How to Post Multiple Photos on TikTok

Posting multiple photos on TikTok opens up a whole new way to tell stories and engage your audience, moving beyond simple video clips. This guide walks you through the two main methods for sharing photo carousels and slideshow videos, complete with professional strategies to help your content stand out.

Understanding Your Two Options: Photo Mode vs. Video Mode

Before jumping in, it’s important to know that TikTok gives you two distinct ways to share multiple photos. Each offers a different user experience and is suited for different types of content.

• Photo Mode: This creates a swipeable photo carousel, similar to what you see on Instagram. Viewers can swipe through the images at their own pace. This format is perfect for step-by-step tutorials, before-and-after reveals, photo dumps, and detailed visual stories where you want the user to control the pace.
• Video Mode: This transforms your selected photos into a video slideshow. The images appear for a set duration, often synced to music, creating a traditional video clip. This is great for dynamic montages, quick highlights, or creating a cinematic feel with your photography.

Deciding which one to use depends entirely on your goal. Do you want your audience to linger on each image, or do you want to create a fast-paced, music-driven experience? We'll break down how to master both.

How to Use TikTok's 'Photo Mode' (The Swipeable Carousel)

Photo Mode is TikTok’s answer to the traditional photo carousel. It’s an incredibly engaging format when you want to present a series of high-quality images that users can browse manually. Here’s the step-by-step process.

Step 1: Open TikTok and Tap the '+' Icon

Start just like you’re creating any other TikTok. Open the app and tap the plus icon at the bottom center of your screen to open the camera.

Step 2: Go to 'Upload' and Select Your Images

Instead of recording, tap the 'Upload' button to the bottom right of the record button. This opens your device’s gallery. In the 'Photos' tab, select all the images you want to include in your carousel. A number will appear on each photo, indicating the order it will be displayed. Tap 'Next' when you're finished.

Step 3: Switch to 'Photo Mode'

This is the most important step. After selecting your images, TikTok will push you to a preview screen. At the very bottom, you'll see two options: 'Video' and 'Photo'. Tap 'Switch to photo mode'. You’ll immediately see your content transform from a video slideshow into a swipeable carousel format. You'll know it's working when you see small dots below the image, indicating the number of photos in the set.

Step 4: Add Your Soundtrack and Edits

Even though it's not a video, audio is still a huge part of the experience. Tap 'Add sound' at the top to choose a trending song or an original audio that fits the mood of your photos. The music will play in a loop as the user swipes through your images. You can also add text, stickers, and filters to your first photo, just like with a video post.

Step 5: Write Your Caption and Post

Craft a compelling caption with relevant hashtags to increase discoverability. Photo Mode is excellent for storytelling, so use the caption to give context to your images. Mention that it’s a swipeable post by adding something like “Swipe to see the transformation!” Then, configure your settings, and hit 'Post'.

Pro-Tips for Making Your Photo Mode Content Shine

• Craft a Narrative: Use the carousel to tell a story with a beginning, middle, and end. Think before-and-afters, a mini-tutorial, or a countdown. The first image should be a "hook" that makes people want to swipe.
• Maintain Visual Consistency: While the photos can be different, try to maintain a consistent color palette or editing style. This makes the carousel feel more professional and cohesive when users swipe through.
• Use Text to Guide the User: Add text overlays on each photo to act as guiding steps or a narrative voice. For example, a recipe carousel could have "Step 1: Gather ingredients" on the first photo, "Step 2: Mix dry ingredients" on the second, and so on.

How to Convert Multiple Photos into a TikTok Video

If you prefer a more traditional, seamless video experience, turning your photos into a slideshow is the way to go. This method is all about tempo, music, and editing to create a polished video clip from your static images.

Step 1: Open TikTok, and Go to 'Upload'

Just like with Photo Mode, tap the '+' icon and then 'Upload'. Select the photos you want in your video from your gallery. You can also select video clips to mix in with your photos. Tap 'Next' to proceed.

Step 2: Stay in 'Video Mode' and Adjust Your Clips

By default, TikTok will keep you in 'Video' mode, and you'll see a preview of your photos being stitched together into a video with default transitions. On this screen, you can tap 'Edit' in the top right corner to access a more advanced editor. Here, you can:

• Change The Order: Long-press and drag any photo thumbnail to reorder it.
• Adjust Duration: Tap on a specific photo in the timeline and drag its edges to make it appear for a longer or shorter time.
• Crop and Rotate: Tap a clip and then the crop icon to adjust its framing.

Step 3: Leverage TikTok Templates

If you want an easier path, go back to the upload screen and instead of tapping 'Next', choose 'Templates'. TikTok offers dozens of pre-made templates with trending sounds and cool effects. Just select a template, drop your photos into the designated slots, and TikTok does all the heavy lifting for you. This is one of the fastest ways to create a high-energy photo montage.

Step 4: Use 'Auto-sync' for Perfect Timing

On the main editing screen after you've hit 'Next', add a sound first. Once the music is selected, you'll often see an 'Auto-sync' option. Tapping this will automatically adjust the duration of your photos so that the transitions happen on the beat of the song. It’s a powerful feature that makes your videos feel much more professional.

Step 5: Add Effects, Text, and Overlays

This is where you bring the video to life. Use the tools on the right-hand bar to:

• Add trending effects and filters.
• Place text overlays that appear and disappear at specific times.
• Record a voiceover to narrate your photo story.
• Add stickers or polls for more engagement.

Step 6: Finalize Your Caption and Share

Write your caption, add your hashtags, and choose your cover photo. Since this is a video, the first three seconds are especially important, so choose a cover image that grabs attention. Once you’re ready, tap 'Post'.

Pro-Tips for Engaging Photo Slideshow Videos

• Vary Your Pacing: If editing manually, mix up the clip durations. Hold on a key photo for a bit longer to create emphasis, then follow it with a series of quick cuts to build energy.
• Focus On a Central Theme: A random assortment of photos rarely performs well. Build your slideshow around a clear theme like "Our Weekend Trip," "Top 3 Outfits for Fall," or "My Skincare Routine."
• Use Motion to Your Advantage: Even with static photos, you can create a sense of movement. Use zoom effects or transitions like pans and slides available in TikTok's editor (or third-party apps first) to make your images feel more dynamic.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many photos can I add to a TikTok?

TikTok currently allows you to upload up to 35 photos for both Video and Photo modes. However, that doesn't mean you should always use the maximum. For carousels, 5-10 well-chosen images are often more effective. For videos, the number depends on the length of your sound and how quickly you want the images to transition.

Why don't I see the 'Photo Mode' option?

Photo Mode was rolled out gradually, and older versions of the app may not have it. The first step is to make sure your TikTok app is fully updated. If it's updated and you still don't see the option, it's possible the feature hasn't been rolled out to your account or region yet.

Can I mix photos and videos in the same TikTok?

Yes, but only in Video Mode. When you tap 'Upload', you can go to the 'All' tab in your gallery and select both photos and video clips. TikTok will stitch them together into one seamless video. This is not possible in Photo Mode, which is exclusively for still images.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're creating a digestible, swipeable photo carousel or a dynamic, music-driven video montage, using multiple photos on TikTok allows you to share layered stories and deliver value in a fresh format. Experiment with both Photo Mode and Video Mode to discover what resonates best with your audience and your creative style.

Making great content is one piece of the puzzle, but consistency is another. At Postbase, we've designed our platform to help creators and marketers keep their content strategy on track. With a simple visual calendar, you can plan and schedule all your posts - for TikTok, Instagram, and more - in advance. By uploading your content once and customizing it for each platform, we save you from the chaotic juggle of switching between apps so you can focus on building your brand.