How to Make Fake Text Message Videos for TikTok (Step-by-Step Guide)

You've seen these on your FYP.

Two iMessage bubbles going back and forth. Some dramatic story about a cheating ex, a crazy coworker, or a text sent to the wrong person.

You tell yourself you'll keep scrolling. But you don't. You watch the whole thing.

That's the power of fake text videos. And right now, they're one of the easiest ways to blow up on TikTok.

Here's how to make them.

Why this format works so well

Let's start with the numbers.

Fake text videos average a 78% completion rate on TikTok. The platform average is around 52%.

That's a massive difference. And TikTok's algorithm cares about one thing more than anything else: how long people watch your video.

Higher completion rate = more distribution = more views. Simple.

But why do people watch them?

1. Curiosity is addictive. Each text bubble is a mini cliffhanger. You NEED to see what the next message says.

2. Zero effort to consume. Reading short text bubbles is way easier than watching someone talk for 60 seconds. Low friction = longer watch time.

3. Everyone texts. The format feels real. Familiar. Like you're reading someone's actual private conversation.

4. Drama drives engagement. Comments, shares, saves. People can't help but react. "I would've LEFT him" type comments. The algorithm eats this up.

Creators using this format regularly pull 500K to 10M+ views. Even on brand new accounts with zero followers.

What you need to get started

Here's the good news: you need almost nothing.

• No camera
• No microphone
• No face
• No editing skills

Seriously. This is one of the most beginner-friendly formats on TikTok.

All you need is a good story and a way to turn it into a video.

Step 1: Write a script that hooks people

The script is everything. A well-written conversation with basic visuals will outperform a poorly written one with Hollywood production every time.

The opening message needs to grab immediately.

Good openers:

• "I know what you did last night."
• "We need to talk about what happened at dinner."
• "I just saw your boyfriend at the mall... with someone else."
• "I think I accidentally sent my boss something meant for you."

If your first bubble doesn't create instant curiosity, people scroll. Struggling with that opening line? Our free TikTok Hook Generator can help you nail it.

Build tension with every message.

Don't reveal the twist too early. Follow this structure:

• Messages 1-3: Set up the situation
• Messages 4-7: Escalate the tension
• Messages 8-10: Deliver the twist
• Final message: Something that makes people comment or share

Keep it between 15-25 messages. Too short = not enough story. Too long = people leave before the payoff.

Write like a real person. Use typos, abbreviations, emojis, short responses like "wdym" or "lol what." If the conversation feels too polished, the illusion breaks.

Step 2: Create the video

This is where most people overcomplicate things. There are three ways to do it:

The slow way: Screenshot a fake text generator website, import into a video editor, animate each bubble manually. Takes 45-60 minutes per video. Not sustainable if you want to post daily.

The medium way: Screen record a fake texting app. Decent quality but limited customization and the animations usually look choppy.

The fast way: Use GhostShorts' Fake Text Generator. Paste your script, pick your style, and it generates a fully animated video with typing indicators, sound effects, and smooth animations. Takes about 2 minutes.

Here's what the editor looks like:

You just type the conversation, customize the names and colors, and hit generate.

And here's what the finished video looks like:

That's a ready-to-post TikTok. No editing required.

Step 3: Add the right audio

Audio matters more than you think.

Your options:

• Trending TikTok sounds - Even playing softly in the background, a trending sound boosts distribution
• iMessage sound effects - The "swoosh" send sound and notification dings add authenticity. Most viewers expect these
• Dramatic background music - Suspenseful music works great for story-driven conversations
• AI voiceover - Some creators add text-to-speech narration reading the messages aloud. Increases accessibility and watch time

At minimum, add the message send/receive sounds. A silent fake text video feels incomplete and people notice.

Step 4: Post it right

Quick technical checklist:

• Resolution: 1080x1920 (vertical)
• Duration: 45-60 seconds is the sweet spot
• Text size: Big enough to read without squinting
• Safe zones: Keep bubbles in the center 80% of the screen so TikTok's UI doesn't cover them

For captions, use a hook that creates curiosity:

• "She thought I wouldn't find out..."
• "My boss just sent me this at 2am"
• "Wait for the last message..."

3-5 hashtags. Mix broad (#fyp, #viral) with niche (#faketexts, #textmessage, #imessage). Not sure which ones to pick? Our free Hashtag Generator finds the best tags for your content.

The story ideas that actually go viral

Not all fake text stories perform the same. Here's what works best:

Relationship drama (the #1 performer):

• Catching a partner cheating through texts
• "Wrong person" text mishaps
• Toxic ex reaching out after months of silence
• Awkward breakup conversations

These consistently hit 1M+ views. People can't resist relationship drama.

Workplace comedy:

• Accidentally texting the boss something inappropriate
• Quitting via text in satisfying ways
• Asking for a raise in the most awkward way possible

Family situations:

• Parent discovering something about their kid
• Accidentally adding mom to the group chat
• Sibling arguments that escalate hilariously

Pranks and miscommunication:

• Autocorrect disasters
• Sending a screenshot to the person it's about
• Wrong number conversations that take unexpected turns

How to actually grow with this format

Making one good video isn't enough. Here's how to build a real following:

Post 1-3 videos per day. This format is low-effort enough to make this realistic. With GhostShorts you can batch a whole week of content in under 30 minutes. Time your posts for maximum reach using our free Best Time to Post tool.

Use series and cliffhangers. End a video mid-conversation. "Part 2 is up." People follow you because they need to see what happens next. Creators using the series format see 40-60% higher follower conversion.

Engage with comments immediately. Fake text videos generate massive comment sections. Respond fast, especially in the first hour. Pin the most engaging comments. The algorithm rewards active comment sections.

Cross-post everywhere. The same video works on YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels. Triple your reach with zero extra work. Just remove the TikTok watermark before uploading to other platforms.

Common mistakes that kill your views

Predictable storylines. If viewers guess the twist from the first message, they scroll.

Too many messages on screen at once. Messages should appear one at a time. Showing the whole conversation kills the suspense.

Spoiling the story in the contact name. Don't name the contact "Cheating Boyfriend." Use normal first names.

No sound effects. Silent fake text videos feel wrong. Add the send/receive sounds at minimum.

Ignoring comments. This format thrives on engagement. If you're not responding to comments and making follow-ups based on viewer requests, you're leaving growth on the table.

The money part

Once you build an audience:

• TikTok Creativity Program - Top creators in this niche earn $500-$2,000/month from views alone
• Brand deals - Companies pay you to weave products into your text stories naturally
• Affiliate marketing - Link products mentioned in stories through your bio
• Selling scripts - Experienced creators sell their proven scripts to beginners
• Courses - Teach others how to make fake text videos

Start now

Fake text videos are one of the lowest-effort, highest-reward formats on TikTok right now.

No camera. No face. No editing skills. Just good stories.

Try GhostShorts' Fake Text Generator to create your first video in 2 minutes. Paste a script, customize the look, and export a ready-to-post video.

The creators winning on TikTok right now aren't the ones with the biggest budgets. They're the ones who found a repeatable format and committed to posting every day.

This is that format. Go make something.