Being a video game enthusiast, Twitch is my go-to place whenever I get some free time during the evenings.
I love watching streamers speedrun games and explain their strategies to beat bosses.
However, watching it on the small screen of my phone is a challenge. I often miss out on small gameplay details and HUD elements, leaving me confused.
I had heard from my friends that they watch Twitch on their TV.
But, it seemed a distant dream for me since I have one of the older Smart TVs, and it doesn’t have an app store. It’s only equipped with some pre-installed apps; unfortunately, Twitch is not one of them.
I discussed my situation in a few Twitch subreddits. There, I learned that I don’t need the Twitch app installed on my TV to enjoy the streams on the big screen.
All I need to do is cast the streams to my TV.
And while there are a few ways to cast Twitch to TV, here’s the easiest way to do so:
To cast Twitch to TV, open the Twitch app on a smartphone or computer, click the Cast icon on the screen, and select your TV from the list of available devices. While casting Twitch to TV, make sure to connect your TV and the device you are casting from to the same Wi-Fi network.
Cast Twitch to TV Using the Twitch App
In September 2014, Twitch enabled support for Chromecast.
This gave the Twitch app a quick cast option like other entertainment apps, making it easy to cast streams on a TV.
The Twitch app is available for download on iOS and Android phones as well as your computer.
But before you can cast Twitch to your TV, you need to make sure that:
- Your TV has a built-in Chromecast, or you have connected a Chromecast device to it.
- Your TV and the device you are casting from are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Now, to cast Twitch to TV from your phone or computer:
- Launch the Twitch app on your device.
- Play a video or stream of your choice.
- Click on the Cast icon on the video.
- Choose your TV from the list of available devices.
The Twitch stream will now start playing on your TV.
Note: When you cast Twitch to TV, only the video from the stream will play on your TV. The live chat will remain on the device you are casting from.
Cast Twitch to TV From Google Chrome
Apart from using the Twitch app, you can also enjoy Twitch streams on a TV via the web player.
Irrespective of whether you are using Windows or MacOS, you can use Google Chrome to cast Twitch to your TV.
Note: Since Chromecast is a Google device, the cast option will not work for other browsers.
To cast Twitch from your browser:
- Launch Google Chrome on your computer.
- Open Twitch.
- Sign into your Twitch account.
- Play the video or stream of your choice.
- Hover the mouse over the video player. You will see different options.
- Click on the Cast icon, which appears on the video.
- Select your TV from the available devices.
Alternatively, you can also click on the “three dots” in the top-right corner of your Chrome browser, choose “Cast” from the menu.
Then click on “Cast Tab”, and select the Twitch tab.
What to Do If the Cast Button is Missing From Twitch
Sometimes, while trying to cast streams from Twitch to a TV, the Cast icon may not pop up because of a minor software bug or incorrect system settings.
Try the following troubleshooting tips if you face this problem:
- Close the Twitch app and relaunch it.
- Turn off your Chromecast device and restart it.
- Make sure your Twitch app is updated.
- Make sure the source device and your TV or Chromecast are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Sign out of Twitch and log back in.
- If you are using a browser, turn off any Chrome extensions you are using.
Once your Twitch app, source device, and Chromecast are rebooted, the Cast icon should appear back in your streams.
If you are still not able to get it back, contact Twitch Support for further assistance.
Can I Watch Twitch on My TV Without Chromecast?
If you don’t own a Chromecast or your TV isn’t compatible with it, you will not be able to cast Twitch to TV.
In such a case, you can try other alternatives to watch Twitch on your TV.
Download the Twitch App on Your TV
You can easily watch your favorite Twitch streams on a TV with a dedicated app store.
All you need to do is launch the app store, search for Twitch, download the app, and log into your account.
Additionally, Twitch is also available for download on streaming devices like Fire TV Stick.
Note: Twitch is not available on Roku devices as Twitch discontinued its support for them.
Stream Twitch Using Your Gaming Console
Similar to TVs, the Twitch app is available for download on all leading video game consoles like Xbox and Playstation.
Apart from watching Twitch on your TV, the game consoles also enable you to broadcast your gameplay directly to Twitch.
Watch Twitch via Your Smart TV’s Web Browser
Many Smart TVs and streaming devices support web browsers.
If you do not want to download the Twitch app to your TV, you can stream it directly from your TV browser.
Use an HDMI Cable to Mirror Your Device to a TV
An HDMI cable lets you mirror a device’s screen to your TV.
Once you connect the source device and TV via an HDMI cable, the Twitch stream from the device will be visible on the TV screen.
My Favorite Twitch Streams are Now on the Big Screen
For a gamer like me, the frustration of not being able to clear a level is beyond imagination.
And when you have the solution right in front of you, but you can’t catch it because of the small display of your phone, you feel a little helpless.
Thankfully, I don’t have to go through that feeling anymore.
Once I learned how to cast Twitch to my TV using Chromecast, I was able to set it up in a matter of a few minutes. After that, it was just me and my favorite streams on the big screen.
However, there is one shortcoming; while you can cast Twitch content to your TV via the methods covered in this article, the chat will stay on the source device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chromecast available on all TVs?
While only select TVs have an in-built Chromecast feature, you can connect a Google Chromecast device to any TV with an HDMI port.
Is the Twitch app free?
Yes, Twitch is free to download and use. However, many streamers offer monthly subscriptions for exclusive content.
How can I watch Twitch on my Roku TV?
While Roku devices no longer support the Twitch app, you can connect a Chromecast to your Roku TV and cast Twitch to it via your phone.
