Livestreaming to Facebook with Switcher Studio

Switcher Studio's Facebook integration allows you to easily stream to your Timeline or a Page that you Admin, so long as your Facebook login account is at least 60 days old. This article provides options and step-by-step instructions for each step.

In this article:

Requirements for Livestreaming on Facebook

As of June 10th, 2024, Facebook will enforce the following requirements for livestreaming:

  • All Facebook users must have a Facebook account that is at least 60 days old.
  • Pages and professional modes must have at least 100 followers.

To avoid any lapse in reaching your customer base, you can livestream directly to your own video player using Switcher's Business Plan. Check out the Video Collection Overview to learn more.

Required Permissions for Facebook Pages

Facebook Page Permissions

In order to stream to a Facebook Page, your personal Facebook account must have Admin or Editor access to that Page. Anything other than an Admin or Editor role will not allow you to stream to the Page.

The Facebook Page that you're wanting to stream to will also need to have at least 100 followers.

Note: Streaming to a Facebook Event is not possible with the integration, but you can use Switcher Studio's Custom RTMP option to stream to an Event. Check out the Help Center article Streaming to a Facebook Event with Switcher Studio for step-by-step instructions.

Linking Your Facebook Account Using the Switcher Dashboard

You can connect your Facebook account to Switcher Studio either directly through the Switcher iOS app or the Switcher Studio Dashboard.

To link your Facebook account using the Dashboard:

  • Go to the Switcher Studio Dashboard

  • Click Platforms in the left sidebar.

  • Click Connect next to Facebook.

  • Click Connect Account.

    • If you are already logged into Facebook, click Continue as .

    • If you are not already logged into Facebook, log in with your email and password.

  • Keep the visibility settings set to Public.

    • Public visibility is required in order for Switcher Studio to post to your Timeline on Facebook. You can adjust the visibility settings on individual streams when you set them up.

  • Click OK.

  • Click OK to give Switcher permission to post to your Pages.

    • You can remove destinations by clicking Choose what you allow. Be very careful to ensure you do not remove a destination you may want to stream to in the future.

  • Once you have successfully linked your account, you will be returned to the Dashboard.

    • When you are ready to stream to Facebook, you will need to use the Switcher Studio mobile app on an iOS device and follow the instructions outlined under Setting up the Facebook Stream.

Note: The Facebook linking authorization expires occasionally. If you receive an error message about a user token, or if you are prompted to relink your account, you can easily relink in the Dashboard or iOS app.

Linking Your Facebook Account Using the Switcher Studio App

If you would rather link your account using the mobile app instead of the online Dashboard, the process is slightly different.

To link your Facebook account using the Switcher Studio app:

  • Open the Switcher Studio app on the main switching device(iPad, iPhone).

  • Tap the Outputs tab.

  • Next to Broadcast Mode, select Livestreaming.

  • Tap New Event .

  • Under Add New, tap Facebook.

  • Tap Connect Account .

  • Enter your Facebook login credentials.

    • If you are already logged into Facebook on Safari, you will not need to enter a username and password.

  • If you are asked to select permissions, keep the visibility setting on Public and click OK.

    • If you change this setting to anything other than Public, no one will be able to see any videos you stream using Switcher Studio. You can adjust the visibility settings for each individual video once you set up a stream.

  • Click OK.

    • You will receive a confirmation message when your account has been linked.

  • Tap Continue.

Note: The Facebook linking authorization expires occasionally. If you receive an error message about a user token, or if you are prompted to relink your account, you can easily relink in the Dashboard or iOS app.

Configuring and Starting the Facebook Stream

  • Open the Switcher Studio app on your main switching device.
  • Go to the Outputs tab (box with arrow icon).
  • Next to Broadcast Mode, choose Livestreaming.
  • Tap on the orange "New Event" button.
  • Choose whether you want to Create New Event (for a brand new streaming event) or to Use Existing Scheduled Post (and import an event you've already created on facebook.com or youtube.com)

  • Tap on the Facebook icon, and choose whether the stream should go to your Timeline, a Page that you Admin, or a private test stream (on your personal timeline).
  • You'll be taken back to the Destinations window. Tap on any other destinations (if you plan to Multistream), and then tap the orange "Next" button at the bottom of the window when you're finished selecting your destination(s).

  • If you need to update these initial stream details later, tap on the ellipsis icon (...) beside your Facebook destination, and choose "Edit".

  • You can then update your Facebook destination settings.

  • After you've tapped on the orange Next button, you'll be taken to the Event Details page. Start off by adding a Title and a Description for your stream.
  • If you have a custom image you intend to set as the stream's thumbnail, tap on the pencil icon in the Thumbnail image to select any image from your Photos app.
  • Tap on the dropdown menu in the Stream Schedule to choose whether to Go Live Now, or to Schedule For Later.
  • Tap the Stream Quality dropdown menu to run a speed test and select your desired video resolution.
  • Tap on the toggle to choose whether or not you'd like to save this video to your Video Library.
    • NOTE: The available number of videos in your Video Library is determined by your subscription type. Once you are near your limit, you will receive a banner in the Switcher app and Dashboard alerting you of the upcoming limit.
      • Free Trial: 3 videos
      • 7-Day Pass: 10 videos
      • Studio: 10 videos
      • Business: 100 videos
      • Merchant: 100 videos
      • Plus: 150 videos / 50 per user
  • Tap the orange Create Event button at the bottom.

  • You'll now see the title of your Facebook stream appear in the Outputs tab with the chosen Facebook destination.
  • When you're ready to go live, tap the big red button in the top-right corner. Happy streaming!

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