Blackmagic’s free Camera app for iOS and Android now lets users stream directly to YouTube and Vimeo with no extra hardware or third-party software required.
Once you select your platform and enter a secure stream key, you can begin broadcasting immediately. What’s impressive is that all the app’s manual controls, including exposure, focus, and colour settings, remain accessible mid-stream, so you can fine-tune your footage on the fly without interrupting your broadcast.
The update also adds SRT streaming, a protocol favoured by professional broadcasters for its stability over unpredictable network connections. That implies broadcasts that are smoother and more reliable, even when Wi-Fi isn’t perfect.
For creators who want more flexibility, the app now supports custom RTMP and SRT servers, opening up options beyond the big three.
Another thoughtful addition: the app now issues instant alerts if an external drive disconnects, reducing the risk of data loss when recording high-resolution or high-frame-rate Apple ProRes files that iPhones can’t store internally.
And for multi-camera setups, there’s more control too. You can now customise the number of multi-view angles when monitoring remote cameras, which is perfect for streamers using an iPad or Mac with a larger display to manage multiple feeds at once.
It’s a significant update for a free app, especially one that has already given users access to professional-grade camera tools without the price tag.
With native streaming and advanced protocols now baked in, Blackmagic Camera isn’t just a filmmaker’s tool anymore – it’s shaping up to be one of the best all-in-one mobile solutions for creators who want to shoot, control, and stream like a pro.
