Streaming to YouTube With Switcher Studio

Switcher Studio's YouTube integration allows you to easily stream to your YouTube channel. This article outlines the requirements and work steps to set up and start your livestream to YouTube using the Switcher Studio application on iOS.

In this article:

YouTube Livestreaming Requirements

When using the Switcher Studio app to livestream on YouTube, there is no minimum subscriber requirement. Switcher Studio is an encoder that bypasses the 1,000 subscriber minimum that is required when using the mobile YouTube app.

Enabling Livestreaming on YouTube

Before going live on YouTube, either directly or with Switcher Studio, you must enable livestreaming on your YouTube account. This is usually a one-time process.

Note: It can take up to 24 hours for YouTube to enable livestreaming.

Instructions:

  • Go to YouTube.com on a computer.

  • Log in to your account.

  • Click the camera icon in the top-right corner of the webpage.

  • Click Go live.

  • Click the Enable.

  • If you haven't already, follow the prompts to verify your channel.

    • To verify your channel, you’ll be asked to enter a phone number. YouTube will send a verification code by text or voice call to that phone number.

  • Once verified, the livestreaming window will display "Ready in 24 hours".

Linking Your YouTube Account to Switcher Studio

You can link your YouTube account to Switcher Studio either directly through the Switcher Studio iOS app or the Switcher Studio Dashboard. Many people prefer the Dashboard option because they can use a computer, and if they are already logged into YouTube, it makes the setup easier.

Note: The YouTube 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 a YouTube Account Using the Switcher Studio Dashboard

  • Go to the Switcher Studio Dashboard in a web browser.

  • Click Platforms from the left sidebar.

  • Click the Connect button next to YouTube.

  • Click Connect Account.

  • Select the email address associated with your YouTube channel.

    • If you are not already logged into YouTube with that email address, you will be prompted to enter your Google password.

  • Click Allow.

    • You should receive a confirmation message that your account has been linked. If you are streaming right away, click Continue to move on to the next step. Otherwise, you can exit out of the Dashboard.

Linking a YouTube Account Using the Switcher Studio App

  • Go to the Outputs tab on your main switcher device.

  • Tap the blue "+" icon in the top-right corner of the Outputs tab.

  • Tap the Connect button next to YouTube.

  • Tap the Connect Account button.

  • Select the Google account associated with your YouTube channel.

    • If the account you want to use isn't shown, tap Use Another Account.

    • If prompted, enter the password for your Google account.

  • Tap Next.

  • Tap Allow.

    • A message will display indicating that your account has been linked.

Configuring the Livestream

After you have enabled livestreaming on YouTube and linked your YouTube account to Switcher, you can begin configuring the livestream settings.

Select the stream destination

  • Open the Switcher Studio app on your main switcher device and go to the Outputs tab (box with arrow icon).

  • Tap the blue arrow next to YouTube.

  • Tap the account you are using for the stream.

Add the stream details and adjust the settings

  • Title: Tap the box to type in a title for the stream.

  • Event Description: Tap the box to type in a description of the stream.

  • Event Privacy: Tap the privacy setting you want to use for the stream.

  • Stream Quality: Tap the desired setting.

  • Tap Save.

Note: If creating a live video on YouTube to later be streamed through Switcher Studio, the latency setting on YouTube must be set to Normal.

Starting the Livestream in Switcher Studio

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

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

  • Tap YouTube to select it at your streaming destination.

    • Once selected, there will be a blue checkmark visible.

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

YouTube Settings - For Youtube.com Configuration Only

We recommend using the instructions above to create the livestream with Switcher Studio's YouTube integration. However, if you decide to create the stream directly on YouTube.com instead, and then use Switcher Studio to manage the stream, there are a few key settings to change:

Enabling Auto-Start & Auto-Stop

  • If you schedule a stream on YouTube.com, you will need to turn on the Enable Auto-Start and Enable Auto-Stop options.

  • If you are using Custom RTMP to stream to YouTube, you'll need to turn on the Enable Auto-Start and Enable Auto-Stop options.

Note: If these options are not enabled, your stream will not start/stop on YouTube unless you manually initiate/end it on YouTube.com.

To enable Auto-Start & Auto-Stop:

  • Go to the Live Control Room for your YouTube channel.

  • Click the calendar icon in the left-hand menu to manage your streams.

  • Click the title of the stream you want to edit.

  • Click the toggles next to Enable Auto-Start and Enable Auto-Stop.

    • When they are enabled, the buttons are blue and to the right.

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