Twitch’s controversial mobile app redesign now rolling out widely

Twitch’s recent mobile app redesign, which initially faced backlash during a limited rollout in May 2024, is now being widely implemented across the platform. The update, aimed at enhancing content discovery and user engagement, has instead sparked widespread frustration among Twitch users, with many calling for a return to the previous version.

Twitch has explained the rationale behind the redesign, citing the growing importance of mobile users to their platform. According to the company, while most watch hours come from desktop users, over 50% of users primarily use Twitch on their phones, with 40% exclusively using mobile devices. This trend is even more pronounced among new viewers, with almost three-quarters starting their Twitch experience on mobile.

The company states, “We need to make it easier for these viewers to find content when they visit Twitch and make the experience more fun so that they come back more often. This allows streamers to maintain their connection with their existing community while also finding new viewers through shorter, more frequent interactions.”

As we mentioned in our coverage of the issue in May, the redesign centers around a new Discovery Feed, reminiscent of TikTok’s interface, which now occupies the “Home” tab. This feature prioritizes personalized content from followed streamers and new communities, replacing the previous list of followed channels. However, the change has been met with overwhelming criticism from the Twitch community.

The latest “megathread” on Reddit regarding the new update currently has over 295 mostly negative comments and 167 upvotes. Many find the automatic playback of random live streams upon opening the app intrusive and disruptive, raising concerns about unexpected data usage and accidental exposure to inappropriate content. The new design has also made it more difficult for users to quickly check which of their favorite streamers are live, with the follow list now hidden behind additional clicks and requiring more effort to access. There’s widespread disappointment that Twitch appears to be mimicking other platforms, particularly TikTok, instead of focusing on its unique strengths in live streaming.

In response to these concerns, a Twitch employee has provided some clarifications and workarounds. Users can turn off autoplay in the settings by navigating to Profile -> Settings -> Preferences -> Autoplay. The list of followed channels can be found in the top left of the app, though the exact method varies between iOS and Android. On Android, users can swipe to open the following drawer, while this feature is coming soon to iOS.

Despite these options, many users still find the new layout confusing and less user-friendly than its predecessor. Some report difficulty in accessing VODs and returning to videos they were partially through watching. The lack of customization options, including the inability to revert to the old interface, has further fueled user frustration.

One user on Reddit summarized the sentiment shared by many: “This is one of the worst app updates I’ve ever seen. I can’t believe this was approved.” Another user added, “They tried to fix what wasn’t broken. New update is not good.”

For Android users seeking to avoid the update, there is a temporary workaround. By rolling back to version 19.6 or earlier of the Twitch app and disabling auto-updates in the Play Store, users can continue using the previous interface. However, this option is not available for iOS users, leaving them with limited alternatives.

Twitch has emphasized that this redesign is just the first step in improving the mobile experience for both viewers and streamers. The company is actively working on addressing more user feedback, including plans to enable vertical video viewing and add category and collection filters to the feed. They are encouraging users to continue sharing feedback through their UserVoice platform.

Furthermore, the Twitch employee engaging with users on social media has stated that they are “reading all the comments and internalizing the feedback,” particularly noting concerns about followed categories. They have also mentioned looking into specific issues raised by users, suggesting that some improvements may be in the works. That said, some users report that their feedback is being actively removed from official channels.

The controversy surrounding Twitch’s redesign is reminiscent of other high-profile app updates that have faced similar backlash, such as recent changes to YouTube and Sonos. These incidents underscore the importance of thorough user testing and the need for companies to be responsive to their communities’ preferences and needs.

As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Twitch will address the concerns raised by its user base. For now, the platform faces the challenge of balancing its vision for the future with the desires of its current users, who have made their dissatisfaction clear.