How to live stream from a drone (step by step, 2026)

By Taner Özel · Updated November 8, 2026

To live stream from a drone, turn on RTMP in the drone’s app (in DJI Fly: GO FLY → ••• → Transmission → Live Streaming Platforms → RTMP) and send the picture to a receiver such as Stream My Drone on a phone or computer on the same Wi-Fi. The receiver forwards it to YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitch or Kick, several at once.

DJI Fly asks for a microphone on your RC 2 and won’t start the stream? Fix it without buying a mic →

How to live stream from a drone in 5 steps

1. Check that your drone app offers RTMPIn DJI Fly, open GO FLY → ••• → Transmission → Live Streaming Platforms. If RTMP is listed, your drone, controller and app version can stream. Older DJI drones use DJI GO 4, which has a similar custom RTMP option.
2. Install a receiver on a second deviceInstall Stream My Drone on an Android phone, iPhone, Mac or Windows PC. With a screen controller such as the DJI RC 2, any phone can receive. With an RC-N2 or RC-N3, DJI Fly already runs on your phone, so receive on a second phone or a computer.
3. Put both devices on the same networkJoin the controller (or the phone running DJI Fly) and the receiver to the same Wi-Fi, or turn on the receiving phone’s hotspot. Guest Wi-Fi usually stops devices from reaching each other.
4. Enter the RTMP address in DJI FlyStream My Drone shows an address such as rtmp://192.168.1.20:1935/drone. Type it into DJI Fly’s RTMP screen and tap Start Livestream; the drone picture appears in the app within a few seconds.
5. Add your platforms and go liveAdd YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitch, Kick or a custom RTMP server with its stream URL and key, switch on the ones you want and start the broadcast. On Instagram and Facebook, also press Go live on the platform’s own page.

Watch the 1-minute setup

Menu names differ slightly between DJI Fly versions. The full walkthrough with screenshots is in the DJI Fly RTMP setup guide.

What you need to live stream from a drone

• A drone and controller with RTMP: most current DJI Fly drones, such as the Mini 3, Mini 4 Pro, Mini 5 Pro, Air 3, Air 3S, Mavic 3, Mavic 4 Pro, Neo, Flip and Avata 2 (with Goggles 3 and a phone).
• A receiving device: an Android phone (Android 9 or newer), an iPhone, a Mac or a Windows 10/11 PC.
• Internet with a steady upload: home Wi-Fi for practice, a 4G or 5G phone hotspot in the field.
• A platform account that may go live: YouTube must enable live streaming on the channel first (up to 24 hours), and TikTok gives stream keys only to some accounts.
• On a DJI RC 2: a USB-C microphone, or the virtual Bluetooth microphone in the Android app, because DJI Fly 1.16+ will not start without one.
• Power: streaming drains the controller and the phone faster than flying alone; bring a power bank.

See it on your phoneFrom the DJI Fly connection to a broadcast on several platforms, all on one screen.

Get it on Google PlayDownload on the App Store

4 ways to live stream from a drone

Method 1 is enough for a quick YouTube test. For Instagram, Facebook, vertical video or several platforms at once, put a receiver app in between. The receiver also keeps the stream on your own devices: the picture goes straight to the platforms, not through a restream server.

Which drones can live stream?

Any drone whose app lists RTMP under Live Streaming Platforms. The receiver never talks to the drone; it takes whatever DJI Fly sends. What changes from model to model is the controller, and with it which device runs DJI Fly.

DJI adds and removes the RTMP option between DJI Fly versions and regions. If you do not see it under Live Streaming Platforms, update DJI Fly and check again.

Platform notes: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

To reach several of them with one flight, add each as a destination and switch them all on; the steps are in the multistream guide.

Internet speed and video quality

The live picture is limited by what the controller sends; the video recorded on the drone’s card keeps its full quality. Upload the recording later if you want a sharper replay.

Fly safely while you stream

• Set up the stream before takeoff, or let a second person run it. The pilot’s eyes belong on the drone, not on the chat.
• Follow your country’s drone rules: registration, line of sight, height limits and no flights over crowds. People shown live may need to agree to it.
• Never show the stream key on screen; anyone with it can broadcast to your channel.
• Watch the controller and phone batteries; a hotspot plus a stream empties a phone fast.

Troubleshooting

• DJI Fly cannot connect: both devices must be on the same network and the address must match exactly, including :1935/drone. Guest Wi-Fi often blocks it.
• “No built-in mic in current device” on the RC 2: connect a microphone, or use the Android app as a virtual microphone; see the RC 2 microphone fix.
• Instagram or Facebook rejects DJI Fly: they need RTMPS, which DJI Fly does not send. Why, and how to fix it.
• The picture stutters or drops: move closer to the router or hotspot, use 5 GHz, and keep the router from switching bands.
• Picture in the app, nothing on the platform: check the stream key, and press Go live on Instagram or Facebook.

Questions

Take your drone live from your phone

Stream My Drone for Android and iPhone receives the DJI Fly picture and sends it to YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitch, Kick or your own server, several at once. One-time purchase, no subscription.

Get it on Google PlayDownload on the App Store

Free Mac & Windows app →How the app works →

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