How to Livestream With the Switcher App on a Mac

Switcher Studio is an iOS and macOS app that allows you to livestream to a variety of platforms (i.e. Facebook, YouTube, Video Collections, etc.) using multiple camera angles, logos, titles, pre-recorded video, and more! This article provides the steps to prepare for and create your first livestream using Switcher Studio.
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Switcher Studio Requirements

Before using Switcher Studio, it's important to make sure you have the appropriate devices and platform accounts to livestream. Switcher Studio begins with a 14-day free trial, and a plan can be selected based on your needs.
Requirements:
  • macOS device(s):
    • Must be a 2020 model or newer
    • Requires macOS 15.0 or later
    • Apple Silicon Chip (M1 chips and later)
  • Internet connection: WiFi, mobile data, or hotspot
  • Platform to stream to: Facebook, Youtube, Twitch, Video Collections, etc.
Note: A wireless network or hotspot is needed to connect iOS devices as additional camera angles or screen-sharing sources.

How to Install the Switcher App

To use Switcher Studio, begin by installing the Switcher Studio app on the macOS and iOS devices you would like to use in your livestream. Installing the app on multiple devices will allow you to use one device to control your livestream, and any additional devices can be utilized as remote cameras or shared screens. Follow the steps below on each device you want to use.
To install the Switcher Studio app:
  • Open the App Store on your OS device.
  • Toggle on “iPhone & iPad Apps”
  • Type "Switcher Studio" in the search bar.
  • Click Get or Install next to Switcher: Live Streaming App.

How to Launch the Switcher App

The first time you open the Switcher Studio app on your device, you will be prompted to allow Switcher Studio access to certain features.
To launch the Switcher app:
  • Click the Switcher app on your macOS device.
    • Click OK if prompted with "Switcher would like to find and connect to devices on your local network."
    • Click OK if prompted with "Switcher would like to access the camera".
    • Click OK if prompted with "Switcher would like to access the microphone".
  • Log in with your Switcher account information
  • Click Go Live
  • Select Horizontal or Vertical
  • Click Enter Studio
Note: Switcher will only ask for access to the above features the first time the app is opened.

After creating an account and/or logging in, you will be brought to the main interface. The Switcher app is divided into three primary sections: Sources, Live, and Tools.


Switcher App Interface Overview


Character

Description

A

Home Screen Menu

B

Info Panel (Device Status)

C

Camera Lens Selector

D

Auto-Focus

E

Share Live Video Link

F

Audio Meter

G

Mute Tool

H

Live / Record Indicator

I

Record (Go Live)

J

Live Feed

K

Sources Panel

L

Tab Bar

M

Preview Window Toggle

N

Production Panel Sizing

O

Assets Menu

P

Select Tool

Q

Inputs Tab (Cameras & Screens)

R

Outputs Tab (Destinations)

S

Effects Tab

T

Camera Controls Tab

U

Audio Tab

V

Facebook Polls Tab (not currently active)

W

Remote Guest Tab

X

Scoreboard Tab

Y

Auto-Switch Tab

Z

Live Comments Tab

AA

Timestamp Tab

BB

Tab Bar Customization



Sources

Contains assets (i.e. images, titles) and inputs (iOS cameras or screens).






Live

Shows what is being displayed in your livestream.






Tools

Access and control of in-app features (i.e. Remote Guest, Live Comments, etc.).



How to Create Assets

Now that you have an understanding of the main interface, the next step is to add any assets, such as images, logos, audio, pre-recorded video, etc., that you may want to use in your livestream.

To import an existing asset:

  • Click the blue plus icon.

    Click the asset type. (i.e. Logo, Video, Audio, etc.)

    Click the asset location.

    Click the asset of your choice.

    • You will now have the ability to configure any additional asset settings, such as framing and layering settings.
  • Click Done in the top-right corner.
  • The asset thumbnail will now appear in the Production Panel as a clickable option to display in your livestream.

To create a new asset:


  • Click the blue plus icon.

    Click the asset type. (i.e. Text, Cards, etc.)

    Click the asset style of your choice.

    Click the asset template you want to use.

    • You will now have the ability to configure any additional asset settings, such as text fields and colors.
  • Click Done in the top-right corner.
  • The asset thumbnail will now appear in the Production Panel as a clickable option to display in your livestream.

