Create a live stream on Mobile

We've recently raised the threshold for YouTube Live with a mobile device. To be able to live stream on mobile, your channel will need to have at least 1,000 subscribers. 

Note that this eligibility threshold does not apply to other live-streaming tools. Creators who have fewer than 1,000 subscribers will still be able to live stream through desktop and webcam. 

YouTube Live is available on Android 5.0+.

You can now live stream from the main YouTube app on mobile. After a mobile live stream ends, an archive of the stream is created on your channel and you have the option to edit the privacy setting (including setting it to private) or delete the archive.

Requirements for YouTube Live

Confirm that your account is verified and that you have no live stream restrictions in the last 90 days.

Enable YouTube Live for the first time

  1. Download the latest version of the YouTube app.
  2. Select the camera button .
  3. Grant permissions for the YouTube app to access the camera, mic and storage.
  4. If prompted, verify your account.
  5. Select GO LIVE.
Note: If you do not have a channel, you will be prompted to create one after selecting GO LIVE.

Create a mobile live stream

  1. Select the capture button  .
  2. Select GO LIVE.
  3. At the top right of the screen, tap the  camera icon to record with your camera or the  phone icon to stream what's on your screen.
  4. Create a title, then select a privacy setting.
  5. Optional: Select More options.
    • Add a description
    • Schedule for later
    • For advanced settings, press Show more.
      • ​​Enable or disable live chat
      • Enable or disable age restrictions for your stream
      • Indicate whether your stream contains paid promotion, and add a paid promotion disclosure
      • Enable or disable monetisation
      • Press Show less
  6. Select Next to take a picture for your thumbnail. You can upload a custom thumbnail.
  7. Optional: Stream in landscape mode.
    • Hold your device in landscape mode
    • Make sure that your screen rotation lock is off
  8. Optional: To share your stream, tap SHARE.
  9. Select GO LIVE.
  10. To end a stream, select FINISH, then OK. An archive of the live stream is created on your channel after the stream ends.
  11. You can edit the privacy setting (including setting it to private) or delete the archive on the 'My videos' page.

Live chat on mobile

Chat messages on mobile can be moderated in the same way as regular chat messages. You can assign moderators, manage spam messages, block words proactively, block users from the chat or remove chat messages. Learn more about how to manage live chat.

Scheduling live streams on mobile

Schedule a live stream on mobile

  1. Select the capture button .
  2. Select GO LIVE.
  3. Create a title, then select a privacy setting.
  4. Select More options and enable Schedule for later.
    1. Select the date and start time
  5. Select Next to take a picture for your thumbnail. You can upload a custom thumbnail.
  6. Select Done.

Start a scheduled live stream

  1. Select the capture button .
  2. Select GO LIVE.
  3. Select the calendar button.
  4. Select your live stream.
    Note: You can delete scheduled live streams by pressing the delete button.
  5. Select GO LIVE.
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