Discord is a VoIP client that offers many features for gamers, including the ability to stream your game. There are several ways you can go live in Discord, and the “Go Live” option is designed specifically for gaming.
In this article, we’ll show you how to Go Live on Discord to stream your game live on Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone. And, since Go Live only works for games, we’ll also cover how you can share your screen or stream a non-game app.
Table of Contents
How to go live on Discord on Windows or Mac
To use the “Go Live” functionality on Discord, you will need three things: a Discord account, a standalone Discord app, and access to a Discord server. Remember that you can only share your screen via the Discord app, not through a web browser.
To Go Live on Discord on Windows or Mac, follow these six steps:
- Make sure the game you want to play is in the background, then open Discord.
- Import servants by selecting its icon in the sidebar.
- Import voice channel by clicking on it. Anyone in this channel can see your stream.
- Below the channel list, there should be a banner showing the game you’re playing. Select the icon that looks like a on-screen video recorder. If not here, see how to add games manually below.
- Choose your screen resolution and frames per second (FPS) and choose Not up yet.
- A window will now appear inside Discord showing your live stream. At this point, any user in the same channel as you will be able to watch your live stream.
You can end the stream by selecting Stop streaming in the banner below the channel list. The icon looks like a screen with x inside the screen.
Note: To stream at 1080p or higher or 60 FPS, you must be a Discord Nitro subscriber.
How to add games to discord
If Discord doesn’t automatically recognize your game, it won’t give you a “Go Live” option. In this case, you can manually add the game as follows:
- Option Setting (the gear icon with your name at the bottom of the channel list).
- Option Operation Status from the sidebar.
- You’ll see a banner that says “No games detected”. Below this, select Add it!
- In the drop-down box, select the game you want to stream and select More games. You must have the game installed in the background for it to appear in the drop-down menu.
- You can now Go Live on Discord.
How to Stream Any App on Discord
As we mentioned, one of the main limitations of the “Go Live” functionality in Discord is that you cannot stream anything other than the game. Luckily, Discord has the usual screen sharing functionality that you can use for these.
- Join a voice channel by clicking on it.
- At the bottom of the channel list, select Screen.
- In the pop-up window, select the monitor or app you want to stream.
- Set channel, resolution and frames per second, then select Not up yet.
- Your stream will now appear as a window inside Discord.
You will now share your screen with anyone in the same voice channel. If screen sharing doesn’t work, try these Discord screen sharing fixes.
Note: If you share a screen, rather than a specific app (like a game), Discord won’t stream any audio coming from that app. See our guide on how to troubleshoot audio issues in your Discord stream.
How to go live on Discord on iPhone or Android
Discord also offers screen sharing for iPhone and Android users. Fortunately, the process is essentially identical for both devices. To share your screen, follow these steps:
- Open Discord application. If you haven’t already, download it from Google Play Store or apple store.
- Swipe left to access the server list and tap icon of a server join it.
- Click a voice channel to enter it.
- In the pop-up, select Join by voice. Allow Discord to access your microphone if requested.
- Choose screen sharing at the end of the channel. It looks like a cell phone with an arrow leaving it.
- Option Try it out! if instigated. If you have used this function before, skip this step.
- Option Start now.
You are now sharing your screen with anyone in the same voice channel. To stop streaming, simply select Stop sharing.
It’s easy to go live on Discord
Streaming games on Discord is a great way to share your experience with friends, especially if you don’t want to use a public streaming service like Twitch. So now that you know how to Go Live on Discord, what are you going to stream? Let us know in the comments section!
