How to Schedule TikTok Videos (Desktop and Phone)
To schedule TikTok videos, finish a vertical 9:16 video, write a caption of up to 2,200 characters, then pick a date and time in TikTok's own upload tools or in a scheduler. In Infinall AI you add the video to a post in the Calendar and click Schedule; a connected TikTok account posts by itself, and without one you get a reminder to post it from your phone.
Checked October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of the page.
Scheduling a TikTok video means the video, caption and time are set in advance, so the post goes out when your audience is around instead of when you happen to be free. There are two ways to do it: TikTok's own creator tools, where the options you see depend on your account and device, or a social media scheduler that publishes through a connected account. This guide walks through the steps that work in any tool, then shows exactly how to do it in the Infinall AI Calendar, including what changes on a phone and what is free.
| What | Limit | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| TikTok caption | Up to 2,200 characters | The composer warns you and blocks scheduling until the caption fits |
| Text shown before the cut | 100 characters | Put the hook and the call to action first |
| Media in one TikTok post | One video, or up to 35 photos | Do not mix photos and a video in one TikTok post |
| File size in the upload window | Up to 25 MB per file | Export a smaller file if the upload is skipped |
| Earliest schedule time | At least 30 seconds ahead | For anything sooner, use Publish now |
| Failed sends | Tried again up to 3 times | After that the post shows as Failed with a reason |
| Preview shape | 9:16 for TikTok | Shows how the video frames on a phone |
How to Schedule TikTok Videos (Desktop and Phone)
Finish the video before you schedule
Edit, trim and caption the video first, because a scheduled post goes out exactly as you left it. Export it as a vertical 9:16 file, the shape TikTok shows full screen. Check the sound, the first seconds and any on-screen text on a phone screen before you move on.
Write the caption with the hook first
TikTok captions can run long, and the Infinall composer allows up to 2,200 characters for TikTok. Only the start shows before the caption is cut off, so put the main point in the first 100 characters. Add hashtags at the end, not in place of a clear first line.
Pick the account and the tool
Decide whether you will schedule inside TikTok's own tools or in a scheduler that has your TikTok account connected. TikTok's own tools work inside the account you are logged in to. A scheduler is useful when you also post the same video to Instagram, YouTube or other platforms, or when a team shares one calendar.
Choose a date and time
Pick a time when your followers are active, not when the video happens to be ready. If your tool shows engagement by day and hour, use it. Check which time zone the tool uses, because a post set in the wrong time zone goes out hours early or late.
Schedule it and check the status
Click the schedule button and confirm the post now shows as scheduled. Open your scheduled list a day before it goes out to check the video, caption and time once more. If something must change, edit it there or delete it and schedule again.
Check the post after it goes live
Open TikTok after the scheduled time and make sure the video is live with the right caption. If a post failed, read the reason, fix it (shorter caption, smaller file, reconnected account) and pick a new time. Then note which times worked so the next schedule is better.
How to schedule a TikTok video in Infinall AI
- Open Distribution, then Calendar, and click New post.
- In Where, click TikTok. The button shows Posts by itself if your TikTok account is connected, or Connect first if it is not.
- In Caption, write the text. If you also picked other platforms, switch Write once for all off to give TikTok its own caption.
- In Image or video, click Add image or video, then Choose files, then Add it. You can also send a finished motion video from your Studio project with Add to calendar.
- In When, pick the Date and time. Times use the brand's time zone, which you set in Brand calendar settings under More.
- Click Schedule for (your date). The post turns Scheduled.
If the button is greyed out, the reason shows just above it, for example TikTok needs an image or video. Planning, scheduling, publishing and reminders never use credits.
How to schedule TikTok videos on your phone or iPhone
The Infinall Calendar opens in a phone browser, so you can plan from a phone. The Month and Week views are not available on a phone, but List and Board are, and the post composer works with the live preview shown under the form.
If your TikTok account is not connected, a scheduled post becomes a reminder. Turn on reminders under More and allow notifications in your browser; at the scheduled time you get a pop up, open TikTok on your phone and post the video yourself. This is a simple way to keep a posting plan on the Free plan, as long as you are free at the time to post.
Free vs Pro for TikTok scheduling
The Calendar is open on both plans, and nothing in it is locked. On Free (1,000 credits every month, no card) you plan, save drafts, schedule and get reminders. Having TikTok post by itself needs a connected account, and connecting accounts is a Pro feature. Pro costs $10 for the first month, then $30 a month or $299 a year, and includes 2 free connections shared by social and ad accounts. Each connection after that is 300 credits a month, and you see the price before you confirm.
If all you need is a scheduler for videos you already have, a dedicated tool can be cheaper. Buffer's pricing page lists a free plan for up to 3 channels with 10 scheduled posts per channel, and paid plans from $5 per month per channel, with TikTok among its platforms. Infinall makes more sense when you also want the video made: a motion video from your saved brand, in 9:16, between 10 and 60 seconds long, sent straight to the calendar.
Common mistakes when scheduling TikTok videos
- Scheduling a draft video. Whatever you schedule is what goes out, so finish edits first.
- A horizontal video. TikTok is watched on phones; export 9:16.
- A caption that hides the point. Only about the first 100 characters show before the cut.
- Posting at your convenience. In Infinall, the Best time to post chart on Analytics shows which days and hours got the most engagement on your connected account, in three hour blocks.
- Forgetting the time zone. Set the brand time zone before you schedule a week of posts.
- Ignoring failed posts. A red Needs attention button lists posts that failed or missed their time, each with a Fix button.
Frequently asked questions
Can you schedule TikTok videos for free?
In Infinall AI, yes: Free accounts can schedule TikTok posts in the Calendar and get a reminder at the time, with no credits used. Automatic posting from Infinall needs a connected account, which is Pro. For TikTok's own scheduling rules, check TikTok's help center, since they depend on your account and device.
Can I schedule a TikTok video from my phone?
In Infinall AI, yes: the Calendar and post composer work in a phone browser using the List and Board views. With a connected TikTok account the post goes out by itself; without one you get a reminder and post it from the TikTok app.
Can I change a scheduled TikTok post in Infinall?
Yes. Click the post, change the caption, media or time and click Save. You can also drag it to another day in Month or Week view, and the time stays the same.
How long can a TikTok caption be in Infinall?
Up to 2,200 characters for TikTok, within an overall cap of 5,000 characters per caption. The composer counts characters for each platform and blocks scheduling until each one fits.
Does scheduling a TikTok post use credits?
No. Planning, scheduling, publishing and reminders in the Calendar never use credits. Credits are only used to make new content, such as a motion video, and for connections after your 2 free ones.
Sources and checks
Every price, rating and number on this page comes from the source pages below, checked October 2026. Prices and plans change often, so confirm on the vendor's own page before you buy.