TikTok is expanding its direct messaging (DM) features by introducing voice messages and image sharing for all users over the coming weeks. The update aims to make the platform a more social space, encouraging users to interact with friends and communities beyond its popular short-form video content.
New features rolling out to all eligible users
The new features will be available to all TikTok users who already have access to DMs, according to a spokesperson from the company. TikTok spokesperson JaShel Jones clarified that the changes would not be visible to younger users, saying: “Direct Messaging is only available to accounts 16 years and older, which means these features are only available to those accounts.”
TikTok confirmed that the rollout will take place gradually over the next few weeks. Once live, users will be able to send voice memos, share multiple images, and send short videos directly through the platform’s messaging system. Videos in DMs can be up to one minute long, a feature that has been available for some time.
How the new tools work
The process of sending voice messages and images on TikTok is designed to be simple but comes with some quirks. To send a voice memo, users must hold down the microphone button while speaking. The message is sent automatically once the button is released. To avoid accidentally sending a message, users can drag the recording up or left to cancel before releasing the button.
The new update also allows users to share up to nine images or videos in a single message thread. Voice messages and videos are both capped at one minute each, helping keep communication quick and engaging. These changes align TikTok’s messaging tools more closely with those of other popular platforms, offering an integrated space for both content sharing and private conversations.
TikTok’s push for deeper user engagement
TikTok has become one of the world’s leading social media platforms, with its algorithm-driven short videos attracting millions of daily users. The decision to enhance its messaging features signals a wider push to keep users engaged within the app. Competitors like Instagram and Snapchat have long offered multimedia messaging tools, and TikTok’s latest update shows its commitment to building a similar ecosystem.
The rollout comes as social media companies increasingly compete to be the go-to platform for staying connected with friends and family. Spotify, traditionally a music streaming service, recently introduced its own social features, underscoring a wider trend of platforms expanding beyond their original focus. TikTok’s addition of voice messaging and image sharing reflects a similar strategy to keep users spending more time within its ecosystem.
By introducing these updates, TikTok provides users with a more versatile way to communicate, whether sharing moments privately or engaging in conversations through multimedia messages. The changes are expected to be widely available in the coming weeks as part of a gradual global rollout.
