How to Go Live With a Friend on TikTok

TikTok’s multi-guest feature lets you host another person during a live stream. You can invite a friend into your broadcast, or request to join someone else’s. This guide covers how to go live with a friend on TikTok from both sides: hosting a guest and joining as one.

How the Multi-Guest Feature Works

Multi-guest brings other creators or viewers into your live session over audio or video. You can invite specific people, or leave it open so viewers send join requests. Viewers watching the stream can send gifts to you and to any active guest on screen.

Both the host and the guest usually need to meet TikTok’s live rules first. If the option won’t show up, check the follower and age requirements for going live before anything else.

Set Permissions Before Going Live With a Friend

Decide who’s allowed to request a spot before you invite anyone. During your live, tap Guests at the bottom, then open Settings.

Permission setting	What it does
Allow requests from viewers	Any viewer can send a join request
Requests from followers only	Only people who follow you can request
Moderators	Add trusted people to help manage the live

Followers-only is handy when you want to cap who can request while still letting your audience apply. Still building a base before you stream often? This breakdown of how people search and find creators on TikTok gets into profile visibility.

Choose a Layout for Going Live With a Friend on TikTok

You get three display options, also inside the Guests settings.

Layout	Best for
Panel	One-on-one sessions or audio-only guests
Grid	Performances or gameplay with several guests
Fixed	Keeping the same arrangement no matter the guest count

Panel keeps you as the main focus. Grid hands each person more room, which works better for collaborative content. Fixed locks the arrangement so the screen won’t shuffle as people join or drop off.

How to Invite a Friend to Go Live With You

Start your live as usual.
Tap Guests at the bottom.
Tap Invite.
Pick the friend or creator you want in.

The person you invite gets a notification. Once they accept, they run through a quick settings check before showing up on your live. Only a set number of guests can be on at one time.

How to Remove a Guest From Your Live

Tap Guests during the live.
Find the guest’s name in the list.
Tap Disconnect next to it.

That drops them right away, and the stream keeps running for everyone else.

How to Join Someone Else’s Live as a Guest

Not every live turns this on. When a host has multi-guest enabled, viewers can ask to join.

To send a request:

Tap Multi-guest while watching the live.
Tap Request.
If the host accepts, set your video options and tap Go LIVE.

To accept an invite:

Tap Accept when a host invites you.
Adjust your camera and audio.
Tap Go LIVE.

TikTok checks your camera and microphone permissions first. Nothing switches on by itself. Your camera and mic stay off until you choose to go live.

Tips for Going Live With a Friend on TikTok

Message your guest ahead of time so they know when the invite is coming and whether they need video or just audio. Running Grid layout with a few people? A short run-through helps everyone find their spot before you start.

Moderators can take over some of the work mid-stream. When a live gets busy, a trusted moderator means you aren’t juggling the content and the guest permissions at the same time. Afterward, it’s worth a look at what your stream analytics show, so you can shape the next one around what actually held viewers.

Going live with a friend fits collaborations, Q&As, and co-hosted content, and it slots neatly into a wider plan for keeping viewers coming back. Once you know where the settings sit, the whole setup takes seconds.

FAQs

How many followers do you need to go live with a friend on TikTok?

Both the host and the guest generally need at least 1,000 followers and must be 16 or older. Rules can shift by region, and some accounts get access sooner.

Can viewers send gifts to guests during a live?

Yes. While a multi-guest session runs, viewers can send gifts to the host and to any active guest on screen at that moment.

Why can’t I request to join a TikTok live?

The host may not have multi-guest turned on, or their settings limit requests to followers only. You also need to meet TikTok’s live eligibility rules yourself.

How many guests can join a TikTok live at once?

TikTok caps how many guests appear together. The exact limit depends on your layout and app version, so only a set number can be on screen at the same time.

Does my camera turn on automatically when I accept an invite?

No. Your camera and microphone stay off until you tap Go LIVE. TikTok checks permissions first, but nothing activates on its own.

For more ways to monetize your audience after going live, see our guide on how to make money on TikTok.