How to Install TikTok on Chromebook (Ultimate Guide)

So, you want to get TikTok on your Chromebook.

Then you can enjoy all those crazy reels of the latest dance craze or viral stunt to your eye’s content- straight from your laptop.

In this guide, we’ll talk about:

  • Whether or not your specific Chromebook can run TikTok
  • How to install it if you can
  • Other workarounds
  • Limitations and things you need to know

Sound good? Let’s dive in.

Does TikTok work on Chromebooks?

TikTok on Chromebook ChromeOS meme.
The virality of the app is crazy.

It’s possible to get TikTok on a Chromebook, but you’re limited to just viewing the posts on your feed.

You can’t do anything else like making a TikTok or streaming one.

Can you make a TikTok on a chromebook?

No, you can’t create or upload a video at this time on a Chromebook through the app.

There’s no support for recording through the webcam or the microphone on Chrome OS.

Perhaps in the future, it’ll get added.

How do I know if it’ll work on my Chromebook?

There are multiple ways to do it and if one’s not working for you, try another.

The easiest method is to get it from the Play Store, but only some models work. If you have a newer model, you can just install it like any other app.

We’ll cover it in detail next.

How to get TikTok on a Chromebook

This video shows the basic process of how it works.

Here are the various techniques you can use to get TikTok on Chrome OS.

Depending on the model you have, you may or may not be able to get the app running. It depends on whether or not you have access to the Play Store.

But there are ways to get around it even if you don’t.

Install TikTok from the Play store

The Play Store is the easiest way to get the app and is pretty much the only way.

If you check out any other forum, blog post, or tutorial video, they all suggest the same thing.

Modern Chromebooks can download and run Play Store apps, including TikTok. If your device is newer than 2017 or so, you should be able to download the app just like you would on your phone.

To do this, here are the steps:

  • Launch the Play Store (press the Launcher button at the bottom-left or hit the “Search” key on your keyboard)
  • Search for “TikTok”
  • Find it and download it
  • Be patient like a good person

The app will appear in the Launcher app library afterward. Click it to use it.

That’s it. You’ll find that the layout is the same, but it works kind of funky on a keyboard/mouse interface.

The app was built for touchscreens, so if your Chromebook has one, it’s a lot easier to use.

You’ll be able to view content, but not be able to stream or post anything- even recording from your microphone/webcam on your laptop.

The app doesn’t seem to detect these peripherals at the moment.

Can’t download apps? Force the update.

Can’t get Play Store apps?

Check out this list of devices and see if yours is on there. It’ll tell you the status and if it’s scheduled for a future release. If you don’t know your model number, find it.

Check the page. If you see your device, then you’re good to go.

Follow this tutorial to get the Play Store update.

If not, you’ll need a newer Chromebook. You can buy a used one or a new one for cheap. Also, you can sell your Chromebook first to get some cash for it.

Or try using the web version

You can freely use the web version on your Chromebook without any downloads necessary.

Of course, you can only view content from people you follow in your feed. That’s about it.

The web version does have some limitations, but if all you care about is checking out the latest content from your people, the web version works perfectly. You can log in to your account here.

Note that when you access TikTok online through the web, this version DOES allow you to upload videos directly from your desktop.

So in actuality, this could work:

Thoughts?

If you’re able to get this working, post a comment and let me know.

No dice? Try screen mirroring TikTok from your phone.

Another alternative is to mirror your phone’s screen onto your Chromebook.

If you need to browse the TikTok community from your laptop, use a screen mirroring app to bridge the connection.

Sure, you need to have a smartphone with the app installed for it to work, so it kind of defeats the purpose.

But then again, you can control your phone from your Chromebook from anywhere.

The easiest way to do this is with Vysor. I’m not sponsored by them or getting paid to vouch for them in any way. It’s just a free app that works, though the free version has some limitations.

But if you don’t want to pay, you can start with Vysor (or whatever another app you know of).

