Mobile live streaming is an excellent way to connect with your audience from anywhere. There was a time when broadcasting live from a remote location required a lot of expensive and bulky equipment. However, thanks to the advances in technology, live streaming has become more accessible in recent years via internet-enabled mobile devices such as cell phones and tablets. Mobile live streaming allows anyone to broadcast whenever and wherever they want easily.
Chances are, you already have a live streaming platform on your phone, as most social media platforms offer live streaming features directly in their mobile apps. Many people choose to live stream to social media because it gives access to an existing audience. However, live streaming through native apps is limiting because you can only stream to that social platform. Fortunately, the Streamlabs Mobile App for iOS and Android allows you to stream from your mobile device, including multistreaming, to different social media destinations (available for Ultra subscribers only).
Prepping for Mobile Live Streaming
Add these items to your checklist before streaming on a mobile device.
Fully Charge Your Phone: Nothing’s worse than having a good live stream going until it’s rudely interrupted by a dying battery. Before starting your mobile live stream, be sure your phone is fully charged. You may not want to run the risk of charging your phone while streaming, which may put a bit of strain on your phone battery (e.g., overheating). Instead, you should keep a charger nearby so you can quickly plug in your phone if needed while live streaming.
Close all the open apps: This will ensure that your device is running as fast and smoothly as possible. Not running apps in the background will reduce potential lags or crashes during your stream.
Turn off phone notifications: In order to keep your audience’s attention, you need to make sure your stream isn’t interrupted by incoming alerts or calls. If you have a mobile device featuring a “do not disturb” option or similar function, consider using it while streaming.
Review Community Guidelines: Any content that is deemed inappropriate or illegal might get your account suspended on both the platform and software you used to stream. Review these terms before your first stream and stay up to date with any changes to community guidelines that may come about.
How to Stream on Mobile
First, download the Streamlabs mobile app for your device.
- Open the app and log in with your credentials for your preferred social platform for streaming (the window after the welcome page). We recommend using Streamlabs ID, which allows you to have one account login for a host of Streamlabs tools and features, including Streamlabs Desktop, Podcast Editor, and premium stream overlays.
- Next, select your stream layout. You have the option of using the Default layout (which includes a chat box, alert box, and Event list widget) and Custom (which allows you to build your layout from scratch). Customize your stream from your Scenes settings to add widgets, overlay themes, custom images, and more.
For an in-depth tutorial on customizing your layout, check out our blog on editing scenes on the Streamlabs Mobile app.
- Once you’ve finished editing your layout, enable your camera and microphone.
- Now, you should be on the main screen (camera view) of your live stream. When you are ready to start broadcasting, click on the Go Live button.
- Choose whether you want to share your screen (e.g., when live streaming mobile gameplay) or your camera.
- Choose the platform you want to broadcast to. FYI, Streamlabs Ultra members have the option to multistream to two or more platforms simultaneously.
- Next, give your stream a title and description. That’s it! Now you’re live and ready to share your content with the world!
If you haven’t tried mobile live streaming, what’s stopping you? If you need some tips for streaming from your mobile device, check out our helpful guide.