Microsoft lets Xbox Insiders stream via dashboard on Twitch again

Xbox users in the Alpha Skip Ahead program will be able to stream directly from the console on Twitch again. Microsoft had removed this feature in the past to make way for its own streaming platform Mixer. That platform was closed last year.

The new Xbox dashboard beta has Twitch integration again. This allows users to link their Twitch account via the dashboard to watch streams directly or to live stream games via the console. No app needs to be installed for this. It is the first time that Twitch functionality is available for the Xbox Series X and S.

Twitch integration was already added to the Xbox One in 2014. When Microsoft released its own streaming platform Beam in 2017, later renamed Mixer, the ability to stream on Twitch was removed and replaced with Mixer integration. Mixer no longer exists since last year, because Microsoft was unable to build a large audience there. Microsoft then teamed up with Twitch competitor Facebook Gaming.

For now, Twitch integration is only available to Xbox Insiders in the Alpha Skip Ahead program, Microsoft reports. Through that program, Xbox players can try out features that Microsoft is still testing. It is not yet known when the feature will come to all users.

In addition, the same Alpha Skip Ahead beta offers the ability to play games for Xbox Series X and S on Xbox One through cloud gaming. This allows users of the previous generation consoles to play new games that do not appear for the Xbox One itself, such as Flight Simulator. A Game Pass Ultimate subscription is required for this.

Source: The Verge