How to go live on X

X only lets paying Premium accounts stream from a computer, but once you're in, the key is reusable and the setup is quick. X works with a two-part idea: a Source (your reusable Stream URL and key) and a Broadcast (one live show that uses that source).

Before you start

• X's rule: you need an active X Premium or Premium+ subscription (the blue check). The cheaper Basic plan and free accounts can't stream from a computer, only from the phone app.
• Keep your profile public so people can find the live.
• Use a computer.
• X currently has two dashboards that both work: the long-standing Media Studio Producer at studio.x.com, and the newer X Live Studio at x.com/i/live-studio, launched in beta in July 2026 and still rolling out region by region. The steps below use Media Studio; the buttons in Live Studio have the same names.

Get your Stream URL and Stream key (once)

1. On a computer, log in to X and go to studio.x.com. If asked, click the Producer tab.
2. Click Sources, then Create source (top right).
3. Give it a name such as Backstage Pass, make sure RTMP is selected, pick the region closest to you, and click Create.
4. X shows an RTMPS URL (or RTMP URL) and an RTMP stream key.
5. In BackstagePass, open Studio → Destinations and press Connect next to X. Click Copy next to each value in X, paste them into the Ingest URL and Stream key boxes, and press Link X. Then click Done in X.
6. Destinations confirms the address and key are saved and well-formed; your first GO LIVE is the real test.

This source is permanent. You reuse it for every show and only need to create it once.

On show day

1. In Media Studio, click Broadcasts, then Create broadcast.
2. Give the broadcast a title, choose a category, and under Source pick the source you created above. Choose to go live now or set a scheduled time, then click Create broadcast.
3. Press GO LIVE in BackstagePass. Within a few seconds the broadcast preview in X shows your video and the status turns to connected.
4. Click Go live (or Start broadcast) in X. X doesn't start by itself; a broadcast that's never started simply never appears.
5. When you finish, click End broadcast in X, then press End in BackstagePass.

Using X Live Studio instead

In X Live Studio the same flow is New Livestream, pick your RTMP source, set audience and thumbnail, and use Go Live. Scheduled livestreams there can be set to start automatically at the scheduled time.

Things to take care of

• Two objects, not one. If you only save the key in BackstagePass and never create a Broadcast in X, nothing will appear on X. Create the broadcast before every show.
• Your Premium must stay active. If the subscription lapses, Media Studio disappears and your source stops working.
• X prefers landscape. Stream at 16:9; X's recommended maximum is 1920×1080 at 30 fps.
• Audience controls live in X. In X Live Studio you can limit who may watch or chat (everyone, verified accounts, accounts you follow, subscribers). Set this when you create the livestream.
• Replays. X keeps the replay on your profile after the broadcast ends; you can also download it from Live Studio.

Every platform, and the one step most people miss: Destinations.