How to Schedule TikToks (Step-by-Step)

Yes—you can schedule TikToks. In 5 minutes, I'll show you how to schedule TikTok videos from desktop using TikTok Studio's free scheduler or a faster third-party tool, plus the best times and common pitfalls to avoid.

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TL;DR

• TikTok Studio lets you schedule TikToks free (desktop-only, 10-day limit)
• Third-party tools let you batch upload 10-20 videos at once
• Best times to schedule TikToks: 6-9 AM, 12-3 PM, and 7-11 PM in your audience's timezone
• Batch scheduling saves 5-10 hours per week for consistent creators
• Use PostEverywhere to batch schedule to TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook simultaneously

Jump to:

• Can You Schedule TikToks?
• How to Schedule TikToks From Desktop (Free)
• Schedule TikToks Without TikTok Studio
• Best Times to Schedule TikToks
• Troubleshooting
• FAQs

Can You Schedule TikToks? (Yes—Here's How)

Yes. You can schedule TikToks using TikTok Studio (free, desktop-only) or third-party schedulers like PostEverywhere, Buffer, or Later.

According to Sprout Social's research, creators who post consistently (3-5 times per week) see 2-3x higher engagement rates than sporadic posters. But filming, editing, and manually posting every day burns you out fast.

Here's why you should schedule TikToks:

• Batch your work: Film 10 videos in one 2-hour session, then schedule them for the next 2 weeks
• Post at optimal times: Your videos go live at 7 AM or 11 PM even if you're asleep
• Maintain consistency: Never miss a posting day because you're busy, traveling, or out of ideas
• Reduce decision fatigue: Plan your content calendar once per week instead of scrambling daily
• Focus on quality: Spend less time on logistics, more time on hooks, editing, and storytelling

For creators posting 5+ times per week, batch scheduling TikToks saves 5-10 hours weekly. That's 40+ hours per month you can reinvest in content quality, audience engagement, or building other revenue streams.

Learn how to schedule Instagram Reels and schedule YouTube Shorts to maximize your vertical video reach across all platforms.

Save time with batch scheduling: Try PostEverywhere's TikTok scheduler to upload multiple videos at once, schedule across platforms, and auto-post at optimal times. Start your free trial →

How to Schedule TikToks From Desktop (Free)

TikTok rolled out a native scheduler in 2023 for Creator and Business accounts, as announced in their Creator Portal updates. It's free, but has significant limitations.

Step-by-Step: TikTok Studio Scheduler

1. On desktop, open TikTok Studio (or the web uploader)
2. Click Upload and select your video file (9:16 ratio, up to 10 minutes)
3. Add caption, hashtags, cover image, and privacy settings
4. Toggle Schedule (instead of "Post now")
5. Select date and time (up to 10 days ahead, approximately 240 hours)
6. Click Schedule video

Your video will auto-publish at the selected time.

Note: TikTok's mobile app does not currently offer native scheduling—you must use the desktop web interface via TikTok Studio.

TikTok Studio Scheduler Limitations

• Desktop-only: Native scheduling works through TikTok Studio / web uploader; the mobile app doesn't offer this feature
• 10-day limit: Can only schedule up to 10 days (≈240 hours) ahead
• One video at a time: No batch upload—you must schedule each video individually
• No calendar view: Can't see all scheduled videos in a unified calendar
• No analytics: No reporting on best posting times or performance trends
• No cross-posting: Can't schedule to Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, or Facebook simultaneously
• No first comment scheduling: Can't pre-schedule your pinned comment with links/CTAs

For casual creators posting 1-2 times per week, TikTok Studio's free scheduler works fine. But if you're serious about growth and posting 3+ times weekly, you need a third-party tool.

See TikTok Creator Portal for official guidance.

Schedule TikToks Without TikTok Studio (Third-Party Tools)

Third-party schedulers unlock features TikTok Studio can't match:

Key advantages:

• Batch upload: Upload 10-20 videos at once and schedule them in one session
• Calendar view: See your entire content calendar (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube) in one dashboard
• Desktop workflow: Upload videos from your computer (faster than mobile)
• Cross-platform posting: Schedule the same video to TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook Reels simultaneously
• Advanced analytics: Track best posting times, engagement patterns, and audience growth
• Team collaboration: Multiple team members can schedule and approve content
• Caption templates: Save reusable caption templates with branded hashtags
• Thumbnail customization: Upload custom thumbnails for each platform
• First comment scheduling: Pre-schedule pinned comments with links and CTAs

Popular third-party TikTok schedulers include PostEverywhere, Buffer, Later, and Hootsuite.

