Some TikTok users are starting to notice a “Clear Mode” that lets them watch a video without the UI overlay, which usually shows things like the favorite and comment buttons and other information about the video. TikTok confirmed to TechCrunch that it is currently testing the feature, but it is unclear how many have access to it.
Those in the test group (which includes at least two Rim employees) can access clear mode by tapping and holding a video and then pressing the Clear Mode button in the pop-up menu. The same method can be used to exit clearing mode, and there is also a button in the lower right corner that will return you to the default user interface.
If you enable Clear Mode, you’ll be able to see a TikTok without all the chrome of the window, but if you scroll to the next video, the user interface will come back and you’ll have to re-enable clear mode if you want true full screen video experience. This is not how I expect it to work, but it would make some sense for the company to build the feature this way; it makes sure you at least have the chance to see who made the video and what sound it uses.
TikTok did not immediately respond The edge‘s request for comment on whether this conduct is intentional.
I was able to use Clear Mode across TikTok – it was available when I looked on the For You page, as well as on people’s profiles and even in videos that had been sent to me in the DM. It did not show up for ads, and interestingly, it was not available when I recorded the screen. In theory, it will help prevent people from using Clear Mode to steal content and pass it on as their own.
I do not want to oversell this change, but for me it makes the app feel usable. I’ve always hated how the user interface, which mostly contains information I don’t care about, covers a significant percentage of the video I try to watch. Clear Mode solves that problem. (Does the fact that I prefer Clear Mode essentially be old person mode mean? Maybe.)
The fact that TikTok is adding this feels like stronger evidence that the company is focusing more on longer videos – within the last year, the maximum time limit for TikToks has been extended from one minute to 10 minutes. While the user interface is in the way of a 30-second video might just be a bit annoying, I do not think many people will see anything for 10 minutes while the main content is covered by buttons and constantly moving text and icons.
Designing the mode to focus on content in longer form would also explain why you need to reactivate it every time – if it is a conscious choice. While it’s hard to justify activating the long press menu and pressing the button to see something that is less than a minute long, it makes more sense for something that you set out to see.