Last updated on 2025-11-27, by Leia

How to Go Live on TikTok: A Step-by-Step Guide

TikTok has become a huge hit, and some people are making real money by going live. If you want in on that to make a profit, well, its probably past time, but not too late. As a beginner, you might not know where to begin. In this guide, I’ll take you through the steps on how to go live on TikTok and share some tips to make your stream more interesting, which will give you a better chance at gaining followers. Ready to start streaming? Let’s go!

Eligibility Requirements for Going Live on TikTok

Before you begin streaming on TikTok, there are just a few minimum requirements you need to meet:

Age Requirement: You need to be at least 18 years of age (or the age limit in your country) to go live.

Followers: You must have a minimum of 1000 followers.

Community Guidelines: Your account must adhere to TikTok’s community guidelines. You could get shut down from live for breaking the rules.

Location Availability: Not all countries can access TikTok Live, so check it out before you start.

Active Account: You have an account that has been active for at least 30 days. A newly created account does not have the ability.

How to Start a Live Stream

If you have met all the requirements and can stream, let’s go through some ways to begin your TikTok session. Here are some different ways.

1. In‐App Mobile Stream

Streaming through your phone is the most direct and simple way, especially for beginners. You don’t need any complicated setup, just a phone. But note that the shortage is that the video quality and production value may be basic, compared with professional equipment.

Step 1: Open the TikTok app on your phone. Tap the (+) icon to create a new video.

Step 2: Scroll down to find "LIVE" and tap it to enter the live settings.

Step 3: Give a name to the LIVE, like what the live is about, for people to recognize it.

Step 4: You can add filters and effects for your live stream during the streaming session to make the streaming more fun and beautiful. You can also enable the LIVE gifts function so that your followers can send gifts to you.

Step 5: Tap the "Start LIVE" button to begin.

2. Use TikTok LIVE Studio

TikTok LIVE Studio is a live desktop streaming software of TikTok. This software is mainly for those who try to stream professionally through a PC. If you want a higher-level streaming experience, such as gaming, group broadcast, or using multiple cameras and audio sources, TikTok LIVE Studio is a perfect choice with both compatibility and comprehensive functions. But, according to the official, there are certain requirements to use this software:

TikTok LIVE Studio Access Requirements

Here is a simple guide on how to use TikTok LIVE Studio:

Step 1: Download TikTok LIVE Studio and use your TikTok account to log in.

Step 2: If you meet the requirements, you can see the Get Access words.

Step 3: Click the Go Live Now button to get 14 trials, and you can enter the software.

Step 4: You need to configure TikTok Live Studio before using it. such as video quality, fps, bitrate, etc.

Step 5: On the main screen of the software, there are many dashboards:

On the left side, you manage the sources and scenes (choose the camera and audio sources).

In the middle is the screen that presents your show (your category, topic, etc.)

On the right side is the interaction part, and you see basic data for your stream, like viewer counts, gifts, and other basic stats.

At the bottom, it is the control bar that you can fully control your streaming, like start/end LIVE, turn the mic on/off, open settings, and record your LIVE.

Step 6: After you set everything up, you can click on the GO LIVE button to start.

3. Use Streaming Software

Sure, not all TikTok users can meet the requirements to use TikTok LIVE Studio. For those creators, I usually recommend using OBS Studio. OBS offers massive freedom for your stream, basically customizing everything the way you want. However, the trade-off is that it may be a bit steeper learning curve compared with using TikTok LIVE Studio.

Step 1: Download OBS from the official page.

Step 2: Open TikTok and go to the LIVE setup page. You can see the streaming software option. Get your RTMP server URL and the stream key.

Step 3: Open OBS. Enter Settings > Stream > copy and paste the URL and stream key to the bar. Save the changes.

Step 4: In OBS, you need to adjust output parameters like bitrate, quality, and more, plus add the sources, like the camera, screen, audio, etc.

Step 5: Once you set up, you can click on the record button to start streaming, and all the pictures will be streamed on TikTok.

Best Practices for an Engaging TikTok Live Session

Starting to stream on TikTok is a good thing, and it is exciting. But, how to keep viewers and get more followers is another. You need more techniques, and here are some tips:

1. Test Your Setup First

Before you hit the LIVE button to start, use a screen recorder such as CleverGet Recorder to test that your camera and microphone are functioning well, in case they stop during your streaming. And you can also better the settings by checking the recordings to enhance the stream’s look and sound.

2. Keep a Consistent Schedule

Set a consistent timeline to broadcast your stream, which helps your audience know when to tune in to your channel. This is good for building fans’ loyalty and making it easier to get a larger viewing base.

3. Interact with Your Audience

Also, interact with your viewers. Honestly, I also like to watch some streaming and like to comment. If that streamer responds, it will be too good and make me want to come back to watch later.

4. Save and Learn from Content

There are so many good examples of streamers. You can download their clips to review and be inspired by their highlights. Also, for your streaming, you can save the videos to see where you can enhance your performance. And for the most important point, make highlight reels or montages to share on other social media platforms to promote yourself. For this, you can use Moyea Video Downloader(one of the best TikTok downloaders on the market) to download the TikTok video without watermarks,  in MP4/MKV formats at lossless quality.

5. Focus on Fresh and Interesting Content

All in all, the content is the point. There are many kinds, like games, dance, Tarot readings, and more. So, the true challenge is how to find your own path and make you stand out.

FAQs

1. Why is my TikTok not showing the live option?

TikTok’s Go LIVE ability is only unlocked for people who are over 18 years old and have at least 1000 followers. And those people follow TikTok’s community guidelines, not against the rules. If you don’t see the go live option, you don’t have the privilege to stream.

2. Why is there a black screen during TikTok streaming?

If the settings are correct, disconnect your camera and reconnect. If you use third-party tools like OBS, make sure you have granted the stream permissions.

3. Why is my go-live ability being suspended by TikTok?

Break the community rules (broadcast inappropriate content, act spammy, or flout copyrights multiple times) on TikTok, and it can hit you with a temporary suspension from live-streaming. Contact TikTok customer service to have access restored.

Conclusion

In this internet world, you can see TikTok as a way to make money, your side job, and even a full-time job. For an entrepreneur, this is great for personal brands, a good chance to interact with customers. For anyone who wants to join in, this guide shows you three ways to stream on TikTok. No matter what you choose, phone, TikTok LIVE Studio, or OBS, I am sure you can do it well. And of course, there are many good alternatives outside that you can use to stream on TikTok and choose for yourself. In the end, good luck with your TikTok streams!