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How to Stream to TikTok LIVE Using Castr

Learn how to connect Castr to TikTok LIVE using a stream key from TikTok LIVE Center, including requirements and troubleshooting tips.

Written by Nhu Lam
Updated this week

Streaming to TikTok LIVE from Castr

You can use Castr to stream to TikTok LIVE by adding TikTok as a custom RTMP destination. TikTok does not have a direct API integration like YouTube or Facebook — you'll need to get a stream key from TikTok LIVE Center and paste it into Castr manually.

TikTok LIVE Requirements

Before you can go live on TikTok, your account must meet these requirements:

  • Age: You must be at least 18 years old to host a LIVE stream on TikTok

  • Followers: You need at least 1,000 followers on your TikTok account

  • Account standing: Your account must be in good standing (no active community guidelines violations)

If you don't meet these requirements, TikTok will not give you access to LIVE features or stream keys.

How to Get Your TikTok Stream Key

  1. Go to TikTok LIVE Center in your browser and log in with your TikTok account

  2. Once logged in, you'll see your Server URL and Stream Key

  3. Copy both values — you'll need them in Castr

Important: TikTok stream keys are typically temporary and may not work across multiple sessions. For best results, generate a fresh stream key from TikTok LIVE Center before each broadcast and update it in Castr. If your stream fails to connect, an expired key is the most common cause.

How to Set Up TikTok in Castr

  1. In your Castr dashboard, open your stream and go to Destinations

  2. Click Add Destination → Custom → RTMP

  3. Paste the Server URL from TikTok LIVE Center into the URL field

  4. Paste the Stream Key into the key field

  5. Save the destination

  6. Start your stream from your encoder (OBS, vMix, etc.) to Castr, then toggle on the TikTok destination

  • Resolution: 1080p (1920×1080) or 720p (1280×720)

  • Frame rate: 30 fps

  • Video bitrate: 2,500–4,000 Kbps

  • Video codec: H.264

  • Audio codec: AAC at 128 Kbps or higher

  • Keyframe interval: 2 seconds

TikTok requires both a video and audio track. If your stream has no audio (e.g., from an IP camera), you'll need to add a silent audio track in your encoder before streaming. See Audio Requirements for Streaming to Social Platforms for instructions.

Troubleshooting

  • Stream key not working: TikTok keys are temporary and may have expired. Go back to TikTok LIVE Center, generate a fresh key, and update it in Castr

  • "LIVE access not available": Your TikTok account doesn't meet the minimum requirements (1,000+ followers, age 18+, good standing). There is no workaround — you must meet TikTok's eligibility criteria

  • Stream connects but viewers see nothing: Make sure your encoder is sending both video and audio. TikTok may reject video-only streams

  • Poor quality on TikTok: Use CBR (Constant Bit Rate) in your encoder, keep bitrate at 2,500+ Kbps, and set keyframe interval to 2 seconds

Tips

  • Portrait vs landscape: TikTok is primarily a mobile platform. For maximum engagement, consider streaming in portrait mode (9:16 aspect ratio, e.g., 1080×1920). However, landscape (16:9) also works

  • Always grab a fresh key before streaming: Since TikTok keys are temporary, make it part of your pre-stream checklist to get a new key from TikTok LIVE Center

  • Multistreaming: With Castr, you can stream to TikTok and other platforms (YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, etc.) simultaneously from a single encoder feed

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