How to Go Live on YouTube

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This wikiHow teaches you how to broadcast a live stream on YouTube. You can use both computers and mobile items to do this, but you'll first need to verify your account to register for streaming. You can also stream desktop content, such as a video game, to YouTube by using a free program called Open Broadcast Software (OBS) Studio.

Part 1
Part 1 of 4:

Register for Live Streaming

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  1. Go to https://www.youtube.com/ in your computer's web browser. This will open your YouTube account if you're logged in.
    • If you aren't logged in, click SIGN IN in the top-right corner of the page, then enter your account email address and password. Make sure you're signing in with the account with which you want to go live.
  2. It's in the list of icons in the upper-right side of the YouTube page. A drop-down menu will appear.
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  3. You'll find this option in the drop-down menu. Doing so takes you to the live registration page.
  4. It's a blue button near the top of the page.
  5. Click the "Select your country" drop-down box, then click the country in which you live in the resulting drop-down menu.
  6. It's below the "Select your country" drop-down box.
  7. Click the text box below "What is your phone number?", then type in your phone number.
  8. It's a light-blue button below your phone number near the bottom of the page.
  9. Open your phone's Messages app or section, open the text from YouTube (it's from a 6-digit number), and review the 6-digit code in the body of the text.
  10. Type the 6-digit code you retrieved into the text box at the top of the page, then click Submit .
  11. It's at the top of the page.
  12. If asked to allow your webcam or change any other YouTube settings, do so. When you arrive at a page stating that you'll need to wait for 24 hours before continuing, you can proceed.
  13. YouTube requires a full day to verify your account for live streaming. Once 24 hours have passed, you can proceed with broadcasting a live stream on your computer or on your smartphone .
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Part 2
Part 2 of 4:

Going Live on on a Computer

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  1. Once you've waited for 24 hours, you can re-open YouTube by going to https://www.youtube.com/ and signing into your account if necessary.
    • Modern browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, and Safari support live streaming.
  2. Set up a webcam if necessary. If you're going to stream from your computer, you'll need to have a camera of some sort.
  3. It's a camera-shaped icon in the upper-right side of the page. A drop-down menu will appear.
  4. This option is in the drop-down menu.
  5. Doing so will let your web browser access your webcam.
  6. In the "Title" text box, type in whatever you want to name your stream.
    • This is the title that will display for the stream once you end it and upload it to your channel.
  7. If you want to save your stream as unlisted or private, click the "Public" text field, then click Unlisted or Private in the resulting drop-down menu.
  8. This is at the bottom of the page.
  9. YouTube will use your attached camera to take a photo of whatever it's facing three seconds after loading this page.
    • If you don't like the thumbnail as it appears, you can place your mouse cursor on the thumbnail and click RETAKE THUMBNAIL to retake it.
  10. It's at the bottom of the page. Doing so will begin your live stream.
  11. Click END STREAM at the bottom of the page, then click END when prompted. This ends your stream and saves the stream as a video on your channel.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 4:

Going Live on Mobile

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  1. Tap the YouTube app icon, which resembles a white triangle on a red background. This will open your YouTube home page if you're logged in.
    • If you aren't logged in, select your account and/or enter your email address and password when prompted.
    • Make sure you're doing this at least 24 hours after you register your account for live broadcasting.
  2. It's at the top of the screen.
  3. Tap ALLOW ACCESS , then tap OK for each prompt.
    • On Android, you'll tap ALLOW instead of OK for each prompt.
  4. It's at the bottom of the screen.
  5. Tap ALLOW ACCESS once again, then tap OK or ALLOW on each prompt.
    • If prompted to turn on super chat, tap either TURN ON or NOT NOW when the prompt appears.
  6. Tap the "Title" text box at the top of the screen, then type in the title you want to use for your stream.
  7. If you want to save your stream as unlisted, tap Public below the title text field, then tap Unlisted in the resulting drop-down menu.
    • An unlisted stream will be viewable only to the people who have a direct link to the stream.
    • You cannot list a stream as private when using the YouTube mobile app.
  8. YouTube will take a picture of your face within three seconds of opening this page.
    • If you don't like the thumbnail, you can tap the "Edit"
      Android 7 Edit
      icon in the top-right corner of the thumbnail and then tap Retake thumbnail to retake the picture.
  9. It's a blue button at the bottom of the screen. This will begin the live stream.
    • You may have to tap STREAM IN PORTRAIT to confirm your smartphone's orientation.
  10. Tap X in the top-right corner of the screen, then tap END when prompted.
    • On Android, you'll tap OK instead of END .
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Part 4
Part 4 of 4:

