How to open a live room on Instagram

Some time ago, Instagram introduced a feature called Live Room that allows you to post a live video to your feed, which is a great way to announce something or even create a vlog right from the app. Another useful element is that you can also have up to three other members, and all of them will appear on the video. Want to start an impromptu video shoot? Here’s how it’s done.

Isn’t it just a video call?

Not really. While you’ll be able to see and chat with your friends, Instagram Live Rooms are meant to be streamed. This means that your followers will be able to view the feed and comment on it. So if your Zoom call is private, the Instagram Live Room is public. This is useful to remember before you start talking about a work colleague you don’t like or a mutual friend you’re secretly in love with.

Setting up an Instagram Live Room for yourself

Starting an Instagram Live Room is very easy. Here’s what to do.

Open the Instagram app and swipe right.

In the options bar at the bottom (Post, Story, Reel, Live), scroll to Live.

On the left side of the main panel, tap the icon header option, give your Live Room a name and tap Add title.

Click the Live button (white circle with a red circle in the middle) to start your live broadcast.

Instagram will now notify your followers that your Live Room is active and they can watch the broadcast from their Instagram apps.

On the right side of the screen, you will see several different icons that allow you to share the photo in the feed, mute the microphone or camera, and apply any filters. If you want to end a call, tap X in the upper right corner.

Set up and Instagram Live Room for multiple people

If you want other people in your Live Room, then the process is pretty much the same as setting it up for yourself.

Follow the steps above to launch Live Room.

Foundry

At the bottom of the screen, tap the icon showing the outline of a person’s head and shoulders with an arrow to their right. A search menu will open where you need to enter the Instagram account name of the people you want to join you during the call. When you find them, tap the icon Invite button.

Now just wait for other members to accept the invitation and they will appear on your livestream.

To learn more about how to get the most out of the social media platform, check out how to add music to your Instagram stories, how to download photos from Instagram, and how to find out who unfollowed you on Instagram.