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How to go instagram live on computer


How To Go Live On Instagram On A Computer (PC, Mac) In 2023

How to go live on Instagram on your laptop or desktop: Go to Loola.tv. Sign in with Google, grant Loola access to your camera and microphone, and go through the tutorial. Connect your Instagram account. Go to Studio, make sure Instagram is selected, and click Go Live to start streaming!

Do you love live streaming on Instagram? Do you wish you could live stream on Instagram via your computer? Live streaming can be a powerful way to engage with followers on Instagram. 

Unfortunately, Instagram only lets you do it on their phone app. If only you could live stream from your desktop, you could use desktop-only tools to deliver top-notch content.

Fortunately, there are workarounds that enable you to do this. In this article, I’ll explain how to go live on Instagram on a computer using two third-party methods.

Contents

  • 1 Instagram Live On A Computer – Yellow Duck Vs Loola – A Comparison
    • 1. 1 Yellow Duck
    • 1.2 Loola
  • 2 How To Use Instagram Live On PC
    • 2.1 Yellow Duck (With OBS)
    • 2.2 Loola
  • 3 FAQs
    • 3.1 How do you go live on Instagram on a laptop?
  • 4 And That’s How To Go Live On Instagram On A Computer

Instagram Live On A Computer – Yellow Duck Vs Loola – A Comparison

Yellow Duck and Loola are two popular third-party services for live streaming to Instagram from a computer. And while both have their benefits, I think that Loola is better. 

Yellow Duck

Aside from technical issues experienced by some users, Yellow Duck is free and easy to use. Though they only have download buttons for Windows and Mac, they say they’re also compatible with Linux. 

With no multifunctional interface, the biggest advantage of Yellow Duck over Loola is its simplicity.

Unfortunately, however, some Yellow Duck users aren’t able to get past an error message.

Loola

The biggest advantage of Loola is its intuitive interface, which lets you see which platforms you’re streaming to, your viewers’ messages, and your most engaged viewers.

You can live stream for free with Loola’s Base pricing plan. For more features, you can pay money for their Premium or Pro plan. 

DJ Beneficial provides a comparison of using Loola and Yellow Duck with OBS (Open Broadcaster Software):

He explains that Instagram doesn’t share stream keys with users, making Loola a way to “get in through the back door.” He warns, however, that this might violate Instagram’s terms and conditions, so using it is at your own risk. This may also be true of Yellow Duck.

DJ Beneficial also warns that on the same day he tried using Loola, people tried breaking into the platforms he granted Loola access to. Additionally, he explains that using Loola and OBS together consumes a lot of CPU resources.

How To Use Instagram Live On PC

Yellow Duck (With OBS)

Si Hargreaves explains how to get started using Yellow Duck and OBS:

Below, I’ve paraphrased his instructions and included some of mine and DJ Beneficial’s:

1. If you don’t already have OBS, download it.

2. In OBS, go to Settings.

3. Click Output.

4. Make sure the Video Bitrate is 2500 Kbps

5. Set the Audio Bitrate to 192.

6. Go to Video.

7. Set the Base Resolution to 1080×1920.

8. Set the Output Resolution to 1080×1920.

9. Set the Downscale Filter to bicubic and the Common FPS Values to 30.

10. Go to Yellowduck.tv and download Yellow Duck.

11. Open the file.

12. Yellow Duck will install itself.

13. Open the Yellow Duck window.

14. You’ll probably get an error message. Si Hargreaves says this seems to happen every time (He probably means when a new person tries to use Yellow Duck). Click out of it.

15. Repeat steps 10 – 13.

16. Unfortunately, many people can’t get past the error message. If you can, log into Instagram in the Yellow Duck window.

DJ Beneficial cautions that you’ll go live right after logging in. 

