How to Get TikTok Server URL and Stream Key

Want to stream on TikTok with professional quality using software like OBS or Streamlabs? To do that, you'll need two critical pieces of information: your TikTok Server URL and Stream Key. This guide will show you exactly where to find them, how to set them up, and what to do if you run into problems, so you can transform your live broadcasts from simple mobile streams into polished, high-quality productions.

What Exactly Are a Server URL and Stream Key?

Before we get into the steps, let's quickly break down what these two things are and why they are so important for your live stream. Think of it like sending a package.

• Server URL: This is the mailing address. It's the specific web address for TikTok's live servers where your broadcasting software (like OBS) needs to send your video feed. Without this address, your stream has nowhere to go.
• Stream Key: This is the "Attention to:" line on the package. It's a unique code - a long string of letters and numbers - that acts like a password. It tells TikTok's server that the video feed coming in belongs to your specific account and not someone else's. It's how TikTok authenticates your stream and directs it to your profile for your followers to see.

In short, these two pieces of information work together to create a secure, private bridge between your professional streaming software on your computer and your TikTok account. They are the credentials that make high-quality, off-platform streaming possible.

The Catch: TikTok LIVE Access Requirements

Here's something important to know upfront: not every TikTok account has access to stream with a key. TikTok reserves this feature for creators who meet specific criteria. While the exact requirements can change and vary by region, they generally include:

• Follower Count: You typically need at least 1,000 followers to unlock live streaming capabilities, especially for streaming from a desktop.
• Account Age &, Activity: Your account needs to be in good standing, with no recent violations of community guidelines.
• Age Requirement: You must be at least 18 years old to access LIVE Pro features, which include stream keys. You need to be 16 to go live from your phone.

If you don't see the options we're about to cover, it likely means your account hasn't met the internal threshold yet. The best thing to do is to continue creating engaging content, growing your audience, and checking back periodically for access.

How to Find Your TikTok Server URL and Stream Key (Step-by-Step)

Once your account has the necessary permissions, finding your streaming credentials is straightforward. You can typically do this directly from a desktop browser.

Finding Your Credentials in a Web Browser:

1. Log in to TikTok: Open your web browser on a desktop or laptop, go to TikTok.com, and log into the account you want to stream from.
2. Navigate to the LIVE Page: Look for a button or link that says "Go LIVE." This is often visible on the left-hand menu of your feed, near your profile icon.
3. Open the LIVE Center: Clicking "Go LIVE" will take you to your personal LIVE Center dashboard. This is your mission control for streaming from a computer. If you don't have access, you'll likely receive a message here telling you that you're not eligible.
4. Locate Your Details: On the LIVE Center page, you'll see a panel, typically labeled "Live setup" or "Server Details." This panel contains both your Server URL and your Stream key. There will be convenient "Copy" buttons next to each one. This makes it easy to grab them without making any typos.

A Quick Security Note: Treat your stream key like your account password. Never share it publicly. Anyone who has your stream key can stream directly to your TikTok profile. If you think it has been compromised, you can usually reset it by navigating back to this page and selecting an option to generate a new key.

Setting Up Your Stream in OBS Studio or Streamlabs

Now that you have your credentials, it's time to connect them to your broadcasting software. The process is nearly identical for OBS Studio, Streamlabs Desktop, and other similar programs.

Here's how to do it in OBS Studio, which is one of the most popular and free options available:

1. Open Settings: Launch OBS Studio and navigate to the bottom-right corner. Click the Settings button.
2. Go to the Stream Tab: In the settings window, click on the Stream tab on the left-hand column.
3. Select a Custom Service: From the "Service" dropdown menu, choose "Custom...". This will reveal two fields: "Server" and "Stream Key".
4. Enter Your URL and Key:
   • Go back to your TikTok LIVE Center. Click the "Copy" button next to the Server URL.
   • Paste it directly into the "Server" field in OBS.
   • Next, go back and copy your TikTok Stream key.
   • Paste this into the "Stream Key" field in OBS. For security, the key will be hidden by asterisks.
5. Apply Your Settings: Click "Apply" at the bottom of the window, and then click "OK" to close the settings.

Your OBS setup is now connected to your TikTok account! From here, you can add your sources (webcam, screen share, images, overlays) and arrange them in the main window. When you are ready to send your video feed to TikTok, simply hit the "Start Streaming" button in OBS.

Don't forget this final, critical step! After you start the stream in OBS, you must go back to your TikTok LIVE Center page in your browser. There, you'll set your stream title, cover image, and category, and then you have to click the final "Go LIVE" button on that page. This tells TikTok to start broadcasting the feed it's now receiving from OBS.

Why Stream with OBS Instead of Your Phone?

Putting in the effort to stream from a desktop might seem like a lot of work, but the benefits in production quality are immense. Here's what you gain:

• Professional Graphics: You can add custom overlays, logos, animated alerts for new followers or gifts, and branded backgrounds for a truly professional look.
• Multiple Scenes &, Cameras: Seamlessly switch between different layouts. Show your face full-screen, then transition to a view showing your game, your work, and your camera in a small corner.
• Superior Screen Sharing: Whether you're a gamer, a digital artist, a coder, or an educator, OBS gives you crystal-clear screen sharing that a phone simply can't match.
• High-Quality Audio: Use professional USB or XLR microphones to deliver crisp, clear audio, free from the echo and background noise common with phone mics.
• Integrations: Connect your stream to other services for custom alerts, chat bots, and other interactive features that keep your audience engaged.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Sometimes things don't go as planned. Here are a few common issues and how to solve them.

"I can't find a 'Go LIVE' button on my desktop browser."

This nearly always means the account has not yet met TikTok's eligibility requirements for desktop streaming. The solution is organic growth: focus on posting quality short-form videos and engaging with your community to build your follower base. Be sure to go live from your phone a few times as well, which can sometimes help activate the feature on desktop.

"My stream key isn't working, or the connection is failing."

TikTok stream keys often expire after you end a stream or after a certain period of inactivity. They are single-use for security. If you're trying to use an old key from a previous session, it will fail. Always copy a fresh server URL and stream key from the LIVE Center just before you start your broadcast setup.

"My stream is lagging or looks pixelated."

This is almost always related to your internet connection's upload speed or your OBS bitrate settings. Streaming requires a stable upload speed of at least 5-6 Mbps for a clean 1080p stream. Run an internet speed test to check your upload bandwidth. If your connection is weak, go into your OBS Settings, click the "Output" tab, and lower your "Video Bitrate" to a number your connection can handle (e.g., from 4500 Kbps down to 2500 Kbps). If your videos look pixelated, check your upload speed and bitrate settings.

Final Thoughts

Getting your TikTok Server URL and Stream Key opens up a new world of professional streaming, allowing you to use powerful software like OBS to create engaging, high-quality live broadcasts. By following these steps to connect your setup, you can take your live content strategy well beyond what's possible with just a phone and build a more dynamic brand presence.

Once you've wrapped up an amazing live stream, managing that content and an entire social media calendar can feel like a full-time job. We ran into this ourselves, which is why we built a scheduling tool that's actually designed for today's video-first world. With Postbase, we make it simple to plan and schedule all your social content - including TikToks, Reels, and Shorts - from one central, visual calendar, so you can focus more on creating and less on the administrative grind.