TikTok users can now effortlessly scroll through the ‘For You’ page on larger screens and foldable devices, thanks to a new update. The feature will be available worldwide and compatible with devices such as iPads and various foldable Android phones.
Despite its traditional mobile-forward approach, the company promises to deliver crystal clear video content on larger screens.
The new update will include a navigation bar at the top and bottom of the screen streaming TikTok videos, simplifying the access to tabs and featured videos. Videos can now also be viewed in landscape orientation, offering creators the opportunity to produce horizontal content after years of vertical-only format.
This announcement arrives a year after TikTok initiated the testing of a global horizontal full-screen mode on mobile devices. By introducing landscape mode on larger devices, TikTok inches further into YouTube’s domain – a space it has already been encroaching upon by supporting longer videos.
As TikTok has been backing long-form content for quite some time now, it’s logical for the company to elevate the viewing experience for user who consume content like cooking demonstrations and beauty tutorials on their tablets.
The company is likely optimistic that the new mode will persuade users who typically watch YouTube on their tablets to devote their time to TikTok instead.
The company wrote in a blog post;
While most people already know and love TikTok on their mobile devices, we know many also like to access it on larger screens and foldable devices. Whether they’re watching the latest cooking trends or searching for the latest soccer highlights, we’re excited to share that TikTok is now better optimized for tablets and foldable gadgets.
TikTok revealed plans to continue experimenting with features like Topic Feeds, enabling users to browse videos in specific categories, such as gaming, food, or fashion. The platform has been exploring innovative ways to present content to users and is discreetly testing an AI-driven chatbot that recommends videos.
Even though TikTok remains the top app for short videos, devising unique content delivery methods can help it differentiate itself from competitors like Instagram’s Reels and YouTube Shorts.
It’s noteworthy that TikTok’s enhancements for foldable devices and tablets come at a time when Instagram, a primary competitor, still lacks an iPad app. By rolling out updates for app experiences on larger screens, TikTok is shifting beyond its mobile-first strategy while its competition lags behind.
