How to go live on Instagram and save your broadcasts

The best way to grow your Instagram following is to continually provide updates and interact with your audience. Instagram Live, which is basically a watered-down form of the livestreaming we see on Twitch and YouTube, allows you to directly interact with viewers whenever you want. In fact, many music artists use the platform to broadcast things like live DJ sets and small performances. Let’s go over how to go live on Instagram.

Read more: How to make a Reel on Instagram

Going live on Instagram is a simple and easy way to share more of your life with your followers. People can comment and converse with you in real-time, and you can save your broadcast for viewing later on your profile.

To get started, open the Instagram mobile app for Android and iOS. Go to the Instagram camera by pressing Your story or swiping left on the home screen.

At the bottom of the Instagram camera, there is an options bar. You can choose POST, STORY, REEL, or LIVE; press LIVE. Tap the Start Live Video button in the middle of the capture button to go live and begin your broadcast.

To end your broadcast, tap the X button in the top right.

How to go live with someone on Instagram

Start an Instagram Live by opening the Instagram camera from the home screen, tapping Live from the bottom options, then tapping the capture button.

When another user starts watching your broadcast, they can “send a request to be in your live video.” If you accept, they will start their own broadcast and appear alongside you. Alternatively, if they don’t want to request to be in your broadcast, you can invite them from your own stream.

When someone requests to be in your live video, you can go live with them by tapping the button at the bottom of the interface that looks like a camcorder with a plus in the middle. Press the blue Accept button next to their request, then Go live with [insert their username here].

Once you do this, their camera will activate and they will go live alongside you.

How to hide comments on Instagram Live

Whether you are going live yourself or watching someone else’s live broadcast, the comments and messages can pile up. When it gets to the point where you can’t handle all of that input, or if you simply don’t want to see other people chatting with each other underneath your video, you can always turn off commenting.

On your own broadcast

After you have gone live, tap the ᐧᐧᐧ button in the Add a comment… field at the bottom.

A menu will pop up from the bottom of the screen. Press Turn off commenting.

Viewers will no longer be able to comment on your broadcast.

When watching others’ broadcasts

Instagram used to allow users to turn off the comments on other peoples’ broadcasts. However, this feature has since been disabled.

How to save Instagram Lives

After you end a live broadcast, you can save it to your device. Of course, you could always download all of your information through Settings, but there’s an easier way to download your broadcasts after the fact.

When you end your live broadcast, press the View In Live Archive button. Find your latest video and then press it to open it into fullscreen.

Press the Download button at the very bottom to download it to your device.

Yes, as long as they saved it and posted it after it ended. If they haven’t done that, then you won’t be able to view their live broadcast.

How long can you go live on Instagram?

You can go live on Instagram for up to a maximum of four hours.

Can you go live on Instagram from a laptop?

Unfortunately not. You can view other people’s streams, but you cannot go live on your own profile from a laptop.

Can you play music on Instagram Live?

This is tricky, as playing copyrighted music can result in broadcast limitations and stoppage. That said, live performances are allowed.

Can you do a three-way Instagram Live?

Yes. To do this, you must use Live Rooms.