17. In Yellow Duck, copy the RTMP URL.

18. In your OBS Settings, click Stream.

19. Set Service to Custom.

20. Paste the RTMP link next to Server.

21. In the Yellow Duck window, copy the stream key.

22. Paste it next to Stream Key in OBS. 

23. Click out of Settings.

24. Click Yes to save changes.

25. When you’re ready to start streaming in OBS, click Start Streaming.

26. When you’re done streaming, go to Yellow Duck and click Save & Finish, followed by Finish.

27. Click Stop Streaming in OBS.

Loola

To start live streaming with Loola, follow these steps:

1. Go to Loola.tv.

2. Click Let’s Get Started.

3. Click Sign in with Google.

4. Choose an account.

5. Click Allow.

6. Allow Loola to use your microphone and camera.

7. Click Get Started.

8. You’ll be given a walkthrough. Click Next for each box and Finish for the last one.

9. Click the gear on the upper right.

10. Click Instagram.

11. Download and install the Chrome extension. 

*Just FYI, I’m not sure this is necessary. I tried doing a live stream after uninstalling the extension, and it seemed to work.

12. Click Instagram again.

13. Click Log in With Instagram.

14. Log into your Instagram account. 

You may have technical problems with this part. If so, keep trying until it works. You may have to log out of and back into Loola.

15. Click the X.

16. Click Studio.

17. Click the gear on the lower right.

18. Choose your camera, microphone, and dimensions.

19. Click the gear again to collapse the menu.

20. If the Instagram icon isn’t colorful, click it.

21. Click Go Live to start live streaming!

22. When you’re done streaming, click End.

23. Loola will give you a broadcast summary.

24. If you want, Loola gives you the option to download your video or view detailed statistics.

25. Close out of it when you’re done viewing it.

FAQs

How do you go live on Instagram on a laptop?

Though Instagram only lets you live stream through their phone app, you can live stream from a desktop or laptop PC using third party services. Yellow Duck and Loola are two popular solutions.

And That’s How To Go Live On Instagram On A Computer

Instagram lets you use many of its features on a laptop or desktop computer. Unfortunately, live streaming isn’t one of them. With Yellow Duck or Loola (and something like OBS), you can use tools on your computer to create the best live content possible. This way, you can achieve the highest possible engagement.

Similarly, if you would like to disable IG Live comments, you can do it only from the Instagram app.

Did you enjoy this tutorial? If you did, please share it! Please also share any thoughts or concerns in the comments.
Wondering how to upload images to Instagram from your laptop or desktop? Click here for a tutorial.

Watch and stream Instagram live on computer

Instagram hasn't presented a desktop app yet. There is only a web version for computers. Its features are limited. You can watch live on a desktop computer or laptop. But you can’t go Instagram live on PC or Mac using a browser.

Fortunately, lack of the function in browser version doesn’t mean there is no way to broadcast Instagram live from your desktop at all. You can use apps and services to go Instagram live from a Mac, PC, or laptop. We will tell you about the three methods, and you choose the one suitable for you.

High-quality sound and picture are the main advantages of Instagram live on desktop.

  • One can connect good equipment to a computer or laptop, choose its technical specifications.
  • A computer or laptop also stay more stable on a surface. While a phone requires a tripod.
  • Computer Internet is usually better. And the stable connection is essential for IG live broadcast without interruptions. 

You can see Instagram live on PC or Mac using a browser or applications. 

Authorize on Instagram website and click on the avatar from the feed page or a hosting live stream profile. There is a bright frame around the user’s avatar and a sign “Live”.

BlueStack installation is reasonable for those often using Instagram from a computer. The directions are described below. To watch Instagram live on PC or Mac computer or laptop, run the IG app through the emulator and then authorize. Click on a user’s avatar to see his live.

Windows 10 has an official Instagram app where users can watch Instagram live on PC. Download the installation file for free here. Authorize and view Instagram live streams on PC. Interface is quite the same as in a browser. 

Since the developers give no desktop app to broadcast live on Instagram from PC, Mac or laptop, users have to go live with mobile phone emulators or streaming apps.

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You don’t need marketers, programmers or designers to create a website that sells. You can do it better and quicker yourself. Doubt that? Read how to create a website on Taplink here.  

BlueStack is a univeral app to start an Instagram live from computer. It is both for Windows and Mac OS.

Download and install the app. Open the AppStore or GooglePlay through it. Install Instagram, open and authorize to begin. You will see the same interface you have in the phone app.

Before you do IG live

Swipe to the left on the feed page, a posting menu will open. The same menu can be opened by clicking your avatar on the profile page. Scroll posts, Stories, Reels at the bottom. Live is the last one.

Click the Settings cog on the top. You can change camera adjustments in the appeared window.

