How to create Smart+ Catalog Ads for App retargeting

Last updated: March 2026

App retargeting helps advertisers re-engage users who have previously interacted with or installed their app- boosting retention, reactivating inactive users, and driving higher ROAS by leveraging defined re-engagement audiences. Businesses can now streamline this process with Smart+ Catalog App Retargeting, an AI-powered solution that simplifies campaign setup by automating targeting, creative selection, and optimization to deliver personalized, high-performing Catalog Ads at scale.

Before you begin

  • Define the app signal strategy: Mobile Measurement Partner (MMP) or eAPI. Learn more about MMP App Integration before launching Smart+ Catalog App campaigns

  • Ensure iOS, Android app_id (through app eAPI/MMP) are ready.

    • Passback primary app funnel metrics (view content, add to cart, purchase)

    • Choose attribution by the MMP - the MMP helps TikTok identify attribution

  • Enable all MMP channel data postback by following the guide here

  • Configure Launch App event.

  • Enable re-engagement attribution like Branch and Kochava.

Learn more about how to create Smart+ Catalog Ads.

How to create Smart+ Catalog App Ads for App retargeting

To create Smart+ Catalog App Ads:

  1. Log in to TikTok Ads Manager

  2. Click Campaign at the top of your dashboard.

  3. Click +Create.

  4. Select Sales.

  5. Choose App as your Sales destination.

  6. Choose Smart+ campaign as your campaign type.

  7. Click Continue.

  8. In the Catalog section, turn on Use catalog.

  9. Choose the Catalog you want to use.

  10. Choose which products you want to include in your Catalog Ad. You can choose:

    • All products: Feature all the products in your catalog.

    • Product set: Your ad will dynamically feature products from the product set you chose.

    • Specific products: Choose up to 20 products from your catalog.

  11. Select your app (Android or iOS).

  12. Choose retarget existing users.

  13. Define your target audience.

  14. Select Optimization Goal.

    1. Only Retargeting Audience can be selected.

  15. In the Ads generation section, choose the videos you want to use for your ads. Note: A Catalog carousel will be automatically generated using images from your product details in addition to the videos you choose.

    • Turn on use TikTok account to deliver Spark Ads to use posts from a connected TikTok account.

    • Click +Add videos to choose videos from your library to feature in your ad.

    • Click +Create new videos to create, edit and upload new videos.

  16. Dynamic add-ons will be automatically selected to help you to optimize your ad performance for Catalog video or Single video formats. Learn more about interactive add-ons for Catalog Ads.

  17. Add a deeplink for the app that you want people to visit from your ads. Click here to learn more about deeplinks.

  18. In the Tracking section, click Edit to add any third-party tracking settings you've set up for your app.

  19. Complete the rest of your campaign settings. When you're finished, click Publish.


Your Catalog App Ads and the products in your Catalog will be submitted for review. When your Smart+ Catalog App Ads are approved, your campaign will begin to optimize according to the goals you chose. You can edit your ads any time in the Campaign tab in TikTok Ads Manager.