How to Get a TikTok Stream Key for OBS

Want to level up your TikTok game by streaming directly from your PC with Open Broadcaster Software? You're in the right place. Powering up your TikTok LIVEs with OBS lets you add professional overlays, manage multiple cameras, share your screen for gaming, and create a much higher-quality broadcast than what your phone can offer. This guide walks you through exactly how to find and use your TikTok stream key with OBS, starting right now.

What Exactly Is a TikTok Stream Key?

Think of a stream key as a unique, private password. It's a special code that connects broadcasting software on your computer, like OBS Studio, directly to your TikTok account. When you start streaming from OBS, TikTok uses this key to identify that the broadcast is coming from *you* and sends it out to your followers through a LIVE session.

Along with the stream key, you'll also get a Server URL. The duo works together:

• Server URL: This is the address of the TikTok server you're sending your video feed to.
• Stream Key: This is the unique password that tells the server which specific account to broadcast from.

Basically, these two pieces of information are the bridge that allows the professional features of OBS to work seamlessly with the massive audience on TikTok. Without them, there's no way to connect the two tools. It’s also important to remember: never, ever share your stream key with anyone. Anyone who has it can stream directly to your account. Keep it safe!

Are You Eligible for a TikTok Stream Key? (The Big Question)

Here’s the part that trips most people up. Unlike platforms like Twitch or YouTube where stream keys are available to almost everyone, TikTok is more selective about who gets one. Access to stream key functionality isn’t universal and is often part of a slow rollout or targeted at specific creators.

While TikTok hasn't published an official, concrete list of requirements, here are the generally accepted conditions you need to meet to be eligible for a stream key:

1. A Minimum Follower Count: You almost always need at least 1,000 followers. This is the same threshold required to go LIVE from your phone in the first place. Some reports suggest the unofficial count for a stream key could be higher in certain regions, but 1,000 is the baseline.
2. An Active Account in Good Standing: Your account must not have any recent community guideline violations or temporary bans. TikTok rewards creators who play by the rules.
3. Age Requirement: You must be 18 years or older to access advanced LIVE features like streaming from a PC.

Even if you meet all these criteria, you might still not see the option. The feature is often rolled out gradually by region or to specific creators, so eligibility can feel a bit random. If you check for a stream key and don't see one, don't get discouraged! It doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong, you may just not have access yet.

How to Get Your TikTok Stream Key: A Step-by-Step Guide

Assuming you meet the eligibility criteria and the feature is active for your account, finding your Server URL and Stream Key is very straightforward. The most reliable way to do this is from a desktop web browser, not the mobile app.

Step 1: Log in on Your Desktop Browser

Open your preferred web browser (like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari) on your computer and navigate to TikTok.com. Log in to the account you want to stream from.

Step 2: Navigate to the "Go LIVE" Page

Once you're logged in, look for the “Go LIVE” button in the top right corner of the screen. It should be right next to your profile picture and inbox icon. Click it.

Step 3: Find Your Server URL and Stream Key

After clicking "Go LIVE," you’ll be taken to the LIVE Center page. Here, you'll set up your stream's title, topic, and cover image. This is also where you'll find the streaming credentials.

Look for a section titled “Stream Setup” or something similar. In this section, you will see two fields:

• Server URL: This is a long web address.
• Stream Key: This will likely be a very long string of random-looking characters.

There should be a "Copy" button next to each field. Click them to copy both the Server URL and the Stream Key. Keep this browser tab open for now, you’ll need it to start your broadcast after setting up OBS.

That’s it! You've successfully found your TikTok stream credentials.

Configuring OBS for Your TikTok LIVE Stream

Now that you have your key, it’s time to plug it into OBS and set up your stream settings for TikTok’s vertical format. This part is incredibly important - get it wrong, and your stream will look stretched or cut off for viewers.

Part 1: Setting Up the Stream Destination

First, let's tell OBS where to send your video feed.

