Table of Contents
The majority of gamers who stream games online use Twitch, but other social media platforms also accommodate streamers who want to share their gameplay with friends and followers.
One of them is TikTok.
It might take a little work to get up and running, but players who have large TikTok fan bases can continue to build influence and make good money streaming their games on TikTok Live.
Those who are serious about gaming, though, will probably need a TikTok stream key to do it.
Live Streaming on TikTok
TikTok Live has been available since 2020, but it’s shown enormous growth over the last few years as more and more TikTok users get familiar with it. You only need to have 1,000+ followers, be in good standing with TikTok, and be over 16 (18 if you want to accept “gifts,” which are tips on the app) to start a live session on the platform.
Many influencers and content creators regularly run streams to promote products, conduct show-and-tells for products or life hacks, or simply have fun with their fans. And the gifts they receive in a Live session can add up to a serious income stream, too.
Live gaming is one of the most popular types of TikTok shows — but hosts can’t simply open their favorite game on the app. They have to connect another gaming platform to TikTok to get started. Here’s how it’s done.
Two Ways to Put Game Streams on TikTok
Casual gamers can show their gameplay in a TikTok Live with a special (and separate) app called TikTok Studio Live. You have to download it to your Windows 10 or 11 computer, log into TikTok on the same machine, go through the Studio Live setup, and hit the “Go live” button. Your computer gameplay will be shown in your TikTok Live session.
If you’re into mobile gaming and play games like Candy Crush or Pokemon Go on your phone, showing that gameplay in a Live stream is even easier. Just choose the “Mobile camera” option in TikTok Live, adjust your settings, and you’re good to go.
Most serious gamers, however, already have a home streaming setup for use with Twitch or other social apps. In that case, they’ll need a stream key to connect to TikTok Live.
Obtaining and Using a TikTok Stream Key
Those who regularly stream their gaming online are likely to be using free software like OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) or Streamlabs Desktop to do it. Those streaming studio programs can easily connect to TikTok, enabling users to put their gameplay right into a TikTok Live session.
To do it, though, you need what’s called a stream key. Here’s how to get it.
- Open the TikTok app and click “GO LIVE” (assuming you’ve met the criteria for doing Live shows).
- Choose a category and enter a title for your stream, and tap “SAVE and GO LIVE.”
- Now, scroll down the screen and you’ll find “Server URL and Stream key.” Click to reveal that data and copy both the URL and key.
- Go to your streaming software and paste them into the appropriate fields.
When you go live from your regular streaming setup, the game will now be broadcast in your TikTok Live; you may want to switch to portrait mode in your software so people viewing on their phones can watch the game easily.
Be aware, though, that the server key will expire after two hours, so don’t plan a marathon gaming session on the app. If the two-hour stream wasn’t long enough, you’ll have to tell all of your viewers that you’re moving to a new stream, and then repeat the process of getting a new server key to go live a second time.
About the Author
Peter Hasselworth is a contributor at iDigic, sharing valuable insights about Instagram growth and social media marketing strategies.