If you can’t favourite a TikTok video, the issue may be with your connection, the app or the video itself. First, try saving another video. Does that work? Then the problem seems to be with that particular video. If it doesn’t work for any video, test your connection and check whether TikTok has an update available.
Below, you’ll read what you can try step by step and where to find your saved videos.
The difference between TikTok favourites, likes and downloads
Giving a heart isn’t the same as favouriting. So first check how you saved the video.
| Action | What does it do? |
|---|---|
| Liking | You give the video a heart. This doesn’t automatically add it to your favourites. |
| Favouriting | You save a reference to the video within TikTok so you can find it again later. |
| Adding to a collection | You group favourites together, for example recipes or craft tips. |
| Downloading | You save the video as a file on your device, if that option is available. |
Did you only tap the heart? According to TikTok’s explanation of liked videos you can find those videos through your profile. Look under your liked videos, not your favourites.
Do you want to save the video as a file on your phone instead? Then read about saving a TikTok video when downloading doesn’t work. That requires different steps than favouriting.
What goes wrong when favouriting a TikTok video?
Try saving a video and pay attention to what happens. Is the option missing, does the button not respond or doesn’t the video appear in your list? This helps you determine where to look next.
- You don’t see an option for favourites. Open another video and check whether the option appears there. The name and location of buttons may vary by app version.
- The button doesn’t respond. Check whether other parts of TikTok load properly. A video that keeps playing doesn’t tell you enough about your connection. It may already have loaded.
- Saving seems to work, but the video is missing. Check your full list of favourites, not just a collection.
- It doesn’t work for one video. Open that video again. It may no longer be available to you.
Suppose you want to save a pasta recipe. That doesn’t work, but a second recipe does appear in your favourites. First check whether you can still open the first video. You don’t need to reinstall the entire app right away.
What can you do if TikTok favourites aren’t working?
Try the steps below in this order. After each step, test whether you can save a video. This way, you can see what makes a difference and don’t have to do everything.
- Test your connection. Open a new web page. If necessary, switch between WiFi and mobile data, then try saving the video again. Keep your data plan in mind.
- Close TikTok completely and reopen the app. Simply returning to your phone’s home screen doesn’t always close the app.
- Check whether an update is available. Check this in your phone’s official app store. An update may fix an error, but it doesn’t always solve the problem.
- Check which account you’re using. Do you have multiple accounts? Check whether you opened the correct account. You can also log out and log back in. Do this only if you know your login details and have access to your recovery email or phone number.
- Check the temporary storage. This is also called the cache and helps the app load faster. Look in the settings for an option to clear only the cache. Don’t simply delete all app data. If it isn’t clear what the option removes, skip this step.
- Test another video. Check whether the problem still occurs with all videos or only with certain videos.
- If possible, try another device of your own. Use the same account if you can log in safely and the favourites option is available. Does saving work there? Then the problem is more likely with the app or phone you used first.
Don’t delete TikTok as your first step. Data stored only on your device, such as drafts, may be lost. First check what you want to keep.
Where can you find TikTok favourites and missing videos?
Open your profile and look for Favourites or a bookmark icon. The exact location may vary. First check the overview of saved videos, then check a separate collection. Also make sure you’re using the same account as when you saved the video.
A collection helps you organize favourites. Isn’t a video in your recipe collection? Search the full list. You may have saved it without adding it to that collection.
A video that was there before has disappeared
A favourite isn’t a backup copy of the video. If the creator deletes the video or changes who can see it, you may no longer be able to open it. Clearing your cache won’t help with that.
Do you still have the link, for example in a conversation? Open it to check whether the video is still available. Does the link work, but the video isn’t in your favourites? Try saving it again and then check the list.
Many favourites are missing at once
Check your account and connection and reload the list. Do this before adding videos again. An empty or incomplete list doesn’t immediately mean your favourites have been deleted.
When should you report a problem with TikTok favourites?
Report the problem if you can’t save multiple videos and the steps above don’t help. You can also report it if the favourites option continues to be missing and you can’t find out why.
The TikTok help on reporting a problem gives this route: Profile, the menu, Settings and privacy, and Report a problem. The names may be different in your app.
Describe the following in your report:
- what happens when you try to favourite a video;
- whether the option is missing, the button doesn’t respond or the video doesn’t appear in your favourites afterwards;
- whether it happens with one video or multiple videos;
- which phone and app version you’re using;
- what you’ve already tried.
An example report: “When I favourite a video, it seems to work. After reopening, it isn’t in my favourites. This happens with three different videos. I updated the app and tested both WiFi and mobile data.”
If possible, include a screenshot or short screen recording. Make sure private messages, passwords and login codes aren’t visible. A report explains what’s going wrong, but there’s no guarantee that missing favourites will return. Once your account is working as intended, you can explore our TikTok services to compare packages for views and followers for your public profile or content.
