- To remove TikTok filters from a video you're making, clear the selections from the Effects and Filters buttons, and turn off the Retouch button.
- You can't remove filters from saved videos, such as ones in your drafts folder or a video from another TikTok user.
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Social media apps like Instagram and TikTok rose to success on libraries of filters designed to flatter the creator's appearance with hyperreal, glamorous videos. These days, the trend is moving back in the other direction as celebrities share images of themselves without makeup, Photoshop, or filters. If you want to join the rush to a filter-free social media presence, here's how to remove TikTok filters from your posts.
How to remove TikTok filters while making a video
TikTok may be applying all sorts of filters to your video by default. If you want a clean, untouched look, you'll want to disable them all.
1. In the TikTok app, tap the Plus icon at the bottom to start a new video.
2. At the bottom left, tap Effects and tap any selected effect to turn it off.
3. If the Retouch icon at the top right has a red checkmark, tap it to deselect it. You should see Beauty mode off briefly appear on screen.
4. Tap the Filters icon. Tap the circle with the diagonal line at the top left of the pop-up menu.
All the filters and effects are now disabled, so you can record your video and get a clean, "unplugged" appearance.
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How to remove a filter from a saved TikTok video
Unfortunately, the only video you can remove filters from are ones you are actually recording and editing. Saved videos — whether that's a video in your drafts folder or a video from another creator that you've liked or saved — can be edited, but you can't remove the filters and effects that already exist in the video. You might see a lot of articles or videos claiming that this is possible, but it's unfortunately not. Any effects or filters are "baked into" the video when it's recorded, not saved as a separate layer or in metadata. That means it's a permanent part of the video after you or another TikToker saves the video.
Dave Johnson
Freelance Writer
Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.