  • Download Vysor from the Web Store on your Chromebook.
  • Enable USB debugging so you can access your phone from your laptop.
  • You’ll see Vysor show up, click on it, and launch.
  • Click on View next to your phone once connected.
  • The app will automatically install on your phone.

You’re all set.

If you have TikTok on your phone, you can use it on your Chromebook this way.

Here’s a video showing off the app’s ease of use:

Note that there are some limitations if you’re using the free version:

  • You can mirror at a low resolution only, rather than the native resolution
  • You can’t run it in full screen
  • Drag and drop is disabled
  • You can only mirror using the USB debugging tool in the free version

If Vysor didn’t work for you, here are other apps to mirror your Android phone:

Video recording doesn’t work

You’ll notice right away that you’re not able to record your voice or video through your webcam or microphone.

The app doesn’t have any integration with your Chromebook’s peripherals to allow you to make a TikTok.

So that’s quite a limitation. But you’ll still be able to view content from the people you follow.

And neither does live streaming

The same situation applies. You can’t live stream from your Chromebook onto TikTok as of now.

Perhaps in the future, Musically will allow you to when they develop it further.

Or maybe a web version is more likely so you can create right from your laptop and upload it to your followers.

Other FAQs

TikTok on Chrome OS.
Is it normal?

That’s it for the tutorial. Go enjoy some lip-synching to your eyes’ content.

Here are some common questions from readers and how to troubleshoot them.

How do I remove TikTok from my Chromebook?

Removing TikTok from your Chromebook is as easy as uninstalling an app.

There are two ways to do this and the choice is yours:

Method one: Through the App Launcher

This technique is super simple and as straightforward as it gets.

  • Press the Search key or click on the Launcher at the bottom-left of your screen.
  • Find the TikTok app icon.
  • Right-click on it (touch the touchpad with two fingers).
  • Remove it from your Chromebook.

You’re all set. TikTok will uninstall from your Chromebook.

Method two: Play Store

  • Launch Chrome.
  • Go to the Play Store.
  • Find your library on installed apps.
  • Navigate to TikTok.
  • Delete it from Chrome.

This should remove it from your Play Store library and subsequently any tied devices where it’s installed.

Why is TikTok not working on my Chromebook?

The easiest way to access your account on Chrome OS is to use the web-based version.

If you can’t download the app and can’t mirror your phone, then use the online version.

The first thing to try is using incognito mode. This will run an instance of Chrome without any extensions and no cookies. See if you access the site and view content.

But if the online version still doesn’t work for you, you may have something blocking the content from playing.

Check your Chrome extensions for ad blockers, JavaScript blockers, or other privacy extensions that could be blocking content.

Some privacy exteriors like Privacy Badger, uBlock Origin, Ghostery, HTTPS Everywhere will break TikTok so you’ll need to disable them or add TikTok to your “trusted” list within the extension.

If it still doesn’t work, there may be some other app on your system that’s blocking the feed or screwing up the content.

Try logging out of your primary account and using Guest Mode. This will run a fresh instance and let you use Chrome without any interference from Chrome extensions or Play Store apps entirely. It’s basically as bare-bones as you can get.

Can you use TikTok on a school Chromebook?

If you’re using a school or work computer, you likely can’t download any apps from the Play Store (or are limited to specific ones).

This is because the admin set it up to restrict the installation of apps, so you’re pretty much unable to get the app. There’s no way to bypass this restriction unless you either get permission from the admin team or get your Chromebook.

The same restriction applies if you try to get Steam, Linux, or Lutris. If you’re using a school/work device, the ability to download the Linux kernel (Ubuntu or your preferred distro) and the ability to download or install apps entirely.

Errors like “Developer Mode is disabled due to system policy” or “You don’t have any devices” are common on a device owned enrolled into an enterprise network.

You’ll have to buy your own Chromebook or get permission from whoever manages the network.

If you bought a used Chromebook, the previous owner may not have unenrolled it correctly. You’ll have to contact the seller to get them to remotest from the network.

