KICK - Go Live ships with sensible default settings, but you have full control to fine-tune your stream's quality, bitrate, resolution, and more. This guide walks through every setting available in the app and helps you choose what works best for your content.
If you have not yet downloaded the app, see Getting started with the KICK - Go Live app first.
Default settings and customisation
The KICK - Go Live app comes with default settings that work well for most Streamers and most networks. You do not need to touch anything to start streaming.
If you want to customise, you can adjust:
Resolution
Framerate (FPS)
Bitrate
Stabilisation (IOS only)
Audio (on/off)
Resolution
Resolution controls how sharp your stream looks. KICK - Go Live supports:
240p - Android only (lowest quality, lowest bandwidth)
360p
480p
720p — standard HD
1080p — full HD, highest quality
Which resolution should I use?
The right resolution depends on your connection, your audience, and your content:
Situation | Recommended resolution |
Strong Wi-Fi or 5G, watching from a TV or large screen | 1080p |
Average mobile data or shared Wi-Fi | 720p |
Unstable connection or older device | 480p or 360p(ios)/240p(Android) |
IRL streaming with frequent movement | 720p (more stable than 1080p) |
Higher resolution looks better, but it requires more bandwidth and battery. If your stream stutters or drops, lowering the resolution is the first thing to try.
Framerate (FPS)
Framerate controls how smooth motion looks. KICK - Go Live supports:
30 fps — standard for most content
60 fps — smoother, ideal for fast-paced content
Which framerate should I use?
30 fps is fine for most streams. Just Chatting, IRL, tutorials, and reaction content all work well at 30 fps
60 fps is worth it for fast-motion content — mobile gaming, sports, anything where smoothness matters
60 fps uses more bandwidth and battery than 30 fps. If you stream long sessions or have a less powerful device, sticking with 30 fps is the safer choice.
Bitrate
Bitrate is how much data your stream uses per second. It is the single biggest factor in how clean your stream looks.
KICK - Go Live supports a maximum bitrate of 8,000 kbps.
Choosing the right bitrate
The right bitrate depends on your upload speed. Your bitrate should be less than half your upload speed to leave room for stability.
A rough guide:
Resolution | Recommended bitrate |
240p (android only) | 800–1,200 kbps |
360p | 800–1,200 kbps |
480p | 1,500–2,500 kbps |
720p (30 fps) | 2,500–4,500 kbps |
720p (60 fps) | 3,500–5,000 kbps |
1080p (30 fps) | 4,500–6,000 kbps |
1080p (60 fps) | 6,000–8,000 kbps |
⚠️ These are general guidelines. The right bitrate for your stream depends on your device, your connection, and what you are streaming. If your stream stutters, lower the bitrate before trying anything else.
💡 More bitrate is not always better. If your connection cannot sustain it, a high bitrate will cause more problems than it solves. Match your bitrate to what your network can reliably support.
Stabilisation (IOS only)
Stabilisation smooths out shake and movement in your video. This is especially useful for IRL streams where you are walking or moving.
Toggle stabilisation on when:
You are walking, moving, or in motion during your stream
You do not have a tripod or gimbal
The handheld feel of your stream is bothering you or your Viewers
Toggle stabilisation off when:
You are static (sitting, at a desk, on a tripod)
You want full edge-to-edge image quality (stabilisation can crop slightly)
You are noticing performance issues and want to reduce processing load
Audio
Audio settings on KICK - Go Live are currently simple. You can:
Turn audio on — your microphone picks up sound and sends it to your stream
Turn audio off — your stream has no audio (silent stream)
There are no noise suppression, or other audio fine-tuning at this time. However there is an option to control the gain on the microphone.
How the microphone works
The app uses your phone’s audio input to capture sound while streaming. If you are using your phone’s built-in microphone, that is what KICK - Go Live will use.
AirPods are supported as an external Bluetooth audio input. Other Bluetooth microphones and headsets may work, but support is currently limited.
