How to Live Stream With GoPro

If you have a GoPro HERO7 Black or newer, you can easily live stream with GoPro’s mobile app, GoPro Quik. After you pair your GoPro camera with GoPro Quik, you’ll need to follow the specific steps for your preferred streaming platform.

Hi, it’s nice to meet you, I’m Larry, your neighborly GoPro expert. Since 2014, I’ve been using GoPro cameras consistently and have live-streamed with them on YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook.

In today’s guide, I’ll explain how to live stream with a GoPro camera depending on which platform you want to live stream on.

Let’s set up your live stream together!

What GoPro Models Can Live Stream?

With the release of the GoPro HERO7 Black, GoPro introduced native live streaming through its iOS and Android mobile app.

You’ll need to download the app on your mobile device and then pair it with one of the cameras below:

  • GoPro HERO10 Black
  • GoPro HERO9 Black
  • GoPro MAX
  • GoPro HERO8 Black
  • GoPro HERO7 Black

If you don’t have one of these cameras, you won’t be able to live stream with GoPro Quik. 

What Platforms Can a GoPro Live Stream On?

RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol) is when a website gives you a stream link and a stream key. Most of the big media platforms offer RTMP URLs.

How to Use GoPro For Live Streaming?

Before diving into each streaming platform, you need to prepare a few things. The first step is to update your GoPro Quik app. There have been audio syncing issues during a live stream if the GoPro Quik app isn’t updated. 

However, the most important factor of live streaming is to use a fast and stable internet connection. Without a speedy internet connection, your video quality will suffer, and the footage will be choppy and hard to watch. Therefore, I recommend connecting to high-speed Wi-Fi before starting your live stream. 

Then, pair your GoPro camera to the GoPro Quik app. Open GoPro Quik, tap the camera icon in the bottom left-hand corner, and then tap the blue button Control Your GoPro. Swipe left until your reach the Live button. Then press Set Up Live.

You will then see the list of platforms you can live stream on with your GoPro camera.

Let’s go through each platform one by one so you get the specific help you’re looking for.

GoPro Live Streaming to YouTube

It’s important to know that you’ll need to verify and set up your account before live streaming on YouTube. So, log in to your YouTube account and go to Features and then Live Streaming. Then click Enable.

Once your account shows ‘Live streaming’ as eligible, your YouTube account has been approved to begin live streaming. It will likely take around 24 hours for YouTube to approve your account.

Furthermore, you must have at least 1,000 subscribers on YouTube to live stream from mobile. If you don’t have 1,000 subscribers on YouTube, you can still live stream on YouTube through a computer and a webcam

Let’s set up your YouTube live stream:

  • Step 1: Select YouTube on GoPro Quik’s platform list, allow permissions, and then connect your YouTube account.
  • Step 2: Connect to your WiFi network or personal hotspot.
  • Step 3: Choose if you want to share with either Friends or Public.
  • Step 4: Write a title for your GoPro live stream and a short description too.
  • Step 5: Choose what resolution you want to live stream in: 480p, 720p, or 1080p. 
  • Step 6: Decide if you want to save a copy of your live stream to your SD card.
  • Step 7: Press Set Up Live Stream and then press Go Live to start your GoPro live stream on YouTube.

You should also know that your camera’s orientation won’t auto-adjust once you begin live streaming. For this reason, make sure your camera is orientated correctly before starting your live stream. 

GoPro Live Streaming to Twitch

Using your GoPro to live stream on Twitch is similar to YouTube. However, there aren’t any restrictions when it comes to subscriber count and verification status. As such, it’s extremely simple to use your GoPro to live stream on Twitch.

Let’s set up your Twitch live stream:

  • Step 1: Select Twitch on GoPro Quik’s platform list, allow permissions, and then connect your Twitch account.
  • Step 2: Connect to your WiFi network or personal hotspot.
  • Step 3: Write a title for your GoPro live stream and a short description too.
  • Step 4: Choose what resolution you want to live stream in: 480p, 720p, or 1080p. 
  • Step 5: Decide if you want to save a copy of your live stream to your SD card.
  • Step 6: Press Set Up Live Stream. The next screen will give you a shareable stream link you can send to your friends. Once you’re ready to start the live stream, press Go Live.

