How to Host on Twitch: Share Another Stream

Updated 8 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Hosting on Twitch lets your channel direct viewers to another live stream, giving that streamer extra visibility while you are not broadcasting. Twitch has changed how this feature works: the old chat command /host and the manual Host button are no longer available, so use Twitch’s current channel-sharing options instead.

What You’ll Need

A Twitch account and access to your channel.
The channel name or link of a creator who is live and whose stream you want to share.
A web browser or the Twitch mobile app. Menu labels and availability may differ slightly by device or app version.

Step-by-Step

Choose the channel to share. Find a creator who is currently live and whose content is appropriate for your audience. Check the channel name carefully; similar usernames can lead to sharing the wrong stream.
Open your Twitch channel. Sign in, select your profile icon, and choose Creator Dashboard if you are using a browser. You can also open your own channel page directly. In the mobile app, go to your profile or channel area.
Look for the channel-sharing or stream-sharing option. Twitch has retired traditional hosting. Depending on the current interface, you may be able to share another live channel through a channel page, a dashboard tool, or a featured-streaming option. Follow the prompts shown by Twitch and select the channel you chose. Do not rely on older instructions that say to enter /host username in chat; this command no longer starts a host.
Confirm the shared channel is live. If Twitch offers a preview or selection confirmation, verify the creator and stream title before applying it. A channel that is offline may not be eligible for a live-stream share.
Tell your viewers what is happening. Post a brief message in your channel’s chat or announcement area explaining that you are sharing another creator’s stream. Include the creator’s channel name so viewers understand where the content comes from.
Check the result from your channel. Open your channel as a viewer, if possible, and confirm the stream or recommendation appears as intended. Twitch may show a shared stream differently from the old full-screen host experience, and the display can depend on current channel features.
End or change the share when appropriate. Return to the same channel-sharing controls and remove or replace the selected stream if the creator goes offline, the content changes, or you no longer want it featured. If you cannot find an end control, check the dashboard and your channel page for the active sharing setting.

Common Mistakes

Following outdated tutorials: Instructions showing /host, /unhost, or a Host button describe Twitch’s retired hosting system. These commands do not enable the old feature.
Assuming a share is the same as a raid: A raid sends viewers to another channel, typically as you finish a broadcast. Sharing or featuring a channel is a different action and may not move viewers into the other stream’s chat.
Choosing an offline or incorrect channel: Check the exact username and live status before confirming. If the streamer ends their broadcast, the share may disappear or stop being useful.
Expecting identical layouts on every device: Twitch’s interface and available sharing features may vary between desktop and mobile, and can change over time.
Leaving viewers without context: A short chat notice helps prevent confusion about whose stream is being shown and where to find the creator.

Tips

Agree with the other creator before featuring their stream, especially if your channels have different audiences or content styles.
Check the stream’s title and content before sharing it, and keep an eye on it if it remains featured. The creator may change games or topics while live.
Make the transition clear. If you are ending your own broadcast, tell viewers whether you are sharing a channel or sending them over with a raid.
Use the creator’s correct channel name when you mention or link them. This makes it easier for viewers to find the original stream.
Keep a backup plan: if the sharing control is missing, you can still post a link in chat or make a raid when that is the action you actually want.

Troubleshooting

The old host command does nothing. That is expected: Twitch retired traditional hosting and the /host command. Use the currently available channel-sharing option, or choose a raid if you want to send viewers to another channel.

You cannot find a sharing control. Check your channel page and Creator Dashboard in a desktop browser, then update or restart the app if you are on mobile. Twitch may have moved, renamed, or limited the feature in your interface. If no sharing option appears, use a channel link or a raid rather than trying obsolete commands.

The selected stream is not appearing. Confirm the creator is live, reload your channel page, and check whether the sharing selection saved. Try again from a browser if the app does not show the same controls.

The wrong stream or channel appears. Remove the current selection, verify the username against the creator’s channel page, and select the intended live channel again. Notify viewers if they may have followed the wrong link.

The stream ends while you are sharing it. Remove the inactive share or select another live channel. If Twitch keeps showing a stale preview, refresh your channel page and check the active sharing controls again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still host someone on Twitch with /host?
No. Twitch retired the traditional host feature and its chat command. Older guides showing that command are out of date.

What is the difference between hosting and raiding?
The old host feature displayed another creator’s stream on your channel. A raid directs your viewers to another channel, usually at the end of your stream. They are not interchangeable.

Can I host from the Twitch mobile app?
The old host command is not available on mobile or desktop. Current sharing controls can vary by app version and account interface, so check the channel page or dashboard; if unavailable, share a link or raid.

Does sharing a stream send my viewers to the other channel?
Not necessarily. A stream share or feature is not the same as a raid, which is specifically designed to move viewers to another channel.

Can I share a channel that is offline?
Live-stream sharing generally requires an active broadcast. If the creator is offline, you can share their channel link instead and try again when they go live.

Why do instructions online show a Host button?
They may describe Twitch’s former hosting interface. Look for current sharing options in your channel or dashboard, and use a raid when you want viewers to move to another live channel.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.