How to Control OBS Studio Remotely

Controlling OBS Studio remotely from your smartphone or tablet is an excellent way to manage your live streams or recordings without needing to touch your computer. This article provides a straightforward guide on how to set up remote control using the built-in OBS WebSocket feature combined with popular mobile controller applications. By the end of this guide, you will be able to switch scenes, toggle sources, and control your stream directly from your mobile device.

Step 1: Enable OBS WebSocket on Your Computer

Recent versions of OBS Studio (version 28 and above) have WebSocket support built-in, making remote connection seamless.

1. Open OBS Studio on your computer.
2. In the top menu, navigate to Tools > WebSocket Server Settings.
3. Check the box to Enable WebSocket Server.
4. Note the Server Port (the default is usually 4455).
5. Click Generate Password (or create your own) and write it down. This secures your connection.
6. Click Apply and then OK.

Step 2: Find Your Computer’s IP Address

To connect your phone or tablet to your computer, both devices must be on the same local Wi-Fi network. You will need your computer’s local IP address.

• On Windows: Open the Command Prompt, type ipconfig, and press Enter. Look for the “IPv4 Address” (usually starts with 192.168.).
• On Mac: Go to System Settings > Network, select your active Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection, and look for the IP address listed there.

Step 3: Choose and Install a Mobile Remote App

Several apps can turn your mobile device into a remote control deck for OBS. Choose one of the following popular options:

• Touch Portal: Highly customizable, grid-based controller. Offers a free version with basic buttons and a paid upgrade for advanced layouts.
• Deckboard: Similar to Touch Portal, featuring an easy-to-use interface for creating custom macros and OBS commands.
• OBS Blade: A dedicated, clean, and free open-source app specifically designed for monitoring and controlling OBS remotely.
• Up Deck: A free deck-style controller designed specifically for OBS Studio control.

Download your chosen app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store on your smartphone or tablet.

Step 4: Connect the App to OBS Studio

1. Open the remote control app on your mobile device.
2. Navigate to the connection settings or setup wizard.
3. Enter your computer’s local IP address (from Step 2).
4. Enter the Server Port (usually 4455).
5. Enter the WebSocket Password you created in Step 1.
6. Tap Connect. Once established, the app will show a successful connection status.

Step 5: Configure Your Controls

With the connection established, you can now configure your mobile layout:

• Scene Switching: Assign buttons to transition between your intro, gameplay, camera-only, and outro scenes.
• Audio Control: Create toggle buttons to mute or unmute your microphone and desktop audio.
• Media Control: Set up buttons to play, pause, or restart video sources.
• Stream Management: Map buttons to safely “Start Stream,” “Stop Stream,” “Start Recording,” or trigger the virtual camera.