Your TikTok stream key is a unique code that tells TikTok's servers where to send your live video

When you go live on TikTok, you're sending video from your camera or streaming software to TikTok's servers. Your stream key is the credential that proves you own that account and have permission to broadcast to it. Without it, streaming software like OBS Studio or Streamlabs won't know where to send your video.

TikTok generates this key automatically when you enable live streaming on your account. You don't create it yourself — you just find it and copy it into your streaming software. The key looks like a long string of letters and numbers, and it should be treated like a password: if someone else gets it, they can broadcast to your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Your stream key appears in the TikTok app under Creator Center > Live, not in a separate settings menu.
  • You must have a TikTok account with at least 1,000 followers to access the live streaming feature and see your stream key.
  • The stream key is paired with a server URL (usually rtmps://live-api-s.tiktok.com:443/live/) that you enter together into your streaming software.
  • If you share your stream key with someone or suspect it's been compromised, you can regenerate a new one in the same Creator Center menu.

How to find your stream key in the TikTok app

Open the TikTok app and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. From your profile, tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top right. Scroll down and tap Creator Center.

In Creator Center, look for the Live option. Tap it. You'll see a section labeled RTMP or Live Streaming Settings. Your stream key will be displayed there as a long alphanumeric string. Tap the copy icon next to it to copy the key to your clipboard, then paste it into your streaming software.

If you don't see a Live option in Creator Center, your account doesn't yet meet TikTok's requirements. You need at least 1,000 followers and must be at least 16 years old (18 in some regions) to access live streaming features.

The server URL that goes with your stream key

Your stream key alone isn't enough. Streaming software also needs the server URL, which is the address of TikTok's live streaming server. For TikTok, this URL is almost always rtmps://live-api-s.tiktok.com:443/live/.

In OBS Studio, you would enter this URL in the Server field and your stream key in the Stream Key field. In Streamlabs, the process is similar but the field labels may differ slightly. Check your streaming software's documentation for where to paste these two pieces of information.

The URL rarely changes, but if TikTok updates it, the information will appear in Creator Center alongside your stream key. Don't guess or use a URL from an old guide — always verify it matches what TikTok shows you.

When you need to generate a new stream key

If you've shared your stream key with someone you no longer trust, or if you think it's been compromised, you should generate a new one. Go back to Creator Center > Live and look for a button labeled Generate New Stream Key or a refresh icon next to your current key.

When you generate a new key, your old one stops working immediately. Any streaming software using the old key will disconnect. You'll need to copy the new key and paste it into your software before you can go live again. This process takes less than a minute but does interrupt any active broadcast.

Keeping your stream key private

Your stream key should be treated as a password. If someone has it, they can broadcast to your account, potentially sending content you don't want associated with your channel. Don't share it in Discord servers, Twitch chat, or anywhere public, even if someone claims they need it to help you troubleshoot.

If you're collaborating with someone and they need to stream to your account, the safer approach is to have them use their own account and you host them as a guest, rather than giving them your stream key. Most streaming software and platforms support guest broadcasting without sharing credentials.

When you're done streaming, you don't need to do anything special with your key — it stays active in your account. You only regenerate it if you suspect someone else has seen it.

Troubleshooting when your stream key isn't working

If you've copied your stream key into OBS or another streaming software but the connection fails, first check that you've entered both the server URL and the stream key correctly. A single missing character will cause the connection to fail.

Verify that your TikTok account still meets the requirements: at least 1,000 followers and the correct age. If you've lost followers and dropped below 1,000, TikTok will disable live streaming on your account, and your stream key will stop working even if it's entered correctly.

If the key is correct and your account is in good standing, try regenerating a new stream key and entering that into your software. Occasionally a key can become corrupted or TikTok's servers can have temporary issues. A fresh key often resolves the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same stream key on multiple devices?

Yes. Your stream key works from any device or streaming software. However, only one active broadcast can use that key at a time. If you start streaming from OBS on your computer and then try to start a broadcast from your phone simultaneously, the second connection will fail.

What happens if someone gets my stream key?

They can broadcast to your TikTok account without your permission. They won't be able to change your password or delete your account, but they can send live video to your followers. If this happens, regenerate a new stream key immediately to stop them, then review your account security and change your TikTok password.

Do I need to regenerate my stream key regularly for security?

No. Unlike passwords, there's no security benefit to changing your stream key on a schedule. Only regenerate it if you've shared it with someone, suspect it's been compromised, or if TikTok notifies you of a security issue.

Why does TikTok require 1,000 followers to go live?

TikTok uses follower count as a basic spam prevention measure. New accounts with zero followers can't broadcast, which reduces the number of test streams and spam broadcasts on the platform. Once you reach 1,000 followers, the feature unlocks automatically.

Can I stream to TikTok and another platform at the same time?

Yes, but you need separate stream keys for each platform. OBS and Streamlabs both support multi-platform streaming — you enter your TikTok stream key and server for one output, and your YouTube or Twitch credentials for another. Your video will broadcast to both simultaneously.