Truthfully, I’ve been extremely sentimental this week contemplating the potential disappearance of TikTok. Admittedly, there are more tangible individuals I engage with on Meta’s platforms due to the legacy those platforms hold; I’ve been on Facebook since my university days and Instagram back when it was exclusive to iOS—I made the switch from Android to iPhone 4S one summer to access that app. WhatsApp allows connections with anyone globally. Yet, TikTok serves as my community when I spare a moment to immerse myself in its algorithm.

TikTok enabled my connection with international communities during times when physical presence was impossible, in places I may never have an opportunity to explore. It’s where I was embraced by Gen Z when I became intensely interested in that Joost Klein. It’s also the platform where I began to understand why people suspected I had ADHD for quite some time, and this realization led me to consult my physician, saying, “I believe this might be the issue after all.” During the latest wildfire catastrophe striking the southern region of my homeland, TikTok provides real-time updates on affected communities, enabling me to pinpoint where donations of funds and supplies are most needed for relief efforts.

Dear reader, I am saddened. I haven’t fully come to terms with the possibility of TikTok fading away in the U.S., akin to its fate in Russia previously—and I continue logging in with hopes for a fortuitous turn. Nonetheless, I am concurrently grappling with the uncertainty of what might unfold after January 19. Thus, as I’ve done each time a platform announces its impending exit, I intend to take a moment to safeguard my TikTok data. We’ll embark on this task collectively at this moment.

How to protect your data on TikTok

One evening recently, I navigated through the TikTok account settings to explore options for data download. The procedure appears exclusive to the mobile app, as these instructions don’t replicate on the web version. Within TikTok, navigate to your profile page and activate the Settings and Privacy menu. Enter that section, then choose Account. Proceed to the segment that allows you to Download your data.

You must initiate a request for your data to be made downloadable. This takes a few hours, and TikTok provides a TXT or JSON file for download from the same option. It remains accessible for four days post-request.

I’ve secured my data in both file types. A vast array of information is exported, including the account names I follow, which aids in relocating them on other platforms, comments left on others’ profiles, and direct communication logs. Embarrassingly, TikTok also documented data on my shopping habits and unused discount codes.

The purpose of the JSON file is somewhat unclear to me. Lifehacker advises utilizing the file with third-party tools to extract selective information and relocate it. There’s a GitHub guide to manipulate, allowing selection of videos for extraction. However, all of this surpasses my current understanding as I juggle multiple tasks.

If, like me, you’d prefer to invest in ensuring all personal TikTok videos are saved locally, services like TokBackup offer that solution. There’s a $5 monthly fee for exporting up to 6,000 videos, contingent upon a full scan of your profile. TokBackup is currently underway with my account assessment, so I can’t yet verify its effectiveness. Generally, the consensus suggests individually saving each TikTok video is the simplest backup approach. Hoping TokBackup proves effective, as time is scarce for me this week!

If you seek to preserve your cherished TikTok videos before potential app removal, akin to Alderaan’s demise in Star Wars: A New Hope, consider this efficient Chrome extension. I have around 650 videos queued for download but paused after reaching 145. Intend to resume downloading every treasured TikTok memory post-our discussion.

Where to migrate?

Evidently, users are migrating to RedNote to discover their community within China’s TikTok variant. I’m yet to transition, partly due to the anticipated challenge of translating dialogues between English and Mandarin. Others reconcile to Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, though none have diverted yet. Community hopes remain high for a dramatic last-minute reprieve prior to platform abandonment.

Recent alternatives to TikTok might struggle to replicate its charm. Platforms like Byte and Lemon8 (Android, iOS), owned by TikTok’s proprietors, could be worth exploring if Meta doesn’t appeal. Triller is another option, though recommending it doesn’t come without hesitance, considering its reputation as a haven for TikTok detractors since 2020.