How to Go LIVE on TikTok from PC: LIVE Studio or OBS (Step by Step)

Before you install anything, make sure your account can actually stream:

• Age: TikTok requires you to be at least 18 to go LIVE.
• LIVE access: TikTok also asks for a minimum follower count and other account conditions. These requirements vary by country or region and can change without notice, so the only reliable source is what the TikTok app shows you.
• Where to check: in the TikTok app, tap + and swipe to LIVE. Anything you're missing is listed there.
• Already streaming elsewhere? TikTok has an application form for LIVE Studio access based on your channel on another platform. Reviews can take a few days.

If your account doesn't have LIVE access yet, no PC software can get around that. You need to meet TikTok's requirements first.

LIVE Studio is TikTok's own desktop streaming app. You log in with your TikTok account and go LIVE from there, with no stream key needed.

1. Download LIVE Studio from TikTok's official website.
2. Log in with your TikTok account and check your LIVE access status (top right corner).
3. Add your sources: camera, game capture, screen or window.
4. Pick the orientation. Since most viewers watch on their phones, portrait (1080 × 1920) is the usual choice.
5. Add a LIVE title and go LIVE.

PC specs: TikTok lists minimum and recommended system requirements on the download page. The minimum tier only covers the basics; if you stream games, check the game's requirements too, because both compete for the same hardware.

OBS Studio gives you more control over scenes, audio and filters. To stream to TikTok with OBS:

1. Your account needs LIVE access.
2. Get the server URL and stream key from your TikTok LIVE settings.
3. In OBS, go to Settings → Stream, choose a custom service and paste the URL and key.
4. Set the video output to portrait (1080 × 1920) if you want a mobile-first stream.

According to TikTok's help page, every new LIVE uses a new stream key, so copy it again before each stream. If your account doesn't offer a stream key, use LIVE Studio instead.

• New to streaming or want the simplest setup: LIVE Studio. Log in and go.
• Already have OBS scenes or need advanced audio and filters: OBS, as long as you have a stream key.
• Want TikRift overlays: either works. In LIVE Studio you add them as a Link source; in OBS, as a Browser source.

Overlays are transparent layers on top of your video: gift alerts, goals, top gifter leaderboards, a battle scoreboard and so on. Most tools give you a URL per overlay. In TikRift, every scene and every widget has its own URL ("Copy URL") with a transparent background. Here's what one looks like (fictional example):

https://overlay.tikrift.com/t/d7Kq2mVx9LpR4sNw

How to add it in TikTok LIVE Studio:

1. Click Copy URL in TikRift.
2. In LIVE Studio, add a Link source (the exact name can vary by version) and paste the URL.
3. Fit it to the canvas (1080 × 1920 portrait).

Alternative: how to add it in OBS:

1. Add a Browser source.
2. Paste the URL.
3. Set the width and height to your scene format (1080 × 1920 portrait or 1920 × 1080 landscape).
4. Click OK. If the source shows up blank, refresh it.

Keep that URL private: anyone who has it can see your scene. And TikRift needs to stay open while you stream; if you close it, the widgets stop updating.

To lay out a full portrait scene without covering TikTok's buttons, see our guide on TikTok LIVE overlay size and layout. For alerts, see TikTok LIVE gift alerts.

• Your account has LIVE access (check in the app, not on third-party lists).
• Orientation decided: portrait for a mobile audience, landscape only if you have a reason.
• Audio: mic levels right and, if your alerts play sounds, the source audio enabled.
• Overlays checked in the preview before going LIVE.
• A short test stream to see how it looks on a phone.
• TikTok Community Guidelines: everything on screen, overlays included, has to follow them.

• I don't see the LIVE option: your account doesn't meet the requirements for your region yet. Check the LIVE section in the app.
• LIVE Studio won't let me go LIVE: check your access status in LIVE Studio and make sure you're logged in with the right account.
• OBS connects but the stream doesn't show up: the stream key has probably expired. Copy the new one from your LIVE settings.
• The overlay is blank: refresh the source and make sure your overlay app is running.