You need a TikTok account that meets TikTok's minimum requirements, then you can find the Live button in the app
TikTok's live streaming feature, called TikTok Live, is built into the app itself — you do not need a separate tool or account. To go live, you open TikTok, tap the plus icon to create content, and select "Go Live" from the menu. The feature appears only if your account meets TikTok's requirements, which vary by region and account age.
The requirements exist because TikTok wants to prevent spam and abuse on the platform. If you cannot see the Live option, your account either does not meet the minimum threshold or you are in a region where the feature is not yet available. This is not a permanent block — your account may become able to go live after you meet the requirements.
Key Takeaways
- You must be at least 18 years old and have a TikTok account that is at least 30 days old to go live in most regions.
- Some regions require 1,000 followers before you can broadcast, while others do not have a follower minimum.
- The Live button appears in the create menu (the plus icon) only if your account meets all requirements for your region.
- You can see your account's live streaming status in your TikTok settings under Creator Tools or Account Settings, depending on your app version.
Account age and age verification requirements
Your TikTok account must be at least 30 days old before you can go live. This means from the date you created the account to the date you attempt to broadcast. TikTok counts this automatically — you do not need to do anything to "activate" this waiting period.
You must also be at least 18 years old. TikTok does not require you to upload a government ID to verify your age, but the app uses the birthdate you provided when you signed up. If you entered a birthdate that makes you under 18, you will not see the Live option regardless of your follower count or account age.
Follower requirements that vary by region
Some regions require you to have at least 1,000 followers before you can go live. Other regions have no follower minimum at all. TikTok has not published a complete list of which countries or regions fall into each category, so the only way to know for certain is to check your own account settings.
To check whether your region has a follower requirement, open TikTok and go to your profile. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top right, then select "Creator Tools" or "Settings and Privacy" depending on your app version. Look for a section labeled "Live" or "Go Live" — this section will tell you what requirements you have not yet met, if any.
What to do if the Live button does not appear
If you do not see the Live option in your create menu, start by confirming your account meets the basic requirements: you are 18 or older, your account is at least 30 days old, and you are in a region where live streaming is available. Check your Creator Tools or Settings section to see which requirement, if any, you have not met.
If your account meets all the requirements but the Live button still does not appear, try closing the TikTok app completely and opening it again. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to show new features. If that does not work, uninstall TikTok and reinstall it from your device's app store — this forces the app to download the latest version, which may include the Live feature for your account.
If you have waited 30 days, you are 18 or older, and the Live button still does not appear after reinstalling, your region may not have access to live streaming yet. TikTok rolls out features gradually, so the feature may become available to you later.
How to actually start a live stream
Once the Live button appears in your create menu, tap the plus icon at the bottom of your TikTok home screen. Scroll through the options until you see "Go Live" — it usually appears near the bottom of the list. Tap it, and TikTok will ask you to give a title for your live stream. You can type anything you want, but keep it short so viewers can see the full title in their feed.
After you enter a title, tap "Go Live" again. TikTok will take a few seconds to connect, and then your camera will turn on. You are now broadcasting to anyone following you or browsing the live section of TikTok. Viewers can send you comments and virtual gifts during the stream. To end the broadcast, tap the X button in the top left corner of your screen.
Privacy and safety settings for live streams
Before you go live, you can control who sees your broadcast. In your TikTok settings, go to Privacy and Safety, then find the "Live" section. You can choose to allow live comments from everyone, from followers only, or from nobody. You can also block specific users from watching your stream.
During a live stream, you can remove comments or block viewers in real time by tapping on their username. TikTok also lets you report viewers who harass you or break community guidelines. If someone is being abusive, you do not have to keep them in your stream — you can remove them immediately.
What happens to your live stream after it ends
When you end a live stream, TikTok does not automatically save it to your profile. The broadcast disappears once you stop streaming. However, TikTok gives you the option to save the video as a draft or post it as a regular TikTok video within 24 hours of the stream ending. If you want to keep a record of your stream, you need to save it yourself during this window.
Viewers cannot rewatch your live stream after it ends unless you post it as a regular video. This is different from platforms like YouTube, where live streams stay on the channel. If you want people to be able to watch your content later, save the stream and post it as a TikTok video.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go live on TikTok if I have a business account instead of a personal account?
Yes. Business accounts follow the same requirements as personal accounts — you must be 18 or older, have an account that is at least 30 days old, and meet any follower requirements for your region. The Live button works the same way on both account types.
What if I am under 18 but want to stream on TikTok?
TikTok does not allow anyone under 18 to go live. You will need to wait until your 18th birthday. If you entered your real birthdate when you created your account, TikTok will automatically unlock the Live feature on that date.
Do I need followers to go live, or can I broadcast to nobody?
This depends on your region. Some regions have no follower requirement, so you can go live with zero followers. Other regions require 1,000 followers. Check your Creator Tools section to see what applies to you. Even if you have no followers, people can still find your stream by browsing TikTok's live section.
Can someone else go live on my TikTok account?
Only you can go live from your account. TikTok does not have a feature that lets you give another person permission to broadcast from your account. If you want someone else to appear in your stream, they can be on camera with you, but you have to be the one holding the phone and tapping the Live button.
What should I do if someone is harassing me during a live stream?
You can remove that viewer immediately by tapping their username and selecting "Remove from live." You can also block them so they cannot watch any of your future streams. If the harassment is severe or involves threats, report it to TikTok through the report button in the live stream menu.