How to Livestream on YouTube (Desktop, Mobile, and Encoder)

Going live is one of the fastest ways to build a real connection with viewers — but YouTube has a few requirements and three different ways to do it. Here is how to go live cleanly, whichever setup you have.

Before you can go live

Two requirements catch most first-timers:

• Verify your channel (phone verification) and have no live-stream restrictions in the past 90 days.
• Enable live streaming once — the first activation can take up to 24 hours, so do it the day before, not five minutes before.
• 50 subscribers are required only for mobile streaming; desktop and encoder streaming have no minimum.

The three ways to stream

1. Webcam (easiest)

Best for talking-head streams and Q&As. Go to youtube.com/livestreaming or click Create → Go live in YouTube Studio, choose Webcam, set a title and visibility, and click Go live. No extra software needed.

2. Mobile (on the go)

In the YouTube app, tap the + button and choose Go live. You need 50 subscribers. Great for spontaneous, casual streams, but you have less control over layout and overlays.

3. Encoder / OBS (most powerful)

Best for gameplay, multi-scene shows, screen sharing, and guests. Use free software like OBS Studio, paste your stream key from YouTube Studio into the encoder, design your scenes, and start streaming. This is the route serious streamers use.

Settings that keep a stream smooth

• Stable upload speed matters more than raw resolution — a clean 720p beats a stuttering 1080p.
• Set the encoder bitrate to match your resolution and your real upload speed, not your download speed.
• Use a wired ethernet connection when you can; Wi-Fi drops cause the most stream failures.
• Do a short unlisted test stream before any important live event.

Make your livestreams discoverable

A live video is still a video: it needs a clickable title and a clear thumbnail. Apply the same packaging you use for uploads — see how to write titles that get clicks — and schedule streams when your audience is online using our best time to post guide. Afterward, the replay keeps earning views, so add chapters to the recording.