Does TikTok want to compete with Instagram with a new app called TikTok Photos?

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Tiktok is reportedly working on a new photo-sharing platform to compete with Instagram.

According to The SpAndroid, elements found in the code of theTikTok app suggest that a service called "TikTok Photos" could soon be launched.

TikTok has long dominated the short video market, and other platforms such as Instagram and YouTube have not hesitated to draw inspiration (copy?) from it for their apps such as Reels & Shorts. It's no surprise that TikTok has followed suit. It's only fair.

Is TikTok about to launch its own photo-sharing platform?

After rivaling music streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music with TikTok Music, ByteDance may be planning to create an Instagram competitor. At least, that's what elements in the code of TikTok version 33.8.4 suggest. This information was uncovered by the owner of The SpAndroid site (which usually publishes news about Google).

According to The SpAndroid, the TikTok APK file (an installable file format for Android) contains references and icons to a new app called TikTok Photos. According to the description, this app could be aimed at "like-minded people who enjoy posting photos". Apart from this code, he was able to access additional text relating to the launch of the new platform.

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Code suggests TikTok could create an app for photos

Information confirmed by TechCrunch media. While the language is slightly different, the idea remains the same: "Whether you're a world traveler, a food blogger or just like to share what's going on in your life, TikTok Photos is our brand new photo-sharing platform dedicated to helping creators like you reach other like-minded people," says the description.

According to The SpAndroid and TechnCrunch, the APK also features an icon representative of the potential TikTok Photos service. A logo, in the shape of the letter P, echoing TikTok's colors.

TikTok on all fronts

If TikTok started out as a short video platform, then later added support for images in a bid to take on Instagram, by July 2023 the Chinese social network had announced it was rolling out support for text posts. This announcement shows that TikTok has no intention of leaving the field open to Threads, and also intends to capture some of the disappointed users of X (ex-Twitter) since Elon Musk's takeover of the blogging platform.

Among other new features to come, in January 2024, social media consultant Matt Navarra had reported spotting a new option in the iOS beta version of the app in the UK. According to him, the social network would be testing 30-minute downloads. A change that would place TikTok in even more direct competition with YouTube.