TikTok is expanding its features to compete with major messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Apple’s Messages by introducing group chats, a move announced on Monday. The new feature allows users to create group chats with up to 32 participants, enabling them to chat, share content, and interact directly within the TikTok app.
Traditionally, TikTok users would share videos with friends via external messaging platforms, but the introduction of group chats allows for this interaction to happen natively within TikTok. This means users can now watch videos together, comment, and react in real time, all without leaving the app.
This development signals TikTok’s ambition to evolve beyond just being an entertainment platform where users engage with a broad audience. The company seems keen to transform its app into a more social space where friends can converse and share experiences, making TikTok a hub for personal connections as well.
However, TikTok has maintained its commitment to user safety, particularly for younger users. Group chats, like individual messaging on TikTok, are restricted to users aged 15 and older. The platform has implemented additional protective measures for teens aged 16 and 17. For instance, teens can only be added to group chats by people who are mutual followers. Moreover, if a teen receives an invitation to join a group chat, they won’t be able to join unless they share at least one mutual friend with the group. When a teen initiates a group chat, they are required to review and approve any new participants before they can join.
To start a group chat, users simply need to tap the “Chat” button located at the top of their inbox, choose “More options,” select the friends they want to include, and then click “Start group chat.” If someone receives an invitation to join an existing group chat, they can join by tapping the invite and selecting “Join group.”
Additionally, TikTok is rolling out a new feature in direct messages (DMs) that allows users to create and use custom stickers. This feature adds a playful element to conversations, giving users the ability to design and upload their own stickers, which can be shared and used by everyone on the platform.
Overall, TikTok’s introduction of group chats and custom stickers represents a strategic move to enhance its platform’s social capabilities, making it not only a place for entertainment but also a space for meaningful interactions among friends.
