How to Stream Live on YouTube

YouTube was initially the world’s most extensive video library. Since then, it has come a long way, and live streaming is a huge part of the business model. However, streaming live isn’t as intuitive as you may think.

If you’ve got a new channel and are thinking of hosting a live stream, you’re in the right place. The following article will teach you how to do a live YouTube stream from various devices and platforms.

How to Stream Live on YouTube From a PS4

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

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

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

1. Start a game that you want to stream.
2. Press the “Share” button on the controller.
   
3. Select the “Broadcast Gameplay” option.
   
4. Choose YouTube as the preferred service.
5. Type in a broadcast description.
6. Configure your video settings.
7. Hit the “Start Broadcasting” button.
   

Now you’re ready to go live and share your skills with the world.

How to Stream Live on YouTube From an Xbox

Microsoft allows Xbox users to stream easily on popular platforms like Twitch and Mixer. However, the same can’t be said about YouTube. The console lacks a native YouTube broadcasting app.

Luckily, there is a way to get around this problem if you have a PC you can use.

1. Go to the Microsoft Store.
   
2. Download and install the Xbox Console Companion app.
   
3. Download and install the OBS Studio software.
   
4. Launch the Xbox Console Companion app on your PC or laptop.
   
5. Sign in using your Microsoft/Xbox account.
   
6. Click the menu icon in the upper left corner.
   
7. Select the “Connection” option.
   
8. Click on 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 “Stream” button on the top toolbar.
12. Restart your Xbox if its screen isn’t showing on your computer.
13. Click the fullscreen icon in the Xbox Console Companion app.

This will broadcast your Xbox screen to your companion app. Now, you’ll need to configure 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 hit “OK.”
   
4. Click the plus (+) icon in the Sources 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 in the Window tab.
   
9. Navigate to “Settings” in OBS Studio, located under the Controls header.
   
10. Click the “Stream” button.
    
11. Select YouTube as the Service.
    
12. Click the “OK” button and start streaming.
    

Note that these steps may vary slightly depending on the OBS Studio version you’re running.

How to Stream 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 already.
2. Tap on the Camera icon in the top right corner of the screen.
   
3. Tap the “Live” button.
   
4. Allow the app access to your camera, microphone, and storage.
5. Verify your account if needed by following the instructions.
6. Tap the Camera icon at the top to choose which camera to use while streaming.
7. Enter the stream details.
8. Configure your privacy settings and tap “Next.”
9. Pose for your thumbnail photo.
10. Use a custom thumbnail if you’re not satisfied.
11. Tap the Share icon to share the stream’s URL.
12. Tap the “Go Live” button when you’re ready to stream.
    

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

How to Stream Live on YouTube From an Android

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

1. Tap on the Camera icon in the upper right corner.
   
2. Tap the “Live” button.
   
3. Give the app access when prompted.
4. Verify your account if asked.
5. Tap the Camera icon and choose which camera to use while streaming.
6. Tap the Phone icon if you want to stream your phone’s screen.
7. Enter your stream’s 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’s URL.
13. Tap the “Go Live” button when done.
    

You should only have to allow the app access to your camera, storage, and microphone once. Future streaming sessions won’t ask for access again.

How to Stream Live on YouTube Using OBS

OBS is a free leading broadcasting app that synergizes perfectly with YouTube. But before you can start streaming live, you need to meet specific channel requirements, verify the account, and get your stream 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 Stream.”
   
5. Hit the “Create Stream” button.
   
6. Look for the auto-generated key under the Stream Settings panel.
7. Copy the key.
   

Now it’s time to link your accounts.

1. Open OBS Studio.
   
2. Go to the Settings menu.
   
3. Go to the Video and Output tabs.
   
4. Configure your stream however you want.
5. Navigate to the Stream tab in the left side menu.
   
6. Go to “Service.”
   
7. Choose YouTube as the preferred streaming service.
   
8. Paste your stream key in the Stream Key field.
   
9. Go to the Audio menu to configure the sound settings.
   
10. Apply all changes.
    
11. Go to the Sources panel and press the plus (+) icon.
    
12. Select the desired capture method, e.g., Game Capture, Display Capture, etc.
    
13. Create a new source 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 on “Go Live.”
    

The connection should establish within seconds, and then your live stream on a 20-second delay should begin.

How to Stream 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, first, you’ll have to enable YouTube streaming.

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

This will enable streaming for both meetings and webinars.

1. Log into your Zoom account and host a meeting or webinar.
   
2. Under the Controls menu, click on the “More” button.
   
3. Select “Live on YouTube.”
   
4. Log into your YouTube account.
5. Enter the stream details.
6. Make your privacy settings.
7. Click the “Go Live!” option.
   

Note that the stream will automatically stop if your webinar or meeting ends.

How to Stream Live on YouTube From Google Meet

Google Meet doesn’t have a built-in broadcasting feature that enables live YouTube streaming. However, you can still do a live stream of your meeting.

You’ll need the following:

• Verified YouTube account
• YouTube Studio stream key
• OBS Studio software

Once 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 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. Configure your stream.
4. Go to the Stream tab in the left side menu.
   
5. Go to “Service.”
   
6. Choose YouTube as the preferred streaming service.
   
7. Paste your stream key in the Stream Key field.
   
8. Select “Window Capture” from the Sources list.
   
9. Select the window running your Google Meet meeting.
10. Click the “Go Live” button on your YouTube dashboard.

Additional FAQs

Can I Stream Live Without 1,000 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 can’t have had streaming restrictions within the previous 90 days.

Got Your Subscribers Yet?

As you can see, in most cases streaming on YouTube is a straightforward process. But having a dedicated capture and broadcasting app like OBS Studio may also be necessary.

Also, configuring your stream may take time before you get the right audio and video quality based on your equipment.

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