What You’ll Need to Twitch Stream on the Nintendo Switch

Since there’s no Twitch app on the Switch, you will need to broadcast via free streaming software and a video capture card. We use OBS Studio and an Elgato HD60 S in the instructions listed below. Here’s everything you need for this Twitch streaming method:

A computer: Any Windows or macOS computer is fine, but one with more processing power will let you stream at a higher resolution. OBS Studio: You can download this software for free from the OBS official website for Windows and macOS computers. Elgato Game Capture HD60 S: Most capture devices that support 1080p resolution and 60 frames per second work fine with OBS Studio. However, those made by Elgato are very well-made, easy to install, and relatively affordable. The Elgato Game Capture HD60 S is one of the more popular capture devices used by Twitch streamers. Webcam: This is optional for a basic stream, but it’s necessary if you want to incorporate footage of yourself while playing. A microphone or headset: These are optional, but they can improve audio quality significantly during your stream.

Connecting Your Nintendo Switch Console to Your Computer

Before you begin streaming on Twitch, you need to connect your Nintendo Switch console to your computer. You will still be able to view your gameplay on your television set as usual with this setup. These instructions are for the Elgato Game Capture HD60 S, but they will also work for other similar capture devices.

How to Twitch Stream the Nintendo Switch With OBS Studio

The first thing you need to do after installing OBS Studio on your computer is to link it to your Twitch account. Here’s how:

Use Nintendo Switch as Media Source

Next, you need to import your Nintendo Switch as a media source.

While companies such as Microsoft and Sony encourage users to stream their respective Xbox One and PlayStation 4 video games on services like Twitch and YouTube, Nintendo is notorious for its attempts to protect its brands. It often files takedown requests on video websites based on copyright infringement. Luckily for Twitch streamers, Nintendo mainly focuses on taking down YouTube videos of its games and usually lets streamers do what they like. Nintendo’s strict content policy is one reason many video game streamers choose to broadcast gameplay of Xbox One and/or PlayStation 4 titles instead of those on the Nintendo Switch. Both rival consoles are completely open when it comes to streaming and require no registration.