If you want to stream gameplay in TikTok LIVE Studio, game capture is one of the most useful sources you can add to your scene. It’s designed to capture the game running on your PC, which makes it a practical choice for live gameplay streams.
This guide explains how to add game capture to TikTok Live Studio, what each setting does, and when to use display capture or window capture instead.
What game capture does in TikTok Live Studio
Game capture lets LIVE Studio directly capture the game you’re playing on your PC. According to TikTok’s help material, it’s the most efficient way to add gaming content to your scene.
Use game capture when you want viewers to see:
- Full-screen PC games
- A specific game window
- Gameplay with optional cursor visibility
If game capture does not work for a title, you can try display capture or window capture instead.
How to add game capture to TikTok Live Studio
Here’s the basic setup process:
- Open the game on your PC.
- In LIVE Studio, choose the scene you want to edit.
- Click Add source.
- Select Game capture.
- Choose a capture mode.
- Adjust the available options.
Game capture modes
TikTok’s help page lists two capture modes for game capture.
| Mode | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Capture any full-screen game | LIVE Studio automatically captures any game you play in full-screen mode | Games that always run full-screen |
| Capture selected game | LIVE Studio captures the specific game you choose | Streams focused on one game |
A few important notes:
- If you use Capture selected game, keep the game application window open during your LIVE.
- If you switch games, you may need to update the selected game source.
Game capture options you can adjust
After selecting the capture mode, you may see these options:
| Option | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Higher compatibility | Changes the capture method from shared texture capture to memory capture | Only if normal capture is not working |
| Capture cursor | Shows your cursor in the stream | Turn on if your cursor is part of the content |
Higher compatibility
TikTok notes that Higher compatibility switches the capture method from shared texture capture to memory capture. It may help in cases where standard game capture is not working.
Keep in mind:
- It is less efficient
- Use it only if needed
Capture cursor
If you want viewers to see your mouse cursor, turn this on. If you prefer a cleaner gameplay view, leave it off.
One detail from the source material: in-game cursors are always captured as part of the gaming content.
If game capture does not work
Some games may not work with game capture. TikTok’s help article says to try one of these alternatives:
- Display capture: captures your entire desktop
- Window capture: captures a single application window
This is useful when:
- The game won’t appear in the source preview
- The game is not compatible with game capture
- You need a backup source for a stream setup
When to use display capture instead
Display capture records your full PC desktop. It is a simple fallback if game capture fails.
Use it if you want to show:
- Your desktop
- A game that does not work with game capture
- Multiple apps at once
Display capture setup
- In your selected scene, click Add source.
- Select Display capture.
- Choose the display you want if you have more than one.
- Set the cursor option as needed.
| Setting | What it affects |
|---|---|
| Select display | Lets you choose which monitor to capture |
| Capture cursor | Shows or hides your pointer |
When to use window capture instead
Window capture is helpful when you want to capture only one application window.
Use it if:
- You want to isolate a specific game window
- You want to avoid capturing your entire desktop
- You want a cleaner stream setup than display capture
Window capture setup
- In your selected scene, click Add source.
- Select Window capture.
- Choose the application window.
- Adjust the cursor option if needed.
TikTok’s help material also notes that the game application window should stay open during the live session.
Quick comparison: game capture vs display capture vs window capture
| Source | What it captures | Main benefit | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game capture | The game itself | Most efficient for gameplay | Some games may not work |
| Display capture | Entire desktop | Good fallback option | Shows everything on screen |
| Window capture | One app window | More focused than display capture | Window must stay open |
Best way to choose the right source
If you’re not sure which source to start with, use this simple approach:
- Start with game capture for PC gameplay
- Switch to window capture if you only want one app visible
- Use display capture if the game is not compatible
That workflow keeps your stream setup flexible without overcomplicating the scene.
Tips for a smoother setup
A few practical tips can help you avoid capture issues:
- Open the game before adding the source
- Keep the selected game or window open during the live session
- Test the source preview before going live
- Use higher compatibility only when standard capture fails
- Turn the cursor on only if it helps the stream
Related capture sources
TikTok’s help article also points creators to other options if they want to share different devices:
- Capture card source for gaming consoles or other HDMI devices
- Cast source for iOS or Android phone screens
If your content is not PC gameplay, one of those sources may be a better fit.
FAQ
Why is game capture not showing my game in TikTok Live Studio?
Some games may not work with game capture. TikTok recommends trying display capture or window capture instead.
Should I use capture any full-screen game or capture selected game?
Use capture any full-screen game if you always play in full-screen mode. Use capture selected game if you want LIVE Studio to capture one specific game.
What does higher compatibility do?
It changes the capture method from shared texture capture to memory capture. TikTok notes that this is less efficient, so use it only if needed.
Can I hide my mouse cursor while streaming?
Yes. You can turn off Capture cursor if you do not want viewers to see your pointer.