Watching your favorite gaming streamers just got easier with TwitchTV or Twoku on Roku. Even though an official Twitch app is no longer available, I‘ll guide you through adding one of these third party apps or streaming Twitch from another device. Read on to start watching in just a few simple steps!
Why Stream Twitch on Your TV?
Twitch has exploded in popularity, with over 30 million daily active users in 2022. The platform is best known for streaming video games but also hosts creative content, sports, music and more. Twitch offers an engaging way to watch and interact with streamers playing your favorite games.
While Twitch works great on your phone or computer, wouldn‘t it be nice to kick back and watch on the big screen? Roku makes this possible by bringing all your entertainment into one place, streaming to any TV in your home. Combining Twitch and Roku enables an even more immersive viewing experience.
Can I still get Twitch on Roku?
In the past, Roku offered an official Twitch channel for easy downloading. However, this was removed from their channel store in 2020 much to users‘ disappointment.
But don‘t worry – where there‘s a will, there‘s a way! Thanks to third party developers, you can access Twitch on Roku again through unofficial apps TwitchTV or Twoku. While not as full featured, these channels enable all the essential functionality to start streaming your favorite gamers.
I‘ll walk through exactly how to install either app. But first, let‘s look at your other options for getting Twitch onto your Roku TV…
Alternative Ways to Stream Twitch
Using AirPlay from Apple Devices
If you‘re an iPhone, iPad or Mac user, Apple‘s AirPlay technology makes streaming Twitch to Roku a breeze. AirPlay allows you to send content from Apple devices right to your TV with just a tap. Enable this by:
- Opening Control Center on your Apple device
- Selecting Screen Mirroring
- Choosing your Roku TV from the list of available devices
Make sure WiFi and Bluetooth are enabled on both devices first. Confirm the passcode, then you‘ll see your iPhone or iPad screen mirrored onto the bigger display. Pull up the Twitch app and start watching!
Casting from Windows or Android
Similarly, Windows and Android users can leverage casting to get Twitch on Roku. This uses the same technology as Chromecast to send content from one screen to another.
On Windows:
- Open Action Center and go to Project > Duplicate > Connect to Wireless Display
- Select your Roku TV
- Open Twitch in your internet browser
On Android:
- Open Twitch app and tap the Cast button in the corner
- Select your Roku device to connect
And that‘s all there is to it! The Twitch app will launch ready to stream on your television. Pretty easy huh?
How to Install TwitchTV or Twoku on Roku
Now lets get into installing those third party Twitch apps – TwitchTV or Twoku. The process is exactly the same for both. I‘ll use TwitchTV in my examples but just substitute Twoku anywhere you see it mentioned.
A note about compatibility: If you‘ve ever installed the official Twitch channel on any Roku device, TwitchTV will work for you. But if this is your first time adding Twitch, go with Twoku instead. It offers better compatibility for first time users.
Adding the Channel
Here is the step-by-step process to install TwitchTV or Twoku on your Roku:
- Go to Roku‘s website and log into your account
- Click your profile picture > My Account
- Select "Add channel with code"
- Enter the channel code: TwitchTV or Twoku
- Accept warning about non-certified channel
- Confirm adding Unofficial Twitch.tv
- Click Yes to add the channel
Refer to the visual guide below if you need help at any point:
Log into your Roku account online:
Click your profile icon and select My Account:
Choose Add Channel with Code:
Enter TwitchTV or Twoku and click Add Channel:
Accept the warning and click Yes to add:
That‘s all there is to it! Either TwitchTV or Twoku will now be installed and ready to open on your Roku home screen.
Getting Twitch to Appear on Your Roku
With the channel added, there‘s just one more step to get Twitch fully set up on your television. Because it‘s an unverified app, you need to manually refresh Roku to add it to your channel list. Here‘s how:
- Go to Settings > System > System Update
- Select "Check Now"
- Let Roku scan for latest software (and new channels!)
Once the system update completes, you should see the TwitchTV or Twoku icon ready to select on your home screen. Load it up and start streaming your favorite gaming content from Twitch!
Using TwitchTV / Twoku on Your Roku
While TwitchTV and Twoku offer more limited functionality than the old official Twitch app, they still enable seamless viewing of all your followed channels. Some things you can do:
- Browse featured live streams
- Search for streamers by name
- Watch streams from your personal Followed list
- See top games currently being played
However, the apps do not allow chat or account management. You won‘t be able to sign in, chat with streamers, or access notification settings. But for simply viewing Twitch, they work great!
Will Twitch Ever Return to Roku?
There has been no indication from Twitch or Roku about re-releasing an official app anytime soon. This is likely because Amazon owns Twitch, so they now reserve official apps for their own Fire TV platform.
But as you can see, there are still reliable methods of accessing Twitch on Roku devices. It just takes a few extra steps compared to the seamless official channel. And who knows – perhaps user demand will convince Twitch to bring back Roku support down the road.
For now, enjoy streaming from TwitchTV / Twoku or using AirPlay and casting techniques. Post any questions below and happy streaming!
