Ever wondered how to go live on Instagram on a PC instead of your phone? You’re not alone! Many creators, gamers, and even small business owners prefer using their computer because it gives them a bigger screen, better camera options, and more control over their livestream.
Besides, your followers may also prefer to watch Instagram Live on PC if you’re showing a presentation, using screenshare, or anything that looks better on a large screen. In this guide, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step process of Instagram live streaming on a PC.
Table of Contents
What Is the Instagram Live Story?
Obviously, the Instagram live story is a kind of story that lets you share live videos with your followers. When you share a live story on Instagram, people who follow you can see what you are doing at the moment. Going live on Instagram, you can:
- Stream video in real-time,
- Pin selected follower comments to the top,
- Engage with followers,
- Share a live story with other followers,
- Add a guest or collaborator to your live session,
- Share your screen during the live (great for tutorials or presentations),
- Save your live video as IGTV after it ends.
And so many more amazing things.
Why Do You Need to Go Live on Instagram?
You may need to go live on Instagram for so many reasons. Unfortunately, Instagram video lengths are too short, and it just lets you share up to 60-seconds long ones on stories. Hence, you can use the live stream feature to share longer videos. However, as mentioned on SproutSocial, you may need to go live on Instagram for so many reasons, like:
- Share tutorials,
- Show behind-the-scenes,
- Alert followers about sales,
- Do an interview or Q&A session,
- Chat directly with followers and build stronger connections.
And other reasons.
Instagram Live is a great way to engage with your followers. Using this Instagram feature, you can talk to your followers in real-time, receive their comments, and answer their questions. This interactive environment will help you make a stronger connection with your customers and also, raise their trust in you. Also, you can save the Live as an IGTV video on your page, which not only increases the chances of getting discovered on Instagram but also, can be used as a source for answering your followers’ questions.
So, let’s waste no more time and dive into our topic which is Instagram live from a computer, in other words how to go live on Instagram on a PC.
How to Go Live on Instagram on a Computer? (Using PC)
Unfortunately, the official Instagram desktop version doesn’t let users share live stories using a computer. So, you need to find a way to ditch the problem! In the following, we introduce some ways to go live on Instagram on a computer. So keep on reading!
#1 How to Go Live on Instagram on PC Through Android Emulators?
Using an Android emulator, you can install and use all the applications that are made to be used on Android. So, by installing an Android emulator, you can use the Instagram Android version and go live just like you go using your mobile phone. You can find the best Android emulators such as LDplayer, BlueStacks, and MEmu.
#2 How to Go Live on Instagram PC by Third-party Apps?
Another way to go live on Instagram is to use third-party apps. Firstly, you must switch your page to a professional account. Because Instagram limits access to advanced features (like streaming via third-party tools) behind their Graph API, and only Business or Creator accounts can use this API. So, Instagram Live streams are enabled on all professional pages (creator or business).
If you Google “third-party apps to go live on Instagram”, you will find thousands of apps that claim they let you do it. But when installing a third-party app, you have to pay attention to lots of things.
Since it is required to log in to your Instagram account through these apps, you have to make sure that they are safe and don’t use your personal information for other purposes.
You can use the following third-party app to get live on Instagram on a PC:
1. StreamYard
You can use StreamYard to go live on Instagram PC. It’s a professional live streaming and recording tool which runs in your browser (no heavy downloads needed). First, you must sign up on StreamYard via email or Google account. Once you’re signed up, you’ll be ready to set up your live stream in just a few clicks. But it’s not free.
2. OBS Studio
If you want a free app to go live on Instagram on a PC, OBS is a good option. It is free, open-source, and loved by creators who want more advanced controls. With OBS, you can customize your stream with overlays, transitions, and screen sharing. It’s a perfect Instagram live producer if you want to present tutorials, webinars, or professional-quality live shows from your PC.
3. Loola TV
One of the best apps that lets you go live on Instagram on a computer is Loola TV. Loola TV is a social management application that enables you to go live on all your social media accounts from a desktop.
Using Loola, you can go live on multiple platforms at once, manage all comments in one place, track analytics, and customize your streams with branding and effects without downloads. Moreover, it offers a free plan.
How to Go Live on Instagram? (Using Phone)
To go live on Instagram using the official Instagram mobile app, follow the steps below:
Step 1) Open the Instagram app on your mobile phone.
Step 2) Tap the plus (+) button on your Instagram profile (top right) or at the bottom center of your home screen to start a new post.
Step 3) From the options, choose “Live.”
Step 4) Set up your Live Settings, add a title, tag branded partners, or even schedule your Live so your followers get a reminder.
Step 5) Pick a filter if you’d like to add some fun effects.
Step 6) When you’re ready, hit the “Live” button in the center to start broadcasting.
To finish, tap the “X” button at the top. After ending your Live, you can share the recording to your Feed or download it to keep on your device.
That’s all! Now you can share whatever you want with your followers.
Moreover, you can save your live stream on Instagram to let the users who were not online, see what you have shared and get more engagements.
Why Can’t I Go Live on Instagram?
If you can’t go live, it’s usually because of a weak Wi-Fi connection or poor mobile signal. Try these steps:
- Close the Instagram app and reopen it, then try going live again.
- Restart your phone if it still doesn’t work.
- Keep in mind that adding another user to your Live can sometimes cause issues, too.
Other possible reasons include using an older device, having fewer than 1,000 followers on a public account, an account restriction, or regional limitations where Instagram Live isn’t available. Moreover, adding another user to your Live can sometimes cause issues too.
Conclusion
You might be asking yourself whether Instagram live on pc is a dream or not, or if I can go live on Instagram on my computer?
To sum it up, Instagram doesn’t let you go live using the official desktop version. So how can you go live on Instagram on a computer? You can do it by using Android emulators or third-party apps. Actually, working with Android emulators is somehow difficult, so using a third-party app might be way better.
FAQs
1. How Many Followers Do You Need to Go Live on Instagram?
You need have a public account and at least 1,000 followers. This is a recent change from the previous policy, which allowed almost any user to go Live. Accounts with fewer than 1,000 followers or private accounts are no longer eligible to use the Live streaming feature.
2. How Do I Go Live on Instagram and Facebook at the Same Time?
You can go live on both Instagram and Facebook at once using a multistreaming tool like StreamYard. You can use it to start broadcasting to both platforms together.
3. How Do I Hide Comments on Instagram Live?
You can hide comments either before or after starting your Instagram Live for a cleaner look:
- Before going live: When setting up your Live, tap Settings and choose Turn Off Commenting.
- After starting your Live: Tap the three dots in the “Add a comment…” bar and select Turn Off Commenting.
This way, viewers won’t see comments, and you can always turn them back on anytime if you want to chat with your audience.
