How to stream on Facebook using phone

On Friday, Facebook announced that it will roll out its live video streaming service, Facebook Live, to Android users over the course of this week.

The rollout to Android will kick off with users in the U.S., but Facebook says it will hit other countries within the coming weeks.

Facebook Live, which allows Facebook mobile users to broadcast live video via the Facebook app on their smartphone, launched on iOS in the U.S. at the beginning of February.

Despite the feature hitting iOS first, Facebook says that more than 50 percent of people watching live videos are using Android devices to do so. Now, Android users will be able to get in on the action and create and broadcast their own live videos.

Update May 24, 2016: Facebook Live has been updated to allow for Continuous Live Video for example nature feeds. It now also allows broadcasters to limit their videos to a certain location and age group with geo- and age-gating. When watching a replay of a Facebook Live video, users will now be able to see when theengagement was at its highest so they can jump to the best bits of the video.

How to share a live video via Facebook Live for Android

1. Tap Whats on your mind? at the top of your News Feed in your Facebook app.
2. Tap the Live Video icon (person icon with a broadcast signal around the head).
3. Write a description for your video (optional).
4. Choose an audience for your video, Public, Friends etc.
5. Tap Go Live and start your live broadcast.
6. When you are done with your broadcast, tap Finish.
7. Note: the maximum time limit for a Facebook Live video is 30 minutes.

To help you create the best possible live video, take a look at our Facebook Live Tips and Tricks, including pointers on how to build anticipation for your live broadcast, write a captivating description for your video, how to get more subscribers, and more.

During your Facebook Live broadcast, you will be able to see the total number of live viewers, the names of Facebook friends who are watching your live broadcast, and respond in real-time to comments from your audience.

Once you end your live broadcast, the video is automatically saved to your Facebook Timeline just like a normal video. You can then choose to delete the video or keep it on your timeline to that your friends can watch it later.

Ifduring your live broadcast, you find yourself the victim of a troll or simply do not like a viewers comments you can go ahead and block that viewer from your broadcast. To block a viewer, tap their profile picture next to their comment and tap Block.

Live videos shared by your friends and public figures you follow will show up right in your News Feed. To get a notification when someone you follow goes live with a broadcast, tap the Subscribe button while watching one of their live videos.

If you are using Facebook to market your brand or business, Facebook Live is also available for verified pages.

Image credits: Main image: Alexas_Fotos via Pixabay; Facebook Live for Android screen via Facebook