Social media apps love turning their users into cute 3D characters. Snapchat has Bitmoji, iMessage has Memoji, and now TikTok has Avatars.
TikTok Avatars are a new feature that lets you replace yourself with a 3D character in any of your videos. It acts like a mask, covering your face and matching all your facial movements.
Here's how to create yours.
How to make your TikTok Avatar
First, make sure that you've updated your TikTok app, whether you're on an iPhone or an Android. If it's not updated, you can't see the latest effects.
1. Open TikTok and tap the plus sign to start making a new video.
2. Tap the Effects option in the bottom-left corner.
3. In the menu that opens, search for "Avatar" and select TikTok Avatar when it appears. You might also find it in the Trending category — its icon looks like a woman with multi-colored hair and a man with red sunglasses next to each other.
4. Once you tap it, a toolbar will appear above the menu that lets you pick from more than a dozen preset Avatars. If you want to design your own, tap New on the left side.
Pick a preset or make your own Avatar.TikTok; William Antonelli/Insider
5. A larger menu with those same preset Avatars will open. Pick one of the presets, and you'll open a menu that lets you edit that Avatar however you want.
6. Go through the tools to edit your Avatar — you can change its skin tone, hairstyle, facial hair, and more.
You've got a variety of ways to edit your Avatar.TikTok; William Antonelli/Insider
7. Once you're finished, tap Done in the top-right corner.
TikTok will save your creation and open the camera again. Point the camera at your face, and the Avatar will appear like a mask over you.
You can make multiple Avatars and switch between them using that toolbar. To open it again, just open the Effects menu and tap the TikTok Avatar icon again.
Your Avatar appears over your own face.TikTok; William Antonelli/Insider