1. Open OBS Studio on your computer.
2. Go to the bottom-right corner and click “Settings.”
3. In the settings window, select the "Stream" tab from the left-hand menu.
4. For the "Service" dropdown menu, choose "Custom..." This will reveal fields for a server and stream key.
5. In the "Server" field, paste the Server URL you copied from TikTok.
6. In the "Stream Key" field, paste the Stream Key you copied from TikTok.
7. Click “Apply” at the bottom right, but don't close the settings window yet.

Part 2: Configuring the Video for a Vertical Format

TikTok is a vertical platform, so you need to configure your OBS canvas to match its 9:16 aspect ratio.

1. While still in the Settings window, select the "Video" tab from the left navigation.
2. For the "Base (Canvas) Resolution," you need to switch the dimensions. Instead of the standard 1920x1080, you will enter 1080x1920.
3. Do the same for the "Output (Scaled) Resolution." Set it to 1080x1920.
4. For "Common FPS Values," you can choose either 30 or 60. 60 FPS looks smoother, especially for gaming, but requires more processing power. 30 FPS is perfectly fine for most other streams.
5. Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save your changes and close the settings window.

Your OBS canvas preview should now look like a tall, vertical rectangle instead of a wide, horizontal one - perfectly formatted for a phone screen.

Part 3: Final OBS Tweaks and Going Live

1. Arrange your sources: Now, you can add your camera, screen share, images, and other sources to your new vertical OBS canvas. Arrange them how you want viewers to see them.
2. Check your bitrate: For a good quality 1080p stream, a video bitrate between 4,000 and 6,000 Kbps is recommended. You can adjust this in Settings > Output under the "Video Bitrate" field.
3. Start Streaming in OBS: Once everything is set, click the "Start Streaming" button in OBS. This begins sending your video feed to TikTok's servers.
4. Go LIVE on TikTok: Head back to your browser tab with the TikTok LIVE Center. You should see a preview of your OBS feed appear. If everything looks good, click the final "Go LIVE" button on the TikTok page to start your broadcast to your followers!

What If You Don't Have a Stream Key Option?

It's very common to reach the TikTok LIVE Center and not see any option for a stream key. If that's you, don't worry. You still have options.

Option 1: Use TikTok LIVE Studio

TikTok has its own free desktop streaming application called LIVE Studio. It's essentially a simplified version of OBS designed exclusively for streaming to TikTok. If you have LIVE access but no stream key, chances are you'll see a prompt to download LIVE Studio from the Go LIVE page. This app lets you add sources like your camera and video games, use some basic overlays, and manage viewer comments directly from your desktop. While it's not as powerful or customizable as OBS, it's a great official alternative.

Option 2: Focus on Growing Your Account

A missing stream key is often a sign that your account hasn't met the invisible thresholds yet. The best thing you can do is focus on organic growth and community building. Focus on hitting that 1,000 follower goal (and beyond) by creating valuable, engaging content for your niche.

• Create short, helpful videos that solve a problem for your audience.
• Stay consistent and post several times a week.
• Hop on relevant trends in a way that feels authentic to your brand.
• Engage with every comment to build relationships and show the algorithm your content is sparking conversation.

Option 3: Be Patient and Check Again Later

TikTok's features are always changing. Just because you don't have a stream key today doesn't mean you won't get it next month. Make it a habit to check the "Go LIVE" section on your desktop once every few weeks to see if the stream key option has appeared.

Final Thoughts

Getting a TikTok stream key opens up a world of possibilities for creating professional, high-engagement LIVEs using the power of OBS. While eligibility is the main hurdle, once you have access, the process is as simple as copying your credentials, setting up a vertical canvas in OBS, and going live. And if you’re not eligible yet, take it as motivation to ramp up your content strategy and keep growing your community.

As you work on growing your TikTok to unlock new features, creating and scheduling a steady flow of high-quality video can feel like a heavy lift. At Postbase, we designed our tool specifically for video-first platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Reels so you can plan your content visually and publish everywhere reliably. It's built to keep you on track toward your growth goals without fighting with clunky, outdated software, helping you get features like streaming with OBS even faster.