Livestreaming to Facebook with Switcher Studio

Switcher Studio's Facebook integration allows you to easily stream to your Timeline, a Page, or a Group. This article provides options and step-by-step instructions for each step.

In this article:

Required Permissions for Facebook Pages & Groups

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.

Note: Facebook discretionally permits streaming to Pages based on their own policies. In Fall 2023, they added a restriction where newer Facebook Pages can often not go live via a computer or streaming service but can via the Facebook mobile app.

Facebook Group Permissions

In order to stream to a Facebook Group, you must be an Admin, and you need to add Switcher Studio as a streaming app for your Group. This is usually a one-time process and is different than linking your Facebook account.

  • Go to your Group on Facebook.

  • Click Settings in the Admin Tools section of the sidebar.

  • Scroll down to the Apps section and click the pencil icon.

  • Type "Switcher Studio" in the search bar.

  • Click Switcher Studio in the search results.

  • Confirm that you want to allow streaming to your Group from Switcher Studio's servers.

  • Click Add.

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 and Groups.

    • 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 switcher (iPad, iPhone).

  • Tap the Outputs tab.

  • Tap the plus icon (+) in the top-right corner of the Outputs tab.

  • Tap Connect next to 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 the Facebook Stream

  • Open the Switcher Studio app on your main switcher device.

  • Go to the Outputs tab (box with arrow icon).

  • Tap the blue arrow next to Facebook.

  • Tap to select My Timeline, Page, or Group from the menu at the top.

    • As you tap through the menu, the available options will appear below.

  • Tap the destination (i.e. Private Test Stream) where you would like to stream.

  • Enter the stream information.

    • Scheduling: Select Go live now or Schedule for later.

    • Enter the Stream Title.

    • Enter the Event Description.

    • Recommended: Tap the Speed Test button to test your internet speed and automatically select the optimal stream quality based on the results. Alternatively, you can manually select a stream quality by tapping an option.

    • Select your preferred Privacy setting (Everyone, Friends, Only Me).

    • Enable or Disable Content Tags

    • Choose a Stream Quality. (only if you choose not to use the speed test recommendation)

    • Tap Save.

Note: The quality of your production still depends on the strength and consistency of your network, even after a speed test. If you are concerned about your upload speed or reliability of your network, we recommend selecting a lower stream quality to prevent broadcast issues. The Stream Quality Settings & Required Upload Speeds article outlines the minimum upload speeds for each stream quality.

Starting the Facebook Stream

After tapping Save, you’ll be taken back to the main Switcher Studio screen, with the Outputs tab visible.

  • Go to the Outputs tab.

    • Next to Facebook, you should see the name of the stream you just created.

  • Tap Facebook to select it as your streaming destination.

    • Once selected, there will be a blue checkmark.

  • To go live, tap the record button in the top-right corner.

Video Tutorial

Keywords: stream, Facebook, configure, page, settings, profile, timeline

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