With the current boom in Twitch as a live streaming platform, it's understandable that everyone wants to publish their own content. The problem is that not everyone has a computer or the additional equipment that now seems to be the minimum requirement for creating material for the platform. So let's look at the easiest way to do it: streaming on Twitch directly from your mobile phone.
Do you want to stream on Twitch from your mobile?
If we have made the mobile phone the most important device for the vast majority, why shouldn't we also make it the most capable. For years, improvements in sections such as photography have allowed many users to replace their compact, DSLR or mirrorless cameras with these for both photo and video. So with such an improvement in their capabilities, why not take advantage of them for something else?
One of these uses has been creating video content for platforms like YouTube, but its connectivity also allows for live streaming. This is something you probably already know, as apps like YouTube, Instagram, and others have offered this feature for quite some time.
IRL or gameplay, what are you going to do?
You've probably heard a successful streamer say something like, "Guys, around 16 PM I'm going to do an IRL stream on the channel." Well, those three letters are short for " in real life , " meaning you'll see them walking down the street, visiting a city, going to work, driving with a fixed camera, hanging out with friends, or coming back from a party. Anything can happen in an IRL stream because it means they'll be connecting via their phone wherever they happen to be at that moment.
That's why Twitch differentiates between these types of streams. When we broadcast gameplay, we're asking the app to show not only the game screen, but also, and especially, a view of ourselves using the phone's front-facing camera. This type of content is more complex to produce and requires some planning, but if you're skilled enough, you could create a perfect blend of gameplay and an IRL stream from your iPhone or Android device's screen. In other words, while you're playing, you're doing something in real life, although it's probably best not to overcomplicate things at first.
Let's broadcast live!
Well, Twitch also allows live streaming. In fact, that's its true nature, and that's why it was created in 2011. Like other platforms, Twitch has been aware of its users' needs and has gradually offered this live streaming capability to users who installed its app on mobile devices with both iOS and Android operating systems.
In both systems the process is very simple and offers quite satisfactory results. It is true that with an external device everything will always be better, because you will be able to have more control, comfort and a series of other additional advantages. But for some kind of live show where you just want to chat or show something that's happening while you're walking or on vacation, it's great.
So, let's see how the whole process of live streaming from your mobile phone with the Twitch app works :
- To start streaming on Twitch from mobile, the first thing to do is open the Twitch app for iOS or Android.
- Once inside the application, search the interface for the camera icon that you will see in the upper area.
- When you log in you will see two options: stream games and stream IRL. The first allows you to play and transmit the screen of your mobile. The second is designed to do it with what the camera captures so you can show what you want wherever you are.
- Select one or the other action and follow the steps that will be indicated in each case. These are basically related to the category of content or the permissions that you will need to use the device's microphone and camera according to the operating system used.
- Fill in the title of the video and start the broadcast.
Okay, now you can start streaming on Twitch, from a Diablo Immortal game to whatever you're doing at that moment, or even just chat with the other viewers. So, if you were interested in live streaming on Twitch and hadn't considered whether you could easily do it with your phone, the answer is yes.
The only thing you need to keep in mind, and it's important, is that when you're streaming a video game on your smartphone, everything that appears on your screen will be shown on Twitch . This is because Twitch is capturing the entire game, not just outputting the game's signal as you could with apps like OBS on a computer.
That is, if you receive any notification from applications such as WhatsApp, Telegram, etc., they will be seen and they will do so live. So you will not have an option to edit. In terms of privacy, it is important to take this into account and take advantage of the Do Not Disturb modes of iOS or those activated by some applications and game launchers available on many Android phones.
Tricks to improve your direct from the mobile
Now that you know how to stream on Twitch directly from your mobile phone, a series of tips and tricks will surely help you. You may already know some of them due to other content that we have been publishing related to video with mobile devices, but it never hurts to review them.
improve the sound
As always, good sound is key, so take care of it. If you're in a noisy or echoy place, you can turn to a wireless or wired hands-free headset to enhance the audio you capture and broadcast on Twitch.
