How to Get Notified When a YouTube Channel Goes Live

Follow these steps in order.

  1. Go to the channel you want live alerts from

    Open the main page of a channel that streams live regularly.

  2. Check that the bell icon is set to "All"

    Tap the bell icon next to the Subscribed button and confirm "All" is selected.

  3. Check the app's and your phone's notification permissions

    If app notifications are turned off at the system level, the channel's bell setting alone won't get an alert through, so check your device's permission settings as well.

  4. Check the channel's "Live" tab for upcoming streams

    The channel page's "Live" tab shows any streams that are already scheduled, so you can see the timing in advance.

When you find out a stream started an hour ago

It's common to discover a favorite creator's live stream only after it's already more than half over. Getting notifications set up correctly means you get alerted the moment a broadcast starts, so you can join right from the beginning.

A scheduled stream has its own separate "Notify me" button

For a stream that's already scheduled ahead of time, clicking "Notify me" on that specific video page adds a reminder just for that broadcast, on top of whatever your channel-wide bell setting is β€” a useful extra layer for a premiere you don't want to miss.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a reminder in advance for a stream that's already scheduled?

Yes β€” clicking "Notify me" on the page for an upcoming scheduled stream will send you a separate alert right before that specific broadcast starts.

What should I check if notifications are turned on but nothing arrives?

Check both that the YouTube app has notification permission enabled in your phone's settings and that a battery saver or optimization mode isn't blocking background notifications.