What is a tikTok Stitch?

Also called Stitch, stitch on TikTok, TikTok stitches.

A TikTok Stitch is a video that starts with a short clip taken from another creator's TikTok and then continues with your own footage, so you can respond to, answer or build on what they said.

Why it matters

A Stitch puts someone else's question or claim right in front of your answer, so viewers get the context instantly. For a business with know-how, stitching questions and myths in your field is one of the quickest ways to show expertise on TikTok without writing a script from nothing.

Example

An electrician stitches a viral clip where someone says "you can just swap a light fitting yourself" and follows it with 40 seconds explaining when that's safe and when you need a qualified electrician.

How to Stitch a video on TikTok

These are the steps in the TikTok app.

  1. Tap the Share button on the side of the video you want to Stitch.
  2. Tap Stitch and choose the part of the video you want to use, then tap Next.
  3. Select a maximum length for your video.
  4. Tap the record button to record your part, then tap the tick to continue.
  5. Add text, stickers or effects, then tap Next to add a description, hashtags and other details, or Your Story to post it as a story.
  6. Tap Post, or save it to Drafts.

Controlling Stitch on your own videos

Stitch is controlled by the Allow reuse of content setting. You need a public account to let others Stitch your videos, and you can allow Everyone or only Friends (followers you follow back). You can also turn it off for a single post before or after posting, under More options and Privacy settings.

TikTok notes that turning Stitch off also affects who can Duet your posts, make stickers from them or add them to their story. Not every video has Stitch turned on.

If you are happy for people to respond to your videos, leaving Stitch on can help your content travel, because every Stitch points back to your original. If a video is personal, or features customers or staff who would not want it reused, turn reuse off for that post before you share it.

Good habits when stitching

  • Choose a clip that sets up your point in a few seconds.
  • Respond with something useful, not just a reaction.
  • Be respectful: correcting a myth works; mocking a person doesn't.
  • Add on-screen text that summarises your answer.
  • Stitch questions your customers actually ask.

Stitch ideas for small businesses

A Stitch works best when the clip asks a question or makes a claim that you can answer with your experience. Ideas that suit small businesses:

  • Answer a customer question someone asked on video
  • Correct a common myth in your trade, politely
  • Show how you would do a popular hack properly
  • Follow up on a trend with a version for your business
  • Respond to a customer's review video with thanks and a tip

Common questions

What's the difference between a Stitch and a Duet?

A Stitch plays a clip from the original first and then your video. A Duet plays the whole original next to your video in a split screen.

Why can't I Stitch a video?

The creator may have turned off reuse of their content, limited it to friends, or have a private account.

Can I remove Stitches made with my video?

Yes. In Settings and privacy, under Reuse of content history, you can view and remove Stitch and Duet posts associated with your video. TikTok warns that removing all of them also permanently removes your original post, so download a copy first.

Sources: TikTok Help Centre: Stitch, checked 14 October 2026; TikTok Help Centre: Stitch privacy settings, checked 14 October 2026

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