Ultimate Guide to TikTok Refugees: How to Seamlessly Switch from TikTok to RedNote

Last Updated: 2025. 01. 17

TikTok refugees, keep marching towards RedNote! RedNote not only offers the same TikTok fun, but also provides opportunities to get to know the Chinese lifestyle and become famous at the same time.

Before finally joining the RedNote, you might have tons of questions like Are there any alternatives to TikTok? How to use RedNote? Well, we will get everything covered in this article.

Table of Contents

Love Story Video RedNote
Preview
Love Story Video RedNote
Use This Template
Birthday Video for RedNote
Preview
Birthday Video for RedNote
Use This Template
Minimal Vogue Style Intro
Preview
Minimal Vogue Style Intro
Use This Template

When TikTok Will Be Officially Banned

According to the law, the TikTok ban takes effect starting from January 19, 2025. The ban doesn’t mean the TikTok app suddenly disappears from our phones. Everyone can still use it. However, we can no longer download TikTok app from Google Play and App Store, or receive any updates after the ban starts. More technical bugs and errors will likely occur in the near future.

Trump campaigned on promises of not banning TikTok. However, his cabinet picks for the FCC, and most Republicans, remain in favor of banning the app. TikTok’s path ahead is still uncertain. It may come back any time soon, or never.

How to Save All My TikTok Videos

Don’t wait until TikTok is really gone! The moment you decided to jump to RedNote, you should download your TikTok videos so that you have videos to share. Here are two ways to save your TikTok videos.

Manually Download Videos One By One

Step 1
Launch TikTok app and visit your profile. Head over to one of your photos.
Step 2
On the video page, tap the three dots at the bottom right. Select save video. The video will be automatically saved to the device.

Use TikTok’s Data Download Feature

Step 1
Launch TikTok and visit your profile page.
Step 2
Tap the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner to open Settings.
Step 3
Choose Privacy > Download your data.
Step 4
Request your data. Once the file is ready, you will be notified to download it. All your data, including videos, comments will be included in the zip file.
Save TikTok Video Data

Save TikTok Video Data

What’s RedNote & Why You Should Switch to It

RedNote, also known as XiaoHongShu, is a popular Chinese platform among young people. It blends social networking, lifestyle, and e-commerce. You can share content related to food, fashion, experience, TV series and so much more.

RedNote mainly focuses on quick, short textual posts which can lead to heat discussions. Yet, videos with text annotations, narrations, background sound are also welcomed. You can enjoy the same TikTok fun - scrolling for endless interesting videos.

XiaoHongShu is also a hub for influencer marketing. Lots of influencers collaborate with companies, create reviews, or do livestreams. If you are in luck, you might be able to purchase some nice Chinese products.

RedNote App Interface

RedNote App Interface

RedNote is not preciously equal to TikTok. It even has two major advantages.

  • Authentic Experiences & Reviews
  • Even though RedNote and TikTok are both popular platforms that emphasize short-form content and social engagement, TikTok is more driven by entertainment, music, trending challenges, while RedNote acts as a content-based community for sharing real experiences, reviews.

  • Algorithm and Discovery
  • XiaoHongShu uses algorithm that prioritizes relevance and quality. TikTok recommends videos by user behavior, making it extremely addictive. In another word, XiaoHongShu is a safer community that provides more qualified content you actually need.

    Other RedNote Alternatives Offering the Same TikTok Fun

    Apart from RedNote and TikTok, there are so much more social platforms in China. In case history repeats itself, here we also recommend you several popular alternatives to TikTok.

  • Zynn: Similar app to TikTok, but you can watch videos and make small money at the same time.
  • Weishi: A short-video app strongly integrated with Tencent’s ecosystem, such as WeChat.
  • BiliBili: Started as a niche anime and pop culture site, but evolved into one of the largest content platforms in China.
  • How to Use RedNote

    This is a complete guidance on using the RedNote app. Follow and unlock XiaoHongShu skills that most people don’t know.

    Simple RedNote Tutorial
    Preview
    Simple RedNote Tutorial
    Use This Template

    Step 1: Sign Up for An Account

    You can’t start reading posts or watching videos without an account. The first thing after downloading and launching the RedNote app, is creating an account.

    You can login with a mobile number, via a WeChat account, QQ account or Sina blog.

    Step 2. Watch Posts & Videos

    By default, you are under the Explore section where all recommended posts show up. Jump among different post types from Live, Series, Fashion, Food, etc.

    Instantly tell from the textual descriptions and the cover photo if you like the post or not. Hit any of them, you have access to the details. Follow the creator, like the post, collect the post, or leave comments.

    RedNote App Watching Posts

    RedNote App Watching Posts

    Next to the Explore section, there are Follow and Nearby sections. The Follow part contains the posts from creators you followed. From the Nearby section, you can watch videos and posts from people nearby so that you can catch up with local trends.

    Create Your First RedNote Post

    Hit the Red Plus button at the middle bottom, you can upload photos or videos from camera roll as a post, take a photo directly or start livestreaming.

    I love using the hilarious templates, including collages, citypop, outlining. Sadly, some of the styles are not localized. You may have to guess the style based on the examples.

    RedNote Photo/Video Templates

    RedNote Photo/Video Templates

    No matter what you’ve uploaded, RedNote offers rich editing tools to make your post look professional. For instance, adding filters, beautifying, cropping, add text. Play with them for great results.

    Make sure you add titles, text descriptions, and hashtags. They play a decisive role on the traffic and click rate. Hit Post and be ready for the likes and comments.

    Common RedNote Errors & Troubleshooting

    Using a foreign app is always challenging, especially for a less localized app. Here are the common issues and fixes to save you from possible troubles.

    1. How to Change Language to English on RedNote?

    Under the 我 (Me) section, click on the Settings icon below your profile. Choose 通用设置(general settings) > 多语言 (language settings) > English. Currently, RedNote only supports Chinese and English.

    Language Settings

    Language Settings

    2. RedNote Not Sending Verification Code, How to Fix?

    There are many reasons why you can’t receive a verification code. You can troubleshoot this issue by working through the methods below.

  • Double check the phone number you input in case the verification code reaches others.
  • Try another phone number. Currently RedNote app may be struggling to send messages to oversea users.
  • Be patient because you might be experiencing delays due to the busy system. It is normal if you get a verification several minutes later.
  • Request a verification code again. A few more times trials might increase the success rate.
  • Check your network. See if you can get calls or messages from others.
  • Make sure that your phone is able to receive messages from unknown senders.
  • Try alternative ways to sign in RedNote. For instance, sign up for WeChat first and login to RedNote via WeChat.
  • 3. How to Delete a RedNote Account?

    Under the Settings > Account Security. Scroll all the way down to Account Cancellation. Get a verification code and hit Next. Your RedNote account is deactivated permanently.

    Group 11
    Make a free video online
    Create Your First Video With FlexClip Now
    Get Started - Free