Home » How to Block Ads on Twitch: A Comprehensive Guide
Block Ads on Twitch

How to Block Ads on Twitch: A Comprehensive Guide

November 14, 2023

Nothing ruins a clutch gaming moment quite like an unskippable video ad. If you want to watch live streams without getting constantly interrupted, learning how to block twitch ads is an absolute game-changer. Twitch makes its money through marketing, meaning the platform forces a massive number of ads onto viewers daily. For most fans, discovering how to not get ads on twitch is the only way to keep their sanity intact while enjoying their favorite twitch channel.

Why Twitch Ads Are Harder to Block Than Other Sites

Twitch uses a clever technical trick called Server-Side Ad Insertion (SSAI) to deliver commercials. Instead of loading ads from a separate server, Twitch stitches the mid-roll ads and pre-roll ads directly into the main live streams broadcast video data.

Because the video ads arrive in the exact same stream as your streamer, standard ad blockers can’t easily tell the difference between the game you are watching and a commercial. When you use an ad blocker extension that isn't updated, it often breaks the stream or triggers an error. Twitch uses this cat-and-mouse game to ensure you watch twitch ads using their native player, delivering various types of ads like static on-page ads, mid-roll video ads, and pre-roll ads directly to your screen.

Block Ads on Twitch

Quick Comparison: All Methods at a Glance

Method Is it Free? Works on Android App? Difficulty Level Reliability
Ad Blocker Extension Yes No (Desktop only) Very Easy Medium (Requires regular updates)
VPN Location Trick Yes (with free VPNs) Yes (via VPN app) Easy High
Ad-Blocking Browsers Yes Yes Easy Medium-High
Private DNS Settings Yes Yes Medium Medium
PurpleTV Third-Party APK Yes Yes Hard High
Twitch Turbo / Subscribing No Yes Very Easy 100% Perfect

Paid Options: Support Your Streamer and Go Ad-Free

If you want a bulletproof way to block ads on twitch without playing technical games, the official paid routes are your best bet. Subscribing to twitch streams directly or choosing to subscribe to twitch turbo guarantees an ad-free twitch experience across all your device types.

  • Channel Subscription: When you buy a twitch subscription for a specific channel, that creator usually rewards you by removing twitch ads on their stream. The downside? This only removes ads for that specific channel. If you hop around a lot, the costs will add up fast.
  • Twitch Turbo: This is a monthly sitewide subscription that lets you enjoy twitch without seeing any pre-roll or mid-roll ads on twitch anywhere on the platform. It is the absolute best ad choice if you have cash to spare and want to completely stop twitch ads while keeping things simple.

Free Method 1: Ad Blocker Extension (desktop)

Using a dedicated desktop browser extension is the most popular way to get rid of ads on twitch for free. While old-school ad blockers might struggle with Twitch streaming ads, modern script-filtering extensions get the job done beautifully.

If you are a Chrome user, installing the Ad Blocker for Google Chrome by Stands is an incredibly smooth way to block video ads and block on-page twitch ads simultaneously. For those who prefer other platforms, using the AdBlocker for Firefox or downloading the main Free Ad Blocker from Stands will drastically clean up your desktop browser experience.

To get an ad blocker to work on twitch, follow these quick steps:

  1. Go to your browser's extension store and search for Stands AdBlocker or uBlock Origin.
  2. Click "Add to Browser" to install the extension.
  3. Open Twitch and see how it works instantly to remove ads.

While uBlock Origin is another reliable ad blocker option, you sometimes need to manually add custom scripts to bypass twitch ads whenever Twitch updates its platform.

Free Method 2: VPN Location Trick

Did you know that the number of ads you see depends entirely on where you live? Twitch makes its ad revenue by targeting specific markets, which means some countries get almost zero commercial breaks.

By using a reliable vpn service, you can change your virtual location to a country where Twitch doesn't serve pre-roll or mid-roll video ads. Countries like Ukraine, Costa Rica, and Poland are famous sweet spots where you can watch twitch completely ad-free.

Block Ads on Twitch

Here is how to use a vpn to block ads:

  1. Download a trusted free or paid vpn service on your computer or phone.
  2. Open the app and connect to a server located in Ukraine or Costa Rica.
  3. Launch your web browser or the Twitch app and start watching twitch streams.

Warning: Twitch is fully aware of this trick. Occasionally, using a VPN can trigger the infamous "Error 2000" screen. If this happens, simply change your VPN server or clear your browser cache to get back to streaming.

