Here's how to start livestreaming on X

Khizar Mundia Last updated 04/05/2026

X is making a major move into livestreaming, with Head of Product Nikita Bier pushing for creators to broadcast their content on the platform. Here is how streamers can go live on X — and what is means for the future of the platform.

Nikita Bier has recently highlighted X’s viral potential in order to attract streamers. Nicolas “Sneako” Balinthazy became one of the first to listen to Bier and start multistreaming on X. There are also reports that X may rework monetization to incentivize creators who stream on the platform in a bid to compete with both Kick and Twitch.

What are the requirements to be able to stream on X?

X has some requirements that users must meet before they can go live.

The account must have X Premium or be verified with live access enabled if a streamer wants to use a desktop to livestream
The account must be in good standing

The mobile app can be used to livestream for free. If there is no go-live option available even after meeting the requirements, then the feature may not be enabled for your account just yet.

How to livestream on X using the mobile app

Image credit: X

Livestreaming using the mobile app is straightforward and can be started using the following steps.

Tap the Compose button
Tap the Camera icon
Tap the Start a livestream option
Enter the optional details and add a location
The livestream will start

You can then stop the livestream at any time by clicking the stop button. This simple and efficient method of starting and stopping a broadcast ensures that streamers can easily create content on the go whenever the mood strikes.

How to livestream on X using the website

Streamers can’t directly stream from the X website and need to use a third-party software to encode their broadcast. The X Media Studio is used to manage broadcasts, get the credentials, and then start streaming using software such as OBS or Streamlab.

How to livestream on X using third-party software

If a streamer wants to livestream on X using third-party software, the process is a little more time-consuming.

Streamers can use any third-party software, such as OBS or Streamlab, and follow these steps:

Go to X Media Studio
Click Create Broadcast
Select the encoder
Copy the RTMP URL and Stream Key
Open OBS
Go to settings > stream
Select custom service
- Paste the RTMP URL
- Paste the Stream Key
Click Start Streaming in OBS

How to multistream on X

Multistreaming is all the rage right now, and initially, even Nikita Bier was inviting creators to dual-stream content rather than making a complete shift to X. This offers creators the opportunity to rapidly expand their audience base.

Pleasingly, with the right software, streamers can be live on multiple platforms with little effort. OBS, for example, is a free and open source platform that supports multistreaming through plugins that enable multiple RTMP outputs; others are also available that support multistreaming natively.

Restream is a third-party software that is built for multistreaming. Here’s how you can start multistreaming in just a few steps:

Create a Restream account
Connect your streaming platforms, including X
- This step will require you to paste the RTMP URL and Stream Key of X and other platforms you want to multistream to
Set up your stream
Go live

What content is allowed and restricted on X?

Livestreaming is an emerging feature on X, so the platform hasn’t specified guidelines completely. There is, however, some information about what streamers can and can’t stream on X.

What streamers can stream on X

Gaming content
IRL streams
Reaction streams

What streaming content is restricted on X?

Adult, hateful, and illegal content
Copyrighted material

Is Gambling content allowed on X?

X does allow gambling-related content, including streaming, subject to other platform rules as well as the law. However, it has moved to prohibit paid partnerships and promotion from influencers when it involves gambling.

In simple terms, this means that creators are allowed to stream gambling content, but are not allowed to monatize it through sponsorships or affiliate links with gambling companies. Gambling advertising itself is restricted and, depending on the region, often requires prior approval depending on the region

How livestreaming will change X

X is now unrecognizable from the platform that Elon Musk purchased in 2022, and since Bier joined the company in 2025 there has been a clear move to make it the platform of choice for content creators. The sheer scale of X — there are reportedly up to 500 million active monthly users — means that even lesser-known streamers could well get their break with this livestreaming release.

The platform is also actively using Grok to detect IP theft, and now has a streaming dashboard that is available to select creators in early access. This shows X’s seriousness in establishing itself as a livestreaming platform.

X vs Kick vs Twitch

X is only just developing as a livestreaming platform, but it will undoubtedly offer a different experience for both users and creators. The below table summarizes what is on offer compared to Kick and Twitch.

Feature	X	Kick	Twitch
Monetization	TBA	95/5 split	50/50 split or 70/30
Convenience	Mobile app	Mobile app	Mobile app
Multistreaming	Encouraged	Encouraged	Allowed
Viewership	General audience	Gaming and gambling focused	Gaming focused

Khizar Mundia

About Khizar Mundia

Khizar Mundia has been playing video games for as long as he can recall. Things have come a long way since the many days he spent playing the original NES, though. He now covers a variety of competitive games and esports, as well as the world of streaming, ranging from Twitch to Kick. If it’s of interest to gamers, it’s of interest to Khizar.

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