Sometimes you’re watching an amazing Twitch stream, but you missed something awesome just two minutes ago. Maybe the streamer just pulled off a crazy play, and now chat is exploding. You’re left wishing you could just rewind — without leaving the live action. Good news: there’s a way to do just that!
TL;DR
Yes, you can watch Twitch VODs while the stream is still live! Just go to the streamer’s past broadcasts and click on the current live VOD. Use the video scrubber to rewind and catch what you missed. Then, you can fast-forward to return to live or watch at your own pace.
What Is a Twitch VOD, Anyway?
VOD stands for Video on Demand. Twitch automatically saves broadcasts from many streamers, so you can watch them later. If the streamer has VODs turned on, each live session is being recorded in the background.
The cool thing? You can open that recording while the stream is still happening. It’s like having a DVR for Twitch!
Why Would You Want To Do This?
- Rewatch an insane moment without relying on clips or chat spam
- Catch up if you joined late
- Pause and rewind while you multitask
- No spoilers from the chat (if you pop out the VOD separately)
Step-By-Step: How To Open the Live VOD
Follow these easy steps to jump into a live VOD while the stream keeps going:
- Go to the streamer’s channel — for example, twitch.tv/YourFavoriteStreamer.
- Click on the “Videos” tab underneath their stream window.
- Here you’ll see their previous broadcasts, but guess what? The current live stream is probably listed here too!
- Find the one marked “LIVE” (it may have a red dot or a label).
- Click it. Congrats! You’ve entered the VOD version of the live stream.
Now, you can use the video player’s timeline to rewind, fast-forward, pause… whatever you want. It’s still the same stream, just on your terms.
Bonus Tip: Use Theater Mode or Pop-Out Player
Want to keep the live video open and watch the VOD at the same time? You can! Here’s how:
- Right click the live stream and choose “Pop-out Player”
- Open the VOD in a separate browser tab
- Now watch both side-by-side — rewind in one, stay live in the other!
Sure, it’ll use more resources, but it’s handy if you’re doing some serious Twitch investigating.
Tricks to Make It Even Better
Here are a few tricks to maximize your Twitch experience:
- Mute one video player so there’s no echo
- Pause chat in the VOD so you don’t spoil the moment
- Bookmark the live VOD if you find something you want to rewatch later
You can even slow down playback if you want to see those epic gamer moments frame by frame.
But What If the Streamer Has VODs Turned Off?
Good question. Some streamers disable VODs — either permanently or just for certain broadcasts. If there’s no record of the stream in the “Videos” tab, this trick won’t work.
In that case, you’re out of luck unless you:
- Clip the moment yourself (only 60 seconds though)
- Ask someone in chat to check if it’s being recorded elsewhere
- Watch really closely so you don’t miss the next fireworks
You Can Also Use Keyboard Shortcuts
Twitch doesn’t make this too obvious, but if you’re watching the live VOD, you can use some handy controls:
- Left arrow: Rewind 10 seconds
- Right arrow: Fast forward 10 seconds
- Spacebar: Pause/Play
- F: Toggle fullscreen
Super useful if you’re rewatching without taking your hands off the keyboard.
Mobile Users: Can You Do This?
Kind of. Twitch’s mobile app is more limited. Here’s what to expect:
- You can open VODs while the stream is live, just like on desktop
- You can’t watch two things at once unless you use a second device
- Make sure your app is up to date to get the best features
Some third-party Twitch apps offer extra playback options — just be careful with what you install.
Stream Is Live + You’re Rewinding = Magic
It’s truly like having a rewind button on a live TV show. Twitch doesn’t make a big deal about it, but this feature is a game changer. You’ll never miss a clutch moment again.
Final Thoughts
So next time you’re watching your favorite streamer and miss a wild backflip, don’t despair. Just open the live VOD, scrub that timeline, and relive the moment. Twitch secretly gave you superpowers, and now you know how to use them.
Happy watching. And don’t forget to share this trick with your fellow Twitch friends!