TikTok Studio vs Third-Party Scheduler Comparison

Feature	TikTok Studio (Free)	PostEverywhere (Paid)
Schedule TikToks	Yes (1 at a time)	Yes (batch 10-20)
Batch upload	No	Yes
Scheduling window	10 days ahead	Unlimited (months ahead)
Cross-post to Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts	No	Yes
Visual calendar (all platforms)	No	Yes
Best-time suggestions	No	Yes (AI-powered)
First comment scheduling	No	Yes
Team collaboration	Basic	Advanced
Analytics & reporting	Basic	Advanced (engagement, reach, best times)
Caption templates	No	Yes

Bottom line: If you're posting 3+ times per week and want to grow faster, a third-party scheduler like PostEverywhere will save you hours and unlock cross-platform reach.

How to Batch Schedule TikToks (Step-by-Step)

Here's the exact workflow I use to schedule 2 weeks of TikToks in under 30 minutes:

Step 1: Batch-Create Your TikTok Videos

Set aside 1-2 hours to film multiple videos in one session:

• Pick a theme or hook series (e.g., "5 mistakes beginners make in X")
• Optimize your setup once: lighting, background, audio, outfit
• Film 8-15 videos back-to-back: Raw footage only, edit later
• Edit in batches: Use CapCut, Adobe Premiere, or TikTok's editor to add effects, captions, and music

Pro tip: Film more videos than you need. Some won't make the cut, and extras give you flexibility. According to HubSpot's video marketing research, batch-creating content improves consistency by 67% compared to on-demand filming.

Step 2: Open Your TikTok Scheduler

If using a third-party tool:

1. Log in to your TikTok scheduling tool
2. Navigate to the "Upload" or "Composer" section
3. Select Batch Upload (if available) or upload videos one-by-one

If using TikTok Studio's native scheduler, you'll need to repeat the upload process for each video individually.

Step 3: Upload All Videos at Once

For third-party tools:

1. Click Batch Upload or Upload Multiple
2. Select 8-15 video files from your computer (TikTok supports up to 10 minutes per video)
3. Wait for videos to upload (this happens in parallel—much faster than one-by-one)

For TikTok Studio:

You must upload each video separately. This is time-consuming, but follow the steps in the TikTok Studio section above for each video.

Step 4: Customize Each TikTok Post

For each video:

1. Add caption: Write hooks that grab attention in the first 3 seconds
2. Add hashtags: Use 3-5 relevant hashtags (mix trending + niche)
3. Choose cover: Pick a high-contrast thumbnail that shows what the video is about
4. Enable comments, duets, and stitches (unless you have a specific reason not to)
5. Add location (optional, but helps with local discovery)

Pro tip: Save caption templates for recurring content types (e.g., "[Problem] → [Solution] → Try [CTA]"). This speeds up batch scheduling.

Step 5: Schedule at Optimal Times

Use your TikTok analytics (Pro/Business accounts) or third-party analytics to identify when your audience is most active.

If you don't have data yet, use these baseline best times:

• Morning: 6-9 AM (commute time)
• Lunch: 12-3 PM (lunch breaks)
• Evening: 7-11 PM (prime time scrolling)

For detailed guidance, see best times to schedule TikTok posts.

Spacing strategy:

• 3-5 posts per week: Schedule Mon/Wed/Fri or Tue/Thu/Sat
• Daily posting: Rotate times (morning one day, evening the next) to test what works
• High-volume (2+ per day): Space posts 6-8 hours apart

Step 6: Review Your Calendar

Before confirming, review your scheduled TikToks in calendar view:

• Are videos spaced evenly throughout the week?
• Are you testing different times to see what performs best?
• Do you have a mix of content types (educational, entertaining, trending audio)?

If using a third-party tool, you'll see all platforms in one calendar (TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Facebook). This makes it easy to avoid over-posting on one platform and under-posting on another.

Step 7: Confirm and Auto-Post

Hit Schedule (or Confirm), and you're done. Your TikToks will auto-post at the times you selected.

