SHIFT TV RADIO
SHIFT TV PRODUCTION COMMUNICATION

Get connected in 2 minutes.

Use your phone as a professional internet walkie-talkie. Zello Work + your headset + one PTT button. Then keep the phone in your pocket.

Download Zello Work Start setup
SHIFT TV RADIO setup portal
01

Quick setup

Six steps before you go to your camera position.

02

Install & activate

The app is installed by the operator; access is granted by SHIFT TV.

iPhone / iOSDownload Zello Work from the App Store.
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AndroidDownload Zello Work from Google Play.
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01

Activate your SHIFT TV account

  1. Install and open Zello Work.
  2. Open the sign-in / join flow shown in your invitation.
  3. Enter the network name, username and password from SHIFT TV.
  4. Confirm that you can see the SHIFT TV production channel.
Important: Your invitation is personal. You do not need to uninstall Zello after an event. SHIFT TV can remove or deactivate your access when your assignment ends.
Open Zello Work Help ↗
03

Connect your headset

You can use a wired headset or a compatible Bluetooth PTT headset.

🎧

Wired headset with microphone + button

  1. Plug the headset into the phone.
  2. Open Zello Work.
  3. Go to Settings → Push-to-talk buttons.
  4. Tap Add New Device → Headset Button.
  5. Press the headset button when Zello asks you to identify it.
Some Android phones can let Google Assistant intercept the headset button. If the button stops working in the background, use the troubleshooting section below.
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Bluetooth headset with a supported PTT button

  1. Open the phone's Bluetooth settings and pair the headset.
  2. Open Zello Work → Settings → Push-to-talk buttons.
  3. Tap Add New Device.
  4. Press the headset's PTT button when prompted.
  5. Confirm that the button is recognized and then map it to SHIFT TV.
Bluetooth audio alone does not guarantee PTT. The headset must expose a button that Zello can use. For production, use a model you have tested or a Zello-compatible/certified PTT device.
04

Make the headset button your primary PTT

This is the setup that lets the camera operator keep the phone in a pocket.

ZELLO WORK

Push-to-talk buttons

Headset ButtonPTT
Button contactSHIFT TV
BehaviorHold to talk
BackgroundON

Recommended configuration

  1. Add the headset button under Push-to-talk buttons.
  2. Map the button contact to SHIFT TV – PRODUCTION.
  3. Use Hold-to-talk: press and hold to speak, release to listen.
  4. Enable background handling where supported.
  5. On Android, you may disable the on-screen PTT button if the external button is your primary control.
📱PHONE IN YOUR POCKETPress the headset button → speak → release → listen.
Open PTT mapping help ↗
05

Platform-specific setup

Use the instructions for your phone.

Profile→Settings→Push-to-talk buttons→Add New Device→Headset Button

For supported PTT devices, iOS can keep the PTT control usable while Zello is in the background or the screen is locked. Test the exact phone + headset combination before the event.

Open official iOS guide ↗
⋮→Options→Push-to-talk buttons→Add

Android has a background handling option for headset buttons on supported devices. Battery optimization and device-specific behavior can affect background operation.

Open official Android guide ↗
06

Silent / Vibrate for production

The goal is simple: no unexpected ringing while filming.

iPHONE

Silent Mode + Focus

Put the phone in Silent Mode. Use an event Focus if needed. Keep Zello notifications enabled so messages are not blocked.

ANDROID

Vibrate / Silent

Use Vibrate or Silent mode. Configure Zello alerts so unnecessary tones are off and vibration is used where appropriate.

ADMIN

What SHIFT TV can control

Zello Work administrators can establish audio/vibration alert defaults and lock selected settings. This affects Zello alerts, not the phone's global ringer switch.

Open audio & vibration help ↗
07

Test communication

Before you go live, press and hold the headset PTT and say:

“SHIFT TV TEST — Camera 1.”

Release the button and ask production to confirm they heard you.

YOU ARE READY ✓
08

Pre-event checklist

Everything must be green before you leave for your position.

09

Troubleshooting

Quick fixes for the most common field problems.

I can hear them, but they cannot hear me.

Check microphone permission, the headset microphone and the mapped PTT button. Test again using the on-screen PTT button.

Bluetooth audio works, but PTT does not.

Not every Bluetooth headset exposes a supported PTT control. Use a tested compatible/certified PTT accessory.

My wired headset PTT stops working on Android when locked.

Google Assistant can intercept headset buttons on some Android devices. Zello documents disabling Google Assistant as a possible fix.

Zello does not receive messages in the background.

Keep notifications enabled. On Android, review battery optimization/background settings. On iPhone, keep Zello active and test the lock-screen behavior with the exact device.

I need a new event / different crew.

Do not reinstall the app. SHIFT TV can add/remove users and change channel access in Zello Work. The same app stays on the operator's phone.

Still not working?Contact SHIFT TV production before leaving your position.