Discover how to join someone’s LIVE on Tiktok

People can form real connections on social media, and it goes way beyond interacting with posts. You might be itching to meet the people you follow IRL (you’re not the only one who’s bought tickets to a K-Pop concert for this reason). But if you can’t see your favorite content creators in person, TikTok LIVE lets you interact in real-time.

Anyone can watch a LIVE, but joining a LIVE is a different story. Watching a LIVE is as easy as clicking on an icon when you see a TikToker going LIVE. But if you want to join a LIVE – as in, co-host with a creator – you need them to invite you. Below we’ll explain how to join someone’s LIVE on TikTok and troubleshoot the roadblocks you might face.

What are TikTok LIVEs?

TikTok LIVEs are livestreams. When a creator goes live, TikTok posts a live feed of what they’re doing in real time. A LIVE can follow a creator making a new LEGO set, hosting a Q&A session, or going through their regular afternoon. TikTok users can enjoy their favorite creators with no filters.

Well, there are a few filters for this format. To participate in a LIVE as a creator or a co-host, you must:

• Be at least 16 years or older
• Have a minimum of 1,000 followers
• Have an account in good standing according to TikTok's Community Guidelines

If you don’t meet these eligibility requirements, you won’t be able to host or join a LIVE. That said, if you want to tune in to watch your favorite TikTok creators chat or perform live, anyone – regardless of their follower count or account status – can do so.

How do you request to join someone's LIVE on TikTok?

If you meet the eligibility requirements for co-hosting LIVEs, you can request to join a feed in progress. When you join as a co-host, TikTok will show viewers the original live feed and your live feed on top of each other. Here’s how to join someone's live on TikTok as a guest.

1. Open the TikTok app.
2. Click on “LIVE” in the top-left corner of the screen. You will be able to scroll through LIVEs. If you already know who you want to watch, find someone’s TikTok LIVE with the search bar on the Discover page.
3. Once you find the LIVE you want to join, click on the Multi-Guest Request icon.
4. Tap the Request button if you want to go live with this creator. If the creator accepts, you’ll go LIVE with them right away.

A quick tip: if you have your heart set on joining a specific LIVE, let the creator know before you request. They may be more likely to accept if they know you want to join, or at least know who you are. Joining a friend’s LIVE is easy, but a famous creator probably won’t let you join.

How do LIVE invitations work?

If a creator wants to send some love your way, they might invite you to join a LIVE before you even make a request. The catch? If you get an invite, you only have 20 seconds to accept it.

Remember that creators usually invite people they already know – not strangers – to participate. It’s unlikely that an influential creator, for example, will choose someone from the crowd to join them. Here’s what to do if you receive an invite:

1. Open the TikTok app.
2. Tap the notification icon in the top-right corner of the main screen. You’ll find the invite in your list of recent notifications.
3. Tap “Join LIVE” to join the stream. You’ll get access instantaneously, so make sure you’re ready.
4. Leave the LIVE at any time by tapping on the “Leave LIVE” button.

If you’re going and want to invite someone to join, you can send them a quick invite. Once you know how to go live on TikTok, follow these steps to invite someone else:

1. Log into your TikTok account and click on the + sign.
2. Tap on LIVE. Before the broadcast starts, add filters, change the speed of the video or flip your camera’s orientation.
3. Tap “Go Live.” It’ll start after a brief countdown.
4. To invite someone to join, tap on the half-circles icon in the screen's bottom-left corner. Then tap on “Invite” next to the username of the user you’d like to invite.
5. The user will have 20 seconds to accept your request.

2 reasons why you might not be able to join someone’s LIVE on TikTok

If you meet the requirements to co-host a LIVE but haven’t been able to, there could be a couple of reasons.

1. A creator might have the “Friends Only” setting on. You won’t be able to access a LIVE unless you’re in this group.
2. A creator could reject your request because they don’t recognize your username or know you in real life. If you want to start joining LIVEs, you might have to catch their attention.

Want to stand out? Here’s how to show creators you care

You can increase your chances of getting LIVE invites by showing enthusiasm and participating in LIVEs in other ways. Here’s what you could do:

• Send the creator a virtual gift during their live stream, like roses, fire, stars and applause. Simply tap on the “Gifts” icon and choose the item you want to send.
• Comment during the LIVE and let the creator know how much you love their content. Keep in mind that everyone watching will be able to see this comment.
• Get a TikTok LIVE subscription. This is a great workaround if you haven’t received an invite to join a LIVE. With this monthly subscription, you can view live content anytime and access a subscriber-only chat. You’ll also get a unique badge and a set of custom emojis.

So buckle up to feature in a TikTok LIVE!