Streaming Your Desktop to YouTube

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  1. Each user has a verification code specific to them that they can use to link streaming software (e.g., OBS) to a YouTube live stream. To retrieve your key, do the following:
    • Go to https://www.youtube.com/live_dashboard_splash in your computer's web browser, then log in if prompted.
    • Click the Stream now tab on the left side of the page.
    • Scroll down to the "ENCODER SETUP" heading.
    • Click Reveal to the right of the "Stream name/key" text field.
    • Copy the stream key by clicking it and then pressing Ctrl + C (Windows) or ⌘ Command + C (Mac).
  2. Open Broadcast Software Studio is a free program that you can use to broadcast your computer's on-screen content through numerous streaming services, YouTube included. To install it, do the following:
    • Go to https://obsproject.com/download in your computer's web browser.
    • Select your operating system if the website doesn't automatically determine it.
    • Scroll down and click Download Installer .
    • Double-click the downloaded setup file.
    • Follow the on-screen installation instructions.
  3. Click or double-click the OBS Studio app icon, which resembles a white fan on a black background, to do so.
    • On a Mac, you may first have to open the Applications folder to find OBS Studio.
  4. This option is in the upper-left side of the window. A drop-down menu will appear.
    • On a Mac, click OBS Studio in the upper-left corner of the screen.
  5. It's in the File drop-down menu. Doing so opens the Settings window.
    • On a Mac, click Preferences... in the drop-down menu.
  6. You'll find this on the left side of the window.
  7. Click the "Service" drop-down box, then click YouTube / YouTube Gaming in the resulting drop-down menu.
  8. Click the "Stream key" text box, then paste in your stream key by pressing Ctrl + V (Windows) or ⌘ Command + V (Mac).
  9. Both options are at the bottom of the window.
    • If you don't see Apply and OK on a Mac, just close the Preferences window.
  10. If you're playing a game or streaming a movie, open and set up the media in question.
  11. It's a button in the lower-right side of the OBS Studio window. Your stream will begin.
  12. Click the Stop Streaming button in the bottom-right corner of the OBS Studio window. Your streamed content will be saved to your YouTube channel as a video.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How would I have a discussion with two or more people while broadcasting live?
    Community Answer
    Use Discord. It is free to register and you can easily talk with whoever you want!
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  • Question
    Are there FCC or other licenses needed to play or post music and videos when broadcasting live on YouTube
    Tristen Avant
    Community Answer
    No. You are given the Standard YouTube License when you post/stream on your channel.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 3
  • Question
    It's saying I don't have the requirements. What do I do?
    Community Answer
    Go to settings, scroll down to "apps" and scroll down until you see "YouTube". Tap on it and press "Microphone, camera, storage". Set up each of those, and you're ready to livestream!
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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      Tips

      • If your YouTube account is already verified when you go to register for live streaming, you'll arrive at the page notifying you that you need to wait for 24 hours.
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      • If you haven't done so already, it might be helpful to watch YouTube Live videos before streaming your own so you have a better idea of how to conduct your stream.
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      Warnings

      • Avoid streaming over cellular data when possible, especially if you have a limited plan.
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      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Sign in to YouTube.
      2. Click the video camera icon with a plus in it.
      3. Click Go Live .
      4. Verify your account if you haven't done so.
      5. Allow access to your camera and microphone.
      6. Name your stream and set a privacy level.
      7. Click Next .
      8. Post a thumbnail and click Go Live .

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        May 30, 2017

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