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To start a stream on YouTube, verify your channel by phone, enable live streaming in YouTube Studio ("Create" → "Go live") and wait up to 24 hours for activation. After that you can go live with a webcam, from OBS using a stream key, or from your phone — mobile streaming requires at least 50 subscribers.
What do you need to start a YouTube stream?
According to YouTube Help at the time of writing:
- A verified channel — a code by text or call under "Settings" → "Channel" → "Feature eligibility".
- No live streaming restrictions in the past 90 days.
- Age — 16 or older to stream on your own.
- First activation — streaming may only become available after 24 hours, so turn it on in advance.
There's no subscriber threshold for webcam or OBS streaming — you can go live from a brand-new channel.
First streams often run with almost no viewers, and many streamers give up. So the channel doesn't look empty, see the services on the YouTube promotion page: views from $0.95 per 1,000, subscribers from $20 — for example, to reach the 50 needed for mobile streams sooner. No password required; these subscribers and views don't count toward Partner Program thresholds.
How to stream from a computer with a webcam
- Go to youtube.com → "Create" → "Go live". The Live Control Room opens.
- Choose "Webcam" and allow the browser to use your camera and microphone.
- Add a title, description, audience (made for kids or not) and thumbnail.
- Click "Go live" or schedule the stream for later.
A webcam works for talking-head streams without scenes or overlays. For games, screen sharing and multiple cameras you need an encoder such as OBS.
How to go live on YouTube from your phone
- Requirements: at least 50 subscribers, a verified channel, Android 8.0+ or iOS with an up-to-date app.
- In the YouTube app tap "+" → "Go live" and allow camera and microphone access.
- Add a title, choose visibility and start the stream.
While the channel has fewer than 1,000 subscribers, mobile stream viewership may be capped and the archived stream is set to private by default.
How to set up OBS for YouTube streaming
- In the Live Control Room choose "Stream" (encoder) and copy your stream key. Never show it to anyone: whoever has the key can broadcast on your channel.
- In OBS: "Settings" → "Stream" → service YouTube (RTMPS) → connect your account or paste the key.
- "Output": keyframe interval 2 seconds; set the bitrate per YouTube's recommendations for your resolution, leaving headroom on your upload speed.
- Build a scene (screen capture, camera, mic) → "Start Streaming" → check "Stream health" in Studio.
In the stream settings you can choose latency: normal, low or ultra-low. Low is the most convenient for chatting with viewers.
Why can't I start a live stream?
- Less than 24 hours have passed since you first enabled live streaming.
- The channel isn't verified, or it has a strike and a live streaming restriction.
- On a phone — fewer than 50 subscribers.
- In OBS — an outdated key or a bitrate too high for your connection.
How to get viewers to your first stream
- Schedule the stream in advance and announce it in your channel's community — see YouTube community posts.
- Stream on a schedule so viewers build a habit.
- Cut Shorts from the best moments of the recording.
- How to boost the viewer count during the stream itself is covered in YouTube Live viewers.
The stream recording keeps working as a regular video. If it needs a start, you can add views on the YouTube views page — $0.95–1.30 per 1,000, no password.
