DJI Live BridgeHow to go live on Instagram with a DJI drone
Instagram Live accepts streams from streaming software. Open instagram.com → Create (+) → Live video, copy the stream URL and stream key into DJI Live Bridge, send the drone's picture from DJI Fly to the app, press START LIVE, and finally press Go live on Instagram. Instagram gives a new key for every broadcast.
In short
- Instagram's stream URL and key come from instagram.com on a computer: Create (+) → Live video.
- The key is single-use: update it before every broadcast with “Update key” on the destination card.
- Instagram expects vertical video; the app sends 1080×1920, 30 fps, H.264 with 2-second keyframes.
- The broadcast is public only after you press Go live on Instagram itself.
- You can send the same picture to TikTok, YouTube or Facebook at the same time.
What you need
- A DJI drone whose DJI Fly app offers RTMP under Live Streaming Platforms.
- DJI Live Bridge on a Mac or Windows PC, on the same Wi-Fi or hotspot as the controller.
- An Instagram account that shows Live video under Create on instagram.com. If it does not, Instagram has not given that account the option yet.
Go live on Instagram, step by step
- Connect the droneIn DJI Fly open GO FLY → ••• → Transmission → Live Streaming Platforms → RTMP, enter the address DJI Live Bridge shows and start. The preview appears in the app.
- Create the live video on InstagramOn instagram.com click Create (+) → Live video, give it a title, choose the audience and continue.
- Copy the stream URL and keyInstagram shows a Stream URL (like
rtmps://edgetee-upload-….fbcdn.net:443/rtmp/) and a Stream key. Paste both into an Instagram destination in DJI Live Bridge. - Press START LIVELeave Vertical 9:16 on. Within a few seconds Instagram's window shows the drone's picture as a preview.
- Press Go live on InstagramOnly now do your followers see the broadcast. To finish, end it on Instagram and press End stream in the app.
Next time, open a new live video on Instagram and use Update key on the destination card: the old key no longer works.
Settings Instagram expects
| Setting | DJI Live Bridge |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080×1920 (vertical 9:16) |
| Frame rate | 30 fps |
| Video | H.264 High, 6 Mbps CBR |
| Keyframes | Every 2 seconds |
| Protocol | RTMPS (encrypted) |
The drone films in landscape. Whole picture keeps the full frame and fills the space above and below with a blurred copy of it; Fill screen crops the sides to fill the phone screen.
Common problems
- Connection failed right away: the key was already used. Open a new live video on Instagram and update the key.
- Instagram's preview stays black: wait a few seconds after START LIVE; if it stays black, check that the app's preview shows the drone.
- Followers cannot see the live: press Go live on Instagram — receiving the stream is not the same as publishing it.
- No Live video under Create: the account does not have the option on the web yet; this is decided by Instagram.
Questions
Can I go live on Instagram from a DJI drone?
Yes. DJI Fly sends RTMP to DJI Live Bridge on your computer, and the app forwards it to Instagram with the stream URL and key from instagram.com.
Why does Instagram ask for a new stream key every time?
Instagram issues a fresh key for each live video. Update it in the app with Update key before every broadcast.
Can I stream to Instagram and TikTok at the same time?
Yes. Enable both destinations; the picture is encoded once and sent to each. Both expect vertical video, so one setting suits both.
Do I need OBS?
No. DJI Live Bridge sends the stream to Instagram directly; OBS is optional.
Is the drone's sound included?
By default the audio DJI Fly sends is passed on. You can also pick a microphone on the computer for commentary, or mute the stream.
Try it with your drone
DJI Live Bridge is free and open source, for macOS and Windows. FFmpeg is built in, so there is nothing else to install.
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