Facebook live streaming is growing more and more popular by the day. It’s become an incredible way for people and businesses to connect with their audience. But it can be a bit hard to get your head around all the specifics.
So if you’ve ever wondered how to live stream on Facebook, this guide is for you.
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In this complete Facebook live stream tutorial, we’ll do a full walk through using both free and paid apps and software. Whether you’re looking for the best Facebook live stream setup for Mac, Windows, iPhone or Android – you’ll learn exactly what you need.
We’ll start by covering how to use the Facebook interface to livestream. Then we’ll work through our recommended software that will unlock a ton more awesome features!
The more advanced software allow you to do things like bring in a ton of guests, overlay titles and lots of other cool stuff that will take your live stream to the next level.
Here’s exactly what we’ll cover in this Facebook live streaming tutorial:
- How To Livestream To Facebook On Desktop
- How To Livestream To Facebook On Mobile
- How To Livestream To Facebook On Streamyard (Desktop)
- How To Livestream To Facebook On Streamyard (Mobile)
- What Is The Best Way To Livestream On Facebook?
Plus we’ll also share our top Facebook live tips along the way. You’ll learn how to go live on Facebook like a pro in no time!
Let’s get started.
How To Livestream To Facebook Using Facebook’s Tools
First up, let’s take a look at the options Facebook gives you. So that’s the Facebook desktop interface and the Facebook app.
Live streaming on Facebook desktop or the Facebook app is a good entry level option
These are the entry level options. They’re both free, easy to use and there’s no additional software or hardware required.
How To Livestream To Facebook On Desktop
To go live on Facebook using desktop, head to facebook.com. Go to where you’d usually start creating a regular post and you’ll see the Live Video button.
Open Facebook on your desktop and press Live Video
From there you have the following options under Live Producer:
- Go Live Now: If you’re ready to go Live straight away
- Go Live With Others: Facebook now gives you the ability to go Live with other people
- Schedule Live Video Event: If you want to schedule a Live for a later date
After you’ve setup and approved your camera, a preview will appear in the bottom right corner
Click on Go Live Now and then Use Camera. This is where you can choose which webcam and microphone you want to use. If you want to share your computer screen while Live you can also select Start Screen Share in this section. This is where you can select the screen you want to share.
Keep in mind that right now, when you’re live streaming on Facebook there’s no way to switch between the screen share and your webcam. It’s currently one or the other for the entirety of your Facebook live.
There’s currently no way to switch between screen sharing and webcam while you’re Live
Once you’ve set that up, go back to Live Producer and choose where you want the Live to be posted – on your timeline, a page or in a group.
Then select who will be able to see the live. You can select Public, Friends, Specific Friends or Only me. The Only me option is perfect for when you’re testing or practising going live.
You can select who will be able to view your Facebook live video
You can also add a title and description. Even though it’s not compulsory, this is a great idea. Letting people know what your live is about makes it more likely that people will click to join.
Then you’re all set – press the Go Live button.
Make sure you include a title and description so your followers know what the live video is about
You’ll get a 3, 2, 1 countdown and then you’ll be live! You will appear as a small box in the right hand corner. Press the Maximize button to make your live go full screen.
Any comments or engagements from people will show up in the left menu.
Comments and engagements from viewers will appear in the left menu
Some data for your live stream will appear below the screen. If you press the Down Arrow button, you’ll be taken to a page with more information.
When you press the Down Arrow icon, you’ll see a bunch of analytics and options for the live
When you do this, the video of yourself will be minimized – don’t worry! You don’t need to be full screen on your page the entire time.
Here you can:
- See the live Insights
- Access the Stream Metrics
- Create a Poll
- Edit Stream
- View any Alerts about your live stream
Press End Live Video and then End when you’re ready to finish the live stream
When you’re ready to finish the live stream, press End Live Video. Then select End to confirm.
How To Livestream To Facebook On Mobile
The process on mobile is very similar to the process on desktop.
To get started, open the Facebook app on your iOS or Android device. Then press Live on the home screen.
