You can start live streaming on Instagram from the app on your phone. All you need is a good internet connection and a functional camera app. Here are the steps you need to take to start live streaming on Instagram:
How to Go Live on Instagram
- Open Instagram.
- Tap the camera icon in the top left corner of your screen or swipe right from anywhere on your feed.
- Scroll horizontally at the bottom of your screen until the camera switches to “Live” mode.
- Tap the red broadcast button at the bottom middle of your screen to go live.
- To end the broadcast, tap the X at the top right corner of your screen and then tap “End Now” to confirm.
Once you finish Instagram Live, it will be saved on your Live Archive. You can replay it again so that anyone who missed it can watch the rerun.
If you can’t go live despite having a good internet connection, it could be because you’ve had a post removed. Users that violate Instagram’s community guidelines may not get their accounts banned, but Instagram will limit access to some of the features.
How to Manage Your Instagram Live on Android
- Open Instagram.
- Tap the camera icon in the top left corner of your screen or swipe right from anywhere on your feed.
- Scroll horizontally at the bottom of your screen until the camera switches to “Live” mode.
- To add a title, tap “Title” on the left, enter the title, and then tap “Add title.”
- To pin a comment, tap the comment and then select “Pin comment.”
- To turn comments off, tap the 3 vertical lines at the bottom and then tap “Turn off commenting.”
- To turn off requests to go live with you, tap the 3 vertical lines at the bottom and then tap “Turn off requests to go live.”
- To filter out offensive comments, go to your settings and then select “Privacy.” Tap on “Comments” and toggle the “Hide offensive comments” on.
- To filter out specific words, go to your settings, select “Privacy,” tap “Comments,” toggle “Manual Filter” on, and then type the specific words you want banned from your livestream.
How to Manage Your Instagram Live on iPhone
If you have an iPhone, you can manage your livestream by following the same steps as above. However, iPhone owners have an extra Instagram live feature they can use to make their livestream a little more interesting.
While live, iPhone users can add photos and videos from their camera roll to the livestream. All you have to do is tap the black square in the bottom right corner and choose the pictures or videos you want to add. To stop displaying the media, tap the gray circle in the bottom right corner.
How to Set Up Instagram Live
Before you press the broadcast button, you should think about your setup to make sure things go smoothly while you’re live. Here are some of the steps you should take beforehand:
- Test your internet connection: Without a proper internet connection, your livestream will not run. The stream will lag and may even shut off at times, making it hard for viewers to see and hear you. Test your internet connection beforehand by using other apps, particularly video sharing ones like YouTube.
- Pick a spot to stream from: Pick a well-lit room with a good internet signal, so people can see you.
- Be aware that others can join: Instagram Live isn’t like FaceTime. If your profile is public, anyone can join your livestream and watch it. Set your account to private if you only want your followers to watch you live.
Conclusion
Connecting with your followers live on Instagram is as simple as tapping a few buttons on your phone. Thanks to the special management features Instagram has, you can make your livestreaming experience comfortable, safe, and fun for you and your viewers.