There are also lapel microphones that you can use or other shotgun microphones that are connected either through the 3,5mm Jack connection or the USB C or Lightning to 3,5mm Jack adapter. There are even microphone options that are directly connected by USB.
turn off notifications
From what we discussed before, when capturing the screen it is better to disable notifications or use do not disturb mode whenever possible. So you will avoid scares and also distractions when you are with a live show, lest it end up showing that last message that a friend sent you and that it is almost better not to see the light.
Disable auto lock
Normally, when using the Twitch app, your phone won't lock, but if it does, the stream will cut off abruptly. So, make sure this doesn't happen by going into the settings and setting the time interval before your phone locks to "never " or several hours .
Better connected to the current
Just recording video consumes a significant amount of battery, but recording and streaming simultaneously uses even more. Therefore, try to keep your phone connected to a power source or an external battery to extend your live streaming time. However, things get more complicated in real life (IRL), although a power tank could save you from having to cut the broadcast short.
Make sure you have a good WiFi or data connection
Since you will be able to broadcast both using the WiFi and data connection from your mobile, make sure you have the best possible coverage. This way there will be no cuts and the quality will always be the maximum possible that your phone can accept for its own benefits. Because logically it is not the same to do it with a high-end phone than a lower one.
If you're recording in real life on the street, try to check if the area you'll be in has good 5G coverage (for example) to avoid any unexpected problems. Furthermore, if the video takes place in an area with a lot of devices around you (a football stadium, a concert, etc.), it would be wise to warn people that the broadcast will be choppy, won't have the minimum acceptable quality, and might cut out at any moment. So keep that in mind before you start.
Enjoy the live experience
Twitch as a platform to carry out live shows has a multitude of options. On mobile devices, the vast majority are lost because they are not comfortable to use, also because many are through third-party apps.
However, enjoy the experience and see if live streaming is something you like or not. It might appeal to you, but you might not feel comfortable with it. So, the best thing to do is try it out, and if you don't want to make a big investment, doing it with your phone is the most economical option for most of us. If you find it appealing, then you can research further, buy specific devices and accessories, and so on.
What if you don't want to use the Twitch app?
For your first streams, the official Twitch app will surely be more than enough, but if as you generate more and more live hours you want to offer something extra from your mobile (or tablet), then you should consider using other, much more complete alternatives that will allow you to create truly elaborate programs with multi-camera setups and a top-notch production system, similar to programs like OBS.
Switcher Studio
This is the case with Switcher Studio, a solution available exclusively for iPhone and iPad that allows us to create multi-camera programs without needing a computer. We can not only generate scenes for each live broadcast situation, but also invite colleagues to participate in discussions or, as we mentioned, have a multi-camera production at hand with several iPhones acting as video sources that we can then control from an iPad screen, for example.
We recommend this app only for when your channel is already generating good viewership numbers and you're starting to reap the rewards of months of hard work, streaming around the clock. If this is the case and you're seeing a decent return on investment, you might consider Switcher Pro, as the cheapest subscription is $45 a month, about €42. So, only when you've already established your future as a streamer is it time to make the leap to professional streaming.
Streamyard
The web platform is compatible with smartphones and tablets via a browser, allowing access to programs configured with your respective brands, graphic layouts , and animations. Unlike the desktop version, you can't share browser tabs to embed videos or other multimedia content, but otherwise, for an impromptu live stream during vacation, on top of Mount Everest, or wherever you have a signal, it provides sufficient quality for a conversation between two, three, or more participants.
Streamyard offers a free option that displays a watermark with the duck's head (the service's logo) and doesn't allow you to customize the layout elements . So, if you're interested in giving your live streams a professional look, you'll soon wonder whether or not to pay monthly. If you decide to pay, there's a monthly option for around €25, but if you plan to stream for at least a year, you could consider an annual subscription, which will save you around €70, bringing the total to approximately €230-€240.
If you decide to become a Twitch streamer , it's important to have a clear idea of ​​what you want to do: what kind of content you'll create, how often you'll upload, and what distinctive elements will define your work. Once you have all that figured out, all that's left is to give your channel a professional look and persevere until your profile explodes in both followers and subscribers—those who pay small monthly subscriptions to support you.