[4][5] TFBoys first appeared on August 6, 2013, with a promotional video sent out by Time Fengjun Entertainment called "Ten Years".

[6] October 4, they held a showcase of their debut EP at the Sun Moonlight (SML) Center in Yuzhong District, Chongqing.

The group subsequently released a series of hits in 2014, including "Magic Castle",[7] "For Dreams, Always Be Ready"[8] and "Manual of Youth".

[10] On August 3, 2014, TFBoys held a fan appreciation meeting for their first anniversary at the Beijing Hualian Changying Shopping Center.

After the event, Li Xiaolin, chairperson of International Cooperation Department of China Population Welfare Foundation, and her party issued a letter for TFBoys that stated them as ambassadors for the charity "Happy Smiles".

TFBoys have been giving donations to children that suffer from cleft lip and palate through their large social media platform.

[15] In September, Jackson Yee appeared on his first solo live broadcast for the video app "美拍 (Beauty Shot)".

[16] On the album includes the song "Adore" (宠爱), the lyrics convey the thoughts and feelings of the boys entering puberty (14–15 years old).

On August 5, the group held their 10th Anniversary concert titled "Ten-year engagement (十年之约)" in Xian, China.

Their songs have been noted for having uplifting and positive lyrics, which explores the trials of growing up and teenage love, such as "Manual of Youth" and "Imperfect Kid".

Their success was attributed to their fresh school-boy looks, which filled the void of young male idol groups in China;[29][30] as well as their "wholesome and boy-next-door" image.

[31] Due to their image, the group has won a large number of "mother fans", women in their mid–20s to 60s who have developed maternal instincts for the boys.

On the International Children’s Day in 2015, the Communist Youth League released a video featuring TFBoys singing "We Are the Heirs of Communism", the song of the Young Pioneers.