How to stream on Xbox Series X

Streaming games on Xbox Series X can happen in two ways at launch.

• Streaming with the Twitch App
• Streaming with a Capture Card

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The first, and probably the easiest though not as customizable, is done by using the Twitch app on the system to broadcast your gameplay. With Mixer closed, there is currently no other service that supports game streaming through an app on Xbox Series X. The other method requires you to have a capture card and a PC streaming setup.

Streaming with the Twitch App

You can stream directly from the Twitch app with a quick few steps. First, make sure you have the Twitch app downloaded and sign in to your Twitch account. You'll need to sign in using a code, so be sure to have a device with a web browser at the ready!

Now that you're signed in you can tab over to the "Broadcast" tab on Twitch. it'll pull up this screen:

On the left you'll enter the name of your stream. The game title is blocked out as the Xbox will automatically tell Twitch what game you're playing, so no need to worry about that. Don't hit "Start Streaming" just yet, though. You'll want to adjust some settings other settings first.

The right side of the Broadcast menu are several settings. Below is a rundown of what you'll want to adjust and why.

• Destination - This is an "experimental" feature that you shouldn't need to mess with if you're streaming to Twitch.
• Camera Position - Choose where your camera appears on stream. This will be blocked if you don't have a camera plugged in.
• Broadcast Bar Position - While your stream is live, Twitch will display a blue bar over your game that shows how long you've been streaming, how many people are watching, your mic status, and your camera. Make sure you set the bar in a corner that won't block important information you need to see while playing your game.

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This is what the Broadcast Bar looks like when it's positioned in the Top Right part of the screen. The viewers can't see the broadcast bar.

• Microphone - Choose how loud your mic is on your stream. You'll want your mic to be louder than your game or party chat so viewers can hear you properly. You can also mute your mic on the stream. This won't mute your mic in other places, but that audio won't be broadcasted. This option is blocked if you don't have a mic plugged in.
• Party Chat - Choose whether or not your viewers can hear what's going on in your Party Chat and how loud that Chat can be.
• Game - Toggle the game audio. It might be worth toggling this down a few ticks if you'll be talking a lot during your stream.
• Bitrate - This is important. If you opt to have an automatic bitrate, make sure your Xbox is using an ethernet cord instead of using Wi-Fi. The automatic bitrate calibration might give you a higher bitrate than your internet can handle over Wi-Fi. Your Bitrate is determined by your internet, so you'll want to have the best connection to your internet possible.
• Stream Resolution - If you can't support a high bitrate, consider steaming at a lower resolution. The Twitch App offers streaming in 1080p, 720p, 480p, and 360p.

If you need help additional help understanding what Bitrate and resolution is best for you, head over to the Twitch Broadcast Guidelines page for an in-depth explanation.

Once you've finished changing your settings, select "Start Streaming" to begin your stream. Note that you cannot read chat through the Twitch Xbox app. You'll need to have your chat open on another device.

With your stream live all you need to now is navigate to the game you want to play and start playing! Note that while you're in your Xbox menus or in the Twitch app your stream will display art like this for your privacy:

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If you do want to show Xbox menus you'll need to stream with a capture card.

Streaming with a Capture Card

If you have a gaming PC you want to stream with, you can stream your games with the help of a capture card. This will allow you to stream on any site of your choosing with overlays and more customization options. You will need to purchase a capture card and download a streaming program like OBS, Streamlabs OBS, or another in order to push your gameplay to a streaming service.

Though not the only capture card option, Elgato's Game Capture cards are a popular example of what you'd need. Please follow the directions on your chosen capture card to set up game capture on your PC.