RedNote, the Chinese alternative to TikTok, has attracted millions of users and become the most downloaded social media platform in the App Store. With the U.S. government announcing an official TikTok ban on Jan. 19, RedNote is emerging as a haven for users seeking a similar experience. However, it’s a fundamentally different app.
Think of RedNote as a blend of Snapchat and Pinterest, featuring local browsing and topic-specific videos saved in collections. A secondary section offers TikTok- and Instagram-style videos.
When you download and launch the app, you’ll find it’s entirely in Chinese, which can feel confusing. This guide explains what RedNote is, how it works, and how to switch the app to English. However, the translation doesn’t cover all sections.
What’s RedNote?
RedNote has become the go-to platform for TikTok users searching for alternatives ahead of the government’s imminent ban. As a Chinese app, most of its interface is in Chinese, signaling that it wasn’t originally designed as a global alternative.
Known as Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) in China, RedNote is a social media platform competing with Instagram. Its concept, however, differs from TikTok or Instagram, even though former TikTok users are migrating to it.
RedNote functions as a hybrid of Yelp or Google for local recommendations, fostering connections within communities. It also includes a video feed reminiscent of TikTok.
The app shares similarities with Pinterest, displaying diverse content and focusing on travel, makeup, shopping, and fashion, primarily targeting a female audience in China. Its TikTok-like features remain secondary.
In essence, RedNote offers local browsing with Pinterest-style collections and a smaller section for story-style videos similar to TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.
Is it safe to use RedNote?
Like TikTok, RedNote collects user data. The app gathers sensitive information, including location based on IP address and browsing habits.
Because RedNote operates under Chinese data regulation laws, the government can access user data without the privacy protections typical in other countries. To register, users must verify their email and phone number.
Due to these privacy concerns, some governments, including Taiwan’s, have banned the app for public servants. Despite the risks, many TikTok users in the U.S. see RedNote as a viable alternative.
While the app may collect data, it’s not guaranteed that a government official will monitor individual activities. However, third parties could exploit this data for spam or other campaigns.
When a social media platform put your data at risk, it’s best to look for other options. Such is the case with Telegram and the alternatives you can find to this messaging app.
How RedNote Works
RedNote’s main screen resembles TikTok’s but includes key differences. The app features three primary feeds: one for content from accounts you follow, another for exploring topics, and a third for nearby content shared by other users.
Since RedNote emphasizes local discovery, the Nearby tab lets you explore content specific to your location. The Explore tab, which feels similar to Pinterest, offers a wide range of topics, including live broadcasts, fashion, food, nail styling, travel, makeup, and more.
At the bottom of the screen, a Videos button with a player icon takes you to a TikTok-style section. While this part of the app is similar to Reels or TikToks, it’s not the app’s primary focus.
Your profile page shares similarities with Instagram or TikTok, displaying your published videos. However, RedNote adds unique features, like buttons to view items you’ve purchased within the app and a dedicated collections section. If you’re familiar with Instagram or TikTok, navigating RedNote’s profile page will feel intuitive.
In addition to your videos, your profile includes tabs for your liked content and saved collections. The Collects section mirrors Pinterest, allowing you to save content and organize it into specific groups for easy access later.
When viewing content, you have three main interaction options: a heart icon to like a video, a comment button to leave feedback, and a star icon in the middle to save content to your Collections. The app enables you to assign saved items to specific collections in a Pinterest-like manner.
RedNote also provides a suite of tools for content creation. You can upload multiple videos, trim clips, add text and subtitles, and make various edits. Titles, descriptions, and locations can also be added, though locations must be specific places rather than cities.
One limitation of the app is that it’s only partially translated into English. While many interface elements can be switched to English, some parts, like the topic selection during registration, remain entirely in Chinese. Skipping untranslated sections by clicking “Skip” is often the best option.
Additionally, most video titles, buttons, sections, promotions, and content appear in Chinese, which can make the experience somewhat chaotic. Despite this, the app’s core functions are accessible in English, providing a usable—if occasionally confusing—experience for non-Chinese speakers.
How to set RedNote to English
To switch RedNote to English, tap the Options button (represented by three stripes). This opens a menu where you’ll find the Settings button in the bottom right corner. Although the label is in Chinese, you can identify it by the cogwheel icon.
If the app detects that your device isn’t set to Chinese, some settings may already appear in English. In the Settings menu, select the General Settings option, which is near the top of the screen.
Next, tap on Languages, located at the top of the General Settings screen. This will take you to the language selection menu.
Here, you’ll see three available options. Simply select English to change the app’s interface to that language.
Images | Xataka On
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