Where Are TikTok Drafts Stored?
Local TikTok draft projects and saved download locations on Android and iOS.
Last updated
TikTok drafts are local only and live in private app storage with metadata in an internal database. Published or downloaded videos are separate files in public galleries.
Drafts do not transfer to a new phone by login alone and are deleted with uninstall or draft deletion. Direct draft file access requires root on Android or a backup tool or jailbreak on iOS.
Where TikTok stores this, by platform
/data/data/com.zhiliaoapp.musically/files/draft
Private draft project directory (also seen as /data/user/0/com.zhiliaoapp.musically/files/drafts and /data/data/com.ss.android.ugc.trill in some regions, exact name varies by app version and package). Requires root. Draft metadata is in databases under the same package. Clearing cache does not delete drafts, but Clear data, uninstall, or in app draft delete does. Package com.zhiliaoapp.musically is the global build and com.ss.android.ugc.trill appears in some regions.
/storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera
Public location for videos saved with the in app Save function, also surfaced in Gallery and Google Photos. Browser downloads land in /storage/emulated/0/Download. Playback cache under /sdcard/Android/data/[package]/cache holds viewed content, not drafts. Move files from Download to DCIM/Camera if a gallery app does not scan Downloads.
/var/mobile/Containers/Data/Application/[App-UUID]/Documents/Drafts
iOS sandbox location for draft projects reported by recovery guides. [App-UUID] is a per install identifier and differs per device and install. Not visible in the Files app under normal sandboxing. Uninstall deletes the container and all drafts. Videos saved through Share, Save Video appear in the Photos app, while browser downloads stay in Files, Downloads until moved with Save Video.
Frequently asked questions
Does clearing TikTok cache delete drafts?
No. Cache clear removes playback cache only. Drafts are stored separately in private files and databases. Draft loss comes from uninstall, Clear data, logging issues tied to device change, or deleting drafts inside the app.
Can drafts be moved to a new phone?
There is no official draft transfer. Drafts stay on the original device. Post as private, save to device, or keep the old device until re created. Backup restores only help if the backup contains the intact app container from before deletion.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.