How to Stream on Instagram
By teonawrites 
Instagram is a great resource for community building – but how do you stream on Instagram with Android, iOS or PC Computer? It’s super easy, we can walk you through it!
Ways to Stream on Instagram:
- Android App
- iOS App
- Instagram Live Producer
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How to Stream on Instagram with Android
Swipe right from your main home feed, select ‘Live’ along the bottom of the screen. Before pressing live, be sure to navigate the icons on the left of the screen that allow you to set an audience and title to your stream.
Once live, you can leave comments, pin comments and track viewers and likes during the broadcast. However, any comments, views or likes aren’t saved once your live broadcast has ended.
How to Stream on Instagram with iOS
Going live on iOS is immensely similar to Android users, however there are a couple of extra perks to being an iOS app user to enhance the Live experience. Follow the same instructions to go live on the Instagram iOS app as above:
Swipe right from your main home feed, select ‘Live’ along the bottom of the screen. Before pressing live, be sure to navigate the icons on the left of the screen that allow you to set an audience and title to your stream.
Once live, you can leave comments, pin comments and track viewers and likes during the broadcast. However, any comments, views or likes aren’t saved once your live broadcast has ended.
On Instagram iOS, there is a square ◼️ in the bottom right corner of your screen. This menu allows you to utilize any photos or videos in your camera roll in your live broadcast.*
Swipe right on your camera roll and tap the 🚫 symbol to stop sharing your media content.
*This feature is not available when hosting a live broadcast with guests.
How to Stream on Instagram from a Computer
What is Instagram Live Producer?
Before, if you wanted to go live on Instagram, you could only stream from your phone using your phone’s camera.
Now, Instagram has begun rolling out their Instagram Live Producer tool: a tool that will allow you to stream from any compatible streaming/broadcasting platform (OBS, Streamlabs, Restream.io, etc.). It isn’t available to all users just yet, but if you do have it already, here’s how to use it.
Setting Up Instagram Live Producer
The first step is to make sure your stream settings are set up to stream on Instagram. Most viewers will likely be watching from mobile devices or tablets so for optimal performance and quality.
Technical Requirements for Instagram Live Producer
| Audio Formats | Video Formats |
| 44.1 KHz sample rate | 9×16 aspect ratio |
| Stereo channel layout | 720p @ 30 fps (60 fps is supported but the Live Producer preview screen currently still displays 30 fps) |
| Up to 256 Kbps bit rate | 720×1280 resolution |
| 2250 – 6000 Kbps |
Setting Up Instagram Live Producer
Next, go to Instagram.com and click on “Add post.” A dropdown menu will appear where you can select “Live.” This is where you’ll put your stream information like your title and who you want to stream to. If you click the arrow next to “Public” there’s an option to change your audience to “Practice” so you can test things out without it being broadcasted publicly.
After you’ve given your stream a title and selected your audience, click “Next.” Here, you’ll get your Stream URL and your Stream Key.
Unlike other streaming platforms like Twitch and Youtube, the stream key you get here is not permanent. It will change each time you go live so you’ll need to copy and paste a new one into your streaming software whenever you want to stream to Instagram.
In order to port your stream through to Instagram, a custom RTMP must be set up. This is where your stream URL comes in. In your streaming software’s stream settings, set your stream destination to “custom RTMP” then, paste your stream URL and your stream key.
Where Do I Go to Set-Up my Stream Key?
OBS Studio Stream Key Location
Open OBS ➡️ Click File ➡️ Settings ➡️ Stream
Streamlabs Stream Key Location
Open Streamlabs ➡️ Settings ➡️ Stream
How to Go Live on Instagram Live Producer
Once things are connected properly, start your stream on your streaming software. You should see a preview of your stream in the Live Producer tool on the website. If everything looks good, you’re ready to stream. Click “Go Live” on the Live Producer tool on Instagram’s website and your stream will officially start.
(Note: Instagram’s Live Moderator feature is not currently supported by Live Producer so for now, streamers will be moderating their chat as they stream).
Wrapping Up Your Stream
When you’ve finished streaming, you must end your stream in Live Producer before you end it in your streaming software. If you do not, your stream will continue to broadcast the final frame of your stream. When your stream ends, your VOD is saved in the Live Archive. This can be found in the menu section of your profile (the three horizontal lines in the upper right hand corner) under “Archive.” All previously streamed videos can be found here and you can download and share them.
Make sure you’re making the most of your content by recycling it where possible!
You can share a previous live broadcast after you’ve ended by tapping the ‘Share video’ button or sharing it from your ‘Live Archive’. It’s notable that you cannot edit videos before sharing them directly through Instagram.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
TeonaWrites, Senior Writer
Teona is part of the StreamerSqure staff as a writer and admin manager. They are a queer, disabled creator and social media influencer who loves writing, photography, beauty & fashion as well as video games. Tee started their content creator career as a freelance writer and blogger and since then have expanded to also include streaming variety content on Twitch. They use their platforms to share experiences with, and educate on, disability, chronic illness, neurodivergence and queerness as well as create spaces where we can be safe to explore ourselves.
About the Author
teonawrites
Teona is a queer, disabled creator and social media influencer who loves writing, photography, beauty & fashion as well as video games. Tee started their content creator career as a freelance writer and blogger. Since then, have expanded to also include streaming variety content on Twitch. They use their platforms to share experiences with, and educate on, disability, chronic illness, neurodivergence and queerness as well as create spaces where we can be safe to explore ourselves.
