How to go LIVE on TikTok.

Let’s be honest – scrolling on TikTok is fun. But going LIVE? That’s where the real magic happens. TikTok LIVE is more than just a streaming feature – it’s a powerful way to connect with your community in real time. And whether you want to host a Q&A, show your creative process, or promote a product, going LIVE on TikTok can boost your visibility, deepen engagement and, yes, even grow your follower base.

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to go LIVE on TikTok, what requirements you need to meet, and how to make your streams more interactive and visually appealing. You’ll also learn how to use Adobe Express to add stunning banners to your TikTok LIVE sessions – no design skills needed.

Ready to hit that “Go LIVE” button? Let’s go.

Key takeaways.

• TikTok LIVE is a great way to engage with viewers, providing 5-10x higher interaction rates than other platforms. To go LIVE, you need to be at least 18+ years old, have at least 1,000 followers and maintain a clean account with no guideline violations.

• Creators can use Adobe Express to design custom TikTok LIVE banners, even if they don’t have design experience. You can customise banner designs with fonts, colours and more, and upload it as an effect before going LIVE.

TikTok LIVE: First steps to start a LIVE stream.

Let’s take it a step back and look at what TikTok LIVE has to offer. TikTok LIVE allows viewers and creators to interact in real time. With an interaction rate five to 10 times higher than other platforms and 25% of users making purchases after viewing TikTok content, live streaming has become an excellent tool for increasing visibility and fostering authentic connections.

But what else does this powerful tool have to offer? When you use TikTok LIVE as a creator, you have access to LIVE features such as various effects, moderation, LIVE gifts, multi-guest hosting and other settings.

As a TikTok user – or in this case, LIVE viewer – you can support your favourite creators by watching their LIVE videos, participating in the chat, reacting to their LIVE content with virtual gifts, subscribing to their LIVE communities, and much more. But please note: TikTok LIVE as well as gift features are currently not available everywhere.

Are you already familiar with TikTok LIVE and have your smartphone, your idea and maybe even your ring light ready for action? Before you go live, there are a few things you should know – for example, how many followers you need and what your set-up should look like.

Let’s start with the four basic requirements you need to meet to go LIVE on TikTok:

• You must be at least 18 years old to go LIVE.

• You must be at least 18 years old (or 19 in South Korea) to send or receive gifts during a LIVE session.

• Your account needs at least 1,000 followers to unlock the LIVE feature (may vary across regions).

• You must have no recent Community Guidelines or Terms of Service violations.

If that’s all settled, let’s look at some essential steps before starting a TikTok LIVE stream:

How to go LIVE on TikTok: step-by-step.

You’ve got your equipment, you’ve got your content, and you’re good to go? Then here’s how to go LIVE on TikTok.

1. Open TikTok and tap the “+” icon at the bottom of your screen.

1. Swipe to the “LIVE” tab in the bottom navigation.

1. Choose a title for your live session – something catchy and clear. This is what viewers will see in the LIVE feed. Here you can also add filters and effects to further customise your LIVE stream.

1. Tap “Go LIVE” to start broadcasting to your followers in real time.

That’s it. Once you’re LIVE, users can join, comment, and send you virtual gifts. And when you’re done, you can choose to save your LIVE session as a replay.

What’s TikTok LIVE Studio?

Want to take your streaming experience one step further? LIVE Studio is TikTok’s own software that lets you stream from your PC. If you create gameplay or reaction videos, or use multiple cameras, TikTok LIVE Studio is the way to go.

But please note: So far, TikTok LIVE Studio is available for Windows only.

Create a custom banner for TikTok LIVE with Adobe Express.

Want to take your TikTok LIVE to the next level visually? Especially if you have a promotion running, a TikTok banner is just the right eye-catcher for it. Adobe Express makes it easy to create custom TikTok banners that grab attention – even if you’ve never touched motion design before.

Here’s how to use Adobe Express to make a banner for your TikTok LIVE:

1. Open Adobe Express.

1. Enter “Phone wallpaper” in the search window. Adobe Express automatically suggests the correct format, 1080 x 1920 pixels.

1. Select a template or start from scratch.

1. Now you can customise your design by changing the font and colours or adding icons and design elements. We recommend choosing a transparent background, so your banner doesn’t cover the entire screen and its content.

1. Once you’re happy with your design, save and download it.

1. Now go to TikTok LIVE. Before hitting that Go LIVE button, click on “Effects”. You can choose from TikTok effects or upload your customised banner.

1. And you’re good to go. Have fun!