What happens next:

• Videos publish automatically at scheduled times
• You get notifications (email or in-app) when videos go live
• Analytics start tracking views, likes, comments, shares
• You can edit or reschedule any video before it posts

Cross-platform tip: If you're also posting to Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, use PostEverywhere to upload once and schedule to all 3 platforms simultaneously—saving even more time. Try it free →

Best Times to Schedule TikToks in 2025

According to Influencer Marketing Hub's 2024 TikTok study and TikTok's own Creator Portal, the best times to schedule TikToks are:

Universal Best Times (All Audiences)

Day	Best Times (ET)	Why
Monday	6-9 AM, 12-2 PM, 7-9 PM	Commute + lunch + evening scroll
Tuesday	2-3 PM, 7-11 PM	Afternoon slump + prime time
Wednesday	7-9 AM, 11 AM-1 PM, 7-10 PM	Mid-week peak engagement
Thursday	9-11 AM, 12-2 PM, 7-10 PM	Pre-weekend energy
Friday	5-7 AM, 1-3 PM, 7-11 PM	Commute + lunch + TGIF vibes
Saturday	9-11 AM, 7-11 PM	Weekend leisure scrolling
Sunday	7-9 AM, 9 AM-12 PM, 7-11 PM	Morning + Sunday Scaries scrolling

Overall best times: 6-9 AM, 12-3 PM, and 7-11 PM in your audience's timezone.

For a full deep dive, see best times to schedule TikTok posts.

How to Find YOUR Best Times

Generic best times are a starting point, but your specific audience might differ. Here's how to find your optimal posting times:

1. Check TikTok Analytics (Pro/Business accounts):

   • Go to TikTok Analytics
   • Navigate to Followers → Follower activity
   • See when your followers are most active (days + hours)

2. Test different times for 2-4 weeks:

   • Schedule TikToks at 3 different times per day (morning, afternoon, evening)
   • Track views, likes, comments, and shares in the first 1-3 hours
   • Double down on times that consistently outperform

3. Use third-party analytics:

   • Tools like PostEverywhere analyze your historical performance and suggest optimal times
   • Some tools use AI to predict the best times based on your audience behavior

4. Factor in time zones:

   • If your audience is global, schedule for 2-3 major time zones (e.g., US East Coast 8 AM, UK 1 PM, Australia 8 PM)
   • Use batch scheduling to post the same video at different times for different regions

TikTok Scheduling Best Practices

To maximize reach and engagement when scheduling TikToks:

1. Post Consistently (3-5x Per Week Minimum)

According to Later's TikTok study, creators who post 3-5 times per week see 2-3x higher engagement than those posting 1-2 times.

Why consistency matters on TikTok:

• TikTok's algorithm favors accounts that post regularly
• More content = more chances to go viral
• Audience expects regular content from accounts they follow

Batch scheduling makes this easy: Film 10 videos in 2 hours, schedule them for 2 weeks, repeat.

2. Test Different Posting Times

Don't assume the "best times" above work for your audience. Test 3-4 different times per day for 2-4 weeks and track results.

What to track:

• Views in first 1 hour
• Views in first 24 hours
• Likes, comments, shares (engagement rate)
• Follower growth

Tip: Use PostEverywhere's analytics to compare performance across different posting times and automate this testing.

3. Use Trending Audio & Hashtags

TikTok's algorithm rewards content that uses trending audio and hashtags. When batch-creating videos:

• Check TikTok's Discover page for trending sounds
• Use 3-5 hashtags: 1-2 trending + 2-3 niche-specific
• Don't over-hashtag (looks spammy)

Scheduling tip: Some trending audios expire quickly. If scheduling weeks ahead, use "evergreen" trending audio that's been popular for 2+ weeks.

4. Optimize Video Specs

TikTok performs best with:

• Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical, 1080x1920 pixels)
• Duration: 15-60 seconds (shorter often performs better for discovery)
• File format: MP4 or MOV
• File size: Under 287 MB

Why this matters: TikTok compresses videos that don't meet specs, reducing quality and hurting performance.

