Livestreaming platform is doing away with sub tokens on iOS, making it easier for viewers to subscribe to streamers from their Apple devices.
Users could previously sub from an iPhone, but Twitch has now changed the way it works, so instead of viewers having to use a sub token to manually sub from an iPhone each month, they can now use a recurring sub which renews automatically.
From December 1st 2021, Twitch users will no longer be able to purchase new sub tokens, but will be able to use existing ones until January 10th 2022, when they will no longer be supported.
This sub renewal service already existed on the web and Android devices – now iOS users will be able to access it too.
Viewers have previously complained that it was difficult to subscribe to streamers and effectively rack up sub streaks from certain mobiles.
Twitch is also adjusting the price of subscriptions on iOS in some regions as part of agreements with its mobile app store partners. In South Africa and some European countries, viewers will see a slight price increase, while viewers in some Asia Pacific and Latin American countries will see a small price decrease. These new prices take effect when the Twitch app is updated to iOS 11.9 or later.
“Recurring monthly subs are now live on iOS. No more iOS Sub Tokens. Just a simple, consistent way for viewers to sub to their favorites whether they’re watching on iOS, Android, or web.”
Twitch
Esports News UK tested the service out on iOS and it costs £4.49 per month in the UK to subscribe to a streamer from the Twitch iOS app – from desktop it’s £3.99. It used to cost £4.99, before Twitch lowered subscription prices in the UK earlier in the summer.
It’s not clear if users can subscribe using their Prime subs via iOS via the new method or whether they have to do this via browser or not.
Twitch said in an email to streamers today: “Recurring monthly subs are now LIVE on iOS. No more iOS Sub Tokens. Just a simple, consistent way for viewers to sub to their favorites whether they’re watching on iOS, Android, or web.
“What’s this mean for you? We recommend reminding your viewers, if they’re on iOS, to update their Twitch app for the new sub experience and to redeem any Sub Tokens by January 10th 2022. This makes subbing easier and, we believe, will lead to more consistent support for creators like you month over month.”
Twitch added in a blog post: “While we are replacing sub tokens, they will continue to unlock meaningful support and joy in your favourite channels for a period of time. So if you have unused tokens in your balance, consider hitting that redeem button to let creators know you still got their back before January 10th 2022, after which Apple will refund any unused tokens. And don’t forget to update to the new app version to enjoy the new recurring subs experience.”
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
What if I don’t want my sub to auto renew?
As I understand it, you just cancel them as usual. There should be an option from the app. Here’s Twitch’s info page on cancelling subs: https://help.twitch.tv/s/article/cancelling-subscriptions?language=en_US
This update seems to have already happened as I had sub tokens that I now cannot use. The app only gives me the price of sub
how can I extend my sub now?
Just click subscribe on the channel you want to sub to
The channels I’m already subscribed to, I can’t EXTEND my subscription! How do you solve this?
It should renew automatically according to Twitch’s update post.
So is gifting subs non existent now?
No, just click ‘subscribe’ on the mobile app then slide to the ‘gift’ option
Eu só quero estender a minha inscrição! E não tem essa opção!
How do I play for subs if can’t pre-purchase tokens anymore?
Just click subscribe on the channel you want to sub to
I cancelled my renewal and when i tried to sub again to the streamer’s channel it says there’s an error subscribing. I even went back to my subscriptions on my phone and i can’t activate it again
I’d suggest reaching out to Twitch customer support direct for this
This is also happening for me.
canceling the sub tokens was stupid… that means you have to subscribe then cancel if you just want to be a part of them for a temporary time, the sub tokens was the best feature of twitch, they probably switched it to force people into auto renewing hoping you would forget to cancel.. i hate subs that auto renew, i want the option to do so if i can instead
There is no button on the app to cancel a sub. It won’t let me cancel the sub on desktop and I can’t cancel it from my IOS subscriptions manager as it tells me to go to the app. Now I have a subscription that I am forced to pay every month.
im having this same issue