How to Watch Old Twitch Streams?

Before we jump in, it's essential to understand some important rules about how VODs work on Twitch. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• VOD Settings: Streamers need to enable "Store Past Broadcasts" and "Always Publish VODs" in their settings for their streams to be saved. Without these settings, their streams won't be archived.
• Lifespan of VODs: Past broadcasts have a finite lifespan on Twitch. By default, they're saved for up to 7 days (formerly 14 days) before automatic deletion. This duration extends to 14 days for Affiliates and 60 days for Partners, Turbo, and Prime users.
• Access Restrictions: Some streamers may restrict access to their VODs, requiring viewers to follow or subscribe to their channel to view past broadcasts. It's up to each streamer how they manage access to their old streams.

Now that we've covered the basics, let's explore 7 effective ways to watch old Twitch streams.

The easiest way to watch old streams is directly on Twitch. Here’s how you can do it:

• Head over to the Twitch channel of the streamer whose past streams you want to watch.
• Click on the “Videos” tab on their channel page. The URL will look something like this: "https://www.twitch.tv/CHANNEL_NAME/videos"
• In the "Recent Broadcasts" section, click on "View All" to see a list of their recent streams.
• Use the "Filter By" drop-down to select "Past Broadcasts" if it's not already selected.
• Click on the old stream you're interested in and start watching.

Note: Twitch Highlights, Clips, and Uploads are saved indefinitely and do not expire. So, if your favorite streamer has created highlights or clips, you can enjoy those any time without worrying about them disappearing.

TwitchTracker is a fantastic resource for tracking Twitch channels, streams, and subscribers. It offers detailed statistics and can help you find old streams. Here's how:

• Visit TwitchTracker.com and search for your desired streamer.
• On the streamer's overview page, switch to the "Streams" tab.
• Scroll down to find the date of the stream you're interested in.
• Click on "FIND VOD FOR THIS STREAM" on the right side.
• If the stream is still available, you'll see a "WATCH VOD" button. Click it to start watching.

Tips: StreamsCharts.com is another similar platform, providing comprehensive statistics and stream tracking, but may require a subscription for some features.

A Twitch streamer's account can be connected to his YouTube account. So many streamers are likely to synchronously upload their videos on YouTube. Here's how you can find these uploads:

• Go to YouTube and search for the streamer's channel.
• Look for playlists or videos titled similarly to their Twitch streams. Many streamers upload full streams or highlights to their YouTube channels.
• If found, you can watch the old streams directly on YouTube.

Don't forget to check other social media platforms, Many Twitch streamers cross-post their content or links on these sites. Sometimes fans or community members also upload memorable moments or full streams.

VODArchive is a user-friendly tool that simplifies the process of browsing a streamer's VODs using Twitch's public API. Here's how to use it:

• Go to VODArchive.com.
• Enter the Twitch streamer's username and click "Get VODs".
• Browse the list of past videos, focusing on longer duration content for full streams.
• Click on the stream title to start watching.

VODArchive is great for quickly finding and watching streams without navigating through Twitch’s interface. It's a handy shortcut for binge-watching your favorite streamer's past content.

Even if a stream is deleted from Twitch, it might still be recoverable for a limited time (up to 60 days maximum). Twitch Recover offers a potential solution. This method requires some technical know-how but can be a lifesaver for accessing seemingly lost content.

• Download and install Twitch Recover from GitHub release page (Java required).
• Use TwitchTracker to find and copy the specific stream link.
• Launch Twitch Recover, press 5, enter, 1, enter.
• Paste the TwitchTracker link, then press enter.
• If recoverable, choose your preferred video quality, and hit enter
• Twitch Recover will provide an .m3u8 link for the stream.

Next, you can play the M3U8 link in your PotPlayer, VLC, or GOM Player. The steps are all the same, here’s how to use it in PotPlayer:

• Open PotPayer and expand the top menu.
• Go to "Open" > "Open URL...".
• Input your .m3u8 link and click "OK".
• Wait for the streaming.

To ensure you never miss a stream again even if they are later deleted due to expiration, consider downloading them for offline viewing. Here are two highly recommended tools:

WonderFox Free HD Video Converter Factory is a free video processor integrated with a downloader, allowing you to download Twitch archived streams easily.

Download for Free

Download for Free

• DownloadDownload, install, and run the freeware on your PC.
• Open the "Downloader" module, and click on the "New Download" button.
• Copy and paste the old Twitch stream URL for parsing.
• Select the desired video quality and add it to the download queue.
• Choose a save location and hit "Download All" to start downloading.

Tips: It works for HLS video download, so you can also input the M3U8 link generated in WAY 5 for MP4 download.

As the famous Twitch Leecher is discontinued, you can use Twitch Leecher-DX, a fork with advanced improvements, that offers an intuitive UI for quickly viewing and downloading past broadcasts.

• Download and install Twitch Leecher-DX from the GitHub release page.
• Launch it and search for your favorite old streams by channel, URLs, or IDs.
• Click the download icon, choose the video quality, change the output folder, and video name.
• Then click Download button to save it.

The Twitch ecosystem thrives on community interaction, and this can be a goldmine for finding snippets or even full recordings of old Twitch streams. Many streamers have groups or communities that their fans can discuss and share highlights or memorable moments from past broadcasts across various platforms.

By actively participating in a streamer's group, forum, and community, you increase your chances of connecting with other enthusiasts who may have fan-shared content, archived or recorded old streams you're looking for.

A: Yes. Regular users' VODs are available for 7 days, Affiliates for 14 days, and Partners, Turbo, and Prime users for 60 days. Highlights, Clips, and Uploads have no such restrictions.

A: In most cases, yes. Many streamers allow non-subscribers to view their past broadcasts. However, some may restrict access to subscribers only. Alternatively, try using platforms like TwitchTracker or VODArchive.

A: To view past Twitch streams on mobile, open the Twitch app, navigate to the streamer’s channel, and select the "Videos" tab. From there, you can browse and watch past broadcasts.

A: While downloading for personal use is generally acceptable, always respect the streamer's wishes and copyright laws. Avoid redistributing downloaded content without permission.

A: Consider subscribing to your favorite streamers, enabling notifications, and regularly checking their channels. Additionally, you can download VODs for offline viewing using the methods mentioned above.