To go live on TikTok, tap the + button at the bottom of the app, swipe across to LIVE, add a title and tap Go LIVE. TikTok only shows that option once you're at least 18 and have 1,000 followers, and the follower number can vary by region.
If you've opened the camera and there's no LIVE tab at all, that's almost always the eligibility check, not a bug. The steps are the easy part. Knowing what TikTok checks first saves you an evening of reinstalling the app.
Who TikTok lets go LIVE
TikTok's own Help Center lists three rules. I've put them in a table because people mix up the age for going LIVE with the age for Gifts, and they aren't quite the same.
| What you want to do | TikTok's rule | Catch |
|---|---|---|
| Start a LIVE | At least 18 years old | Based on the birthday on your account |
| Start a LIVE | 1,000 followers | TikTok says this may vary across regions |
| Send or receive LIVE Gifts | At least 18 (19 in South Korea) | Gifts aren't available everywhere |
The one people miss: TikTok says LIVE and Gift features aren't currently available everywhere. So two creators with the same follower count in different countries can see different things. If you meet both rules and still can't see LIVE, your region is the next thing to suspect, not your phone.
How to go live on TikTok, step by step
- Open the TikTok app and tap the + (Add post) button at the bottom.
- Swipe along the bottom options until you reach LIVE. You may need to scroll across past Post and Story.
- Add a title. Keep it short and say what's happening, for example a Q&A, a tutorial or a behind-the-scenes look.
- Check the LIVE tools and settings before you start: effects, who can comment, keyword filters and moderators.
- Tap Go LIVE.
You can still change most settings once you're live. TikTok puts them under More at the bottom of the LIVE screen, then Settings. If a menu name looks different in your version of the app, search the settings for the word LIVE and you'll usually find it.
How to end a TikTok LIVE
Tap the End LIVE button at the top of the screen, then tap End now. Ending from the button matters. If you just close the app or your phone loses signal, viewers can sit watching a frozen screen for a while before TikTok catches up.
Why you can't go live yet
Here's the order I'd check things in, from most to least likely:
- Follower count. Under 1,000 followers, the LIVE option usually won't appear. TikTok's own page has the number, and it also says it can vary by region, so don't trust videos promising a secret workaround.
- Age on the account. If the birthday on your account says you're under 18, LIVE stays off. TikTok uses the birthday on file, not how old you look.
- Your region. LIVE and Gifts aren't offered in every country.
- A past violation. Accounts with recent Community Guidelines strikes can lose access to features, LIVE included. Your Account status page in the app is the place to check.
- An old app version. Update TikTok from the App Store or Google Play before you assume anything else is wrong.
I wouldn't use apps or sites that claim to let you go live on TikTok without the follower requirement. At best they don't work. At worst they ask for your login, and that's how accounts get taken over.
Getting more out of your first LIVE
An empty LIVE feels demoralising, so a little planning goes a long way:
- Tell people in advance. Post a normal video the day before saying when you'll be live and what you'll cover.
- Pick one topic. A clear title such as 'answering your questions about X' gets more people to stay than 'hanging out'.
- Add a moderator you trust before you start, so someone else can deal with rude comments while you talk.
- Turn on keyword filters for words you never want in your chat.
- Talk to the first few viewers by name. They're the ones who'll come back next time.
If you're building a following to reach the 1,000 mark, it's worth reading how many followers you need to go live on TikTok for the bigger picture, and how to hide the LIVE chat if comments get too busy once you're up and running.
Going live from a computer
Most people go live from the phone app, and that's what TikTok's steps above describe. Streaming from a computer through software such as OBS uses a server address and a stream key instead, and access to that depends on your account. If you want that route, our guide on finding your TikTok stream key walks through it.
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Settings worth checking before you tap Go LIVE
TikTok lets you set most of these on the screen just before you start, and they're easier to set calmly than mid-stream:
| Setting | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Title | It's what people see in the LIVE feed, so say what you'll cover |
| Comment filters and keywords | Hides comments with words you choose before anyone sees them |
| Moderators | Lets a trusted person mute or remove rude viewers while you keep talking |
| Gifts | Only works if you're 18 or over and Gifts are offered in your region |
| Effects | Fun, but test them first; some slow older phones down |
It's also worth doing a practice run with a friend watching from another phone. You'll spot problems with sound, lighting and Wi-Fi before strangers do, and you'll feel far more relaxed when the real one starts.
What happens after your LIVE ends
Once you tap End now, TikTok shows a summary of your LIVE. Look at how many people joined and when they left. If most viewers dropped off in the first minute, your opening needs work: start with the thing you promised in the title, not with waiting for people to arrive. If they stayed but didn't comment, ask a direct question every few minutes. Small changes like these make the next LIVE noticeably better.
Don't judge LIVE on one attempt. Your first few will be quiet while your followers learn when you go live. Pick a regular day and time, stick to it for a month, and mention it in your normal videos so people know when to find you.
My advice
Don't chase LIVE before you're eligible. Spend that energy on short videos that get you to 1,000 followers, then plan your first LIVE like an event. When you do go live, set up a moderator and keyword filters first. It takes two minutes and it's the difference between a LIVE you enjoy and one you end early.
Frequently asked questions
How many followers do you need to go live on TikTok?
TikTok's Help Center says you need 1,000 followers to go LIVE, and adds that this may vary across regions.
How old do you have to be to go live on TikTok?
You must be at least 18 to go LIVE. Sending or receiving Gifts during a LIVE also needs you to be 18, or 19 in South Korea.
Why is there no LIVE button on my TikTok?
It's usually because you haven't met the age or follower rule yet, LIVE isn't offered in your region, or your account has a recent violation. Updating the app is worth trying too.
How do I end a LIVE on TikTok?
Tap End LIVE at the top of the screen, then tap End now.
