What you get with Amazon Prime's included Twitch subscription

If you have an Amazon Prime membership, you get one free Tier 1 subscription to any Twitch channel every month. This is a real subscription — the streamer receives the same revenue share they would from a paid subscriber, and the channel gets your subscription count. You do not pay anything extra; it comes with your Prime membership.

The subscription renews automatically each month on the same date. You can change which channel receives your subscription at any time, or let it expire by not renewing it. The streamer sees your username and knows the subscription came through Prime Gaming (Amazon's name for this benefit).

This is different from following a channel or cheering with bits. A subscription gives the streamer recurring support and usually unlocks channel-specific perks like custom emotes, ad-free viewing, or exclusive chat access — whatever that streamer has set up.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Prime membership includes one free Tier 1 Twitch subscription per month that you can give to any channel.
  • The subscription renews automatically each month and the streamer receives the same payment as they would from a paying subscriber.
  • You can switch your subscription to a different channel anytime, or skip a month by not renewing.
  • Channel perks like emotes and ad-free chat are included with your Prime subscription the same way they are for paid subscribers.
  • Your Twitch account must be linked to the Amazon account holding your Prime membership for the free subscription to appear.

How to claim and use your Prime Gaming subscription

Start on Twitch and sign in with the Amazon account linked to your Prime membership. Go to your account menu (the person icon in the top right) and select Subscriptions. You will see a section labeled "Prime Gaming" with a button to claim your free monthly subscription.

Click that button and choose the channel you want to subscribe to. You can search by streamer name or browse channels. Once you select a channel, the subscription activates when ready and will renew on the same date each month.

If you want to change channels next month, return to the same Subscriptions page before your renewal date and select a different channel. If you do nothing, your subscription renews to the same channel automatically.

Linking your Amazon account to Twitch

Your Twitch account must be connected to the Amazon account that holds your Prime membership for the free subscription to show up. If you created your Twitch account years ago or with a different email, the accounts may not be linked yet.

To link them, go to Twitch.tv, sign in, and open your account settings. Select Connections and find Amazon. Click Connect and sign in with your Amazon account. Twitch will confirm the link, and your Prime Gaming subscription option should appear within a few minutes.

If you have multiple Amazon accounts, make sure you are connecting to the one with an active Prime membership. The free subscription only works with the linked account. If the link does not appear after several minutes, try signing out of Twitch completely and signing back in.

What happens if your Prime membership ends

If your Prime membership lapses, you lose the free subscription when ready. Your current subscription will not renew the following month. You can still watch Twitch and follow channels, but you cannot use the Prime Gaming subscription benefit until you renew your Prime membership.

If you reactivate Prime later, your Prime Gaming subscription option returns. You will need to claim it again and choose a channel — it does not automatically resume where it left off.

Upgrading to a higher tier subscription

The free Prime subscription is always Tier 1. If you want to subscribe at Tier 2 or Tier 3 (which cost money and give the streamer more revenue), you can pay the difference out of pocket. On the channel's subscription page, you will see the option to upgrade your Prime subscription to a higher tier.

You pay the difference between what Prime covers and the tier you choose. For example, if Tier 2 costs $9.99 and Prime covers the Tier 1 cost, you pay the gap. This is separate from your Prime subscription and does not affect your monthly free subscription to another channel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I give my Prime subscription to someone else?

No. The subscription is tied to your Twitch account and your linked Amazon Prime membership. Only you can claim and use it. The streamer will see it as coming from your account.

What if I do not want to use my free subscription this month?

You do not have to claim it. If you do not select a channel before the month ends, the subscription straightforward does not renew. You can claim it the next month whenever you choose a channel.

Do I get channel perks with the Prime subscription?

Yes. Whatever perks the channel offers to Tier 1 subscribers — custom emotes, ad-free viewing, exclusive chat access — you receive them with your Prime subscription. The streamer decides what perks come with each tier.

Can I use my Prime subscription on multiple channels at once?

No. You get one subscription per month, and it goes to one channel. You can follow other channels and cheer with bits, but the free subscription covers only one channel at a time.

What if the streamer I subscribed to stops streaming?

Your subscription remains active and renews each month. If you want to move it to a different channel, go back to your Subscriptions page and select a new one anytime before renewal.