You don't need to spend $200–$600 on dedicated tally hardware. Any smartphone can be a tally light display — and setup takes 30 seconds, not 30 minutes. Here's exactly how to do it.
What you need: One phone or laptop for the director (controller), one phone per camera operator or talent (display). Internet connection — WiFi or cellular. That's it.
Step-by-Step Setup
Open Cue Light on the director's device
Go to cuelight.io/app in any browser — Chrome, Safari, Firefox. A 6-character room code generates automatically. No account, no login, no download.
Tap "Show QR Code"
The QR code encodes the display link for your specific room. Everyone who scans it connects to the same room automatically.
Each team member scans the QR code
Camera operators and talent scan with their phone camera. Their browser opens fullscreen display mode automatically — a pulsing green dot on black that means "connected and standing by." The screen will never sleep thanks to Wake Lock API.
Director taps the appropriate state
Green = Live. Red = Preview. Amber = Standby. Off = Break. All connected phones update in under a second. Use keyboard shortcuts 1/2/3/0 to keep it fast without looking away from your switcher.
For remote team members — share the display link
Tap "Copy Display Link" and paste it in Zoom chat, Discord, or text message. Remote guests open it in a browser tab — they see the same tally signal as everyone in the room. Works anywhere with internet.
Tips for Different Production Types
Church AV
Have the speaker prop their phone on the pulpit facing them. Camera operators mount their phone to their rig with a cheap clip mount. The TD runs the controller on their laptop at the switcher position. New volunteer every week? Just show them the QR code — 10 seconds and they're connected.
Wedding videography
Open Cue Light before the ceremony while you're setting up. Share the QR with your second shooter. Run it over cellular — don't depend on venue WiFi. When you start rolling, tap Live. Second shooter sees green across the room.
Podcasting
For in-person guests, show them the QR code before you start. For remote guests on Riverside or Zoom, paste the display link in the chat. Tap the recording state when you hit record in your DAW.
Live streaming
Keep Cue Light open in a browser tab alongside OBS. Tap Live when you start streaming, Off when you end. Your co-host or guest — wherever they are — sees the signal instantly.
Common Questions
Does the screen stay on?
Yes. Cue Light uses the Wake Lock API to prevent the display device screen from sleeping. This works on Chrome for Android and Safari on iOS (iOS 16.4+). On older iOS, you may need to adjust auto-lock settings manually.
What if someone loses connection?
Cue Light reconnects automatically. The display stays on the last known state while reconnecting — it doesn't go blank. When the connection restores, it syncs to the current state immediately.
Can I use it without internet?
No — Cue Light requires internet on both the controller and display devices. If you're in a venue with no cellular and no WiFi, bring a portable WiFi hotspot. Most directors already carry one as a backup anyway.
Set up your tally light right now
30 seconds from opening the app to your first team member connected.
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