TikTok is Working on a New Photo App That Could Rival Instagram
TikTok is reportedly working on a new stand-alone photo app called “TikTok Photos” in a platform that could potentially rival Instagram.
According to a report on The SpAndroid blog, well-known app/feature sleuth and developer AssembleDebug spotted a code for a new “TikTok Photos” app when looking through the latest version of the video app’s code.
BREAKING: TikTok is reportedly working on a new Instagram competitor named ‘TikTok Photos’ app pic.twitter.com/QPUSlUbR3R
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) March 11, 2024
The SpAndroid blog reports that TikTok’s APK file, which is an installable file format for Android, contains references and icons to a new app named TikTok Photos.
According to the description in the APK version 33.8.4, this app could cater to “like-minded people who enjoy photo posts.” There is also a logo for the new TikTok Photos app.
‘TikTok Photos Will Be Launched Soon’
According to the discovered text, the new TikTok Photos app will launch “soon” and it will be possible to synchronize photo posts between regular TikTok and the new platform.
The report on The SpAndroid blog also suggests that TikTok users will be automatically prompted to share their photo posts via a pop-up message in the TikTok app.
“TikTok Photos will be launched soon, we hope to help you gain new audiences in the new app. If the switch is on, we’ll sync your public photos to the new app, whether you close the pop-up or not,” the description reads, according to The SpAndroid blog.
However, TechCrunch reports that it found different wording for the potential TikTok Photos app in the newer 33.8.5 version of the video app.
“Whether you’re a world traveler, food blogger, or simply enjoy sharing what’s going on in your life, TikTok Photos is our all-new photo-sharing platform dedicated to helping creators like you reach other like-minded people,” the description reads, according to TechCrunch.
“TikTok Photos is our all-new photo-sharing platform where we’ve made it easier to enjoy and discover photo posts.”
A Potentially Powerful Photo App
One of the standout features of TikTok is its powerful algorithm with its emphasis on content relevance over creator popularity.
This algorithm could serve to make a stand-alone TikTok Photos app a powerful platform for photographers — especially when Instagram still appears to favor Reels over Photos.
TikTok is not only competing with Instagram this year. In January, TikTok appeared to be coming for YouTube — after the company was spotted incentivizing creators to start posting horizontal, longer videos.
Image credits: Header photo licensed via Depositphotos.