Choose Stories to hide your stream from particular people. In the Close Friends menu you can select users, then the broadcast will be shown only to them.

In the same menu, choose who can send replies during streaming - comments and hearts.

You can save your stream. The first two buttons apply to Instagram Stories. But there you can turn on the Save Live to Archive button. The live video will appear in the Archive. Don’t forget to switch the category from Stories to Live to see them. You can watch, repost to IGTV or download live video during 30 days.

There is a text icon on the left. Write a couple of words to let users know about the stream topic. Doing this, you will catch more users and attract only those who are interested in the subject. The title will be shown at the top during the stream. If you don’t mention it, there will be your username.

Click the white button at the bottom to start Instagram live on PC, Mac, laptop.

As the broadcast's going

On the right, you can turn off the video or mic by clicking the related icon. Below are the buttons to switch camera and choose a mask.

You can add and delete a communicator when streaming. When you invite someone, the screen is divided between you. The maximum number of streaming users is 4 including the hosting one. A streamer’s account should be set to public. Otherwise, only people who are allowed to view his content will see IG live.

To invite your friend to join a broadcast, choose your username or the stream title at the top. Another way is to click the icon of a camera with a plus near the comment field. The same menu will open. Choose the Invite to join option. Choose from the list or type the username you need in the search. 

Both you and the viewers can send comments. A hosting user can also pin one comment. Click it and choose the only appeared option. You can restrict comments not only in the settings before going live, but also when broadcast. Click the adjustments on the left of the comment field and choose what you need.

A question mark in the bubble on the right opens a section with the questions from viewers. 

Click the cross on the top right to stop streaming. 

After IG stream

You can save a live video with the duration of more than a minute. To do this, choose to Download or to Share to IGTV. For the sharing, a regular video posting menu will open. 

Statistics is available for business accounts. It gives information on the number of Accounts reached, Peak concurrent Viewers and comments. Video duration, date and time are displayed in the same menu.

Price: Free

Why BlueStack?

  • Familiar interface
  • Masks
  • Comments moderation
  • Audience questions
  • Direct download to IGTV
  • Collaborative streams
  • Insight statistic

The programs are used together to go Instagram live on PC, Mac, laptop. YellowDuck generates a link for a stream. OBS Studio is used to do an IG live. Its tools are no worse than the ones most paid applications offer. Thanks to that, the program has more than 6 million users every month.

OBS Studio allows to go Instagram live from a PC or Mac, and laptops as well. Apart from streaming, it enables screen recording and choosing screen resolution. The interface is clear and useful. The app is available on Windows, Mac OS and Linux. 

Install OBS Studio and YellowDuck to get started.

YellowDuck Settings

Sign in the app with your IG account name and password. After you click Log In & Start, YellowDuck generates a RTMP link and keyword. 

OBS Studio Settings

On the first run, OBS Studio offers to figure out appropriate camera settings considering your aims - broadcast or record. Later you can change them in the Settings. 

After screen adjusting, choose social media. Facebook, Twitch, YouTube and 70 more alternatives for live streaming are possible in the program. Instagram is not on the list, that’s why we choose Custom and go to the YellowDuck.

Run a stream

In YellowDuck:

  • Copy the generated RTMP link and keyword to OBS Studio. 
  • Click “Start Broadcast” to make streaming begin.

In OBS Studio:

  • Click “Start Streaming”. After a short test, the program will recommend the best settings for camera and screen. It’s better to accept them.

Going live next time

Every next time you want to broadcast Instagram live on PC or Mac, you have to start streaming in OBS Studio without auto hints.  

  • Choose the Scene Collection in the top bar, then New. Think up a name.
  • In the right bottom corner choose Settings, or open the menu using the bar at the top - click File -> Settings.
  • Go to the Stream section. Make sure Custom is set in the Service line. Paste the generated RTMP link from YellowDuck in the Server field, paste its keyword in the Stream key field.
  • Click Apply -> OK.
  • Choose Start Streaming at the bottom right. 
  • Click Start Recording to record the screen and download it after the stream.

You can see the live duration and the quality of the video. 

Turn off broadcast

Click Stop Streaming to end your Instagram live. Don’t forget to stop live in YellowDuck by clicking Stop broadcast. 

