How do I stream on TikTok LIVE?

Check LIVE and RTMP eligibility first

TikTok LIVE is not available to every account. TikTok says creators must be at least 18 to go LIVE and must meet a local minimum follower threshold. The exact threshold and feature availability vary by region and account status, so the TikTok app is the source of truth.

Open TikTok, tap the plus button, and look for the LIVE option. If you can go LIVE from mobile but do not see a desktop, LIVE Studio, Cast to PC or stream-key option, your account may have mobile LIVE access without external RTMP access yet.

• Make sure the account is in good standing and old enough for LIVE.
• Check whether the LIVE tab appears in the TikTok mobile app.
• Look for LIVE Studio or RTMP stream key access before planning an OBS workflow.

Mobile, LIVE Studio or OBS

The mobile app is the simplest path: choose LIVE, set the title and settings, then start the broadcast from your phone. It is best for fast vertical streams, creator chats and on-location content where a phone is the camera.

For desktop production, TikTok LIVE Studio gives Windows creators scenes, screen capture and overlays inside TikTok’s own app. If TikTok gives you an RTMP server URL and stream key, OBS or another encoder can send video to TikTok as a custom RTMP destination. Copy the current key carefully, because TikTok may issue session-specific credentials.

Set OBS for a vertical TikTok stream

TikTok is vertical-first, so a 9:16 canvas usually fits best. In OBS, set a vertical base and output resolution such as 1080x1920, then build scenes around the phone-shaped frame instead of squeezing a 16:9 desktop layout into the middle.

Keep faces, captions and product details away from the very top and bottom where app controls and comments can cover them. If you are also streaming to horizontal platforms, create separate vertical and horizontal scenes or use a relay workflow that lets one clean feed reach each destination intentionally.

Stream to TikTok plus other platforms

If OBS sends directly to TikTok and separately to YouTube, Twitch or Facebook, every destination consumes another full upload from your connection. That is risky on home, venue or mobile networks, especially with vertical video at a high bitrate.

A server-side relay changes the setup: OBS, TikTok LIVE Studio or a mobile encoder sends one feed to the relay, and the relay pushes copies to TikTok LIVE plus your other destinations. Your upload stays at one stream while each outbound destination can be monitored independently.