How-To

How to Appear Invisible on Twitch

By Ben Stockton

Updated May 11, 2023

If you want to enjoy your streams in peace, you might want to learn how to appear invisible on Twitch. This guide explains how to do it.

Whether you’re a viewer or a streamer, there’s plenty on Twitch for you to enjoy. You can build up your Twitch community or join your own as a subscriber.

What happens when you want a bit of invisibility? Even if you’re following users you like, you might want to appear invisible on Twitch from time to time. This will allow you to appear offline while still enjoying the streams that Twitch has to offer.

If you’re unsure how to appear invisible on Twitch, follow the steps below.

How to Appear Offline on Twitch

If you have friends or followers on Twitch, you’ll no longer be able to interact with them using Twitch’s built-in chat system. This system was removed from Twitch in 2022. The Twitch desktop app, which allowed you to change your activity status, was also removed in 2022.

This means it is no longer possible to appear invisible on Twitch in the usual way. Your activity status won’t be shown to other Twitch users except when watching a Twitch stream using your account. If you do, you’ll appear in the active user list in Twitch chat.

Alternatively, you can change your Twitch account settings to limit contact with other users. You can also create a secondary account (a throwaway or alt account) that you can use to watch a stream without anyone knowing that it’s you.

How to Restrict Chat Messages on Twitch

As you can no longer appear invisible on Twitch by changing your activity status, you might want to increase your privacy. This includes restricting messages (known as whispers) from strangers you don’t follow or subscribe to.

To block unknown whispers on Twitch on PC or Mac:

1. Open the Twitch website and sign in.
2. Click the account icon in the top right.
3. Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
   
4. Click the Security & Privacy tab.
5. Scroll down to the Privacy section.
6. Click the Block Whispers from Strangers slider to stop unknown users from sending you messages on Twitch.
   

The changes you make to your privacy settings will apply automatically. They should apply account wide, but you may need to sign in and out of Twitch on other devices for the settings to take effect.

To block unknown whispers on Twitch on Android, iPhone, or iPad:

You can also block unknown Twitch messages using the Twitch mobile app on Android, iPhone, or iPad devices. While these devices will differ slightly, these steps should work for Android and Apple devices.

1. Open the Twitch app and sign in.
2. Tap the account icon in the top left.
   
3. Select Account Settings in the Account menu.
   
4. In Settings, tap Security & Privacy.
   
5. Tap the Block Whispers from Strangers slider to limit unknown users from messaging you on Twitch.
   

As with the Twitch website, any changes you make to your privacy settings should apply automatically to all devices you’re signed in to.

How to Create a Secondary Twitch Account to Appear Invisible on Twitch

You’ll need a workaround as Twitch no longer allows you to change your Twitch status to appear offline. The best method is to create a secondary, alternative account that you can use to watch Twitch streams in peace.

Using a pseudonym, you can watch Twitch streams without another user knowing who you are.

How to Allow Secondary Accounts Using a Verified Twitch Email Address

If you want to use the same email address as your existing account, you’ll need to enable a setting in your Twitch account to allow you to do it first.

You can skip these steps if you’re planning on using a completely different email address, as long as the account isn’t already used for a Twitch account elsewhere.

To allow a secondary Twitch account using an existing email address:

1. Open the Twitch website and sign in.
2. Click the account icon in the top right.
3. From the pop-up menu, select Settings.
   
4. Click the Security & Privacy tab.
5. If you haven’t already, you’ll need to add a phone number to your Twitch account, so click Add a number in the Contact section and follow any additional instructions.
6. Once you have a phone number attached to your Twitch account, click the Enable additional account creation slider in the Contact section.
   

The change to your account settings will activate immediately. Once you’ve done this, you can set up a secondary Twitch account.

How to Set Up a Second Twitch Account

Now your email address can be used for more than one Twitch account; you can create your secondary Twitch account to appear invisible on Twitch.

To create a secondary Twitch account:

1. Open the Twitch website.
2. If you’ve not signed out already, sign out at this point by clicking the account icon and selecting Log Out.
3. Next, click Sign Up in the top right.
   
4. In the Sign Up pop-up, choose a new username and password for your secondary account.
5. Provide your date of birth and press Use email instead.
6. Type in your existing email address (if you’ve enabled this functionality on your main account) or an alternative email address in the box provided.
7. Click Sign Up to register your account.
   
8. Check your email address for a Twitch email and follow the instructions to verify the account.
9. Once you’ve verified your account, sign in by returning to the Twitch website and clicking Log In in the top right.

At this point, your alternative Twitch account should be set up and ready to use. You can switch to this account by signing out of your main Twitch account and into your alt account. As long as you use a name that isn’t the same (or nearly the same) as your previous account, no one will know that it’s you, providing you with the ability to appear invisible on Twitch.

You can also follow the same Twitch accounts you follow on your other accounts, but you won’t be able to take advantage of any perks you might have on that account, such as subscriber privileges.

Building a Community on Twitch

Using the steps above, you can appear invisible on Twitch to hide from other users while watching a stream (as best you can). Unfortunately, it won’t work if you’re a streamer, but what would be the point of appearing offline when you’re streaming, anyway?

If you’ve just joined a Twitch community by subscribing or following a streamer, why not create Twitch clips to keep track of funny moments? You can also update your Twitch name to better reflect your online persona.

Want to start a stream yourself? You can stream on Twitch using OBS for free and build your community around your interests or passions.