Where to find your TikTok stream key

Your TikTok stream key is a unique code that connects your broadcasting software to your TikTok account. You find it inside TikTok itself, in the Creator Fund settings, not in your broadcasting software. The process takes about two minutes and requires you to be logged into TikTok on a computer or phone.

Open TikTok and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. From there, go to Settings and Privacy, then Creator Tools. Look for the Live option — this is where TikTok stores everything related to broadcasting. Inside Live, you will see a section labeled RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol) or sometimes just "Streaming Settings." Your stream key appears as a long string of letters and numbers. Copy this entire string exactly as it appears, including any hyphens or underscores.

The stream key changes if you reset it, which you might do if you think someone else has seen it or if you are troubleshooting a connection problem. There is a reset button next to the key itself. After you reset, the old key stops working when ready, so only do this if you have a reason to.

Key Takeaways

  • Your stream key lives in TikTok's Creator Tools under Live settings, not in your broadcasting software.
  • The stream key is a long string of characters that you copy exactly and paste into your broadcasting software once.
  • You also need your RTMP URL from the same screen, which tells your software where to send the video stream.
  • Treat your stream key like a password — do not share it in chat, screenshots, or with people you do not trust completely.
  • If your stream will not connect, check that you copied both the key and the URL correctly before resetting either one.

What information you need besides the stream key

The stream key alone is not enough to broadcast. TikTok also provides an RTMP URL on the same settings page — this is the address your broadcasting software sends the video to. Both pieces go into your software: the URL in one field and the stream key in another. Different software labels these fields differently (some call it "Server" and "Stream Key," others use "RTMP URL" and "Stream Name"), so check your software's documentation for where each one goes.

You will also need to know your TikTok username or account ID, though this is usually just for your own records. Some broadcasting software asks for it as a way to label which account the stream is going to, especially if you manage multiple accounts.

How to copy your stream key without mistakes

The stream key is long and straightforward to mistype. The safest method is to use your phone or computer's copy function rather than typing it by hand. On TikTok's settings page, tap or click directly on the stream key itself — most phones and computers will highlight it and show a copy button. Tap copy, then go to your broadcasting software and paste it into the stream key field.

If copy-paste is not available on your device, take a screenshot of the stream key and refer to the screenshot as you type. Do not try to memorize it. After you paste the key into your software, run a test stream before you broadcast live to an audience. This catches typos or connection problems while only you can see the result.

What happens if you share your stream key by accident

If your stream key appears in a video, chat message, or screenshot that other people can see, reset it when ready. Anyone with your stream key can start a live stream on your account, and viewers will see it as coming from you. Resetting the key stops the old one from working, so the person who saw it can no longer use it.

After you reset, check your account activity to see if anyone else started a stream while your key was exposed. TikTok shows your live stream history in the Creator Tools section. If you see a stream you did not start, change your TikTok password as well, because someone may have accessed your account another way.

Connecting the stream key to your broadcasting software

Once you have copied your stream key and RTMP URL, open your broadcasting software (OBS, Streamlabs, XSplit, or whatever you use). Look for settings labeled "Stream," "Output," or "Broadcast Settings." Paste the RTMP URL into the server field and the stream key into the stream key field. The exact names vary by software, so if you cannot find these fields, search the software's help documentation for "TikTok" or "RTMP."

After you enter both pieces of information, most software has a "Test Stream" or "Start Stream" button. Click this to send a test broadcast to TikTok. You should see a preview appear in TikTok's live settings within 10 to 30 seconds. If nothing appears after a minute, double-check that you pasted both the URL and the key correctly — extra spaces or missing characters are the most common reason streams fail to connect.

Why your stream key might not be visible

If you go to Creator Tools and do not see a Live option, your account may not be old enough or may not have enough followers to broadcast. TikTok requires accounts to be at least 18 years old and to have at least 1,000 followers before the live streaming feature turns on. This is a TikTok policy, not something you can change in settings.

If your account meets these requirements but you still do not see Live in Creator Tools, try logging out of TikTok completely and logging back in. Sometimes the app does not refresh the menu when ready after you reach the follower threshold. If that does not work, uninstall and reinstall the TikTok app, then check again.

Keeping your stream key find

Your stream key is essentially a password to your live broadcast. Do not paste it into chat, email it to people, or leave it visible on your screen during a stream. If you are streaming from a computer and sharing your screen with others, minimize or close the window with your stream key before you start sharing.

If you use the same broadcasting software on multiple devices, you only need to enter the stream key once on each device. You do not need to share it with anyone else — your audience does not need it, and neither do your moderators or friends. Only you and the people who physically sit at your computer need to see it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same stream key on multiple devices at once?

Technically yes, but TikTok will only broadcast one stream at a time. If you start streaming on two devices with the same key, the second one will replace the first. For most people, entering the key on one device and streaming from there is simpler and safer.

What if I forgot to copy my stream key and closed the settings page?

Go back to Creator Tools, then Live, and the stream key will still be there. It does not disappear after you view it once. Copy it again and paste it into your software.

Do I need to reset my stream key before every broadcast?

No. The same key works for every stream until you reset it. You only reset it if you think someone else has seen it or if you are troubleshooting a connection problem.

Will my stream key work if I change my TikTok username?

Yes. The stream key is tied to your account, not your username. Changing your username does not affect the key or your ability to broadcast.

What is the difference between the stream key and the RTMP URL?

The RTMP URL is the address where your software sends the video (like a mailing address), and the stream key is the identifier that tells TikTok which account the video belongs to (like your name on the envelope). You need both for the connection to work.