Joining a live video on Substack as a guest is easy and a great way to connect with others in real time. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to accept an invite, what to expect before you go live, and how you can help spread the word to your audience.
Note: To join a live Video, please have a Substack account and the Substack app installed. If you have not downloaded the app, you can do so by following this link.
Accepting your invite
You’ll receive an email when the host invites you to a live video. Open the message and click “Join in the Substack App” to get started.
On desktop?
If you open the email on your computer, you’ll see the live video invite. Click “Join in App” to display a QR code. Scan the code with your phone to join through the Substack app.
Using your phone?
When you open the invite on your phone or tablet, it will automatically take you to the Substack app, where you’ll see the screen to prepare for the live video.
After clicking “Continue,” you’ll be guided through a few easy steps to set up your live video. On the Test run page, you’ll need to allow the Substack app to access your camera and microphone—this helps everything run smoothly during your broadcast. Click on "Allow," and you should be all set.
If you don't see the screen above, but see a similar one like the example below. You will need to go to your Device settings and enable the camera and microphone.
We recommend that you follow the setup of the live video test run to familiarize yourself with the live video layout before going live. The Host will appear in the upper section of the screen, with your video displayed below. After closing the test run, you'll be able to add your live video to your calendar.
Invited via SMS or Text message?
If you receive an invitation via SMS or text message, tap the link in the message. That link will take you directly to the live video you’ve been invited to join. Tapping the link will automatically open the Substack App (or prompt you to download it if you don’t have it yet). From there, you’ll be walked through a simple onboarding flow—don’t worry, it’s quick and user-friendly.
The steps will look very similar to the ones outlined above, designed to help you get comfortably set up. Once you’ve gone through the onboarding process, you can test-run the live video so you can feel confident and ready before the event. Just follow the on-screen prompts, and you’ll be good to go.
Invited but don't have a Substack Account or the App?
Just tap the invite link and download the Substack app. When you open it, you’ll go through a quick setup where you can create your account and profile.
Learn more about Live Video on Substack here.