To stream on Twitch from a computer, pick broadcasting software, copy your stream key from Creator Dashboard under Settings, then Stream, paste it into the software and press start. From your phone, Twitch says the app needs no stream key. Keep the key private: anyone holding it could send video to your channel.
Going live on Twitch looks like a technical hurdle until you see how few pieces are involved: an account, some broadcasting software, a stream key (or just your phone), and something worth watching. I've seen plenty of small business owners and creators put off streaming for months because they assumed it needed a studio. It doesn't.
Below is the route Twitch's own help pages and Creator Camp describe, in the order I'd do it. Twitch changes its menus now and then, so where I can't confirm an exact button name from Twitch itself, I'll say menus vary rather than guess.
What you need before you stream on Twitch
- A Twitch account that you can log in to on a computer or in the mobile app.
- Broadcasting software if you're streaming from a computer or console setup. Twitch's recommended list names OBS, Streamlabs Desktop and Meld Studio, and says the recommended tools shown in your Creator Dashboard are the most up to date list.
- Your stream key, if your software asks for one.
- A topic. Decide what you'll talk about or play before you press the button, because the first minute sets the tone for anyone who drops in.
That's the whole kit. A decent microphone matters more to viewers than a fancy camera, so if you have one spare thing to improve, make it your sound.
Streaming on Twitch from a computer
Streaming this way is a handshake between two things: your broadcasting software and your Twitch channel. The software captures your screen, game or webcam, and the stream key tells Twitch which channel the video belongs to. Twitch Creator Camp has a Stream on PC chapter that teaches going live using OBS, so that's a safe place to start if you want a guided walkthrough.
- Install one of the broadcasting programs from Twitch's recommended list.
- Open your Twitch Creator Dashboard on the website and head to Settings, then Stream.
- Copy your stream key from that page and paste it into the stream settings of your software. Every program words this a little differently, so look for a stream or broadcast section.
- Add what you want viewers to see: your game, a window, your webcam. Set your microphone so you can hear yourself in the meter.
- Press the start streaming button in your software. Your channel should then show as live.
- Check your own channel in a second browser tab or on your phone to confirm the picture and sound arrive.
Twitch also says most broadcasters don't need to set an ingest server by hand, so leave that setting on its default unless something goes wrong.
Streaming on Twitch from your phone
If you'd rather start small, Twitch says streaming from the Twitch app on iOS or Android doesn't need a stream key. That makes the phone the quickest way to go live for a behind the scenes look at your shop, an event, or a chat with your audience. Open the Twitch app, look for the option to go live, and follow the prompts. Menus vary by app version, and Creator Camp has chapters for mobile streaming if you want more detail.
Prop the phone up rather than holding it, and plug it in. A wobbly picture and a dying battery are the two things that end small streams early.
Keeping your Twitch stream key private
This is the one part of streaming where a slip can hurt. Twitch says your stream key uniquely identifies your stream as it enters Twitch's systems, and its stream key FAQ advises keeping it private and never showing it on stream. Anyone holding the key could send video to your channel.
- Don't screen share the settings page where the key appears, and be careful when you record a tutorial.
- Don't paste the key into chats, emails or shared documents.
- If you think it has leaked, reset it. Twitch says you can reset the key at any time from the same Stream settings page.
- After a reset, paste the new key into your software, because the old one stops working.
Choosing where Twitch fits in your streaming plan
Twitch is one place to stream, not the only one. If you plan to broadcast to several platforms at once, or you run webinars and interviews for a business, you might compare tools first. My roundup of live streaming tools like StreamYard shows what else is out there, and my look at other platforms people use instead of Twitch is handy if you're still deciding where your audience hangs out.
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| Where you stream from | What Twitch says you need |
|---|---|
| A computer | Broadcasting software and your stream key |
| Phone (iOS or Android) | The Twitch app; no stream key required |
| PlayStation or Xbox | Creator Camp has a chapter for each console |
What to do on your first Twitch stream
Plan a short first session. Half an hour is plenty. Say hello, tell people what you're doing, and read chat out loud so viewers feel seen even if only a couple of them turn up. Small channels grow on friendliness, not production value.
- Write down three things you want to mention so you're never stuck for words.
- Keep your title and category honest, so the right viewers find you.
- Say when you'll be live next, and then show up at that time.
- Watch your channel in a second window afterwards to spot sound or lighting problems.
If you're wondering how channels grow into the official programmes, my guide to Twitch Partner requirements explains what that route looks like once you've found your rhythm.
If your Twitch stream won't go live
When the start button does nothing, or your channel stays offline, work through these in order:
- Re-copy the stream key from Creator Dashboard, Settings, Stream and paste it again with no spaces at either end.
- Check you're logged in to the right Twitch account, especially if you run a business channel and a personal one.
- Close and reopen your broadcasting software, then try again.
- Check your internet connection by loading another website or video.
- If you changed your password recently, copy a fresh key. Twitch says changing your password resets the key.
- Look in Twitch's help centre or the software's own help pages for your exact error message.
Frequently asked questions
How do I start streaming on Twitch?
Create or log in to your Twitch account, choose broadcasting software (or use the Twitch app on your phone), paste in your stream key if the software asks for it, then press the start streaming button. Phone streaming from the Twitch app needs no stream key.
Where do I find my Twitch stream key?
Twitch's stream key FAQ says it's in your Creator Dashboard under Settings, then Stream. Keep it private and never show it on stream.
Do I need special software to stream on Twitch from a computer?
Yes, you need broadcasting software. Twitch's recommended list names OBS, Streamlabs Desktop and Meld Studio, and Creator Camp teaches going live with OBS.
Can I stream on Twitch from my phone?
Yes. Twitch says streaming from the Twitch app on iOS or Android doesn't need a stream key. Menus vary by app version, so follow the go live prompts in the app.
What should I do if my stream key leaks?
Reset it at once from the Stream settings page in your Creator Dashboard, then paste the new key into your broadcasting software.
