How to make text story videos for TikTok
5 min read · Updated October 24, 2026
Text story TikToks — a chat that types itself out over gameplay — get watched to the end because every message is a small reveal. Here's how to make them quickly, with or without narration.
Make a text story video →What makes text story videos work
- An opening message that raises a question.
- Short messages, one thought each, so the rhythm stays fast.
- A twist or reveal near the end — often as an image message.
- A familiar chat look (light or dark), typing bubbles and a sound on big moments.
Narrated or silent?
Silent text stories move fast and suit short, punchy chats. Narrated ones — each side read by its own voice — work for longer stories and help reach the length some creator programmes require. With narration on, the video moves at the pace of the voices.
Make one with Zlayo
- 1
Write the chat
Type each message for either side, add images, or pull a conversation out of a YouTube video. Make several in a batch.
- 2
Style it
Light or dark, iMessage or WhatsApp style, a name and photo at the top, typing dots, reactions and read receipts.
- 3
Add voice and footage
Optional narration with a voice per side (including your cloned voice), background gameplay, a sound on any message, then download it upright for TikTok.
Questions
No. Zlayo's fake text video maker is on the paid plans, from $19 a month. You can make a free account to look around first.
Yes, switch narration on and pick a voice for each side.
Zlayo shows them 0.3 seconds apart without narration; with narration, each waits for its line.