Note: Switcher Cloud is a feature that allows you to upload, store and import assets using cloud-based technology. Check out the Switcher Cloud Overview article for more information.



How to Connect Camera Angles & Screenshare

While using additional iOS devices as cameras or screens is not a requirement to livestream with Switcher Studio, it is an easy way to enhance the quality of your production. To use iOS devices as remote cameras or shared screens, each device will need to have the Switcher Studio app installed and be connected to the same wireless network or hotspot.


Note: While you can connect iOS devices as camera angles with Switcher running on your Mac, you cannot connect other computers using this method. Please view the following articles to learn how to screenshare additional computers using Switcher Cast:

Screensharing a Mac using Switcher Cast

Screensharing a PC Using Switcher Cast


To connect remote devices:


  • Ensure all devices are connected to the same wireless network.

    Open the Switcher Studio app on all devices.

    On the remote device(s), there is no need to log-in. Simply tap Share Camera or Screen.

    • Tap Share Camera or Share Screen.

      On the main switcher, tap the Inputs tab (camera icon).

    • Tap the name of each device that you would like to connect.
  • On the remote device(s), tap Allow.



How to Connect Your Streaming Platforms

The next step is to connect your platform accounts to Switcher Studio. Follow the steps below to connect to platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, etc.


Note: For a complete list of streaming platforms available with Switcher Studio, check out the Streaming Platform Integrations article.


To connect your streaming platform(s):


  • Click the Outputs tab (box and arrow icon) in the bottom-right corner.
  • Choose Livestreaming in the Broadcast Mode section.
  • Click New Livestream>Create New Livestream

  • Click the platform you >want to connect.

    Log in with your platform account credentials if prompted.

    Click Connect Account.

    Click Continue.

    Click Next and you will now be able to configure the Event Details for your first livestream.

    • Destination location (for Facebook only)
    • Scheduling: Go Live Now or Schedule for Later
    • Title
    • Event Description
    • Stream Quality

    • Destination Settings

      Click Create Event.

    • The event name will appear in the Outputs tab with the destination list.

Note: If you would like to stream to two platforms simultaneously, be sure to check out the Multistreaming With Switcher Studio article.







How to Start a Livestream

Now that you have connected your streaming platform(s), you are ready to go live! Follow the steps below to start broadcasting to your live audience.


To start the livestream:


  • Click the Outputs tab. (box and arrow icon).
  • Ensure the name of the event you want to stream to is displayed under Livestream.
  • If needed, Click Change to select a different livestream as the Active Livestream.
  • Click the red button in the top-right corner.

Note: If you want to make a test stream that will not be visible to the public, you can create a private test stream on Facebook. Check out the Creating a Private Test Stream on Facebook article to learn more.


How to Switch Between Angles & Assets

To display sources in the livestream:


  • In the Sources panel, Click the asset or camera angle you want to display.
    • An orange box will appear around the source you selected, and the live feed will display accordingly.
  • Click the next camera angle or asset you want to display to remove the current one from the live feed.

Note: For Multiviews configured to choose the camera angles each time, the steps to display will be slightly different. To learn more, check out the Multiviews article.



How to End a Livestream

To end the livestream:


  • Click the stop button (red square) in the top-right corner.
  • Wait for the progress bar to complete.
  • The display will indicate that the livestream has successfully ended.


Next Steps

Now that you have successfully made your first livestream using Switcher Studio, it is a great time to learn about some of the additional features available to enhance future productions. Below is a summary of just a few of these tools along with links to articles that walk through setting up and using the features.


Multiviews

Multiviews are customizable assets that allow you to display multiple sources on the screen at the same time. This is great for interviews or co-hosting a production. For more information, read the Multiviews article.


Live Comments

When livestreaming to platforms, live comments from the audience can be loaded into the Switcher Studio app. The comments can be displayed on-screen which allows you to respond and engage with your viewers in real-time. To learn more, check out the Live Comments article.


Remote Guests

The Remote Guest feature in the Switcher Studio app allows you to remotely connect a guest to your livestream and display their camera and audio as part of the production. This is a great tool for interviews and productions where not all members are on-site. To learn more, check out the Remote Guest Overview article.