How to go live on YouTube

Device links

• Android
• iPhone
• Device missing?

YouTube was initially the largest video library in the world. Since then, it has come a long way and live streaming is a big part of the business model. However, live streaming is not as intuitive as you might think.

If you have a new channel and are thinking about going live, you are in the right place. The following article will teach you how to live stream YouTube from various devices and platforms.

How to go live on YouTube from a PS4

Do you want to stream a game live on YouTube? PS4 makes it very easy for you, but first it is essential to link your accounts. Here’s how to get started:

1. Open the Settings menu on your PS4.
   
2. Go to “Account Management.”
   
3. Select the “Link with other services” option.
   
4. Choose YouTube from the list.
   
5. Press the “Sign in” button.
   
6. Sign in to the Google account you use on YouTube.
   
7. When prompted, press the “Allow” button to allow PlayStation Network to verify your credentials.
   
8. Press the “OK” button to finish syncing your accounts.
   

Once you’ve done this, it’s time to set up your PS4 for live streaming.

1. Start a game you want to stream.
2. Press the “Share” button on the controller.
   
3. Select the “Stream Game” option.
   
4. Choose YouTube as your preferred service.
5. Write a description of the broadcast.
6. Configure your video settings.
7. Press the “Start Transmission” button.
   

Now you are ready to start living and sharing your skills with the world.

How to go live on YouTube from an Xbox

Microsoft allows Xbox users to easily stream on popular platforms like Twitch and Mixer. However, the same cannot be said for YouTube. The console lacks a native YouTube streaming app.

Fortunately, there is a way to fix this problem if you have a PC you can use.

1. Go to the Microsoft store.
   
2. Download and install the Xbox Console Companion application.
   
3. Download and install the OBS Study software.
   
4. Launch the Xbox Console Companion app on your PC or laptop.
   
5. Sign in with your Microsoft/Xbox account.
   
6. Click the menu icon in the upper left corner.
   
7. Select the “Connection” option.
   
8. Click the “Add a device” button.
   
9. Turn on your Xbox to see it in the list.
10. Connect your Xbox to your computer.
11. Click the “Cast” button on the top toolbar.
12. Restart your Xbox if the screen is not showing on your computer.
13. Click the full screen icon in the Xbox Console Companion app.

This will cast your Xbox screen to your companion app. Now, you’ll need to set up OBS Studio to stream your Xbox gameplay from your computer.

1. Open the OBS Studio app.
   
2. Go to the Scenes panel and add a new scene.
   
3. Name your scene and press “OK.”
   
4. Click the plus (+) icon in the Fonts panel.
   
5. Go to “Game Capture.”
   
6. Select the “Create new capture” option.
   
7. Use the “Capture Specific Window” option in the Mode tab.
   
8. Use Xbox Console Companion on the Window tab.
   
9. Navigate to “Settings” in OBS Studio, located under the Controls heading.
   
10. Click the “Stream” button.
    
11. Select YouTube as a service.
    
12. Click the “OK” button and start streaming.
    

Please note that these steps may vary slightly depending on the version of OBS Studio you are running.

How to go live on YouTube from an iPhone

To stream from your iPhone, you’ll need the YouTube app.

1. Download the youtube app if you don’t have it yet.
2. Tap the camera icon in the top right corner of the screen.
   
3. Tap the “Live” button.
   
4. Allow the app to access your camera, microphone, and storage.
5. Verify your account if necessary by following the instructions.
6. Tap the camera icon at the top to choose which camera to use while streaming.
7. Enter the details of the transmission.
8. Configure your privacy settings and tap “Next.”
9. Pose for your miniature photo.
10. Please use a custom thumbnail if you are not satisfied.
11. Tap the Share icon to share the stream URL.
12. Tap the “Go Live” button when you’re ready to broadcast.
    

Don’t forget to experiment with filters and other customization features.

How to go live on YouTube from an Android

If you don’t have the YouTube app installed, be sure to head to the Google Play Store and install it.