Price: Free

Why YellowDuck and OBS Studio?

  • Stream recording
  • More than 70 social networks to broadcast
  • Advanced video settings

You can stream on LoolaTv with any tariff, even a cost-free one. It gives enough tools to host multicasting on Instagram, Twitter, Twitch. Facebook, YouTube and using your own RTMP link, for example from YellowDuck. But work on the free paying plan is limited to 30 hours per month and 480р video resolution. There is a small watermark in the corner.

Paying plans begin from 19 USD per month. Video resolution increases to 1080p, the watermark is removed. 

First of all, sign up on the Loola.tv website to go Instagram live on PC or Mac. You can only use it having a Google account. Before broadcasting you also need to download a Google Chrome extension. Click an Instagram icon at the top left. You will be redirected to the download page. Or go there by the link.

What you do next is authorize. Click the Instagram icon again to key in your account data. Authorize in other social media the same way if you want to broadcast there too.

There are video resolution settings in the camera screen corner. Adjusting them are only available on the paid tariffs.

Click Go live when you are ready to start streaming.

The most active users are displayed on the left, on the right are messages from social media. You can see the network where a comment comes from near a username. 

After finishing the stream in live time, you will see general statistics and the figures for each social media. 10 lives can be recorded and downloaded on a free-cost tariff, there are no such limits on the paid plans.

Price: free, 19 and 39 USD

Why LoolaTv?

  • Multicasting
  • Statistics

There are several ways to watch and go Instagram live from a PC and Mac.

The easiest way to view Instagram live stream on PC and Mac, or laptop is using a browser. You can also see IG live using BlueStack. Windows 10 users can set up the official application to start Instagram and streams in it quickly.

BlueStack is also good to go Instagram live yourself. This is definitely your choice if you often work with IG content from a computer or through a laptop. It provides all the options available in the app. Those who focus strictly on streaming should opt for YellowDuck and OBS Studio. LoolaTv is the option for streaming in several social media concurrently.

Whatever you choose, use these tips to make your live streaming on Instagram from PC or Mac better:

  • Find the best topic for a live stream. You can know what your Instagram audience is interested in by making surveys in Stories and studying the figures in Insights.
  • Choose the right place to go live. The best place to go live on Instagram on a computer is a quiet and beautiful spot with nobody around. If possible, rent a studio.
  • Make sure your computer is ready for a live stream on Instagram. Check the Internet connection, speakers, mic and camera.
  • Invite people to watch your live stream on Instagram. We recommend that you create a page about you and your live streams. Then, link to this page in your bio. You can also post it in Stories. Then, users can always go to your profile and see when to expect you live streaming next time. 

The page is made on Taplink, you can create the same or a better one for your live streams on Instagram too!

How to start a live broadcast on Instagram from a computer

The web version of Instagram has the standard functionality for viewing and interacting with content: surfing the feed, viewing stories, the ability to like, comment or save a post. But, no matter how strange it may be, there is no way to view and start live broadcasts.

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How to watch Instagram live on a computer

. Live broadcasts have become more useful and popular, so it is important for someone to have access to watching live broadcasts on a computer. Below we have given 2 ways how this can be done. nine0004

The official Instagram app

The full app is only available on Windows 10. The process of watching live on Instagram from a computer is no different from that on a smartphone.

Using Android emulators.

These are programs that simulate a virtual mobile device on the Android platform. One of the popular and simple emulators is BlueStacks. After installing it, you will be able to download the Instagram application through the Play Market and install it on your computer. nine0003

You will have access to a full-fledged Instagram application on your computer, with which you can not only watch live broadcasts, but also publish content, surf the feed or go live yourself. A step-by-step guide on how to install BlueStacks and start live streaming from a computer will be covered in the next chapter.

How to start live on Instagram from a computer


, is identical to the standard functionality in the application on a smartphone. nine0004

If you want to use photos, videos or presentations live, you can do it in the application on the iPhone (this function is not available on Android). To do this, start the live broadcast and click on the rightmost icon at the bottom of the screen and select the desired file from the gallery.

After that, 2 windows will appear: one small with a speaker, the other full screen with material. By simply clicking on one of the windows, you can quickly switch between them.

