TikTok is the trickiest of the big platforms to schedule programmatically because the Content Posting API has two modes: Direct Post (audited) and Inbox (drafts). post mate uses both depending on the account state. This guide explains the OAuth flow, the audit step, and why some accounts get instant publishing while others get a draft to confirm in the app.
Connect TikTok in 5 steps
- Open /app/connections in post mate
Click "Connect TikTok". post mate redirects to TikTok's authorisation page. You sign in with the TikTok account you want to schedule from — not a business email, the actual creator login.
- Approve the scopes
TikTok asks for video.publish, video.upload and user.info.basic. These are the minimum scopes for the Content Posting API. Approve and you return to /app/connections.
- Check whether the account lands in direct-post or draft mode
New connections often default to "draft mode" — scheduled posts upload to your TikTok Inbox and you tap to publish. After post mate completes TikTok's app audit, accounts move to direct-post mode. The state shows up on the TikTok row in /app/connections.
- Schedule a vertical video
Open /app/compose, attach an MP4 in 9:16 format, write a caption, set the privacy. If you do not see scheduled options it usually means the upload is still processing — TikTok is slow about acknowledging video uploads.
- Watch the timeline for the publish event
On direct-post accounts, post mate fires the publish call at the scheduled time and stores the resulting URL. On draft accounts, post mate sends the video to your Inbox at the scheduled time and notifies you to tap "Post" in the app.
Once you're back inside post mate the account shows up on /app/connections with a green connection dot. From there it's available as a target in every composer.
What you can post to TikTok from post mate
- ✓Vertical video (mp4/mov) — 9:16, up to 4 GB, 60s–10min.
- ✓Caption + hashtags — Up to 2,200 characters.
- ✓Cover thumbnail selection
- ✓Privacy setting (public/friends/private)
- ×Image carousel (TikTok Photos) — Not exposed on the Content Posting API.
- ×TikTok LIVE
TikTok API capabilities — the honest list
What works
- Video upload (mp4, mov)
- Caption, hashtags, mentions
- Cover selection
- Privacy level + duet/stitch/comment toggles
- Direct Post (audited apps) or Inbox draft (unaudited)
What the API doesn't expose
- Image carousels (TikTok Photos)
- LIVE scheduling
- Editing a post after publish
- Reading analytics beyond basic profile info on this scope
- Scheduling stitches/duets of others' content
FAQs
Why does my TikTok land as a draft in the app?
Your account is in Inbox mode. Either post mate's app status hasn't been promoted to direct-post for your region yet, or your account is too new. Once TikTok flips the switch the next scheduled post publishes automatically.
Can I schedule TikTok photo carousels?
Not today. The Content Posting API only exposes video uploads. If TikTok opens the Photos endpoint, post mate will pick it up.
My video says "uploaded but not published".
TikTok's post-upload moderation can hold a file for a few minutes. If it stays stuck for more than an hour, the video usually violated a community guideline — common triggers are watermarks from other apps or copyrighted audio.
Does post mate store my TikTok password?
No. OAuth tokens only. You can revoke them under TikTok → Settings → Manage account → Connected apps.
Can I connect multiple TikTok accounts?
Yes, one OAuth flow per account. Each appears as a separate row in /app/connections.
Ready to schedule your first post?
Sign up for post mate, connect TikTok from /app/connections, and start cross-posting from a single composer. 14-day free trial, cancel anytime — no credit card to start the trial when you sign up with Google.