Twitch responds to mobile app redesign backlash: Here's what’s fixed and what’s coming next

Twitch users have been on a bit of a rollercoaster lately, thanks to the platform’s mobile app redesign. When the initial changes first hit a select group of users back in May, the outcry was immediate and fierce. Users flooded social media with demands for a rollback, unhappy with the revamped look and feel. But despite the noise, Twitch pushed forward, rolling out the new design to more users earlier this month.

So, what’s the big deal with this redesign? Twitch has its reasons, and they’re all about catering to the growing army of mobile users. While the bulk of watch hours still come from desktop users, more than half of Twitch’s audience is glued to their phones, with a significant chunk — 40% — relying exclusively on mobile devices. And it’s not just the veterans; new viewers are overwhelmingly starting their Twitch journey on mobile, with nearly three-quarters opting for the small screen. For Twitch, this meant a mobile-first approach was essential, even if it ruffled some feathers.

But Twitch isn’t completely tone-deaf to user frustrations. They’ve been active in outlining the steps they’ve taken to address some of the more glaring issues. For instance, they’ve squashed a bug that was booting viewers to random streams mid-watch — a particularly annoying glitch for anyone trying to enjoy their favorite content. Other tweaks include improvements to the picture-in-picture experience and making it easier to sort through followed channels. So far, Twitch has done the following since the redesign:

1. Shipped a fix for a bug that was sending viewers to another stream while they were watching a stream. Make sure to update your app and let us know if you still experience this issue on UserVoice.
2. Added the ability to sort your followed channels in the following drawer.
3. Made improvements to the picture in picture experience on Android and iOS.
4. Respected autoplay settings at launch and muted the feed by default, which can be changed in your settings.

Twitch also knows they’ve got more work to do. They’re currently focused on adding more details to the follow drawer, making it easier to find and follow content, and even experimenting with a new following feed. They’re also looking at ways to let users access their followed channels without having to leave their current stream, and they’ve got plans to introduce vertical video in the feed — something that’s sure to please the TikTok crowd. Oh, and for those missing the “continue watching” feature, it’s making a comeback soon. Below is what Twitch is working on:

1. Adding more metadata to the following drawer, like stream titles and thumbnails.
2. Making it easier to access your followed content in the feed. We may experiment with a following feed or adding filters to your feed.
3. Letting you open your following drawer without leaving the current stream you’re watching.
4. Delivering vertical video in the feed.
5. Bringing “continue watching” back to the mobile app.

These improvements come shortly after Twitch increased subscription prices on mobile, which users likely won’t take lightly considering the issues since the redesign. If anything, the ride isn’t over yet. However, Twitch seems committed to smoothing out the bumps and keeping its mobile users happy. They’ve invited users to keep sharing feedback, promising to take it all on board as they continue refining the app.

For now, users will have to wait and see if these changes bring the app closer to what they’ve been asking for — or if it sparks another round of heated discussions.