What Is RedNote App? How to Use This TikTok Alternative!

TikTok has been considered a significant national security concern in many countries, particularly in the US. In 2024, the US Congress proposed that if TikTok doesn't sell its stake to an American owner, it could be banned and forced to leave the country. While several appeals have been made to ease the tension, the Supreme Court enforced the TikTok ban in the US on January 19, 2025.

Though TikTok restores service after Trump pledge, its alternative, RedNote, has quickly become the camp of "TikTok refugees" in the US. To date, more than 9 million TikTok users have already downloaded RedNote in the US, and this number is growing rapidly by the day.

If you've decided to join the train, congrats! Here's a closer look at what RedNote is all about and how to get started.

What is RedNote?

Often referred to as Xiaohongshu, the Chinese RedNote app is undoubtedly one of the best alternatives to TikTok at the moment. This app focuses on content sharing via graphic notes and video notes.

Previously, its audience was mainly Chinese (with over 300 million users) targeting young female users. But currently, in January 2025, RedNote is at the top of the list of the most downloaded apps on the Apple Store in the US, thanks to the ban of TikTok.

With over 10 years, this app combines key elements from various social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest. Like TikTok, RedNote provides a space for users to post videos and images across a wide range of niches, such as cosmetics, food, home decor, pets, fashion, travel, etc. Additionally, users can also engage in live streaming and shopping.

While the app is primarily in Mandarin, it has offered the flexibility to switch to English and even launched the "Translate" feature for international users, also known as TikTok refugees.

Features of RedNotes

Xiaohongshu has numerous distinctive features, which I've listed below after using it:

Content Creation: Users can share their experiences in fashion, makeup, food, travel, fitness, and other lifestyle areas through pictures, texts, short videos, and other forms. All the content forms are called "notes" in RedNote.

Content Discovery: Users can search for notes by keyword, helping users find the information accurately. The system also pushes personalized content based on the user's preferences, allowing countless new points of interest and useful information.

Interaction across Community: Users can interact with each other through likes, comments, following, private messages, and other methods.

Shopping: There are shopping lists shared by users on the platform. These recommendations include product usage experience, advantages and disadvantages, purchase channels, and prices. Some notes even attach purchase links for products, and users can directly click on the links to purchase, providing shopping references for other users.

How to Register on RedNote

Joining Xiaohongshu is a walk in the park. While the app requires users to be at least 18 to join, there's no strict age verification policy. And you can also use this app without an account though you cannot like, collect, comment notes, or post anything. So, to explore the full features of RedNote, follow the steps below to create an account:

How to Use RedNote - Beginner's Guide

Now that you've joined the app, let's look at how to use the app. First, let's do a quick rundown of the five essential parts of the RedNote app:

Home

This is the main focal point of the app, and it is divided into tabs which are "Explore," "Nearby," and "Follow." Each of the segments helps you discover new content with ease. For instance:

If you select "Follow," you'll see notes from all your followings.

The "Explore" section functions much like the feed you'll find in popular apps like X, Facebook, and more. Here, you'll find a "For You" tab, which displays recommended posts tailored to spark your curiosity. Additionally, the Explore page offers access to categorized notes based on the personal interests you selected during registration, such as fashion, food, manicures, and more.

The "Nearby" tab is self-evident, allowing you to discover notes within your geographical area. This seems more engaging and helpful, as you can find local life guides, including local food recommendations, tourist attractions, entertainment activities, and more.

In addition to the tabs we've already discussed, there are other important sections to explore. For example, the Home section features a search tab, allowing you to quickly find anything on the platform. The Menu Bar, which serves as the hub of the platform, provides access to Settings and other key features.

Trending

This is where things get even more exciting, especially for TikTok users! The "Trending" section offers access to a variety of trending short videos from around the world. Sounds like TikTok, huh? These trending videos are tailored to your areas of interest. Like TikTok, you can directly react to these trending videos by commenting, liking, collecting, recommending, and sharing.

+

This is where you'll get the chance to upload your note that will resonate with your audience. With this, you won't only have the chance to upload videos and photos, but you can also upload the "image text." If you choose the image text, RedNote can generate different images based on the text you type. RedNote also offers intriguing templates, stickers, filters, effects, and BGM for you to choose from. For enhanced privacy, you are also allowed to change the visibility of your note before or after posting.

Messages

The Messages section is where you'll stay updated on messages from users globally and join new groups. Here, you'll also be notified about new followers, likes, collects, and comments on your notes. But remember, you may not be able to send direct messages to someone you're not following on the platform. Also, you can send only one text message unless other parties reply to you.

Me

This is your profile page, where you can edit your profile and have a comprehensive overview of your account, including the number of likes, followers, and following as well as your drafts, posted, liked, and collected notes. You can also access the app "Settings" from this page to control the account security, app notifications, privacy, and more.

TikTok vs RedNote

Many have actually touted RedNote as the next big thing after TikTok, especially when most "TikTok refugees" run into this app, but is it really the best alternative, or could it actually be better than TikTok? Let's compare the two apps in the table below.

Have Fun on the RedNote App!

RedNote is a great alternative to TikTok. While the app is primarily designed for Chinese audiences, joining this lifestyle app comes with unique perks. For instance, a US user, Katharina, found her Chinese friend that she hadn't been in touch with for a long time on the platform; Some international users even help Chinese high school students to complete their English homework. And you can even apply for a Chinese name by posting a note on Xiaohongshu, Chinese are very enthusiastic about contributing their inspiration.

Now, let's discover fun on the RedNote app! By the way, if you're a parent, you can install AirDroid Parental Control to prevent your child from being addicted to this app.