GoPro Live Streaming to Facebook

You can either live stream to a personal Facebook profile, a Facebook group, or a Facebook page. 

  • Step 1: Select Facebook on GoPro Quik’s platform list, allow permissions, and then connect your Facebook account.
  • Step 2: Connect to your WiFi network or personal hotspot.
  • Step 3: Choose the sharing settings from the Share To dropdown. From the dropdown, you can choose to stream on your Facebook profile or a Facebook page or group where you’re an admin. 
  • Step 4: Write a title for your GoPro live stream and a short description too.
  • Step 5: Choose what resolution you want to live stream in: 480p, 720p, or 1080p. 
  • Step 6: Decide if you want to save a copy of your live stream to your SD card.
  • Step 7: Press Set Up Live Stream. The next screen will give you a shareable stream link you can send to your friends. Once you’re ready to start the live stream, press Go Live.

GoPro Live Streaming to GoPro Subscription

If you have a GoPro subscription, you can create your own private link and share it with your friends or fans. The private link is essentially a private stream that’s hosted on GoPro’s servers. 

Simply tap GoPro.com on GoPro Quik’s platform list to create your private link.

GoPro Live Streaming to Other Video Platforms with RTMP

If you want to live stream on a platform that’s not on GoPro Quik’s platform list, you can use an RTMP URL. Some of these additional platforms include Vimeo, Periscope, and the majority of other online video platforms.

GoPro live streaming only supports RTMP and RTMPS URLs. It doesn’t support RTSP, HLS, or other URLs.

  • Step 1: Visit your live streaming platform.
  • Step 2: Follow the platform’s instructions to create an RTMP or RTMPS URL along with your stream name/key. 
  • Step 3: Now open GoPro Quik and navigate to the platform list. Select RTMP.
  • Step 4: Tap Set Up Stream. Connect to your Wi-Fi and enter your RTMP URL.
  • Step 5: Choose what resolution you want to live stream in: 480p, 720p, or 1080p. 
  • Step 6: Decide if you want to save a copy of your live stream to your SD card.
  • Step 7: Press Set Up Live Stream, and once you’re ready to start the live stream, press Go Live.

You’ll need to configure the stream details inside your specific video platform. This includes details such as stream title and description, visibility settings, and location. 

FAQs

Now that you know how to live stream with your GoPro, let’s discuss a few additional questions that might be on your mind.

Can I live stream with my GoPro using cellular data?

Yes, you can either run your live stream with a Wi-Fi connection or a data hotspot. However, I recommend using Wi-Fi if you can because Wi-Fi is usually more stable and provides faster upload speeds. However, using cellular data is perfectly okay, and I’ve used it many times before without any issues. 

How much data does GoPro live streaming consume?

The amount of data live streaming consumes depends on what resolution you stream in. Higher resolutions take up more bandwidth and consume more data. My rule of thumb is that you can expect to consume 500 MB to 1.5 GB for every hour of live streaming. 

What type of gear do I need for GoPro live streaming?

There are two essential items I recommend using for your GoPro live streams. The first item is a handgrip or tripod. Whether you’re streaming from a stationary position or on the move, a handgrip offers stability and convenience. It also keeps your fingers away from the camera and microphone. The second item I recommend is an external microphone. Although the built-in GoPro mic is functional, an external microphone provides clearer audio quality.

Closing Thoughts

Using the GoPro is a pretty awesome way to perform mobile content creation on the go. Although there are some limitations, such as battery life and resolution, I feel much more comfortable live streaming with my GoPro than with my phone during outdoor action activities.

When I’m live streaming as I’m snowboarding or mountain biking, I wouldn’t feel too confident putting my smartphone on my head, chest, or tripod. As such, the GoPro is perfect to live stream with during these situations.

But now I’d love to hear from you: Do you have any more questions about how to live stream with GoPro? What type of content do you plan on streaming with your GoPro?

Either way, I’d love to hear your story in the comments section below.

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