact way to share content on the platform.

How to Make a Swipe Slideshow on TikTok: Step-by-Step

Ready to create your first one? The process is simple once you know where to look. Here is every step you need to follow to create a compelling photo slideshow.

Step 1: Open TikTok and Hit the Plus Button

Your journey begins on the TikTok home screen. Tap the "+" icon located at the bottom center of your screen. This will open the TikTok camera, which is your creative hub for all content.

Step 2: Access Your Camera Roll

Instead of recording a video, you’ll be using photos you've already taken. Look to the bottom right of the camera screen and tap the "Upload" button. This will take you to your phone’s camera roll or photo gallery.

Step 3: Select Your Photos

Here, you’ll see all the photos and videos on your device. Tap on the "Select multiple" option. Now you can go through and tap each photo you want to include in your slideshow. A small number will appear on each photo, indicating its position in the sequence. You can choose dozens of photos, but the sweet spot for engagement is typically somewhere between 5 and 15 images. Once you've selected all your desired photos, tap the "Next" button at the bottom.

Step 4: Switch to Photo Mode

This is the most important step! After you press "Next," TikTok will automatically create a video slideshow by default, adding transitions and effects. To change this to an interactive, swipeable format, look at the options at the bottom of the screen. You should see two choices: "Switch to video mode" and "Switch to photo mode."

Tap on "Switch to photo mode." The preview will immediately change. The transitions will disappear, and you'll see your first photo displayed as a still image, ready for editing. Now users will be able to swipe through it themselves.

Step 5: Edit and Reorder Your Photos

Once you're in Photo Mode, you can still make adjustments. If your photos aren't in the right order for your story, you can rearrange them. You can also pinch and zoom each photo to crop it to fit TikTok's 9:16 vertical frame a bit better. This is a good time to apply filters to give your photos a consistent look and feel. Filters can be found on the right-hand side menu.

Step 6: Add Sound or Music

Sound is arguably the most critical element of a successful TikTok. Tap the "Add sound" button at the top of the screen. You can browse through TikTok's massive library of trending songs, viral sounds, and original audio. Choosing a sound that’s currently popular can dramatically increase your content's visibility.

For photo slideshows, look for sounds that have a distinct beat or a narrative structure that complements your images. A good song choice can set the mood and encourage viewers to swipe through to the rhythm.

Step 7: Add Text, Stickers, and Effects

Now it's time to add context and personality. Use the editing tools on the right side of the screen.

• Text: Tap the "Text" icon (Aa) to add overlays. You can use this to tell a story, provide instruction, or just add a catchy title on the first slide. You can set the duration for each text overlay so it only appears on specific photos. Don't forget about the text-to-speech feature for added engagement and accessibility!
• Stickers: Gifs, polls, Q&As, and other stickers can add a layer of interactivity and fun to your slideshow. Use them to draw attention to specific parts of a photo or ask your audience a question.
• Effects: While less common for simple photo modes, you can still browse the "Effects" library to add visual flair, like sparkles or vintage camera looks.

Step 8: Write a Great Caption and Post It!

You’re almost there. On the final screen, write a compelling caption. Your caption should add value, ask a question to prompt comments, and include relevant hashtags. Good hashtags help TikTok’s algorithm understand what your content is about and show it to the right audience. Think about both broad and niche tags.

You can also tag other accounts, add a location, and adjust your privacy settings here. Once you’re happy with everything, hit the "Post" button and your swipe slideshow will go live!

Pro Tips for Creating Next-Level Swipe Slideshows

Knowing the steps is one thing, mastering the art of the swipe slideshow is another. Here are some strategies that social media pros use to make their photo content go viral.

1. Tell a Compelling Story

The most successful slideshows have a clear narrative. Each swipe should reveal the next part of the story, keeping the viewer curious. Don't just dump random photos.

• Before and After: This is a classic for a reason. Showcasing a transformation, whether it's a room makeover, a fitness journey, or a product design, is incredibly satisfying to swipe through.
• A Mini-Tutorial: Break down a process into simple, visual steps. This works great for recipes, DIY projects, makeup looks, or tech tips. Each photo is one step.
• A "Big Reveal": Build suspense. Start with a photo that creates a question in the viewer's mind ("You'll never guess where I went..." or "The result was not what I expected..."). Then, use each swipe to get closer to the final reveal.

2. The First Photo is Your Hook

Just like the first three seconds of a video, the first photo of your slideshow determines whether someone will stick around. It needs to be visually striking and instantly communicate your topic. Use a bold text overlay on the first image to create a strong hook. Examples:

• "3 Ways to Improve Your __________"
• "Rating the Best Coffee Shops in London"
• "My Biggest Photography Fail (Wait for it)"
• "Proof That Anything is Possible"

This text sets expectations and gives viewers a reason to start swiping. Don't make them guess what your content is about.

3. Use Trending Audio Strategically

Don't just pick any popular song. Find audio that enhances your story. Some sounds on TikTok are specifically made for Photo Mode. Look for songs with a steady beat that people can swipe along to. Pay attention to how other creators are using a particular sound with slideshows and adapt the trend to your own niche. Saving sounds you like is a great way to build a library of audio ideas for later use.

4. Keep Your Text Short and Sweet

Nobody wants to read an essay on a TikTok photo. If you're using text overlays, make them concise and easy to read. Use bold fonts and contrasting colors. Position your text carefully so it isn't cut off by the caption or TikTok's interface icons at the bottom and right of the screen. Keep the text in the "safe zone" - generally the middle-upper part of the screen.

5. Guide the Viewer to the End

The algorithm values completion rate, so you want people to swipe through all your photos. A simple call-to-action can make a big difference. On your first or second-to-last slide, consider adding text like:

• "Last slide is the best one!"
• "Keep swiping for the final result."
• "What do you think of the last photo?"

This small prompt can heavily influence how many people complete your entire slideshow, signaling to TikTok that your content is engaging.

Viral Swipe Slideshow Ideas You Can Try Today

Feeling inspired? Here are some concrete ideas to get you started on your next creation:

• A Day in My Life: Share 5-7 key photos from your morning routine to your evening unwind.
• Photo Dump/Recap: "The August photo dump," "Highlights from our trip to Italy," "Weekend vibes."
• Showcase Your Work: Photographers can share their best shots, designers their recent projects, artists their creations.
• Educational Content: "5 Misconceptions About [Your Industry]," "A Visual Guide to [Complex Topic]," "Key Historical Photos Everyone Should See."
• Recommend Your Favorites: "My top 3 books for entrepreneurs," "Can't-miss restaurants in NYC," "Products I use every single day."
• Behind-the-Scenes: Show the process of making your product, setting up for an event, or a "shoot day" look.

Final Thoughts

Making a swipe slideshow on TikTok is a straightforward process that combines strong visuals with user interactivity. By following these steps and focusing on creative storytelling, a strong hook, and trending audio, you can create engaging content that captures your audience's attention and helps grow your account.

Building a consistent content strategy with a mix of formats like videos and photo slideshows can feel overwhelming. At Postbase, we built our tool specifically to help creators and brands manage this. Our visual calendar lets you plan out your entire content schedule at a glance, so you can easily see where your next slideshow fits in with your Reels and other posts. The ability to schedule everything in one go gives you that time back to focus on creating great content instead of juggling different platforms.