Some can be had for less than $200, so consider buying your own if you REALLY need to use TikTok on it for some reason.

Pro Tip: Get a newer one, such as 2018 or newer, so you’ll have the latest software and hardware to run Play Store apps. Older Chromebooks may not be able to download apps because they don’t have the integration, hardware, or setup to install them.

Here are some buyer’s guides you may find useful to get the most out of TikTok:

How to unblock TikTok on Chromebook

If TikTok is blocked on your Chromebook and you can’t use the app, it’s probably because:

  • You’re on a school Chromebook (or work device)
  • Your Chromebook isn’t compatible with TikTok (you’ll see a “No compatible devices” or “You don’t have any devices” error).

Either of these could be the reason.

Sadly, there’s no fix to them. You’ll have to get a new Chromebook that’s yours so you can use it without restrictions.

Get a newer model and you should have access to the majority of the Play Store apps. This should fix both issues.

How to download TikTok videos

You can download TikTok videos easily to your computer through the web version. This also works on mobile devices, but it’s clunky and way too much effort.

So stick with a desktop unless you like a challenge.

This uses the “Inspect element” tool, which is typically used by web developers.

You don’t need to know a lick of code to do this, so don’t worry. It’ll save and download the video to your computer and works on Chrome OS, Mac, PC, Linux, etc.

It also works on all modern browsers. I’ll be using Chrome for this example.

Here’s how to download videos from TikTok:

  • First, log in to TikTok through the web version
  • Find the video you want to download
  • Right-click on the video, then go to “Inspect element” in the options menu
  • You’ll see a window popup with a bunch of code
    • The video should be highlighted in the console
    • It should read something like <video playsinline loop src=”https://vxx.muscdn.com/da392002../820502035″ </video>
  • Right click on the link and select “Open video in new tab”
  • Right click on the video and select “Save video as”
  • Name the video if you wish, and save it to your computer
  • The TikTok video will now be saved in your Downloads folder!

How to logout of TikTok

Logging out of the app is easy, even if you’re on a Chromebook.

Here are the steps:

  • First, launch TikTok.
  • Next, click your profile at the bottom-right.
  • Then, click on the options button at the top-right.
  • Go to Privacy and Settings.
  • Click on Log Out.

This will log you out of all devices, including your Chromebook. It works on the web or mobile version.

How to comment on TikTok using a Chromebook

If you’re using the app through your Chromebook, you won’t be able to post comments because the integration for the keyboard doesn’t work.

The last time I checked, there’s no way to post a comment on any post right now. You’ll have to use it through the phone to comment.

You’re limited to a “read-only” feed of your TikTok posts.

Now you can TikTok on Chrome OS

TikTok meme.
Stay in school.

Even though the things you can do are quite limited on a Chromebook, you can still enjoy browsing the content of your favorite creators- directly from your laptop!

Perhaps in the future, Musically will make it possible to record or stream directly from Chromebooks onto TikTok.

Chrome OS already can record video and work with USB webcams and microphones.

But for now, this is what we have. Given that the video social platform just spiraled out of virality, we can expect more features to come.

Did you get TikTok on your Chromebook? Do you have any questions? Are you enjoying the latest viral videos of cats jumping on thin-as-air beams and balancing themselves with their eyes closed while upside-down wearing a paper hat?

Post your comments and let me know!

About Andy Z.

Andy is a casual-hardcore Chrome OS fan and contributes to the site regularly. He likes computers, tech, sports cars, videogames, and of course, Chromebooks. Thinker. Introvert. Geek. You can find him on Twitter (@platytech), or send him an email (check the "Contact Us" page).

5 thoughts on “How to Install TikTok on Chromebook (Ultimate Guide)”

  1. I have downloaded TikTok on my Chromebook and every time I open the app it shuts off. if you have a solution please tell (restarting the Chromebook doesn’t work)

    Reply

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