This means:
If you use your phone’s built-in microphone, the app will capture audio directly from your phone
If you connect AirPods, the app can use them as the audio input
Other external Bluetooth microphones and headsets may have limited support
The app does not currently include a separate “Select Microphone” setting
Broader support for external devices, including microphones and cameras, is coming soon
If your device and connected audio accessory are supported, KICK - Go Live will automatically use the available audio input.
Audio tips for mobile streaming
External microphones can improve audio quality, but support may vary depending on the device and accessory
AirPods are currently supported, while broader external microphone support is coming soon
Watch for wind noise during outdoor IRL streams — a foam windscreen can help reduce it
Be mindful of background noise, as phone and headset microphones can easily capture surrounding sounds
Test your audio before going live — microphone placement can significantly affect sound quality
Make sure your AirPods or supported microphone are connected before starting your stream
For broader audio guidance, see Audio issues on your KICK stream.
Network conditions
A stable, strong connection is the biggest factor in stream quality. Mobile streaming gives you flexibility, but network conditions vary widely depending on where you are.
Wi-Fi
Best when stable — fast home or business Wi-Fi typically gives the most consistent quality
Watch for congestion — peak hours and many devices on the same network can cause issues
Move closer to the router if the signal is weak
5G
Excellent for streaming when you have strong 5G coverage
Comparable to good Wi-Fi for upload speed
Quality depends heavily on your carrier and location
4G LTE
Works for streaming, but may struggle with higher bitrates
A solid choice for 720p streaming or lower
More likely to cause stutters than 5G or Wi-Fi
When in doubt, lower the bitrate
If your connection is variable or you are not sure how strong it is, lower your bitrate or resolution. A stable stream at 720p beats a stuttering stream at 1080p every time.
Battery and heat management
Mobile streaming is power-hungry. Long streams will drain your battery and may heat your phone up.
What to do for longer streams
Carry a power bank — for any IRL stream over 30 minutes, a portable charger is helpful
Lower screen brightness — bright screens drain battery fast
Avoid direct sunlight — outdoor streams in the sun can cause overheating
Watch for thermal warnings — most phones throttle performance when they get hot, which can affect your stream quality
Most modern phones handle streaming well, but plan ahead for long sessions or when you will be moving around without easy access to power.
Device compatibility
To run KICK - Go Live, your device must meet these minimums:
Platform | Minimum version |
iOS | 18.0 or later |
Android | 8.0 or later |
If your device is on an older version, the app may not install or may not function fully. Check for system updates if you have an issue.
Troubleshooting
My stream is stuttering or buffering.
Try this in order:
Lower your bitrate by 1,000-2,000 kbps
Lower your resolution one level (e.g., 1080p → 720p)
Switch from 60 fps to 30 fps if you are using 60
Move to a stronger Wi-Fi area or better mobile signal
Close other apps using bandwidth in the background
My stream looks blurry.
Your bitrate may be too low for your resolution. Try increasing the bitrate (up to 8,000 kbps maximum), or check that your camera lens is clean.
My audio is too quiet or distorted.
The app uses your phone's microphone with no app-level gain controls. To improve audio:
Move the phone closer to the audio source
Use a Airpod
Move to a quieter environment
My phone is overheating during longer streams.
Take breaks between streams
Lower the resolution and bitrate
Move out of direct sunlight
Avoid charging while streaming if possible (charging adds extra heat)
My stream cuts out when I switch apps.
Some apps (banking apps, secure password managers) block screen capture for security. Avoid switching to those apps mid-stream.
For more troubleshooting, see Why is my stream lagging or buffering on KICK?.
Still need help?
For settings or quality issues with KICK - Go Live, contact [email protected]. Please include:
Your KICK Streamer username
Your device and operating system version
Your current settings (resolution, bitrate, framerate)
A description of the issue
Related articles
Getting started with the KICK - Go Live app
Dual-camera and screen sharing on the KICK - Go Live app
Why is my stream lagging or buffering on KICK?
Audio issues on your KICK stream
How to Stream on KICK.com (desktop)
Streaming on KICK from your Mobile Phone (third-party apps)