Mobile Streaming Issues

Check out this guide on how to solve issues while streaming from your phone.

Paul avatar
Written by Paul
Updated over a week ago

Streaming Requirements for Mobile

When using Restream Studio:

  • For Android devices, please use Google Chrome.

  • For iOS devices, please opt for Safari.

  • Older Android and iOS versions like iPhone 6, Android 4, and similar are not supported.


Common Issues with Mobile Streaming

The stream doesn't connect to Restream from the mobile broadcaster

  • Quite often, when the stream doesn't connect to Restream at all when using a mobile broadcasting app, it's due to how the RTMP URL and stream key are being entered into the application.


    Some broadcasters require the RTMP URL and stream key to be merged into one line like below and entered into a single field. To achieve this, obtain your URL and stream key from your Restream Dashboard, and combine them with a "/" in the middle like this:


    rtmp://live.restream.io/live/re_1234567_1234x5x67xx8x91xx234

  • However, for several popular mobile broadcasters, the RTMP URL and stream key need to be entered separately. So, if you just paste the mobile link into those fields with both the URL and key merged, the settings are incorrect and your stream will not connect.


    A great example of this is one of the recommended mobile apps: StreamLabs Mobile.

    StreamLabs Mobile Settings

    In this case, the RTMP URL and Key must be entered separately as found on your Restream Dashboard.

    RTMP settings for Restream
  • If the RTMP URL and stream key are entered incorrectly for your selected software, but the stream still doesn't connect to Restream, please contact our support and provide us with the following information:

    • Are you connecting over WiFi or trying to use the mobile data network?

    • Do you have active internet service available to you through a mobile device at the moment?


Lags, buffering, or choppy video on the end platform

  • When experiencing poor stream quality or video issues when streaming over a mobile device, more often than not it's a problem with the network connection.


    Our streaming recommendations always include suggestions to connect over a hardwired network when possible. This is for a couple of reasons:

    • Wireless connections are prone to interference from other wireless devices that are using the same wireless frequency.

    • Available bandwidth is constantly fluctuating and is affected by external factors of location, interference, number of other wireless devices connected, and more.

    Streaming over a mobile data network is never recommended. Most mobile data networks will throttle the available bandwidth for the device to a low amount.


    Additionally, most mobile data networks have a maximum amount of data that can be used in a certain time period, once that cap is reached further throttling happens.


    If you choose to stream via mobile, the lack of a stable hardwire connection may unavoidably cause network issues.


Mobile stream does not connect to YouTube

  • Mobile streams will not connect to YouTube unless your channel is verified and you have at least 1000 subscribers.


    YouTube has a requirement that only allows channels with 1000+ subscribers to be able to stream from a mobile encoder to their platform. This is YouTube's requirement and is not controlled by Restream. You can read more from YouTube here.

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