Are you a fan of live streams and video game content? Do you own a Roku device and want to know how to stream Twitch on it? Although some users will require a workaround, watching Twitch content on your Roku is relatively straightforward. So, how do you get started?
Amazon removed the Twitch channel from Roku players in 2017. However, if you used Twitch on your Roku in the past, you can use the ‘Add Channel With a Code' feature and enter ‘twitchtv.' Other users can add ‘TWOKU‘ from the same menu or use screen mirroring or AirPlay to cast Twitch to your Roku.
If you can’t find the official Twitch Channel in the Roku Channel Store, there's no need to panic. There are several ways you can still watch your favorite streams and VODs on your device. Let’s look at how you can watch Twitch on Roku.
Is Twitch Available on a Roku?
Unfortunately, Amazon removed the official Twitch streaming channel from Roku devices in 2017. At the time, Roku owners who had already installed the Twitch Channel on their Roku devices received a warning message indicating the app would no longer be updated, but they could still access it.
That leaves a few methods to stream Twitch on Roku devices, including the following:
- If you’ve downloaded the Twitch app on your Roku previously, navigate to my.roku.com/account/add, enter ‘twitchtv,' and select Add Channel.
- If you’ve never downloaded the Twitch app on your Roku model, visit my.roku.com/account/add, enter ‘twoku,' and select Add Channel.
- Alternatively, you can mirror your smartphone or PC display to your Roku device as long as the model supports it.
Although the official Twitch Channel on Roku is only available to those who have used it before, the other two solutions work for everyone.
And it's worth noting that this is true for any Roku devices or Roku TVs, even if you have one of the various models of Roku TVs. Check out our guide comparing Hisense vs TCL Roku TVs if you want to get a sense of just how much Roku functionality is built into the smart TV units. And you can even use an Amazon Firestick on a Roku TV.
But for now, let's get back to the details of running Twitch on Roku.
Is It Free to Stream Twitch on a Roku?
Yes, the Twitch Channel and TWOKU are free on compatible Roku devices. Users who have previously accessed the official Twitch Channel don't need to pay any additional subscription fees to view content.
Why Did Roku Remove the Twitch App?
Amazon — the parent company of Twitch — removed the official Twitch Channel from Roku players in 2017. Roku owners who already had the channels on Roku installed received a warning alert that the application would not receive updates, but they could still access it.
It's not clear why Amazon removed the Twitch Channel from Roku devices, but it may be due to competition with the Amazon Fire Stick.
How Do You Watch Twitch on a Roku?
As we mentioned earlier, there are three ways you can stream Twitch on a Roku streaming device, including using the official Twitch Channel, using unofficial channels, and mirroring a smartphone or computer.
How to Stream Twitch Using the Official Channel
Although the official Twitch Channel isn’t accessible in the Roku Store, you can stream Twitch on Roku using its official channel only if you used Twitch on Roku before it was taken down. Use the following steps to install the official Twitch app on your Roku Player:
- From a website browser, visit the Roku website and select Add Channel With a Code.
- Enter ‘twitchtv‘ and select Add Channel.
- Press OK to confirm your choices, despite the warning message from Roku.
- Press Yes, Add Channel to download and install the official Twitch Channel onto your Roku device.
- To finish, update your Roku Player to access the Twitch Channel.
How to Stream Twitch on a Roku Using Unofficial Channels
If you haven’t downloaded Twitch on your Roku in the past, you can’t access the discontinued platform. Fortunately, you can use an unofficial Twitch app as a workaround.
These apps aren’t provided in the Roku Channels Store, so you must use a code to access them. Here are the steps to follow:
- From a website browser, visit the Roku site and select Add Channel With a Code.
- Enter ‘TWOKU' or ‘C6ZVZD‘ and select Add Channel.
- Press OK after reading the disclaimer and warning.
- Confirm Yes, Add Channel to confirm your choices and download and install TWOKU.
- To finish, update your Roku Player to access the TWOKU Channel.
Keep in mind that TWOKU isn’t a supported or certified Roku Channel. Roku can prevent your device from using unofficial channels if they suspect you broke the terms and conditions. TWOKU is generally safe but doesn’t have the best user interface and doesn’t receive regular updates.
Stream Twitch to Your Roku by Screen Mirroring with a PC
Roku Players can connect to a computer to stream Twitch from a browser. Use the following steps to get started:
- Launch a web browser on your PC and click Windows Key + A to open the Quick Actions Menu.
- Choose Cast or Project. If you don’t see either option, press the pencil icon, adding the feature.
- After selecting Cast, choose your Roku model.
- Connect your computer to the Roku Player.
- On the Roku Player, allow the computer to project Twitch content. If you follow the instructions correctly, you can view Twitch on your TV.
In some cases, the settings need to be adjusted. Here’s what you can do:
- Select Change Projection Mode in the Cast pop-up box.
- Choose Duplicate instead of the other options.
- Afterward, Twitch streams should be visible on the Roku Player.
Screen mirroring is also enabled by default. If it’s disabled, check your device settings.
Stream Twitch to Roku by Screen Mirroring Using Android
Android devices have supported screen mirroring for Roku Players for quite some time without any issues. Use the following instructions to get started:
- Launch the Twitch App on your Android smartphone or tablet and log into your Twitch account.
- Select the stream you want to watch. Find the Smart View or Screen Cast button on your phone or tablet.
- Select the Roku Player you want to cast.
- Give the mobile device access to cast video on your Roku Player.
- After the connection is established, you can watch any Twitch content.
Alternatively, you can give your Android device permanent access for casting Twitch to Roku Player. Here’s how:
- On your Roku Player, navigate to Settings.
- Head to System and select Screen Mirroring.
- Select Always Allow for the Screen Mirroring feature. This allows other devices to cast content to your Roku Player.
Can I Cast Twitch to Roku Using an iPhone?
Yes, you can cast Twitch streams or VODs to your Roku using an iPhone or Mac. The steps are similar to Android devices, all you need to do is use AirPlay instead of Screen Mirroring. For more information, visit the official Roku AirPlay Guide.
Troubleshooting Twitch Not Working On Roku
If Twitch is not working on your Roku device, here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:
- Restart the Roku Device: Often, simply restarting the Roku device can resolve many issues. You can do this by going to the Roku home screen in the Roku app, selecting “Settings,” then “System,” and finally “System restart.”
- Check for System Updates: Ensure that your Roku device is running the latest software version. You can check for updates by going to “Settings,” then “System,” and selecting “System update.”
- Check Network Connection: Ensure that your Roku device is connected to the internet and that the connection is stable. You can do this by going to “Settings,” then “Network.” Try disconnecting and reconnecting to your Wi-Fi network or using an Ethernet cable if possible.
If you're having issues with using AirPlay to cast Twitch to your Roku, we have a troubleshooting guide here.
More Roku help guides:
