How to Download a Twitch VOD Before It's Deleted (Save It as MP4)

Updated: 2026-06-29 · Written by the vodfetch founder

Twitch quietly deletes past broadcasts after 7 to 60 days. Here's how to check when a VOD expires and save it as an MP4 with the Twitch Downloader before it's gone for good.

How long do Twitch VODs last before they're deleted?

Twitch does not keep your past broadcasts forever. By default, regular channels have their VODs automatically deleted after 7 days. Channels that connect a Prime Gaming or Turbo subscription get 14 days, while Twitch Affiliates and Partners (as well as Prime/Turbo users) can have VODs stored for up to 60 days.

After the storage window ends, Twitch permanently removes the VOD and there is no built-in way to recover it. If a stream you want to keep is approaching its expiry date, the clock is genuinely ticking, so archiving it sooner rather than later is the safe move.

Note that Highlights and Clips you create are stored indefinitely, but full past broadcasts (the raw VODs) are the ones that expire on the schedule above.

How can I check when a Twitch VOD will be deleted?

If it's your own channel, open Creator Dashboard, then go to Content and select Video Producer. Each past broadcast shows its publish date, and Twitch will flag VODs that are about to expire so you know which ones to save first.

For someone else's VOD, you can estimate the deletion date from the stream date: add 7, 14, or 60 days depending on the streamer's account type. When in doubt, treat 7 days as the deadline and archive early.

As a channel owner, you should also enable Store Past Broadcasts so future streams are saved as VODs at all. Find it under Settings, then Stream, and toggle on Store past broadcasts. This only affects new streams going forward, not ones that already aired.

If it's someone else's channel, vodfetch's channel browser can help: paste the streamer's name and you'll see their recent VODs with an estimated days-left badge based on Twitch's retention rules above, so you can spot which ones to save first without guessing.

Why should you archive your Twitch VODs?

VODs are valuable. They're the raw material for YouTube re-uploads, highlight reels, TikTok and Shorts clips, tournament records, coaching review, and a personal backup of memorable moments. Once Twitch deletes the file, all of that is gone.

Downloading a VOD as an MP4 means you own a permanent local copy that plays in any video player and imports cleanly into editors like Premiere, DaVinci Resolve, or CapCut. Archiving is especially important before you delete content from your channel or if you ever lose access to your account.

How do I save a Twitch VOD as an MP4 with the Twitch Downloader?

The fastest way to rescue a VOD is the free Twitch Downloader. You paste the VOD's URL, the tool fetches the video, and you download it as a standard MP4 file, no software install or account login required.

Copy the VOD link from the address bar (it looks like twitch.tv/videos/1234567890), paste it into the Twitch Downloader, choose your quality, and save. The full step-by-step is below.

Responsible-use note: download VODs for personal use and only content you own or have permission to save, and always respect Twitch's Terms of Service and the original creator's copyright.

How to watch someone's past broadcasts (before they're gone)

Every channel keeps its recent past broadcasts under twitch.tv/<channel>/videos — that's the official way to watch past streams, and it works until each VOD hits its deletion window. Some streamers make past broadcasts subscriber-only, and highlights (which don't expire) often outlive the full VODs.

If you'd rather see everything a channel currently offers in one place, type the channel's name into vodfetch's box: the channel browser lists its recent VODs with estimated expiry and its most-viewed clips — each with a download button.

Is there a Twitch archive or 'VOD finder' for deleted streams?

No. Once Twitch deletes a VOD, it is gone from Twitch — there is no official archive, and no tool (including this one) can recover it. Stats and tracker sites keep metadata about past streams (titles, dates, viewer counts), but not the video itself.

The realistic 'VOD finder' options are: the channel's own videos tab while the VOD still exists, the channel's highlights (kept indefinitely), and re-uploads the streamer published on YouTube. For anything you want to keep, the only reliable archive is the one you make yourself — before the timer runs out.

How to download a Twitch video

1. 1

   Copy the VOD URL

   Open the Twitch VOD you want to keep and copy its full link (for example, twitch.tv/videos/1234567890) from your browser's address bar.

2. 2

   Open the Twitch Downloader

   Go to the Twitch Downloader tool in your browser; no account or installation is needed.

3. 3

   Paste the link

   Paste the VOD URL into the input field and let the tool load the video.

4. 4

   Choose your quality

   Select your preferred resolution, such as 1080p or 720p, depending on the file size you want.

5. 5

   Download as MP4

   Click download and save the VOD as an MP4 file to your device before Twitch's expiry deadline.

6. 6

   Verify and back up

   Play the downloaded MP4 to confirm it's complete, then store a copy in cloud or external storage for safekeeping.

Frequently asked questions

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