How do I stream to Facebook Live? (setup, persistent stream key, and going live)

Yes — you can stream to Facebook Live directly from ScoreCam with your scoreboard embedded in the video. Three things trip most people up:

  • You must use a persistent stream key. Facebook's default key is single-use and expires after each broadcast, so a key that worked last time quietly stops working (you'll see a connection error or the stream won't start).
  • You press Go Live on Facebook's Live Producer web page, not in ScoreCam. ScoreCam only sends the video to Facebook — it does not open Live Producer and shows no “Go Live” or caption screen. No version of ScoreCam has ever done that.
  • You'll need a second device (a computer, tablet, or another phone) signed in to Facebook. ScoreCam has to stay open and streaming the whole time — if you leave the app, the stream stops — so you can't tap Start/Live in ScoreCam and click Go Live in Live Producer on the same iPhone.

Step 1 — Get a persistent stream key (one time):

  1. Open Safari on your iPhone (not the Facebook app).
  2. Go to facebook.com/live/producer.
  3. Tap the Page Menu button at the left end of the address bar, tap the More button, then tap Request Desktop Website (the persistent-key option only appears on the desktop layout). Apple explains this — and how to always use the desktop version of a site — in Customize your Safari settings.
  4. Log in to Facebook if prompted.
  5. Click Go live, then choose Streaming software (not the webcam/camera option).
  6. In the Stream key section, open Advanced settings and turn on Persistent stream key (or a similarly named option), then copy the key.
  7. In ScoreCam, choose the Facebook service (the Server URL is filled in for you) and paste the key into the Stream Key field.

Step 2 — Go live (each broadcast): You'll use two devices here — your iPhone running ScoreCam, and a second device for Facebook's page.

  1. On the second device (a computer, or another phone/tablet using Request Desktop Website), open Facebook Live Producer and set up your live video: add the title/caption and choose your audience. Leave the page open and do not press Go Live yet.
  2. On your iPhone, tap the Start/Live button in ScoreCam. ScoreCam begins sending your video to Facebook. Leave ScoreCam open and in the foreground.
  3. After a few seconds, Live Producer (on the second device) shows a preview of your ScoreCam feed and the Go Live button becomes active.
  4. Click Go Live in Facebook Live Producer to start broadcasting. To end, stop the broadcast in Producer and stop the stream in ScoreCam.

Troubleshooting:

  • It worked before but now errors / won't start: your key was a single-use key that expired — get a persistent key (Step 1).
  • “Go Live” never lights up on Facebook: that button only activates once Facebook detects your incoming video — start streaming from ScoreCam first, then it will light up. Also make sure you're on the desktop layout (Request Desktop Website).
  • Nothing pops up in ScoreCam when you tap Start: that's normal — Go Live and captions live on Facebook's page, not in the app.
  • Only have one device? You can't run ScoreCam and click Go Live on the same iPhone, because leaving ScoreCam stops the stream. Use a computer or a second phone/tablet for the Facebook Live Producer page — or use a multistreaming service like Restream (below), which removes the second-device requirement.
  • Personal profile vs. Page: the stream key differs between them. Switch to the correct destination in Facebook (top-right account switcher) before copying the key.
  • Your Facebook account must be in good standing — recent community violations can temporarily block live streaming.

Alternative — use a multistreaming service (simpler, and reach more than just Facebook): Instead of Facebook's own stream key, you can point ScoreCam at a multistreaming service that relays your video to Facebook — and to YouTube, Twitch, and more at the same time. In ScoreCam, add a live-stream account, choose Other / Custom, and paste the RTMP Server URL and Stream Key the service gives you. Then add Facebook as a destination inside that service's dashboard.

  • Restream has a free plan: multistream to 2 destinations at up to 720p, with a small Restream watermark. Paid plans remove the watermark and add 1080p and more destinations.
  • Castr is a similar service but no longer has a free tier — just a 7-day trial, then paid plans (starting around $20/month).

Why this is easier: a service like Restream removes the two-device hassle. You connect Facebook (and any other destinations) in the Restream dashboard once — which you can do ahead of time on any device, even the same phone before you open ScoreCam — and set your title. After that, just start streaming from ScoreCam: Restream detects the incoming video and goes live to Facebook automatically, with no Live Producer step and no persistent-key setup. (A few destinations like Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube with auto-start turned off still need a manual “Go Live,” but Facebook does not.)

Full walkthrough: Facebook Live setup guide.

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