To go live vertically on YouTube, use the YouTube mobile app in portrait mode, or set up a 9:16 version in YouTube Studio’s Live Control Room before you start. You can also send separate horizontal and vertical feeds with a compatible encoder. Choose the method based on your equipment and whether you need a conventional landscape stream as well.
Before you start: check YouTube live-stream eligibility
YouTube requires your channel to be verified and to have no live-streaming restrictions in the past 90 days. Mobile live streaming has additional requirements: YouTube lists a minimum of 50 subscribers and a compatible device. That subscriber threshold applies to mobile streaming; it should not be treated as a universal requirement for every desktop or encoder method. First-time live-stream activation can take up to 24 hours, so enable it in advance. See YouTube’s live-streaming eligibility and setup guidance.
How to stream vertically from your phone
The YouTube app is the simplest way to broadcast a portrait video directly from a phone. The interface may vary by device or app version, but YouTube’s documented path is Create, then Live.
- Prepare the channel. Confirm verification, check that there are no live-streaming restrictions in the last 90 days, and meet the mobile requirements. If this is your first live stream, allow up to 24 hours for activation.
- Prepare your phone. Charge it, enable Do Not Disturb, and lock the screen in portrait orientation so the image does not rotate unexpectedly. An external battery pack is optional for a long broadcast. YouTube gives a rough estimate of about 1% phone battery per minute of streaming; actual drain varies by phone, signal, brightness, and other conditions. Its advice is not a device-specific guarantee. YouTube’s mobile live-streaming tips cover power and preparation.
- Open the live setup. In the YouTube app, tap Create, then Live. Select portrait orientation for a vertical stream, then enter the stream details and audience settings.
- Test before broadcasting publicly. Use the app’s private practice mode if available, or schedule an unlisted test. Check that the framing, sound, and internet connection are usable before you invite viewers.
- Start the stream and monitor it. Once live, check the preview and audio. A phone stand or tripod can help keep the portrait framing steady, but it is a convenience rather than a YouTube requirement.
How to create vertical and horizontal versions in YouTube Studio
YouTube’s Live Control Room can create horizontal 16:9 and vertical 9:16 versions of a stream at the same time. When using the Live Control Room workflow, YouTube creates both formats by default. The vertical version initially uses a center crop, so check whether the important subject remains in frame before going live. YouTube’s guide to vertical live streams explains the layouts and viewer experience.
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- In YouTube Studio, open Live Control Room and create or select the scheduled stream.
- Open the Manage tab and select the scheduled stream, then choose Edit layout.
- Choose a layout: Center crop, Fit to phone width, or Stacked. Use the canvas controls to adjust zoom and position.
- Review the vertical and horizontal previews, then save the layout before starting the broadcast.
YouTube says you cannot add the vertical format after a stream has started. Plan the layout before going live. With this shared-stream arrangement, horizontal and vertical viewers use the same live URL and chat, and YouTube sends one go-live notification. Viewers browsing the Shorts feed on mobile see the vertical version; other viewers see the horizontal version.
How to dual-stream with a third-party encoder
If you use an encoder, YouTube’s Live Control Room can direct a second, vertical output to a separate stream key. This is a setup for sending two correctly formatted feeds—not simply rotating one landscape feed after it reaches YouTube.
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- Open the stream in YouTube Studio’s Live Control Room and go to the Stream tab.
- In the vertical preview, open the Auto dropdown and select Encoder.
- Use the RTMP(S) protocol for third-party dual streaming, as YouTube instructs. Select the second stream key for the vertical version.
- Configure the encoder outputs so the horizontal feed goes to its corresponding key and the vertical feed goes to the second key. Confirm each preview shows the intended format before going live. YouTube’s vertical-stream instructions describe the dual-stream setup.
- Start the broadcast from YouTube Studio and check both previews and the mobile viewer experience.
Treat stream keys like passwords: YouTube describes them as the address and credential an encoder uses to send a feed. Do not share or publish them. If you suspect a key has been exposed, replace it in YouTube Studio and update the encoder with the new key. For general encoder streaming, YouTube’s encoder setup guide explains the stream settings and connection process.
