How to Schedule TikTok Photo Carousels via API
Publish multi-image carousels (photo slideshows) to TikTok using the PostFast API. Schedule swipeable image posts with auto-add music.
TikTok Photo Carousels (also called Photo Mode or slideshows) allow you to post multiple images that users can swipe through. Using the PostFast API, you can schedule carousels by including multiple IMAGE items in your mediaItems array.
Photo carousels are great for tutorials, before/after comparisons, product showcases, and storytelling. You can enable tiktokAutoAddMusic to let TikTok automatically add background music when the post is published.
Key capabilities when scheduling TikTok carousels via API include multiple images (2-10 photos), an optional tiktokTitle (max 90 characters) shown as the carousel title, privacy and comment controls, and automatic music addition (for scheduled posts only, not drafts).
API Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
tiktokTitle | string | Photo carousels only. Visible carousel title (max 90 characters). When set, the entire content field becomes the post description and tiktokTitle becomes the title. When omitted, the first line of content is used as the title (auto-truncated at word boundary if >90 chars) and the remainder becomes the description. Does not apply to TikTok videos. |
tiktokPrivacy | string | Controls who can view the video PUBLICMUTUAL_FRIENDSONLY_ME |
tiktokAllowComments | boolean | Allow comments on the video |
tiktokAutoAddMusic | boolean | Automatically add background music to the video |
Code Example
const response = await fetch('https://api.postfa.st/social-posts', {
method: 'POST',
headers: {
'pf-api-key': 'YOUR_API_KEY',
'Content-Type': 'application/json'
},
body: JSON.stringify({
"posts": [
{
"content": "Today's lesson breaks down how I built a 5-step morning routine that actually sticks. Swipe for the full breakdown, screenshots, and the exact tools I use every day. #productivity #morningroutine",
"mediaItems": [
{
"key": "image/b7c8d9e0-f1a2-3456-7890-abcdef123456.jpg",
"type": "IMAGE",
"sortOrder": 0
},
{
"key": "image/c8d9e0f1-a2b3-4567-8901-bcdef1234567.jpg",
"type": "IMAGE",
"sortOrder": 1
},
{
"key": "image/d9e0f1a2-b3c4-5678-9012-cdef12345678.jpg",
"type": "IMAGE",
"sortOrder": 2
}
],
"scheduledAt": "2025-01-31T10:00:00.000Z",
"socialMediaId": "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440001"
}
],
"controls": {
"tiktokTitle": "5 morning habits that actually stick",
"tiktokPrivacy": "PUBLIC",
"tiktokAllowComments": true,
"tiktokAutoAddMusic": true
}
})
});
const data = await response.json();
Did You Know?
Tips
Set tiktokTitle explicitly (max 90 chars) to control the visible carousel headline. Otherwise the first line of your content becomes the title and the rest becomes the description.
Use sortOrder to control the exact sequence of images in your carousel
Vertical (9:16) or square (1:1) images perform best on TikTok
Include a compelling first image as it serves as the carousel thumbnail
Enable tiktokAutoAddMusic: true to let TikTok add background music automatically
Schedule carousels, videos, and drafts to TikTok via API
Common Pitfalls
Uploading only one image will not create a carousel. You need at least 2 images for the slideshow format.
Carousels are image-only. If you include VIDEO items, they will be processed separately or cause an error.
tiktokAutoAddMusic only works for scheduled posts. If you use tiktokIsDraft: true, auto-add music will not be applied.
tiktokAllowDuet and tiktokAllowStitch are video-only features. They do not apply to photo carousels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does tiktokTitle work for carousels?
tiktokTitle is an optional string (max 90 characters) shown as the visible title above the carousel. If you set it, the entire content field becomes the post description. If you omit it, PostFast uses the first line of content as the title (auto-truncated at a word boundary if longer than 90 chars) and the remainder becomes the description. tiktokTitle does not apply to TikTok videos.
How many images can I include in a TikTok carousel?
TikTok carousels support 2-10 images. You need at least 2 images for TikTok to recognize it as a carousel/slideshow.
Can I add music to carousels via the API?
Yes! Set tiktokAutoAddMusic: true and TikTok will automatically add background music when the post is published. Note: This only works for scheduled posts, not drafts.