How to Turn On Gifts on TikTok Live

Ready to start earning money directly from your audience during your TikTok LIVE streams? Enabling gifts is a straightforward way to monetize your content, allowing your viewers to show their appreciation in real time. This guide will walk you through exactly what LIVE Gifts are, whether you're eligible to receive them, and how to turn them on. We'll also cover smart strategies for encouraging gifts organically, so you can build a supportive community and a new income stream.

What Exactly Are TikTok LIVE Gifts?

Think of TikTok LIVE Gifts as a virtual tip jar. They are digital icons - ranging from a simple Rose to an extravagant TikTok Lion - that viewers can purchase using TikTok Coins. When a viewer sends you a gift during your LIVE stream, it's a real-time way for them to support you and react to your content. For creators, these gifts aren't just for show, they translate into "Diamonds," which can be converted into actual cash.

Beyond the monetary value, gifts serve as a powerful form of engagement. When a viewer sends a gift, their username is highlighted in the chat, and larger gifts trigger eye-catching animations on screen. This acts as a public shout-out to your biggest supporters, encouraging a fun, interactive, and rewarding experience for both you and your community. Turning them on transforms your LIVE stream from a one-way broadcast into a two-way exchange where your audience can actively participate in your success.

The Creator Checklist: Are You Eligible to Receive LIVE Gifts?

Before you get started, it's important to know that not everyone can turn on the LIVE gifting feature right away. TikTok has a handful of requirements in place to maintain the quality and safety of the platform. You’ll need to meet all of them before the option becomes available in your settings.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the main eligibility criteria:

• You Must Be at Least 18 Years Old: This is a strict, non-negotiable rule. TikTok uses age verification, and you'll need to be a legal adult to monetize through gifts.
• You Need at Least 1,000 Followers: This is the same threshold required to unlock the ability to go LIVE in the first place. Your account needs to have a baseline audience before monetization features become available.
• Your Account Must Be in Good Standing: This means you should have a clean record with TikTok's Community Guidelines. If your account has a history of serious violations or is currently under any restrictions, you likely won't be able to access gifting features.
• LIVE Gifting Must Be Available in Your Region: While the feature is widespread, it's not available in every single country. If you meet all other criteria and still don't see the option, it might be due to your geographic location.

If you check all these boxes, congratulations! You’re ready to enable gifts and start earning from your livestreams.

How to Turn On Gifts on TikTok LIVE: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Once you’ve confirmed you're eligible, turning on LIVE Gifts is incredibly easy. The toggle is located right within the LIVE stream interface. You don't need to dig through deep account settings, you can actually enable or disable it right before you start broadcasting or even during your stream.

Here’s exactly how to do it:

1. Start Your LIVE Stream: Open your TikTok app and tap the create (+) icon at the bottom of the screen. Swipe over to the "LIVE" option at the bottom. Set up your title and cover photo, and then tap the "Go LIVE" button to start your broadcast.
2. Open Your LIVE Settings: Once you're live, look for the three dots (...) icon or the 'Settings' icon at the bottom right of your screen. Tap it to open a menu of options for your broadcast.
3. Find the LIVE Gifts Option: In the settings menu, you'll see a list of toggles and options. Look for the one labeled "LIVE Gifts" (it may also be shown as a gift box icon).
4. Toggle It On: Tap the slider next to "LIVE Gifts" to turn it on. If it's on, the slider will usually be highlighted in color. Once enabled, a gift icon will appear for your viewers, allowing them to start sending you virtual gifts immediately.

That's it! The feature is now active. You can follow the same steps to turn LIVE Gifts off at any time during your broadcast if you wish.

Strategies for Getting More Gifts (Without Sounding Pushy)

Simply turning gifts on isn't enough, you need to create an environment where viewers feel inspired to contribute. The key is to make it a fun part of the show, not an obligation. Constantly asking or begging for gifts can turn off your audience fast. Instead, focus on creating value and building genuine connections.

Here are five effective strategies to encourage gifts naturally:

1. Acknowledge and Appreciate Every Gifter

This is the most important rule. When someone sends you a gift, acknowledge it! Say their username out loud and thank them personally. This simple act of recognition makes the giver feel seen and appreciated. For larger or more impressive gifts (like a 'Galaxy' or 'Lion'), a bigger reaction can create a memorable moment for the entire audience, encouraging others to participate.

2. Set a 'Gift Goal'

TikTok has a built-in feature that allows you to set a LIVE Goal. You can use this to set a specific gift target for your stream (e.g., "100 Roses for a new song performance!"). This gamifies the experience and gives your community a tangible objective to work toward together. It fosters a sense of teamwork and creates excitement as the goal bar fills up.

3. Deliver Must-Watch, High-Value Content

Ultimately, people send gifts to creators who provide value, whether that's through entertainment, education, or personality. Host structured sessions like a Q&,A with an industry expert, a live music performance, a tutorial on a skill you have, or a hilarious gameplay stream. When your content is compelling, viewers will want to support you to see more of it. Think of gifts as applause for a job well done.

4. Make It Interactive

Connect specific gifts to in-stream actions. This creates a fun cause-and-effect relationship that puts the audience in the driver's seat. For example:

• "For every 'Perfume' gift, I'll answer one question from the chat."
• "If we get a 'Heart Me' gift, I’ll give a shout-out to that person's account."
• "If someone sends a 'Drama Queen' gift, I’ll tell a funny, embarrassing story."

This approach transforms gifting from a simple donation into an active part of the stream's content.

5. Focus on Community Building

Viewers are more likely to support creators they feel a genuine connection with. Remember your regulars, ask about their day, and build inside jokes. When your LIVE stream feels like a hangout with friends, your community will be more invested in your success. They won't see it as "giving you money" but as supporting a creator they care about. Authenticity and community always win.

From Roses to Revenue: How Gifts Turn into Money

So, how does a virtual "Rose" become money in your bank account? The process involves a couple of simple conversions managed entirely by TikTok.

• Gifts convert to Diamonds: When a viewer sends you a gift, TikTok converts it into a virtual currency called "Diamonds" in your account. The number of Diamonds you get per gift varies.
• Diamonds convert to Cash: You can see your Diamond balance in your LIVE creator hub. Once you've accumulated enough, you can withdraw them as real money.
• TikTok Takes a Commission: It's important to remember that you don't receive the full cash value of the gifts. TikTok takes a 50% commission, so you receive half of what the gifts are worth. This service fee covers platform costs, processing, and other operational expenses.
• Withdrawal Threshold: There is usually a minimum balance required before you can make a withdrawal (e.g., $50). You can link your PayPal or bank account to receive the funds.

It's a straightforward system that allows you to see your earnings grow in real time with every gift that comes your way.

Final Thoughts

Turning on LIVE Gifts is a powerful step towards monetizing your TikTok presence and building a deeper relationship with your audience. By understanding the requirements, knowing how to enable the feature, and using authentic strategies to encourage support, you can transform your streams into a rewarding experience for everyone involved.

Growing a loyal audience that shows up for your LIVEs depends on a consistent content strategy across your entire social presence. We built Postbase for creators and brands who want to streamline that process. With our visual calendar, you can plan and schedule your TikToks, Reels, and Shorts weeks in advance, making sure you always have fresh content driving traffic to your profile and your next LIVE stream.