Going live on Facebook from your mobile device is an easy way to connect with your friends, family, and followers in real time. With Facebook Live, you can broadcast live videos straight from your phone’s camera and interact with viewers through comments as it’s happening. Here’s a step-by-step guide to going live on the Facebook mobile app.
Prerequisites for Going Live on Mobile
Before you can go live, there are a few requirements you need to meet:
- You must have the latest version of the Facebook app installed on your iOS or Android device.
- Your Facebook app may prompt you to enable camera and microphone access if you haven’t already.
- You need an active internet connection to broadcast live video.
- Your Facebook account must be in good standing and not restricted from accessing Live features.
- Pages need at least 30 followers before being able to go live.
How to Access Facebook Live on Mobile
Accessing the Live feature is quick and easy:
- Open the Facebook app on your phone.
- Tap on the “What’s on your mind?” status box at the top of your News Feed.
- Swipe left and tap on the “Live” option.
You can also go live by swiping right from News Feed to access the camera. Tap “Live” at the bottom to switch from photo/video to the Facebook Live camera.
Setting Up Your Broadcast
Once you’ve accessed the Live camera, you can set up your broadcast before going live:
- Rotate camera – Tap the rotate button to switch between rear and selfie cameras.
- Add a description – Enter a description of your broadcast to give viewers context.
- Select audience – Choose to share with the public, friends, or only certain groups/pages you manage.
- Enable or disable comments – Decide whether to let viewers comment during the live video.
- Add location – Share your current location if desired.
When you’re ready, tap “Go Live” and your video will start broadcasting instantly.
Going Live
Once you’re live, here are some tips for streaming:
- Tap the screen to show or hide comments as you broadcast.
- Swipe right to access Live filters, effects and more options.
- Tap “Finish” when ready to end the broadcast.
- The video will be saved to your timeline for later viewing.
Viewers will get a notification that you’re live and can join your broadcast at any time as you stream. They can like, comment and share the live video too.
Managing Live Videos
After broadcasting, you have a few options for managing your live videos:
- Edit video – Trim the beginning or end of the video before sharing as a post.
- Share as post – Add the full video recording to your timeline like a regular post.
- Delete live video – Choose not to share the video publicly on your profile.
- Restrict past broadcasts – Limit viewing of previous live videos to certain audiences.
Going Live with Guests
In addition to solo live videos, you can add friends as guests to your Facebook Live broadcasts:
- Start a new broadcast and tap “Add” to invite someone.
- Choose a friend to add from your friends list.
- They’ll receive a request to join your live video as a guest.
- Once they accept, their video will start broadcasting with yours.
You can include up to 4 guests in a multi-person live video on mobile. Guests have the option to leave at any time.
Using Live Producer on Mobile
Facebook Live Producer is a standalone mobile app that gives you additional tools for creating polished, professional live streams:
- Switch between multiple cameras and external audio sources.
- Add lower-third graphics and titles to your video.
- Monitor comments and post to your Page during broadcasts.
- Screen share presentations, photos, and more.
Live Producer is available for download on iOS and Android devices. You must have a Facebook Page to use Live Producer.
Best Practices for Going Live
Follow these tips for creating great live videos:
- Film horizontally for wider viewing on all devices.
- Ensure you have adequate lighting and speak clearly.
- Consider using a tripod or steady surface to avoid shaky footage.
- Interact with viewers through comments and questions.
- Keep videos short and interesting to maintain engagement.
Bonus tips for businesses and creators:
- Promote your live broadcasts ahead of time to drive viewership.
- Offer exclusive content to encourage replay views.
- Go live consistently to build a routine audience.
Troubleshooting Facebook Live Issues
If you encounter problems with going live, try these troubleshooting steps:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Unable to access Live feature |
|
| Live video quality is poor |
|
| Live broadcast ends unexpectedly |
|
| No viewer engagement |
|
Conclusion
Going live on Facebook is an easy, convenient way to broadcast real-time videos and connect with your audience from anywhere. With just your mobile device and Facebook app, you can share life moments, connect with your friends, and grow your follower base organically.
By taking advantage of Facebook’s robust live streaming tools—from multi-person broadcasts to the standalone Live Producer app—you can create professional, polished streams that help you stand out. With consistently scheduled livestreams and compelling content, you can build a dedicated community that keeps coming back.
Hope this overview gave you what you need to feel confident about going live on Facebook mobile! Let me know if you have any other questions.