TikTok Live is a fun and powerful way to connect with your audience in real-time. Whether you’re hosting a Q&A, showing behind-the-scenes moments, or just chatting with your followers, going live brings a personal touch that regular videos can’t match.
But sometimes, the comments section during a TikTok Live can get overwhelming. Maybe it’s distracting, maybe there’s spam, or maybe you just want a cleaner screen for yourself or your viewers. Whatever the reason, many users want to know:
How do you hide comments on TikTok Live?
In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know—including how to hide comments during your own live, how to hide them while watching someone else’s, and some bonus tips for managing chat during live streams.
Why Would You Want to Hide Comments on TikTok Live?
Before we dive into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” There are several reasons you might want to hide comments:
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To focus on the video content without text blocking the screen.
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To reduce distractions during a performance or tutorial.
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To avoid seeing rude, spammy, or inappropriate comments.
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To create a cleaner viewer experience if you’re screen recording or broadcasting.
TikTok gives you some control—both as a creator and as a viewer—over how comments appear during live streams.
How to Hide Comments on Your Own TikTok Live
If you’re the one going live, you have a few options to manage or hide comments from your view or others. While TikTok doesn’t let creators completely turn off the comment section (as of early 2025), you can limit, filter, and minimize comments in several ways.
Option 1: Swipe to Minimize the Comment Overlay
When you’re live, TikTok shows comments in a chat overlay on the left or right side of the screen (depending on your settings). If you want to hide the comments temporarily:
1. Start your TikTok Live.
2. Swipe sideways (left or right) across the screen.
3. The comment section will minimize or fade, allowing you to see your content more clearly.
Note: This doesn’t turn off comments for your viewers—just hides them from your own screen.
Option 2: Use Comment Moderation Tools
TikTok offers tools to help you filter or restrict certain comments during your live. Here’s how:
1. Before going live, tap the Settings (gear) icon on the Live setup screen.
2. Go to “Comment settings.”
3. Turn on:
- Keyword filters (block specific words or phrases)
- Muted viewer list (block users from commenting)
- Comment approval (manually approve what appears)
While this doesn’t fully hide comments, it gives you control over what’s shown—reducing the chance of spam or unwanted text filling the chat.
How to Hide Comments While Watching a TikTok Live
Sometimes, you’re just there to enjoy the content—and don’t want the comments getting in the way. Maybe you’re screen recording, or just want to focus on the person speaking. Here’s how to hide comments as a viewer:
Method 1: Tap and Hold (Works on Some Devices)
1. Open the TikTok Live you want to watch.
2. Tap and hold on the comment area.
3. A menu may appear with the option: “Clear display” or “Hide comments.”
4. Tap it, and the comments will disappear from your screen.
This feature isn’t available on all devices or app versions—but TikTok is rolling it out more widely.
Method 2: Swipe Across the Screen
On some versions of TikTok, simply swiping sideways will minimize or fade the comment section while keeping the video playing.
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Swipe left or right gently (don’t exit the stream).
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Comments will reduce or disappear temporarily.
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To bring them back, just swipe in the opposite direction.
Can You Permanently Turn Off Comments on TikTok Live?
As of now (2025), TikTok does not allow creators to fully disable comments during Live broadcasts. However, by using filters, swipes, and moderation tools, you can make the experience more peaceful—for yourself and your viewers.
Many creators hope TikTok will add a “no comments” option in future updates. Until then, the steps above are your best bet.
Final Thoughts
Hiding comments on TikTok Live is a quick and easy way to keep your stream focused and clean. Whether you’re avoiding distractions or want a more private experience, knowing how to control your chat settings helps you create better content.
Want more TikTok tips to grow your audience and boost engagement?
FAQs: How to Hide Comments on TikTok Live
Can I hide comments while watching someone else’s TikTok Live?
Yes! When you’re watching TikTok Live, you can hide the comments by simply tapping the screen once. On most devices, this will hide the chat overlay temporarily. Tap again to bring the comments back.
How do I hide comments on my own TikTok Live as the host?
As the host, you can’t completely hide comments, but you can filter or limit them by:
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Enabling comment filters
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Turning on keyword moderation
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Using mute or block features for specific viewers
This helps reduce spam or unwanted messages during your stream.
Is there a way to turn off all comments completely during a Live?
As of 2025, TikTok does not allow you to fully disable comments on Live videos. You can moderate them heavily, but there’s no native “turn off comments” switch yet. However, TikTok may roll out more control options in future updates.
Can viewers hide comments for a cleaner viewing experience?
Yes — if you’re watching a Live, tap the screen to hide the comments/chat overlay. It’s a quick way to enjoy the content distraction-free. (Note: This doesn’t work on all versions or older devices.)
What happens if I block someone during a Live?
If you block someone during your Live:
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They will be removed from the stream
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They won’t be able to comment or rejoin
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Their previous comments disappear for you (but not necessarily for others already in the chat)