YouTube was initially the most comprehensive video library in the world. Since then it has come a long way and live streaming is an important part of the business model. However, live streaming isn't as intuitive as you might think.
If you have a new channel and are planning to host a live stream, you have come to the right place. The following article will teach you how to create a YouTube live stream from various devices and platforms.
How to Live Stream on YouTube from a PS4
Do you want to stream live gameplay on YouTube? The PS4 makes things very easy, but first and foremost, linking your accounts is essential. Here's how to start:
- Open the Settings menu on your PS4.
- Go to “Account Management”.
- Select the "Link to other services" option.
- Choose YouTube from the list.
- Press the "Connection" button.
- Sign in to the Google account you use on YouTube.
- When prompted, tap the "Allow" button to let PlayStation Network verify your credentials.
- Press the "OK" button to complete the synchronization of your accounts.
Once you've done that, it's time to set up your PS4 for live streaming.
- Start a game you want to stream.
- Press the "Share" button on the controller.
- Select the “Gameplay Broadcast” option.
- Choose YouTube as your preferred service.
- Enter a broadcast description.
- Configure your video settings.
- Press the “Start Broadcast” button.
You are now ready to live and share your skills with the world.
How to Live Stream YouTube from an Xbox
Microsoft makes it easy for Xbox users to stream to popular platforms like Twitch and Mixer. However, the same cannot be said for YouTube. The console doesn't have a native YouTube streaming app.
Luckily, there is a way around this problem if you have a PC you can use.
- Go to the Microsoft Store.
- Download and install the Xbox Console Companion app.
- Download and install the OBS Studio Software.
- Launch the Xbox Console Companion app on your PC or laptop.
- Sign in using your Microsoft/Xbox account.
- Click the menu icon in the upper left corner.
- Select the "Login" option.
- Click the "Add device" button.
- Turn on your Xbox to see it listed.
- Connect your Xbox to your computer.
- Click the "Stream" button on the top toolbar.
- Restart your Xbox if its screen is not showing on your computer.
- Click the fullscreen icon in the Xbox Console Companion app.
This will cast your Xbox screen to your companion app. Now you need to configure OBS Studio to stream your Xbox gameplay from your computer.
- Open the OBS Studio app.
- Go to the Scenes panel and add a new scene.
- Name your scene and press “OK”.
- Click the plus (+) icon in the Sources panel.
- Go to “Game capture”.
- Select the "Create a new capture" option.
- Use the "Capture a specific window" option in the Mode tab.
- Use Xbox Console Companion in the Window tab.
- Go to "Settings" in OBS Studio, located under the Controls heading.
- Click on the “Stream” button.
- Select YouTube as a service.
- Click the “OK” button and start streaming.
Note that these steps may vary slightly depending on the version of OBS Studio you are using.
How to Live Stream on YouTube from iPhone
To stream from your iPhone, you'll need the YouTube app.
- Download the YouTube app if you don't already have it.
- Tap the Camera icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
- Press the "Live" button.
- Allow the app to access your camera, microphone, and storage.
- Verify your account if necessary by following the instructions.
- Tap the Camera icon at the top to choose which camera to use when streaming.
- Enter the feed details.
- Configure your privacy settings and tap "Next".
- Pose for your thumbnail photo.
- Use a custom thumbnail if you're not satisfied.
- Tap the Share icon to share the feed URL.
- Press the "Go Live" button when you're ready to stream.
Don't forget to experiment with filters and other customization features.
How to Live Stream YouTube from Android
If you don't have the YouTube app installed, make sure to go to the Google Play Store and install it.
- Tap the Camera icon in the top right corner.
- Press the "Live" button.
- Give access to the app when prompted.
- Verify your account if prompted.
- Tap the Camera icon and choose the camera to use while streaming.
- Tap the Phone icon if you want to cast your phone screen.
- Enter your feed details.
- Configure your privacy settings.
- Press the "Next" button.
- Take a thumbnail photo.
- Optionally, use a custom thumbnail by uploading it.
- Tap the Share icon to share the feed URL.
- Press 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 require access.
How to Live Stream on YouTube Using OBS
OBS is a leading free streaming app that works great with YouTube. But before you can start streaming live, you need to meet the specific channel requirements, verify the account, and get your stream key. See the steps below to get started:
- Open YouTube Studio.
- Click the Camera icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
- Select the “Go Live” option.
- Choose “Scheduled stream”.
- Press the "Create Stream" button.
- Find the auto-generated key under the Broadcast Settings panel.
- Copy the key.
Now is the time to link your accounts.
- Open OBS Studio.
- Go to the Settings menu.
- Access the Video and Output tabs.
- Configure your feed as you wish.
- Go to the Feeds tab in the left menu.
- Go to “Services”.
- Choose YouTube as your preferred streaming service.
- Paste your stream key into the Stream Key field.
- Go to the Audio menu to configure sound settings.
- Apply all changes.
- Go to the Sources panel and tap the plus (+) icon.
- Select the capture method you want, for example, Game Capture, Display Capture, etc.
- Create a new source if you also want to stream your webcam.
- Click on the “Start Streaming” option in OBS Studio.
- Go to your YouTube dashboard and click on "Go Live".
The connection should be established in a few seconds, then your live stream with a 20 second delay should start.
How to Live Stream YouTube from Zoom
Want to broadcast a webinar or meeting on YouTube in real time? It's easier than you think with Zoom.
However, you need to enable YouTube streaming first.
- Go to Account Management.
- Click on “Account Settings”.
- Go to the “In meeting” section.
- Enable the "Allow live streaming for webinars" option.
- Select YouTube as the service.
This will enable streaming for meetings and webinars.
- Log in to your Zoom account and host a meeting or webinar.
- In the Controls menu, click the "More" button.
- Select "Live on YouTube".
- Log into your YouTube account.
- Enter the feed details.
- Define your privacy settings.
- Click on the "Go Live!" » optional.
Note that the stream will automatically stop if your webinar or meeting ends.
How to Live Stream to YouTube from Google Meet
Google Meet does not have a built-in broadcast feature that allows live streaming to YouTube. However, you can still live stream your meeting.
You will need the following:
- Verified YouTube Account
- YouTube Studio streaming key
- OBS Studio software
After you verify your account using your phone number, it may take up to 24 hours for YouTube to verify it and allow you to stream.
When you're ready to stream, open your OBS Studio app and follow these steps:
- Go to the Settings menu.
- Access the Video and Output tabs.
- Configure your feed.
- Go to the Feeds tab in the left menu.
- Go to “Services”.
- Choose YouTube as your preferred streaming service.
- Paste your stream key into the Stream Key field.
- Select "Window Capture" from the list of sources.
- Select the window running your Google Meet meeting.
- Click the "Go Live" button on your YouTube dashboard.
Additional FAQs
Can I live stream without 1 subscribers?
The short answer is no. You cannot create a live stream on YouTube until you have at least 1 subscribers and verified your channel. You also cannot have had any streaming restrictions in the previous 000 days.
Do you still have your subscribers?
As you can see, in most cases, streaming on YouTube is a straightforward process. But having a dedicated capture and broadcast application like OBS Studio may also be necessary.
Also, setting up your stream may take some time to get the right audio and video quality depending on your equipment.
Let us know how your Live YouTube experience compared to other platforms and what you think Google can improve in the comments section below.