Press the Live button on your Facebook app’s home screen
Be aware that you can’t change the orientation after you’ve pressed the Start Live Video button.
So if you want your live to be in portrait, start the live in portrait. If you want the live to be horizontal, rotate your phone and then start the live in horizontal.
Make sure you set the orientation of your Facebook live before hitting the Start Live Video button
Let’s cover the tools you’ll have access to here:
- Exit icon: to leave the live
- Flip button: to flip the camera
- Flash button: to turn flash on or off
- To: button: to select your audience (Public, Friends, Friends except…, Only me)
- Tap to add description button: this is where you add a description
- Filters icon: to add any filters or effects to your live (you also Raise Money during your live here)
Make sure you add a description before going live
You can also Add location, Tag friends and add a Feeling/Activity.
Once you’ve made those adjustments, press Start Live Video. There’s no countdown here, there’ll just be a red LIVE icon in the top corner.
Any comments will appear on the bottom of your screen.
You’ll still be able to view all of the comments on your live stream
You can reply to comments by tapping the Comment icon. You can also invite guests and see a list of everyone on your live by pressing the Guest icon.
When you’re ready to end the live, press Finish in the bottom right corner.
When you’re ready to end the live, press Finish
After the live stream has ended, you’ll have the option to change who can view the live, where it’s posted and what quality you’d like to save it in.
Here you can also press Save to download it, Delete if you don’t want to save or post it, or Share when you’re ready for the live to be shared.
You can adjust settings, save, delete or share your live video after it’s finished
So that’s how to go live on Facebook using the tools that Facebook provides. Again, this is a simple option that doesn’t give you access to any of the more professional features.
But there’s plenty of software and apps available if you’re looking for something with more customization and control.
How To Livestream To Facebook On Streamyard (Desktop)
If you want a more professional tool for Facebook live videos, there are lots of options! On desktop you’ve got Ecamm Live, Wirecast, ManyCam, VMix, Be.Live and XSplit just no name a few.
Out of all the options out there, our favourite all-rounder for Mac and PC right now is StreamYard.
If you’re looking for a more professional software, StreamYard is a great option
StreamYard makes it super easy to go live on Facebook and all of the other major platforms as well. It packs a punch with some awesome features.
In StreamYard you can play videos, feature comments and bring in heaps of guests – all really easily.
You don’t even need to download and install any software! StreamYard runs in your browser meaning it’s cross platform. It even works really well on mobile devices as well.
It’s super easy to customize the look of your live when there are multiple guests on
First up, go to streamyard.com. Select Get Started to create an account and then log in.
Click Create a broadcast and then New broadcast. Select the Facebook page you want to stream to. Insert a title, description and you can schedule for later if you like.
Once you’re logged in, select New broadcast
One of the really cool things about StreamYard is that it has built in multi streaming.
So where you selected your Facebook page, you can also select your YouTube channel for example. And then StreamYard will live stream to both social media accounts at the same time.
It even brings all the comments from both streams into one manageable chat feed for you to interact with.
You can stream to multiple platforms at the same time with StreamYard
Once you’re happy with those settings, press Create broadcast.
Then there are a few things to set up before entering the Broadcast studio.
Go to the Cam/Mic settings to set up your camera and microphone
First of all, press the Cam/Mic Settings button. Just like Facebook, you can choose the camera and microphone you want to use. You can also enable Echo cancellation and Stereo audio.
Then type in your name, press Enter studio and you’ll be taken to the Broadcast studio.
Once you’re in the studio, go to the little recording of you down the bottom and press Add to stream. This will bring your stream into the main display area.
Make sure you add your video stream to the platform
In the right menu you can access the:
- Comments: This is where all of the comments will appear
- Banners: These are like preset titles that you can create before going live (these could be questions or any text that you want to appear on screen while you’re live)
- Brand: This is where you can customize what everything looks like – adjust the color, theme, logo, overlays and video files (simply click them to make them appear during the live)
You can access Comments, Banners and Brand in the right menu
To bring guests into your live stream, press Invite in the bottom menu. A link will be generated that you can copy and send to anyone you want to join you.