5. Write Scroll-Stopping Captions

Your caption shows up in the For You feed—use it to hook viewers:

• Start with a question or bold statement
• Use emojis (but not excessively)
• Add a CTA: "Follow for more", "Comment your answer", "Save this for later"
• Keep it short (150-300 characters)

Example: Instead of "Here's how to make pasta", try "POV: You're tired of bland pasta (this hack changes everything)"

6. Schedule First Comments

If your third-party scheduler supports it, pre-schedule your first comment with:

• Links to your website, product, or other platforms
• Extended context or tips that didn't fit in the caption
• Hashtags (to keep your caption clean)

Why this works: TikTok doesn't penalize links in comments like Instagram does. First comments get pinned and drive clicks.

7. Cross-Post to Instagram Reels & YouTube Shorts

Your TikTok content can work on other platforms. Instead of manually uploading to each:

• Use PostEverywhere to schedule the same video to TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook Reels
• Customize captions per platform (e.g., add Instagram-specific hashtags)
• Maximize reach without extra work

This strategy helps you post content across all social media platforms efficiently.

Troubleshooting: Why My Scheduled TikTok Didn't Post

If your scheduled TikTok didn't publish, here are the 7 most common issues and fixes:

1. Account Not Connected or Token Expired

Symptoms: Scheduled video never posts; no error message in TikTok Studio

Fix:

• For TikTok Studio: Log out and log back in, then reconnect your account
• For third-party tools: Go to Settings → Connected Accounts → Reconnect TikTok
• Re-authorize permissions (allow "Post Content" permission)

Prevention: Third-party tools usually send email alerts when tokens expire. Check your email and re-authorize before scheduled posts.

2. Video File Size or Format Issues

Symptoms: Upload fails or video processing never completes

Fix:

• Check file size (must be under 287 MB for TikTok)
• Verify format (MP4 or MOV only)
• Ensure resolution is 1080x1920 (9:16 ratio)
• Compress large files using HandBrake or similar tool

Prevention: Export videos in 1080x1920 MP4 format, H.264 codec, under 200 MB.

3. Time Zone Mismatch

Symptoms: Video posts at wrong time (e.g., 3 hours early/late)

Fix:

• For TikTok Studio: Check your account settings → Time zone
• For third-party tools: Go to Settings → Time zone and select your audience's timezone

Prevention: Always verify timezone settings when setting up scheduling for the first time.

4. Violated TikTok Community Guidelines

Symptoms: Video scheduled but never published; you receive a policy violation notice

Fix:

• Review TikTok's Community Guidelines
• Check for copyrighted music, misleading claims, or prohibited content
• Edit and re-upload compliant version

Prevention: Use TikTok's commercial music library or royalty-free tracks from Epidemic Sound or Artlist.

5. TikTok Studio 10-Day Limit

Symptoms: Can't schedule video more than 10 days ahead

Fix:

• If using TikTok Studio, you can only schedule up to 10 days (≈240 hours) ahead
• To schedule further ahead, use a third-party scheduler like PostEverywhere

Prevention: Use third-party tools if you need to schedule weeks or months ahead.

6. Account Type Restrictions

Symptoms: Schedule button not available; only "Post now" option shows

Fix:

• Switch to a Pro or Business account (required for TikTok Studio scheduling)
• Go to Settings → Manage account → Switch to Pro Account
• It's free and takes 2 minutes

Prevention: Always use a Pro or Business account for scheduling features.

7. App/Browser Cache Issues

Symptoms: Scheduled videos disappear from queue or show wrong status

Fix:

• Clear your browser cache (Chrome: Settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data)
• Or use Incognito/Private mode to check if videos are actually scheduled
• For mobile: Force-close TikTok app and reopen

Prevention: If using TikTok Studio via browser, use Chrome or Safari (Firefox sometimes has issues).

FAQs

Can you schedule TikToks for free?

Yes. TikTok Studio offers free scheduling for Creator and Business accounts. However, it's desktop-only and limited to 10 days ahead. For batch upload, cross-platform posting, and unlimited scheduling, you'll need a third-party tool like PostEverywhere (paid plans start at $19/month).

How do I schedule TikToks from desktop?

Use TikTok Studio: Upload video → add caption/hashtags → toggle "Schedule" → select date/time → confirm. Alternatively, use a third-party scheduler like PostEverywhere for batch upload and cross-platform posting.

Can you batch schedule TikToks?

