TikTok LIVE guide
How to go live on TikTok
Going live on TikTok takes a minute once your account qualifies. Here is what TikTok asks for first, how to start a LIVE from the app, how to stream from a computer with TikTok LIVE Studio or OBS, and how to put gifts, follows and goals on screen while you are live.
What TikTok asks for first
About 1,000 followers
In most countries the LIVE button appears once an account has around 1,000 followers. Below that, TikTok does not offer LIVE at all — there is no setting that turns it on.
18 or older
Going LIVE is for adult accounts, decided by the birth date on the account. Sending and receiving gifts is limited to adults as well.
An account in good standing
Recent community-guideline violations can pause LIVE access for a while, even for accounts above the follower threshold.
Go live from the TikTok app
1 · Tap + at the bottom
Open TikTok and tap the plus button, the same one you use to post a video.
2 · Swipe to LIVE
At the bottom of the camera screen, swipe across the modes until you reach LIVE. If LIVE is not there, the account does not qualify yet.
3 · Add a title and go
Pick a cover and a title that says what the stream is about, choose a topic, then tap Go LIVE.
Go live from a PC
Streaming from a computer lets you show games, your screen and a proper camera — and an overlay with your alerts and goals. There are two ways.
TikTok LIVE Studio
TikTok’s free desktop app. Log in with your account, add your camera, screen or game as sources, and press Go LIVE. It needs no stream key, and you can add your TokElements overlay to it as a Link source.
OBS with a stream key
If TikTok gives your account a server URL and stream key, OBS can send your stream directly. Your overlay goes into OBS as a browser source — the same link.
No LIVE button yet?
LIVE access comes from TikTok, by follower count, age and account standing — not from an app or a trick. Anything that promises LIVE without the requirements, or sells accounts that have it, breaks TikTok’s terms and puts the account at risk. Grow to the threshold with videos, and set up your overlay meanwhile so it is ready on your first LIVE.
Make your LIVE look like a real stream
TikTok shows gifts in its own corner. An overlay puts them on your stream as you design them: a gift alert with the sender’s name, a follower goal viewers push over the line, a leaderboard, chat on screen and games run by gifts. TokElements builds that overlay in the browser and it works in TikTok LIVE Studio and OBS from one link. Free to start.
Questions
How many followers do you need to go live on TikTok?
In most countries about 1,000 followers, and the account has to belong to someone 18 or older. The exact threshold can differ by country and changes over time, so check whether the LIVE option appears in your own app.
How do I go live on TikTok from my PC?
Install TikTok LIVE Studio, log in, add your camera, screen or game as a source and press Go LIVE. If your account has a stream key, you can use OBS instead.
Can I go live on TikTok without 1,000 followers?
Not with your own account in most countries: the LIVE option only appears once TikTok grants it. Avoid services that promise otherwise or sell accounts — they break TikTok’s terms.
How do I show gifts and alerts on my TikTok LIVE?
With an overlay. In TokElements you place gift alerts, goals and leaderboards on a canvas and add its link to TikTok LIVE Studio or OBS. The widgets react to your live as it happens.
Is TikTok LIVE Studio free?
Yes. TikTok LIVE Studio is TikTok’s own free desktop app for Windows. TokElements is free to start as well.
Ready for your first LIVE?
Build your overlay now — gift alerts, goals and chat — and add it to TikTok LIVE Studio or OBS with one link.
TikTok’s requirements and app menus change over time and vary by country and account; follower numbers and button names may differ from what you see. Check in your own TikTok app. TokElements is not affiliated with TikTok.