Free Method 3: Ad-Blocking Browsers

If you don’t want to mess around with custom browser extensions, switching your web browser entirely is an incredibly effective way to block twitch ads.

The Brave browser has a built-in ad blocker that does a phenomenal job filtering out ad domains before they load. Brave blocks both static on-page ads and dynamic video ads without requiring any extra setup. Another excellent desktop option is using Firefox paired with a reliable ad blocker extension like uBlock Origin, which gives you maximum control over blocking ads on twitch.

HOW TO BLOCK TWITCH ADS ON ANDROID

Learning how to block ads on twitch app environments can be a bit tricky because the native Android app bypasses most standard ad blockers. Luckily, we have a few clever workarounds up our sleeve.

Option A: Use Stands AdBlocker Browser for Android

While native apps are locked down, you can install a specialized Stands browser with a built-in ad blocker for Twitch solutions built directly for mobile web browsing. Downloading Stands AdBlocker for Android lets you watch live streams through your mobile browser completely free from interruptions. Just note that this works within your Stands mobile web browser rather than the official Twitch mobile app.

Stands Browser

Option B: Open Twitch in Brave / Firefox for Android

  1. Download the Brave Browser or Firefox from the Google Play Store.
  2. If using Firefox, open the settings, go to Add-ons, and install an ad blocker to block twitch ads.
  3. Navigate to twitch.tv in the mobile browser, log into your account, and enjoy an ad-free view.

Option C: DNS-level blocking with Private DNS

This is a unique, under-the-radar method that blocks ads without requiring an app.

  1. Open your Android phone’s Settings and go to Network & Internet (or Connection settings).
  2. Look for Private DNS and tap on it.
  3. Select "Private DNS provider hostname" and type in dns.adguard-dns.com or a twitch-specific ad-blocking DNS provider.
  4. Save your settings. This helps filter out background tracking and ad domains across your whole device.

Option D: PurpleTV APK

For advanced users who want to stop twitch ads within a modified app experience, PurpleTV is a popular third-party modification of the official Android Twitch app. It features built-in ad-blocking tools that effectively block pre-roll and mid-roll ads.

  1. Download the PurpleTV APK from a verified, safe developer source online.
  2. Enable "Install from Unknown Sources" in your Android security settings.
  3. Install the APK, open it, log in, and stream ads-free.Safety Guidance: Always exercise caution when downloading unofficial APKs, as they are not vetted by the Google Play Store.

How to Block Twitch Ads on iOS

Apple users face a walled garden, making it tough to figure out how to get adblock on twitch for iPhones. The most reliable method is downloading an ad-blocking browser like Orion or using Safari paired with the AdGuard extension.

Simply open Safari, enable your ad blocker extension in your iOS settings, and watch your streams through the safari browser instead of the official iOS Twitch app. This remains the easiest way to remove ads from twitch on an iPhone without jailbreaking.

Block Ads on Twitch

How to Block Twitch Ads on Smart TV / FireStick

If you love watching streams on the big screen, the sheer volume of commercials can get old real fast. Standard ad blockers can’t be installed on televisions, so you have to think outside the box.

The most efficient technical methods for blocking twitch ads on a FireStick or Android TV involve using open-source, third-party apps like SoundTV or SmartTube. These alternative apps let you log into your account and view live content while completely stripping out the annoying video ads.

Block Ads on Twitch

What About the Purple Screen?

When you start implementing these effective ways to block twitch streams from showing commercials, you might occasionally run into the dreaded "Purple Screen of Death." This is an informational screen displayed by Twitch that says: "The third-party script you are using is impacting your performance."

Twitch intentionally triggers this screen when it detects an active ad blocker to block twitch ads. If you see it, don't panic. It usually goes away on its own after about 30 seconds. To get rid of it permanently, you simply need to update your browser extension's filter lists or switch over to an alternative method like a VPN or the Brave browser.

Yes, it is entirely legal to use tools that change how content is displayed on your personal devices. When you learn how to remove ads on twitch, you are simply managing the data flowing into your home network. While Twitch hates it because ads are how twitch makes money, you aren't breaking any laws by customizing your viewing preferences with a free ad blocker.

How to Support Streamers While Blocking Ads

We all want to avoid ads, but we also love our favorite creators. When you figure out how to get adblock for twitch, remember that streamers lose out on a tiny bit of ad revenue when you skip commercial breaks.

If you want to support your favorite creators while keeping your stream ad-free, consider throwing them a few direct donations, purchasing their custom merchandise, or cheering in chat using Twitch Bits. This puts money straight into the creator's pocket without forcing you to sit through painful commercial breaks ever again.