Choose vertical, horizontal, or both
Vertical live is designed for full-screen mobile viewing and discovery in YouTube’s scrollable live feed while people browse Shorts. The vertical live feed is available in the YouTube app, but not currently on tablets. Scheduled live streams and Premieres do not appear in that feed. A dual-format stream can serve mobile Shorts-feed viewers with portrait video while retaining a landscape version for other viewers.
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| Consideration | Vertical live | Horizontal live |
|---|---|---|
| Shorts-feed discovery | Vertical live streams can appear while viewers browse Shorts in the YouTube app. | Does not provide the vertical-feed presentation. |
| Clickable links in chat and channel description | Not listed as a vertical live-feed feature by YouTube. | Listed by YouTube as a horizontal-stream feature. |
| Live ad pre-rolls and mid-rolls | Not listed as vertical live-feed features by YouTube. | Listed by YouTube as horizontal-stream features. |
| 4K bitrate broadcast | Not listed as a vertical live-feed feature by YouTube. | Listed by YouTube as a horizontal-stream feature. |
| Premieres and Live Redirect | Not listed as vertical live-feed features by YouTube; scheduled streams and Premieres do not appear in the vertical live feed. | Listed by YouTube as horizontal-stream features. |
| Memberships and gifted memberships | Listed for both formats; availability of some fan-funding features depends on eligibility. | Listed for both formats; availability of some fan-funding features depends on eligibility. |
These feature distinctions are from YouTube’s vertical live-stream comparison; availability and interface details can change. Choose vertical if mobile discovery and portrait framing are central to the broadcast. Prefer horizontal if your audience watches on desktop or TV, or if you rely on the features YouTube lists for horizontal streams. For a dual stream, check that a center crop or chosen layout does not cut off people, text, or essential action.
Connection and preflight checks
A stable connection and a preview test help prevent avoidable interruptions. YouTube recommends leaving bandwidth headroom: total stream bitrate should use no more than about 80% of available upload capacity, leaving the recommended 20% margin. This is guidance, not a guarantee that a connection will remain stable. See YouTube’s live-streaming tips and live encoder settings and bitrate guidance.
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- Check the channel’s eligibility and method-specific requirements before the stream day.
- Set portrait orientation and lock phone rotation for a direct mobile stream.
- Charge the phone; consider a power bank for a long mobile broadcast.
- Enable Do Not Disturb to reduce interruptions.
- Test upload capacity and leave bandwidth headroom for the full stream bitrate.
- Run an unlisted test to check video framing, sound, and connection quality.
- For dual streaming, inspect both previews and confirm each format is mapped to the correct stream key.
Copyright and channel-policy checks
Before broadcasting, make sure you have the rights to the video, music, and other material you plan to show. YouTube’s copyright guidance explains how copyright works on the platform. Live-streaming access can also be restricted; check YouTube’s live-streaming restrictions and policies if Studio blocks your stream or you have received a notice. An unlisted test checks your setup, but it does not grant rights to copyrighted material or guarantee that a public stream will avoid a later claim.
Common problems and fixes
- You cannot start a mobile live stream: Check channel verification, restrictions in the previous 90 days, the mobile subscriber minimum, device compatibility, and whether first-time activation is still pending.
- The stream appears sideways or rotates: Set the phone to portrait before starting and turn on rotation lock. Recheck the preview before broadcasting.
- The vertical crop cuts off the subject: In the Live Control Room’s Manage tab, edit the layout and adjust the crop, zoom, or position. Do this before going live, because YouTube says the vertical format cannot be added after the stream starts.
- The encoder sends the wrong orientation or only one format: Confirm the vertical preview is set to Encoder, the vertical feed uses the second stream key, and each output is mapped to its matching key. Preview both outputs before starting.
- The stream buffers or drops: Check upload capacity and network stability, reduce the encoder’s total bitrate if needed, and preserve YouTube’s recommended bandwidth headroom. Test again before restarting publicly.
- The phone runs low on power: Begin with a charged device, reduce avoidable power use, or connect an external battery pack. Actual battery life depends on the device and conditions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does YouTube’s vertical live feed work on tablets?
No. YouTube says the vertical live feed is available in the YouTube app but not currently on tablets.
Can a scheduled stream appear in the Shorts vertical live feed?
No. YouTube says scheduled live streams and Premieres do not appear in that feed.
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