How to Do Facebook Live on the Web From a Computer
If you have a webcam either built into your laptop or connected to your desktop computer, you can go live via Facebook.com.
Go to Facebook. com in the Google Chrome web browser and sign in to your account, if necessary. Facebook recommends that you use Google Chrome for going live. If you use a different web browser, you might see a message advising you to use the latest version of Google Chrome for your live video. You can go live from the News Feed, from your Profile, or from a Page you manage. Select Live Video below the post creation field that reads, “What’s on your mind?” Make sure that your webcam is working and connected. You may have to update the Chrome browser settings to allow access. Choose the settings and preferences for your live stream. Choose when to stream under the Live section. Choose who can view your stream under the Post section. Next to Get Started, choose to use your camera, streaming software, or a paired encoder. Under the Settings section, choose from the viewing and streaming options. The Setup section allows you to choose your camera and microphone, as well as an option to screen-share. To use Facebook Live with streaming software, copy the Server URL or Stream Key to enter the software settings before you go live. Select Go Live in the lower-left corner to begin streaming. Facebook Live also works with streaming software. Copy the Server URL or Stream Key to enter into your software settings before you go live.
How to Do Facebook Live on the App From Your Mobile Device
You can also use Facebook Live in the official Facebook app for iOS or Android. The app version of Facebook Live comes with a couple of extra features that the web version does not offer.
You can go live from the News Feed, your Profile, or a Page you manage on the app: From the News Feed, tap the Live button beneath the What’s on your mind? field. From your Profile, tap inside the What’s on your mind? field and then tap the Live Video option. From a Page you manage, tap the Live button beneath Create a post. You might need to allow Facebook to access the device’s camera and microphone. You can do a number of things to customize your live video before you go live: Flip the camera: Tap the camera icon in the upper-left corner to switch between the front and rear-facing camera. Activate flash: Tap the flash icon in low light to brighten up the video. Collect donations: Tap the three dots in the upper-right corner, and then tap Add a donate button. Write a description: Tap the text that says Tap to add a description to tell viewers what your video is about. Add effects: Tap the magic wand icon to apply fun filters and effects to your live video. Add a theme: Tap the plus sign to set different themes for your live video. You can invite other users to host your live video with you by tapping the Bring a Friend theme. When they accept your invitation, you and your guest appear in the live video in a split screen. Select where you want to share your live video by tapping the To field at the top (such as Public, Story, Friends, Friends except, Groups, and others). Tap Start Live Video when you’re done.
What Happens During and After You Go Live
When you go live, a viewer count appears at the top of your video. The count shows how many people tuned in to watch your video. You also see reactions and comments as they come in from your viewers.
From the News Feed, tap the Live button beneath the What’s on your mind? field. From your Profile, tap inside the What’s on your mind? field and then tap the Live Video option. From a Page you manage, tap the Live button beneath Create a post.
Flip the camera: Tap the camera icon in the upper-left corner to switch between the front and rear-facing camera. Activate flash: Tap the flash icon in low light to brighten up the video. Collect donations: Tap the three dots in the upper-right corner, and then tap Add a donate button. Write a description: Tap the text that says Tap to add a description to tell viewers what your video is about. Add effects: Tap the magic wand icon to apply fun filters and effects to your live video. Add a theme: Tap the plus sign to set different themes for your live video.
When you want to end your live video, select Finish on the web or tap the X on the app. You have the option to download the live video to have a copy for yourself and post it to your Timeline or Page so that friends or fans have the opportunity to watch it later.
