How to Stream PS4 to Twitch in 5 Easy Steps

Many people today are live streaming their gaming experiences to Twitch and it has never been easier if you have a Sony Playstation 4 console. While the most popular streamers employ large and expensive streaming setups, if you own a PS4, Sony and Twitch have made it very easy to setup and start broadcasting your gameplay.

Related: Best Streaming Software for 2020

Why You Should Stream to Twitch with a PS4

Today it is easier than ever to connect to your gameplay with your Twitch audience. No longer do you require fancy, expensive or complicated PC setups in order to interact with your audience. The PS4 has most everything required built-in, with a few caveats, so you can get up and running in no time.

Here are five easy steps to broadcast your gameplay to Twitch with a PS4:

Turn On Your PS4

In order to get started streaming to Twitch from your PS4 you won’t need much except for a few basic necessities. The current generation of PS4’s are capable of processing the video capture and streaming it to Twitch. This makes the entire situation for setting up and creating a basic stream to Twitch both cheaper and easier than streaming from a PC, which requires dedicated hardware and software in order to be configured properly. Lastly, make sure your console is connected properly to your monitor or television, whichever viewing device you choose.

• Make sure your TV or Monitor is connected and powered on
• Turn on your PS4
• Connect a PS4 controller to your console
• Your PS4 controller is paramount for future steps

Download the Twitch app from the Playstation Store

Now that your PS4 and TV or monitor are powered on, you are ready to get started. Sony and Twitch have partnered up to make this a much easier experience than other streaming platforms. From the Playstation Store menu, scroll down to the App section and check the Popular category. Scrolling through the list you will see a large purple Twitch icon, click on this button in order to download and install the official Twitch app.

• Travel to the Playstation Store
• Scroll down to the App section of the menu
• Choose the Popular category under the App section
• Scroll through until you see the Twitch icon
• Download and Install the official Twitch app

Connect Your Playstation Account with Your Twitch Account

Next, you will need to activate your Twitch account for use with your PS4. Twitch provides an easy way to do this with, https://www.twitch.tv/activate. You will be prompted with a unique code from the PS4 that will need to be added to your Twitch account at the link provided above. Once you make this connection between the two accounts, you won’t have to do this again unless you either change Twitch accounts or Playstation consoles in the future.  Here are a few helpful steps to guide you along the way.

• Press the Share button on your PlayStation controller. 
• Select Broadcast Gameplay and choose Twitch
• Select Sign-in, your PlayStation 4 console will now give you a unique code
• On a computer, travel to https://www.twitch.tv/activate and enter the unique code
• A new option will appear on your Playstation 4, press OK
• Your PlayStation 4 and Twitch account will now be linked

Start Streaming to Twitch with Your PS4

First you will need to locate the Share button on your Playstation 4 controller. Once you have pressed the Share button a new screen will prompt you with a list of streaming platforms, from this list choose Twitch. You will have the option here to start your broadcasting, however there are a few more settings and options you will want to double check before starting your stream. From the Broadcast Settings menu you can adjust the quality of the stream, which is defaulted to 720p. If you have a very fast and stable internet connection, you should adjust the quality preset to reflect the increased bandwidth.

Additionally, you can also use a capture card to direct the PS4 gameplay to OBS through your PC.

• Locate and Press the Share button on your Playstation 4 controller
• Choose the Twitch option from the menu
• A new screen will appear with the button that says Start Broadcasting
• Adjust your Broadcast Settings, Sony recommends 720p stream setting for most users
• Higher qualitysettings are available only if your internet can handle the increased bandwidth

Connect a Playstation 4 Camera and Microphone

Connecting a camera and microphone to your stream is another way to interact with your audience and a great way to help grow your stream. Sony has created a camera designed specifically to work with the Playstation 4 called the PS4 Camera.

Additionally, you can easily connect a Sony Playstation headset with your console, however there are more professional options for microphones that might be better suited for live streaming applications. 

• Connect your Playstation 4 camera and activate it under your Broadcast Settings
• Also under the Broadcast Settings, you can adjust the microphone volume of your headset
• Once you have adjusted and approved of all the settings, press the Start Broadcasting option and being streaming to Twitch
• In order to end your Twitch stream at any time, press the Share button once again on your PS4 controller

Frequently Asked Questions about Streaming PS4 on Twitch

Related: How to Stream on Twitch in 5 Easy Steps

Now You’re Ready to Stream PS4 on Twitch

With live streaming becoming ubiquitous with gameplay, more platforms are being created to leverage a burgeoning marketplace. The PS4 provides a very simple and easy to understand user interface allowing anyone can boot up and begin live streaming their favorite games in a matter of minutes thanks to the Playstation Store and Twitch.