Once someone joins, their stream will appear down the bottom of the main display area. When you want to bring them into your stream, simply select their video.
There are presets below the main display that allow you to change up the look of the stream as well.
You can customize the appearance of your live stream with the buttons below the main display
You can also feature a comment on screen by selecting it in the Comments tab.
This allows you to add a whole new level of engagement with your audience – not just acknowledging their comments but featuring them on your live stream.
You can even feature comments so that they appear on screen during the live stream
Once you’re all set up, press the Go live button in the top right corner.
There are a ton of options in here that allow you to customize your live. So test out all the awesome features and see which ones suit your style of live stream.
How To Livestream To Facebook On Streamyard (Mobile)
Again, there are so many awesome apps that will help you create really high quality broadcasts. There’s Switcher Studio, Prism Live, Wirecast Go and Broadcast.me.
Up until recently, our top recommendation for going live on mobile was Prism Live. But that’s all changed now!
StreamYard’s functionalities work so well in mobile web browsers, that this has become our top recommendation for mobile as well.
To live stream on mobile, go to the StreamYard website on your mobile browser
The only thing that’s slightly different between StreamYard on desktop and on mobile, is the interface. There are some small changes that make it more mobile friendly.
To get started, go to streamyard.com in your mobile browser.
Once you’re logged in, go to Create a broadcast. You’ll need to allow access to your microphone and camera. Then adjust the same settings as on desktop before tapping Enter studio.
Adjust the settings and then press Enter studio
You’ll notice that everything is the same except that some functionalities are in a different location. So the main display area is at the top while the Comments, Banners and Brand sections are at the bottom.
PRO TIP: If you turn your phone horizontally, the picture will go wider and the interface will look more similar to the desktop version.
You can change the orientation of your live stream by changing the orientation of your phone
As you can see, it’s really powerful that you can use the exact same platform on your desktop and mobile device. We think it’s awesome that you can switch between desktop and mobile using the same software.
StreamYard Pricing
There are three pricing options for StreamYard:
- Free: On this plan you’ll have StreamYard branding on all your live streams
- Basic – $20/month: Removes StreamYard branding and unlocks a bunch of features
- Professional – $39/month: Removes StreamYard branding and unlocks all of StreamYard’s features such as full HD and individual audio recordings
There are three pricing options for StreamYard
We recommend going for the Basic or Professional. The extra features are definitely worth it and your live streams will look much better without any StreamYard branding. But choose the option that works for you.
What Is The Best Way To Livestream On Facebook?
If you’re after a simple and basic way to Facebook live stream, then the Facebook app or Facebook desktop interface would be a good option for you.
For those who want more options, more control and a more professional live stream – there are lots of great software out there.
Right now, our top all-rounder that happens to work on both desktop and mobile, is StreamYard.
StreamYard is an awesome option if you’re looking for an all-rounder streaming software
It makes it so easy for you to manage everything during the live stream. You don’t need a team of people. And you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on the most professional software. That’s why we love StreamYard!
Of course, there are some great options out there if you’re looking for even more advanced live streaming software as well.
Now You Know How To Use Facebook Live
In this guide we covered everything you need to know on how to go live on Facebook.
Whether you want to create a basic or advanced Facebook live, there are some great options out there. If you’re looking for an awesome all-rounder, StreamYard is a great choice no matter what your Facebook live setup is.
We hope you liked our Facebook live stream tips too!
If you found this Facebook live tutorial helpful, please share it on social media or with others who would also like to learn more about Facebook live streaming.
Links
When available, we use affiliate links and may earn a commission!
Recommended Facebook Live Software on Mac and PC:
Other options for Facebook Live Software on Mac and PC:
Facebook Live Apps for iPhone & Android:
Other Livestreaming Resources:
- Create animated titles for livestreams with PlaceIt
- Royalty-free music for your livestreams with Artlist
Recommended Gear & Resources
Check out an up-to-date list of all the gear, software & tools we use and recommend right now at Primal Video on our resources page here!