TikTok Studio does not support batch upload—you must schedule each video individually. Third-party tools like PostEverywhere, Buffer, and Later let you batch upload 10-20 videos at once and schedule them in one session.

How far in advance can you schedule TikToks?

TikTok Studio: up to 10 days (≈240 hours) ahead. Third-party schedulers: unlimited (weeks or months ahead, depending on the tool).

Why didn't my scheduled TikTok post?

Common reasons: account token expired, video format/size issues, timezone mismatch, violated Community Guidelines, or account not Pro/Business. See the Troubleshooting section above for detailed fixes.

Can you schedule TikToks on mobile?

No. TikTok's native scheduler is desktop-only via TikTok Studio. Some third-party schedulers offer mobile apps (e.g., Buffer, Later) but uploading large video files is slower on mobile.

What's the best time to schedule TikToks?

Best times are typically 6-9 AM, 12-3 PM, and 7-11 PM in your audience's timezone. But your specific audience might differ—check your TikTok Analytics (Followers → Follower activity) to see when YOUR followers are most active. See best times to schedule TikTok posts for a full guide.

Can you schedule TikToks to Instagram Reels at the same time?

Yes, with third-party tools. PostEverywhere lets you upload once and schedule to TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook Reels simultaneously. This saves hours vs manually uploading to each platform.

Do scheduled TikToks perform as well as live posts?

Yes. TikTok's algorithm does not penalize scheduled content. In fact, scheduling lets you post at optimal times (even when you're asleep), which often improves performance vs posting randomly.

Can you edit a scheduled TikTok?

Yes. In TikTok Studio, go to your scheduled posts → click the video → edit caption, hashtags, or cover → save. You can also change the scheduled time or delete the post before it goes live. Third-party tools also allow editing scheduled posts.

How much does TikTok scheduling cost?

TikTok Studio: free (but limited to 10 days ahead, no batch upload). Third-party schedulers: $10-$50/month depending on features. PostEverywhere starts at $19/month for unlimited TikTok scheduling, batch upload, and cross-platform posting to Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.

Can you schedule TikToks with music?

Yes, but with limitations. If you add music in TikTok's editor before exporting, it will stay when you schedule. However, you cannot access TikTok's trending audio library when scheduling via TikTok Studio or third-party tools—you must add music in the TikTok mobile app first, then export and upload the finished video.

Getting Started: TikTok Scheduling Checklist

Ready to start scheduling TikToks? Follow this 10-step checklist:

• Switch to Pro or Business account (required for TikTok Studio scheduling): Settings → Manage account → Switch to Pro Account
• Choose your scheduler: TikTok Studio (free, limited) or third-party tool (paid, advanced)
• Batch-create 8-15 videos in one filming session (set aside 1-2 hours)
• Edit videos: Add captions, effects, trending audio using CapCut or Adobe Premiere
• Export in 9:16 format: 1080x1920 pixels, MP4, under 200 MB per video
• Check your analytics (if available): TikTok Analytics → Followers → Follower activity to see best times
• Upload videos to your scheduler (batch upload if using third-party tool)
• Add captions, hashtags, covers for each video
• Schedule at optimal times: 6-9 AM, 12-3 PM, or 7-11 PM in your audience's timezone (see best times guide)
• Review your calendar: Ensure videos are spaced evenly (3-5 per week minimum for best results)
• Confirm and auto-post: Hit "Schedule" and let your TikToks publish automatically

Bonus: If posting to Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts too, use PostEverywhere to schedule to all platforms at once—saving 10+ hours per week. Try free for 7 days →

Next Steps

Now that you know how to schedule TikToks, here's how to maximize your reach:

• Optimize posting times: See best times to schedule TikTok posts for data-backed timing strategies
• Cross-post to Instagram Reels: Learn how to schedule Instagram Reels from desktop
• Add YouTube Shorts: See how to schedule YouTube Shorts to triple your vertical video reach
• Post to all platforms at once: Read how to post content across all social media platforms efficiently
• Batch your workflow: Check out how to plan a month of social media content in one day

Ready to save 10+ hours per week? Try PostEverywhere to batch schedule TikToks, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook Reels from one dashboard. Upload once, schedule everywhere, and let AI suggest the best times to post. Start your free 7-day trial →

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Last updated: November 9, 2025