1. Tap the camera icon in the top right corner.
   
2. Tap the “Live” button.
   
3. Give access to the app when prompted.
4. Verify your account if prompted.
5. Tap the camera icon and choose which camera to use during streaming.
6. Tap the Phone icon if you want to cast your phone screen.
7. Enter your stream details.
8. Configure your privacy settings.
9. Tap the “Next” button.
10. Take a thumbnail photo.
11. Optionally, use a custom thumbnail by uploading it.
12. Tap the Share icon to share the stream URL.
13. Tap the “Go Live” button when you’re done.
    

You should only have to allow the app to access your camera, storage, and microphone once. Future streaming sessions will no longer request access.

How to go live on YouTube using OBS

OBS is a leading free streaming app that pairs perfectly with YouTube. But before you can start streaming live, you need to meet the channel’s specific requirements, verify the account, and get your streaming key. Check out the steps below to get started:

1. Open YouTube Studio.
   
2. Click on the camera icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
   
3. Select the “Go Live” option.
   
4. Choose “Scheduled Broadcast.”
   
5. Press the “Create Stream” button.
   
6. Find the automatically generated key in the Streaming Settings panel.
7. Copy the key.
   

Now is the time to link your accounts.

1. Open OBS Studio.
   
2. Go to the Settings menu.
   
3. Go to the Video and Output tabs.
   
4. Set up your stream however you want.
5. Navigate to the Stream tab on the left side menu.
   
6. Go to “Service”.
   
7. Choose YouTube as your preferred streaming service.
   
8. Paste your streaming key into the Streaming Key field.
   
9. Go to the Audio menu to configure sound settings.
   
10. Apply all changes.
    
11. Go to the Fonts panel and press the plus (+) icon.
    
12. Select the desired capture method, for example, Game Capture, Screenshot, etc.
    
13. Create a new feed if you also want to stream your webcam.
    
14. Click the “Start Streaming” option in OBS Studio.
    
15. Go to your YouTube dashboard and click “Go Live.”
    

The connection should be established within seconds and then your live stream should begin with a 20 second delay.

How to go live on YouTube from Zoom

Want to stream a webinar or meeting on YouTube in real time? It’s easier than you think with Zoom.

However, you will have to enable YouTube streaming first.

1. Go to Account Management.
2. Click “Account Settings.”
   
3. Navigate to the “In Meeting” section.
   
4. Enable the “Allow live streaming for webinars” option.
   
5. Select YouTube as a service.
   

This will allow streaming for both meetings and webinars.

1. Sign in to your Zoom account and host a meeting or webinar.
   
2. In the Controls menu, click the “More” button.
   
3. Select “Live on YouTube.”
   
4. Sign in to your YouTube account.
5. Enter the details of the transmission.
6. Make your privacy settings.
7. Click “Go Live!” option.
   

Please note that the stream will automatically stop if you end your webinar or meeting.

How to go live on YouTube from Google Meet

Google Meet does not have a built-in broadcast feature that allows YouTube live streaming. However, you can still live stream your meeting.

You will need the following:

• Verified YouTube account
• YouTube Studio Streaming Key
• OBS Studio Software

Once you verify your account using your phone number, it may take up to 24 hours for YouTube to verify your account and allow you to stream.

When you’re ready to stream, open your OBS Studio app and follow these steps:

1. Go to the Settings menu.
2. Go to the Video and Output tabs.
   
3. Set up your broadcast.
4. Go to the Stream tab in the left side menu.
   
5. Go to “Service”.
   
6. Choose YouTube as your preferred streaming service.
   
7. Paste your streaming key into the Streaming Key field.
   
8. Select “Window Capture” from the Sources list.
   
9. Select the window that runs your Google Meet meeting.
10. Click the “Go Live” button on your YouTube dashboard.

Additional FAQs

Can I go live without 1000 subscribers?

The short answer is no. You can’t create a live stream on YouTube until you get a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and verify your channel. You also cannot have had transmission restrictions in the previous 90 days.

Do you already have your subscribers?

As you can see, in most cases streaming on YouTube is a simple process. But it may also be necessary to have a dedicated capture and streaming app like OBS Studio.

Additionally, setting up your stream may take some time before you get the right audio and video quality depending on your equipment.

Let us know how your live experience on YouTube compared to other platforms and what you think Google can improve in the comments section below.