To go live on Facebook and Instagram at the same time, connect both destinations to Restream and start your broadcast in Restream Studio. Then open Instagram Live Producer, check the preview and click Go Live there too. Starting a Facebook broadcast alone does not start an Instagram Live.

Check your accounts before you begin

Instagram requires a public account with at least 1,000 followers. This desktop workflow also needs a Professional account with Live Producer access. Use a fresh Instagram stream key for each broadcast and keep its Live Producer tab open.

Facebook requires an account at least 60 days old; Pages and professional-mode profiles also need at least 100 followers. Restream’s Free plan supports two eligible destinations with branding. Facebook Pages and Groups require a paid plan.

Restream is a multistreaming service that allows you to stream to multiple channels at once. All you have to do is link your Facebook, Instagram, or other accounts with Restream. Then, you can go live from your web browser using Restream Studio or integrate Restream with your favorite encoding software, like OBS.

How to stream to Facebook and Instagram at the same time with Restream Studio

Before we begin, make sure you have a Facebook and Instagram account that you can use. Now, let’s set them up with Restream.

  1. Sign up for a Restream account and log in.
  2. Click Channels on the right side of your home screen, then click Add New.
    1. For Facebook: Click the Facebook Live icon and select whether you want to connect your Profile or a Page you manage and authorize the connection. For a Group, choose Group and paste its stream key from Facebook Live Producer. After the feed appears in Facebook’s preview, click Go Live there.
    2. For Instagram: Click the Instagram icon, then open instagram.com on a new tab on your desktop.
      1. Streaming to Instagram from your desktop requires a Professional Instagram account—follow the steps here to set one up for free.
      2. Click the Create button and select Live Video from the drop-down menu.
      3. Enter the title of your live video and select your audience - practice for private streams, public for your followers to watch, and close friends for close friends only.
      4. Click Next and copy the stream key you’ll see. (Note: The stream key is not permanent. It will refresh for every stream.)
      5. Keep the Instagram open and go back to Restream.
      6. Enter your Instagram username and paste the stream key in the relevant fields.
      7. Click Add Channel to confirm.
Stream to Facebook and Instagram at the same time with Restream Studio.
  1. Once your channels are ready, click New Stream on Restream’s home screen.
  2. Select Restream Studio to stream to Facebook and Instagram at the same time from your browser.
  3. Click the button to allow Restream to access your mic/cam, fill in your name, and enter Studio.
  4. Inside the Studio, you can set up your stream based on your preferences:
    1. Use Scenes on your left to build up the different sections of your stream.
    2. Use the menu on your right to customize your feed with graphics or music.
Restream Studio (Scenes)
  1. Click the pencil icon in the top-left corner to fill in your stream’s title.
  2. Then, click + Channels and toggle on Facebook and Instagram.
  3. Finally, click Go Live.
    1. Facebook Profiles and Pages connect through the integration. For a Group, check Facebook Live Producer and click Go Live manually.
    2. For Instagram, go back to the Instagram tab; within a few seconds, you'll see a preview of your stream. Click Go Live in Instagram’s Live Producer to start the broadcast there, too, and keep that tab open for the duration of your stream.
Instagram’s Live Producer.
  1. To end your live video smoothly, stop the stream on Live Producer first, then end it on Restream. If you do the opposite, the live video will continue while displaying the last frame received from Restream.

FAQs

Can I stream to Facebook and Instagram at the same time?

Yes. Connect Facebook and Instagram to Restream, start the broadcast, then confirm Go Live in Instagram Live Producer. You need a public Instagram account with 1,000 or more followers, Professional status and Live Producer access. A linked Facebook and Instagram account alone does not enable simultaneous broadcasting.

Does my Instagram stream need to be vertical?

Portrait mode is recommended for a mobile audience. Restream Studio can also center a landscape feed for Instagram. If you use OBS or Zoom instead, a horizontal feed can be cropped, so test the Instagram preview. Studio dual-format streaming on Professional and higher plans supports separate horizontal and vertical layouts.

Why do I need a new stream key for every Instagram stream?

Instagram assigns a unique stream key for each live broadcast. This means that the stream key is not permanent and will refresh every time you open the Instagram Live Producer - that’s why keeping the Instagram tab open once you generate your key is essential. Whenever you create a new broadcast, update your key on Restream before you go live.

Wrap-up

When you stream to Facebook and Instagram at the same time you expand your reach to both desktop and mobile viewers. Thanks to Restream, you can set up and manage your production from a single place, eliminating the need for additional software. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to connect with your audience like never before. Ready to go live? Sign up for Restream today and start multistreaming like a pro!