Guides

How to multistream from your phone (IRL): Moblin, IRL Pro, BELABOX and Larix

Short answer: Can I multistream from my phone? Yes. Pick A phone in the setup guide, choose Moblin, IRL Pro, BELABOX, Larix or another app that sends SRT, and add your platforms. Your phone uploads one stream and Multistream sends a copy to each platform.

Streaming outside, from a walk, a trip or an event, only needs your phone and a streaming app. To be on several platforms at once, you don't need to run a stream for each one on your phone: the app sends one stream to Multistream, and Multistream sends a copy to every platform you add.

This guide covers four phone apps: Moblin (iPhone), IRL Pro (Android), BELABOX (a small box with several SIM cards) and Larix Broadcaster (iPhone and Android). The steps are the same for any platform Multistream supports, and sign-up is free.

Which app should you use?

Moblin is the easiest on an iPhone: it is free and sets itself up from a QR code, so there is nothing to type. IRL Pro is the Android choice. BELABOX is for a camera with several modems. Larix Broadcaster works on iPhone and Android and sends over one connection (plain SRT), which is simple but has no second connection to fall back on.

Moblin, IRL Pro and BELABOX can also send over mobile data and Wi-Fi at the same time (called bonding, over SRTLA), so one weak signal doesn't stop the stream. Bonding comes with Pro.

Set it up in five steps

  1. Create your free Multistream account.
  2. In the Studio's setup guide, on Where do your viewers watch you?, click Add a platform and add each one you want to go live on.
  3. On What do you stream with?, pick A phone, then pick your app.
  4. Connect the app. It depends on which one you picked:
    • Moblin: install it, then scan the QR code with your iPhone's camera (or tap the button if you are already on your iPhone). Moblin adds a stream called Multistream.
    • IRL Pro and BELABOX: the setup guide shows the address and fields to paste into a new connection in the app.
    • Larix Broadcaster: add a new connection in Larix, paste the SRT address from the setup guide, and set the video codec to H.264.
  5. Start the stream in your app. In Moblin, tap the cogwheel, then Streams, turn on the switch next to Multistream (it is off at first), go back to the camera and tap the red Go live button.
  6. Your stream shows in the Studio within a few seconds and goes out to every platform you added.

The address carries your stream key, which works like a password: never show it on stream.

Keep the app on its camera screen

Phone apps stop sending when you leave their camera screen, so keep your app open and in front while you are live. If you switch to another app, lock the phone or leave the camera screen, it stops sending and your viewers get a BRB screen. BELABOX is the exception: it is a box with no screen to leave, so it keeps sending on its own while it is on.

To watch your stream or end it, open the Phone streaming page on a second phone, a tablet or a computer.

What if the signal drops?

Walk into a dead zone and disconnect protection shows your BRB screen on your platforms, so your stream doesn't end. It carries on when the signal is back. Pro adds bonding, so mobile data and Wi-Fi back each other up first.

Settings to use in your phone app

Moblin's QR code sets all of this for you. In another app, use H.264 for the video (phones often pick HEVC, which most platforms can't take through Multistream), 1920×1080 at 30 fps, about 5,000 kbps with adaptive bitrate on, a keyframe every 2 seconds, and AAC audio. If the picture stutters on a weak signal, raise the SRT latency from 2,000 ms to 3,000 or 4,000 ms, or drop to 1280×720.

Questions, answered

Can I multistream from my phone?

Yes. Pick A phone in the setup guide, choose Moblin, IRL Pro, BELABOX, Larix or another app that sends SRT, and add your platforms. Your phone uploads one stream and Multistream sends a copy to each platform.

Which phone app is the easiest to set up?

Moblin on iPhone: scan the QR code and it adds the stream for you. IRL Pro is the Android choice, and Larix works on both.

Can I use mobile data and Wi-Fi together?

Yes, with Pro. Moblin, IRL Pro and BELABOX can bond several connections at once over SRTLA. Larix sends over one connection.

Why did my stream stop when I switched apps?

Phone apps stop sending when you leave their camera screen. Keep the app open on its camera screen while you are live. BELABOX is the exception.

What happens if I lose signal?

Your platforms show your BRB screen and the stream carries on when the signal is back.

Create your account · Get the free app

More guides