Going live on Facebook is a great way to connect with your friends, family, and followers in real time. By default, Facebook Live videos are vertical, meaning they are optimized for viewing on mobile devices. However, there may be times when you want to switch to a landscape or horizontal orientation to show more content side-by-side. The good news is it’s easy to make Facebook Live horizontal on iPhone.
Should I go live horizontally or vertically?
The choice between vertical and horizontal video depends on what you’re showing in the Facebook Live video. Here are some things to consider:
- Vertical video (portrait mode) is ideal for one or two people talking directly to the camera. The natural orientation focuses on faces and feels more personal.
- Horizontal video (landscape mode) is better for showing environments and activities. You can capture more content side-by-side.
- Vertical is more natural for mobile devices since users often hold phones vertically. But horizontal expands the field of view.
- Facebook prioritizes vertical videos by default. But horizontal videos can engage viewers too.
Overall, choose based on the goal of your video. Want an intimate feel? Go vertical. Need to showcase a scene? Use landscape. Both orientations work well, so test out which is best for your particular video.
How to make Facebook Live horizontal on iPhone
Switching Facebook Live to a landscape orientation on iPhone is easy but not immediately obvious. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Open the Facebook app and tap on the Live icon in the status box.
- Tap Go Live to begin a Facebook Live video. By default it will be vertical.
- Once broadcasting, swipe left from the right edge of the iPhone screen.
- Tap the rotation icon at the bottom which looks like a quarter circle arrow.
- The broadcast will switch to a horizontal orientation. Tap the rotation icon again to switch back.
- When finished, end the live video by tapping Finish.
The key is finding that rotation icon after you start broadcasting. It may be hidden off-screen when holding your phone vertically so swipe to find it. The icon allows toggling between horizontal and vertical on the fly.
Troubleshooting tips
If making Facebook Live horizontal is not working on iPhone, here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Update the Facebook app to the latest version from the App Store.
- Check that your iPhone OS is up to date as the latest iOS may enable more Facebook Live features.
- Force quit and restart the Facebook app if the rotation icon is not appearing.
- You must tap Go Live first before the rotation icon shows up at the bottom. It will not display when just in status update mode.
- If it does not work in the main Facebook app, try going live from Facebook Pages Manager instead.
The vast majority of issues can be solved by ensuring you have the latest Facebook app version installed. If problems persist, contacting Facebook support can help get to the bottom of any technical issues preventing horizontal live videos.
Adjusting camera direction
In addition to changing the orientation between horizontal and vertical, you can also switch which camera is being used during a Facebook Live broadcast:
- Tap the camera icon to toggle between using the rear facing camera and front facing selfie camera.
- The rear camera shows your environment while the front camera shows your face.
- This works in both vertical and horizontal orientations.
Being able to swap camera angles gives more flexibility when broadcasting live. You can show your surroundings, then switch to chat face-to-face with your audience seamlessly within the same video.
Using Facebook Live effects
Facebook includes a range of fun effects to make your live videos more engaging. Here are some of the effects you can add:
- Filters: Swipe left/right over your face to browse filters like black and white, sepia, or night mode.
- AR Masks: Choose masks like animals or astronauts to show over your face.
- AR Studio: Select animated frames, sparkles, or interactive stickers to overlay.
Keep in mind not all effects work in both horizontal and vertical orientations. Play around with available effects before broadcasting to understand how they interact with camera positioning.
Using a third-party camera app
The built-in iPhone camera provides a quick way to go live on Facebook. But for more control, consider using a third party live streaming app like Streamlabs or Liveairsolo:
- Dedicated streaming apps provide robust tools for overlays, multi-screen, and green screens.
- Stream to Facebook using a custom RTMP URL and stream key.
- Monitor chat and reactions while horizontally broadcasting.
Third party streaming tools require more setup but deliver a professional and full-featured live production suite right from your iPhone. Unlock more capabilities like bringing guests on remotely over a horizontal broadcast.
Connecting external mics and accessories
For professional iPhone video, consider connecting external mics or accessories:
- Plug in a lapel mic for crystal clear audio of yourself speaking.
- Add a shotgun mic to capture ambient sounds in the environment.
- Attach mobile tripods, selfie sticks, or grips for stabilization.
- Use a gimbal for smooth panning shots and motion.
The iPhone headphone jack or lightning port allows attaching accessories to enhance the native camera and mic. With external gear, you can achieve stunning production quality perfect for horizontal Facebook Live streams.
How to download Facebook Live videos
Facebook automatically saves your live broadcasts for later viewing and sharing. Here’s how to download Facebook Live videos:
- Go to your Facebook profile and click Videos.
- Select the Live Videos album.
- Find the video you want and click the three dots More menu.
- Choose Download to save the MP4 video file to your device.
Downloading makes it easy to rewatch your livestreams, edit them, or reshare to other platforms. Just navigate to the Videos section of your profile anytime to see all your past live content.
How to share Facebook Live videos
Once you finish broadcasting live, there are a few ways to share the recorded video:
- Copy and paste the video URL to share it.
- Use the Embed button to embed the live video on websites or blogs.
- Click Share to post the video to your Timeline or in Groups.
- Select Share to Story to add it to your Facebook stories.
Consider promoting your best live moments by re-sharing with different audiences across Facebook. Embed livestreams on your website to supplement written content with interactive video.
How to delete Facebook Live videos
If you want to remove old Facebook Live videos:
- Go to your profile and click Videos.
- Click on the Live Videos album.
- Hover over the video you want to delete and click Options.
- Select Delete video and confirm.
Keep in mind anyone who viewed the live video before it’s deleted could still have a copy. But deleting prevents any further views of embarrassing or problematic livestreams.
Conclusion
Switching to a horizontal live view is easy on iPhone once you know where to find the rotation icon. Whether you want to showcase a venue, include a guest, or mount your phone on a tripod, broadcasting live horizontally opens up more engaging video possibilities. Just be sure to rotate your phone before going live or once you start streaming. With a few taps, you can unlock the flexibility of landscape mode for your Facebook Live broadcasts.