If the live broadcast involves a presentation, prepare it in advance and save each slide separately. The presentation helps to visualize complex information and thus is better absorbed by the listeners. This format of live broadcasts is suitable for information business or educational accounts. nine0004

If you still need to live stream Instagram from your computer, download and install the BlueStacks emulator.

You now have an Android virtual mobile device. To access applications in the Play Market, you need to log in to Google.

Next, open the Play Market on the "My applications" tab, find the Instagram application in the search and install it.

The installed application will appear in the "My Applications" section, which is the desktop of the virtual device. nine0004

Launch and log in to the Instagram app. Now you can broadcast live on Instagram from your computer, as well as use all the features.

Conclusion


Like many restrictions on Instagram, the inability to view and start live streaming on Instagram can be bypassed using third-party programs.

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How to start live on Instagram from a computer: life hack

Home » Instagram » How to work » Live on Instagram from a PC. Is it possible?

nine0002
The problem with Instagram is that it is exclusively designed for mobile devices. Let's talk about how to start a live broadcast on Instagram from a computer.

Content

  • 1 What is Instagram Live?
  • 2 Technical requirements for using live broadcast via PC
  • 3 What you need to broadcast via computer
  • 4 Instructions on how to make a live broadcast on Instagram via PC
  • 5 Conclusion
    • 5. 1 Author of the publication
    • 5.2 editor

What is broadcast on Instagram?

First of all, a few words about what it is. If you've ever watched streams, you probably already know everything. This is something like recording video online. People can see what you do in front of the camera, and if you want, you can save the recorded to your account.

So, we have already understood what it is, but what can such a function be useful for? Especially if you are going to maintain not a personal blog, but a company page. nine0004

  1. Make a product presentation.
  2. Show your establishment, the process of creating a product or providing a service.
  3. Improve attendance at institutions, events, lectures, and so on.
  4. Arranging giveaways.
  5. Discuss various topics with viewers.

Technical requirements for using live TV via PC

What do you need to start broadcasting? As I said above, Instagram is designed specifically for mobile devices. Therefore, this functionality is only available on phones and tablets. Even through the official application for Windows, you will not find the right buttons. And having a microphone and a webcam won't help you. There are, of course, some ways to get around this limitation. We'll talk about them a little below. nine0004

The duration of the broadcast is an hour, if longer, it just ends by itself, if you need more time, you have to start it several times. Subscribers get a notification, and if they want, they can come in and take a look. If, on the contrary, you need to limit viewers, you can do this through the settings.

What you need to broadcast via PC

So, it is impossible to turn on the air through the web version or the official Windows application. But people find a way out of almost any situation, and there must be a solution. How to make broadcast through a computer real? Let's think logically: you can run it through your phone. So, you need to turn your computer into a mobile device on Android. How to do it? nine0004

It's no secret that there are emulators. Roughly speaking, these are programs that imitate this or that environment: Android, Sega, Dandy, and so on can be on your computer. This is an ideal option for convenient use of Insta. Of the phone emulators, only one software is more or less stable and working. And that's BlueStacks. Let's talk in more detail about how to remove the broadcast through a PC.

Instructions on how to broadcast live on Instagram via PC

How to make a live broadcast on Instagram on a computer using Bluestacks? This is a long process, not because you need to hack something. But because the Android environment still needs to be installed on the device. Let's talk about it. nine0004

  1. Open bluestacks.com and download the latest version of the program.
  2. Run it and follow the instructions of the installer.
  3. After installation, the first launch may take some time. Then everything will happen faster.
  4. You will need to log into your Google account to use it. Everything is like on a new Android phone.
  5. Go to the Application Center tab.
  6. This will take you to the Play Market, where you can download Instagram.
    7. nine0143 Then everything happens like on the phone - we press the button for stories and go to the tab with the corresponding name. It will be to the left of the normal mode.

That's all. The only disadvantage of this method is that not every computer will pull it. Of course, it seems that Android is a system for mobile devices, which can be difficult. But do not forget that in addition to this telephone operating system, the computer also has to digest Windows, which not every processor can withstand. If you also have Chrome open at this time, your computer will definitely not survive - the degree of system load by this program has already become a meme. But this, of course, is a joke, try using this program, maybe everything will work as it should.

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