The StreamTranslate Twitch Extension gives deaf and HoH viewers control over their own caption experience — without needing the streamer to set up a video overlay. Here is how it works.
Get the Twitch Extension →Twitch Extensions are custom apps that integrate into the Twitch channel interface — adding panels below the stream, overlays on top of it, or interactive features within it. The StreamTranslate Twitch Extension uses this system to give viewers a dedicated panel for enabling and controlling real-time captions on streams where the streamer has activated the service.
This is the closed-captions model for Twitch: the captions are not burned into the video (though streamers can also do this via OBS overlay), but are instead delivered as a viewer-side option. Each viewer independently decides whether to enable captions. Deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers who want captions can turn them on; other viewers can leave them off. This respects viewer autonomy while ensuring accessibility coverage for the deaf and HoH community.
When a streamer activates StreamTranslate at streamtranslate.live/setup and enables the Twitch Extension at streamtranslate.live/twitch, their channel gains a caption extension panel. Viewers who visit the channel can access this panel through the Extensions section of the Twitch interface (typically found below or beside the stream).
When a viewer enables captions through the panel, they begin receiving the real-time caption stream — the same text that the OBS overlay would show, delivered with sub-500ms latency from the streamer's microphone audio. Captions appear as part of the viewer's Twitch experience, updated in near-real-time as the streamer speaks.
On channels where the streamer has enabled StreamTranslate, the Extension will be available. Look for the Extensions panel in the channel interface.
Find the Extensions section on the channel page. If StreamTranslate is listed and active, you will see a caption option.
Click to enable captions in the Extension panel. Real-time captions will begin appearing, delivered with sub-500ms latency from the streamer's microphone.
Some Extension configurations allow you to adjust caption display options including language preference (StreamTranslate supports 50+ languages).
If your favorite streamer does not have the Extension, share streamtranslate.live/twitch with them. Many streamers add it once they know a viewer wants it.
Activating the StreamTranslate Twitch Extension for your channel gives your deaf and HoH viewers viewer-side caption control. Combined with an OBS Browser Source overlay (open captions), it provides the most comprehensive caption coverage possible on Twitch.
Activate the Extension at streamtranslate.live/twitch. Full setup including the OBS overlay is at streamtranslate.live/setup. The complete setup takes under 10 minutes and provides ongoing caption service for every broadcast.
The StreamTranslate Twitch Extension is a Twitch channel extension that gives viewers a panel to enable real-time captions on streams where the streamer has activated the service. Viewers can toggle captions on or off independently without any action from the streamer.
The StreamTranslate Twitch Extension is available through Twitch Extensions. On channels where the streamer has activated it, viewers can access it through the Extensions panel in the Twitch interface. Streamers activate it at streamtranslate.live/twitch.
Twitch Extensions have variable mobile support. Viewers on desktop and through the Twitch website have the best Extension experience. Mobile app Extension support depends on the Twitch version and may have limitations.
The StreamTranslate Twitch Extension may offer caption display options including size and language preferences. Deaf and HoH viewers can enable captions to their preference from the Extension panel.
The Extension is free to install and use for viewers. The underlying captioning service is paid for by the streamer through their StreamTranslate subscription.