TikTok introduces customizable avatars as a video effect

TikTok has introduced customizable avatars. Users can use the avatars as an effect in videos on the platform. The feature is reminiscent of the Memoji feature of iPhones and similar features in other phones.

The avatars can be found under Effects in the video editor of the app, says the company. Creating the avatar is all about the face, the software does not replace the rest of the body. Users can adjust the shape of the face and elements such as eye color and hair color, among other things.

Then the avatars can follow the facial expression of users to a limited extent. That happens on all phones, it appears, exclusively with the front camera, unlike Apple’s Memoji feature, which uses depth information from its own sensors for the feature.

The avatars can be used immediately worldwide, says TikTok’s parent company ByteDance. It is, however, a test version. The intention is to further develop the avatars in the near future and to include them as a permanent element in the app.