TikTok took the world by storm with its fun 15-second videos. What began as lip-syncing app Musical.ly exploded into a platform with over 1 billion monthly active users sharing everything from comedy routines to life hacks.
A key part of TikTok‘s success? Filters that add a stylistic flair to videos with just a tap.
But have you ever recorded a TikTok, applied a filter, then realized it looked totally weird and wanted to get rid of it? You‘re not alone.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore why TikTok filters are so popular, when you may want to remove them, and step-by-step instructions to delete filters from videos with ease.
Why TikTok Filters Became So Big
TikTok filters transform videos with color and contrast changes, overlays, and more. Data shows 62% of TikTok users leverage filters to enhance their content.
But why did fun filters catch on so quickly in the first place?
Enhancing Video Quality – Most TikToks are filmed casually on phones. Filters hide imperfections and make footage pop. Especially for challenges filmed in poor lighting, a filter can work magic.
Increasing Discoverability – TikTok‘s algorithm favors engagement. Filters drawn viewers in, making it more likely your video gets shown to others.
Boosting Creativity – Filters pave the way for users to unleash their creativity. Goofy, artsy, or mesmerizing filters inspire unique content.
Enabling Self-Expression – Similar to Snapchat and Instagram, filters let users alter appearances in fun ways. This facilitates self-expression.
But sometimes you try a filter and it just doesn‘t vibe with the video content or mood you want to set. That‘s where removing them comes in handy.
Common Reasons to Remove TikTok Filters
TikTok filters seem harmless, but using the wrong one can drastically impact how your video turns out. Here are key reasons you may want to delete a filter:
Clashing Tones – A vibrant, playful filter won‘t match if you‘re telling a scary story. Similarly, a black-and-white noir filter could dampen a comedy bit.
Obscured Visuals – Does the filter add so much contrast your video is hard to see? That defeats the purpose!
Unwanted Appearance Changes – Filters altering facial features or color can seem fun at first. But you may feel differently once the recording finishes.
Performance Issues – Some older phones struggle running filters alongside other effects. Removing them helps prevent lag, pixelation, or crashes.
Desire for Authenticity – While filters can enhance videos, going filter-free showcases your genuine self. Not masking anything fits better for some creators.
Let‘s explore how to eliminate filters so you can find the right look.
Step-by-Step: Removing TikTok Filters Mid-Recording
Deleting a filter mid-recording only takes seconds. Simply:
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Tap the filter icon while recording your video
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Select the circle-slash icon in the upper left filter menu
This instantly removes the current filter. Now your raw footage displays filter-free!
Easy filter removal mid-video just requires tapping the circle-slash icon
You can now try alternate filters or finalize the recording without one applied.
But what if you already completed filming, saved as a draft, and want to revisit filter options? We‘ve got you covered there too.
Eliminating Filters from TikTok Drafts
Drafts allow you to test video concepts without officially posting to your profile. Handy for experimenting with filters too.
To remove filters from drafts:
- Open your drafts from your profile > Drafts section
- Select the filter option on the right side of the editing screen
- Choose the circle-slash icon to delete the filter
Filter removal works the same for drafts as mid-recording
Now your draft appears filterless, ready for you to try other options before posting.
Finding The Perfect Filter
Once you remove filters that don‘t work, it‘s time for the fun part – discovering new ones!
TikTok offers filters across categories like:
Lighting – Alters brightness, contrast, saturation
Special Effects – Overlays sparkles, lens flares, glitches
Color Shift – Monochrome, sepia tone, cool/warm colors
Vibe – Dreamy, scary, romantic aesthetics
Food – Makes dishes pop with brightness and saturation
Landscape – Boosts nature shots into otherworldly views
And many more!
Tap the filter icon, then "Management" to uncover additional filters beyond the defaults. You can also search for specific ones here.
When watching other TikToks, tap any filter name to try it or save it for later inspiration too.
Mix and match filters with text, sounds, effects and more to unlock unbridled creativity for captivating videos.
Removing TikTok Effects (Like Green Screen)
We‘ve focused on filters, but effects alter videos too. Want to know how to eliminate effects as well?
During recording or editing drafts, tap the effects icon instead of filters. Then select the circle-slash icon again. This removes the current effect.
Removing effects works the same way as filters
Green screen is a popular effect letting you overlay custom backgrounds. But if the image or motion isn‘t working, this process deletes it.
Now you can implement a different effect or finalize your video effect-free.
Troubleshooting: Why Can‘t I Remove TikTok Filters?
While removing filters is typically straightforward, you may encounter issues like:
Already Posted Video – Once a recording publishes to your profile, filter removal after-the-fact isn‘t possible currently. Filters get rendered into video files at that point.
Different Region Filters – Not all filters display across regions. A filter showing for a creator in Europe may not appear in North America. Limited option availability can be frustrating!
Buggy App Issues – Like any software, TikTok isn‘t immune to bugs. Though rare, some users report filters not removing correctly or app crashes. Try force closing and reopening TikTok.
Key Takeaways: Removing TikTok Filters
Filters make TikTok videos pop. But incorrect filter choices can dampen your vision for amazing content. Thankfully, you can easily remove TikTok filters:
- During recording, access the filter menu and select the circle-slash icon
- For drafts, tap the filter option on the editing screen then circle-slash
- Deleting filters mid-process allows smoothly experimenting until you discover the perfect aesthetic
- Finding new filters is simple via "Management" or tapping options on other videos
- Effects remove the same way – just tap the effects menu first
So feel empowered to unleash your creativity on TikTok! Mix and match filters, effects, text and sounds until each video conveys precisely what you imagined. Your authenticity and vision deserve to shine.
What filter do you want to try next for spectacular videos?
