Twitch Dual Format Explained: Vertical and Horizontal at Once

In June 2026, Twitch opened Dual Format streaming to all streamers. You broadcast one stream, and viewers get both a horizontal and a vertical version. Phone viewers see a proper vertical stream instead of a tiny 16:9 box. Here is what it does and how to set it up.

What Dual Format does

• You stream horizontal and vertical at the same time.
• Clips and VODs are available in both versions.
• It is open to all streamers, not just Partners.

How to set it up in OBS

Dual Format uses Twitch's Enhanced Broadcasting:

1. In OBS, go to Settings > Stream.
2. Turn on Enhanced Broadcasting (Multitrack Video).
3. Add a second canvas for vertical. Twitch's guide uses the Aitum Vertical plugin for this.
4. Build your vertical scene: gameplay, facecam, chat and alerts arranged for 9:16.
5. Go live. Twitch receives both versions.

Support for consoles streaming natively has not been confirmed, so plan on a PC with OBS.

Quality options

Twitch announced alongside this:

• 1080p AVC up to 7.5 Mbps,
• 1440p (2K) HEVC up to 9 Mbps, for Partners and Affiliates.

The catch: vertical VODs expire in 7 days

The vertical VOD expires after 7 days, no matter your account type. If you want to keep vertical content from a stream, download or clip it within the week.

Does Dual Format replace clipping?

Not really. Dual Format gives you a vertical stream. Shorts, TikTok and Reels need short clips: 30 to 60 seconds, starting in the middle of the action, with captions. Someone still has to find those moments in a three-hour broadcast.

Dual Format does make one thing easier: if your vertical scene is already well laid out, the vertical clips from it look good without extra cropping.

Without Dual Format

If you do not use OBS, or you stream from a console, you can still get vertical clips. Download your VOD and upload it to ViceForge. With Facecam Detection and Vertical (9:16) output, the crop keeps your webcam in frame, and captions are added automatically.

Quick checklist

1. Update OBS and turn on Enhanced Broadcasting.
2. Add a vertical canvas and build a 9:16 scene.
3. Facecam visible, chat and alerts out of the way.
4. Download or clip vertical VODs within 7 days.

Sources

• Twitch Blog: Dual Format announcement (June 17, 2026)
• Twitch Help: Video on demand