Post to TikTok via API: the TikTok Content Posting API, handled for you (2026)

How TikTok posting works

TikTok's Content Posting API lets an approved developer app publish videos to a creator's account. You authenticate each creator with TikTok OAuth (Login Kit), request the video.publish / video.upload scopes, and upload the media. Direct Post requires your app to pass TikTok's audit; before that, posts can only be created as drafts the user confirms in-app.

The audit is the hard part for solo builders. PostWire goes through it so your code never touches the approval flow.

Honest status

TikTok is live on PostWire. Connect with one OAuth click — PostWire carries the platform approval, so there is no app review for you to sit through. Videos stream in chunks up to 1GB, and creator_info is checked before publishing so the privacy options you are offered are the ones your account actually allows.

1. Connect a TikTok account (OAuth)

TikTok uses OAuth, not a password. Your user connects in the dashboard, or you generate the authorization URL via the API:

curl -X POST https://postwire.io/api/oauth/tiktok/url \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $POSTWIRE_API_KEY"
# -> { "url": "https://.../oauth/authorize?..." }
# The user opens the URL, approves, and PostWire stores the token (and refreshes it for you).

2. Publish with one REST call

Once connected, posting is a single request. Add more networks by putting more strings in platforms.

curl -X POST https://postwire.io/api/post \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $POSTWIRE_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"platforms":["tiktok"],"video_url":"https://cdn.example.com/clip.mp4","text":"Behind the scenes 😱 #buildinpublic"}'

3. Or let an AI agent post it (MCP)

PostWire ships a first-class MCP server — not docs-only. Add it to any MCP client:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "postwire": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "postwire-mcp"],
      "env": { "POSTWIRE_API_KEY": "pw_live_xxx" }
    }
  }
}

Then the agent just calls the tool:

{
  "name": "post_to_social",
  "arguments": { "platforms": ["tiktok"], "video_url": "https://cdn.example.com/clip.mp4", "text": "Day 12 🚀" }
}

TikTok via API: build it yourself vs PostWire

Pricing: per connected account

Running 50 brands on Ayrshare costs roughly $299 — and its MCP is docs-only, so an agent can't actually post. See PostWire vs Ayrshare.

FAQ

Does TikTok have an API?

Yes, the Content Posting API — but access is gated. Your app must pass TikTok's audit before it can publish for other people, and until then it can only post SELF_ONLY. It publishes video; photo posts use a separate flow.

Can I post to TikTok via API?

Yes. TikTok's Content Posting API lets approved apps publish videos to a creator's account. It requires an audited developer app plus per-user OAuth. PostWire wraps the audit, OAuth and upload behind one REST call and one MCP tool.

Why does the TikTok API require an audit?

TikTok gates direct posting (publishing without a manual in-app confirmation) behind an app audit that reviews your use case, content policy and UX. PostWire goes through this audit so you don't have to.

Is TikTok live on PostWire yet?

Yes. TikTok posting is live and in daily use — PostWire holds the platform approval, so connecting is one OAuth click with no app review on your side. Bluesky, Telegram, Mastodon and Discord need no review from anyone.

How does an AI agent post to TikTok?

PostWire ships an MCP server (postwire-mcp). The agent calls post_to_social with platforms set to tiktok, a video_url and text. PostWire resolves the audited OAuth token, uploads via the Content Posting API and returns the result.

How much does posting to TikTok cost?

Flat per-account pricing: Free $0 (1 brand, 30 posts), Starter $9, Pro $29, Agency $99 for 50 brands, Scale $299. TikTok is included on every paid plan once it leaves review.