How to Make a Slideshow on TikTok with Photo Mode
Make a TikTok slideshow with Photo Mode, up to 35 swipeable photos with music, or with a template that plays like a video. Steps, sizes and fixes.
To make a slideshow on TikTok, tap the plus sign, open your gallery, pick two or more photos, tap Next, add a sound and post. That gives you a Photo Mode post, a swipeable set of up to 35 pictures. Business Insider reported in November 2022 that TikTok's new "Photo Mode" lets you "upload a picture slideshow that's up to 35 photos long." You can also use a template, which turns the same photos into a video that plays on its own.
We read the guides and reports as Google shows them on October 23, 2026. We didn't post a slideshow on a live account.
How do you make a TikTok slideshow?
- Tap the plus sign. It's at the bottom of the app.
- Open your gallery. Tap Upload, or the photo square beside the record button.
- Pick your photos. Select two or more, up to 35.
- Tap Next. TikTok builds the slideshow.
- Add a sound. Choose a track, and add text if you like.
- Post it. Write a caption and share.
Reddit's music marketers like it for its speed. A December 2025 guide there says "Instead of a video you just throw together any 2-3 photos you want."
Photo Mode or a template?
| Type | How it plays | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Photo Mode | People swipe through | Carousels, tips, product shots |
| Template | Plays like a video | Quick edits with set timing |
Shopify, September 10, 2026, and Metricool, November 21, 2025, as Google showed them on October 23, 2026.
For a template, Metricool's guide says to "Tap the + icon, select Templates at the bottom, and choose a template that matches the number of" photos you have. Shopify's September 2026 guide follows the same path, ending with "Select your photos" and "Choose your TikTok" sound.
What size should TikTok slideshow photos be?
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Photos per post | Up to 35 |
| Size | 1080 × 1920 pixels |
| Shape | 9:16, upright |
Neal Schaffer, October 10, 2026; Postfast and OpenClip spec pages, as Google showed them on October 23, 2026.
Postfast's spec page says "1080×1920px (9:16) recommended." Wider photos still upload, though they won't fill the tall frame. How many slides should you use? TokPortal's March 2026 guide says "most high-performing carousels use between 5 and 15 slides," well short of the 35 limit.
Why does my TikTok slideshow post as a story?
It's a common mix-up. A TikTok user asked in June 2026, "why can't I upload it as a post? It keeps posting as a story." Check the button you tap at the end. TikTok gives you a story option and a post option, and the story one only lasts 24 hours. Tap Post for a lasting slideshow on your profile.
If swiping doesn't work on your slideshow, it was probably made as a video template. Rebuild it from your gallery with Photo Mode instead.
If you'd like more people seeing your slideshows, Hclout's free tier gives 25 free TikTok likes or 100 free TikTok views with no password, on the free page. A short Cloudflare check runs before each claim. Our guide on TikTok reposts covers sharing other people's posts.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make a slideshow on TikTok?
Tap the plus sign, open your gallery, pick your photos, tap Next, add a sound and post.
How many photos can you put in a TikTok slideshow?
Up to 35 in Photo Mode.
Can you add music to a TikTok slideshow?
Yes. You pick a sound after choosing your photos, the same as for a video.
What size are TikTok slideshow photos?
1080 by 1920 pixels, in a 9:16 upright frame, is the recommended size.
Why can't I swipe my TikTok slideshow?
It was likely made with a template, which plays as a video. Use Photo Mode for a swipeable post.
Sources
- Business Insider, "TikTok Photo Mode," November 9, 2022, as Google showed it on October 23, 2026
- Shopify, September 10, 2026; Metricool, November 21, 2025; Neal Schaffer, October 10, 2026; and TokPortal, March 5, 2026, as Google showed them on October 23, 2026
- Postfast and OpenClip spec pages, as Google showed them on October 23, 2026
- Reddit, r/musicmarketing, December 13, 2025, and a TikTok video comment of June 19, 2026, as Google showed them on October 23, 2026
- Google Ads Keyword Planner, worldwide, read October 23, 2026
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