To pause a TikTok video on an iPhone or iPad, tap once anywhere in the middle of the video. A play icon appears to show it’s paused. Tap the screen again to resume. If you want to pause on an exact frame, drag the progress bar at the bottom of the video, or touch and hold the video and lower the playback speed first.
Below are all the ways to pause, stop TikTok from moving on to the next video, view a paused frame without buttons in the way, and pause while you’re recording your own video.
How to pause a TikTok video
- Open the TikTok app and start watching a video in the For You or Following feed.
- Tap once in the center of the screen. Avoid the buttons on the right side and the caption at the bottom, which open other menus.
- Look for the play triangle in the middle of the video. That means it’s paused.
- Tap the screen again to keep watching.
Pausing doesn’t stop you from scrolling. If you swipe up, TikTok moves to the next video and starts playing it.
Pause on a specific moment
A single tap stops the video wherever it happens to be. For a specific frame, such as a recipe ingredient list or text that flashes by:
- Pause the video with a tap.
- Find the thin progress bar at the bottom of the video. On longer videos it’s always visible; on short ones it appears when you pause or touch the bottom edge.
- Drag your finger along the bar. The video scrubs forward or backward and stays paused where you let go.
You can also slow the video down to catch the moment. Touch and hold the video, tap Playback speed, and choose 0.5x, then tap to pause at the right time.
The like, comment and share buttons can cover what you’re trying to see. To hide them:
- Touch and hold the video until a menu appears.
- Tap Clear display.
- The buttons and caption disappear. Tap the screen to pause, and tap the screen again or swipe to bring the display back.
This is handy before taking a screenshot of a paused frame. Press the side button and volume up button together to capture it.
Stop TikTok from skipping to the next video
If TikTok keeps moving on before you’re done, check whether Auto scroll is on. When it’s turned on, the feed advances to the next video automatically after one finishes.
- Touch and hold a video in your feed.
- Look for Auto scroll in the menu and turn it off.
With auto scroll off, a video loops until you swipe. Pausing also stops a video from looping.
Pause while recording a TikTok
When you record your own video, you can stop and start in segments instead of filming it all in one take.
- Tap the + button at the bottom of TikTok to open the camera.
- Tap the red Record button to start. Tap it again to pause recording.
- Change your position, outfit or scene, then tap Record again to continue. TikTok joins the clips together.
- Tap the checkmark when you’re done.
If you’d rather not hold down or tap the button, use the Timer on the right side of the camera screen. It gives you a countdown and can stop recording automatically at a time you choose, so you can record hands-free with your phone on a stand.
Pause TikTok on a computer or iPad
- iPad app: Tap the video once, the same as on iPhone.
- TikTok in a web browser: Click the video or press the Spacebar. Use the progress bar under the video to jump to a moment.
Quick reference
| What you want | How to do it |
|---|---|
| Pause or resume | Tap the center of the video |
| Go to an exact moment | Drag the progress bar |
| Slow down | Touch and hold > Playback speed |
| Hide buttons | Touch and hold > Clear display |
| Stop auto-advancing | Touch and hold > turn off Auto scroll |
| Pause your own recording | Tap the Record button again |
| Pause on a computer | Click the video or press Spacebar |
If tapping doesn’t pause the video
- Update the app: Open the App Store, tap your profile picture, and update TikTok.
- Tap, don’t hold: Holding opens the menu instead of pausing.
- Avoid the edges: Taps on buttons, captions or the sound name open those items instead.
- Check for a LIVE: LIVE videos can’t be paused because they’re happening in real time.
- Restart the app: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen, swipe TikTok away, and open it again.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pause a TikTok LIVE?
No. LIVE streams play in real time. You can leave and rejoin, but you can’t pause or rewind.
Does the creator know if I pause their video?
No. TikTok doesn’t notify creators when someone pauses, rewatches or scrubs through their video.
Why does TikTok start playing again on its own?
Opening comments, switching apps or scrolling and coming back can resume playback. Tap the video again to pause it.
Can I pause TikTok with a button or voice command?
TikTok doesn’t have a dedicated pause button or voice command on iPhone. Tapping the screen is the only built-in way to pause in the app.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He is an IT specialist with over 20 years of experience, from a university help desk to small-business IT, IT management and his own consulting practice, and has written tech guides full time since 2020. Steps are checked against the current software on a real device or the maker’s official documentation. More about Kermit.