How to Set Up Bits on Twitch: A Beginner's Quick Start Guide (2025)

Want to know how Twitch bits can reshape the scene of your streaming income in 2025?

Twitch Bits have become a game-changing way for streamers to earn money and boost viewer participation while broadcasting in 2025. These virtual currency tokens let viewers support their favorite streamers through monetary tips on the platform. Each Bit used in your channel equals one cent - a simple system that adds up fast with an active viewer base.

Money isn't the only benefit of this feature. Your viewers who learn to donate and cheer with Bits become more invested in your content. Bits create an exceptional experience between you and your audience while giving fans a direct way to support your work. On top of that, it helps build a dedicated community since viewers feel more connected to your streams and tend to support you more often.

This piece covers everything about enabling Bits, from qualifying requirements to detailed setup steps. Ready to dive in?

What Are Twitch Bits and Why Do They Matter

Twitch Bits are the foundations of channel monetization for streamers in 2025. Here's a clear breakdown of what they are and why they matter.

What does Bits mean on Twitch?

Bits are virtual goods that viewers buy to support their favorite streamers through "Cheering." These digital tokens work as Twitch's own currency and enable viewer-streamer interactions. A viewer's chat message becomes more noticeable with colorful animated gem emotes called "Cheermotes". Users can type commands like "cheer100" or pick Cheermotes from the Bits menu along with their personal messages.

How Bits support streamers and viewers

Streamers earn direct income from Bits. Each Bit gives the streamer exactly 1 cent USD. The math is simple - 100 Bits equals $1.00, and 1,000 Bits equals $10.00 for the streamer. This system also shields streamers from chargebacks and payment problems that often pop up with other donation methods.

Viewers get several perks beyond just supporting their favorite creators:

1. Special chat badges and spots on leaderboards
2. Eye-catching animated emotes in chat
3. Unique animated emotes in Partner channels
4. Interactive ways to celebrate stream highlights

The difference between Bits and donations

Bits stand apart from regular donations or tips in important ways. The platform handles all Bit transactions, which makes them safer for streamers. Twitch takes about 30% from Bit purchases. A viewer pays $1.40 for 100 Bits while the streamer gets $1.00.

Direct donations through other services usually cost less in fees, so streamers receive more money. Many creators still prefer Bits because they blend with Twitch's features and protect against fraud.

Bits used through Twitch Extensions split differently - streamers get 80% while extension developers take 20%.

Eligibility Requirements to Enable Bits

You need to qualify before you can set up bits on Twitch. Let's look at what you need and how to access this monetization tool.

Twitch Affiliate vs Partner: What's required

Twitch limits bits to Affiliates and Partners—standard streamers cannot enable this feature. Both programs give you access to bits, but they have different requirements and benefits.

Affiliates can use simple monetization features like bits, subscriptions, and ads. Partners get extra perks such as priority transcoding, custom cheermotes, and higher subscription emote limits. They also receive priority support and exclusive features like Squad Stream.

How to become a Twitch Affiliate

You need to meet four specific criteria in a 30-day period to qualify for the Affiliate program:

1. Reach 50 followers minimum
2. Stream for at least 8 hours total
3. Stream on 7 different days
4. Maintain an average of 3 concurrent viewers per stream

Twitch sends an invitation to join the Affiliate program within 24-48 hours after meeting these requirements. You'll need to complete payout registration, sign the Monetized Streamer Agreement, finish tax interviews, and set up your payment method.

How to become a Twitch Partner

The Partner program needs much higher performance metrics:

1. Complete the Path to Partner achievement (25 hours streamed, 12 different streaming days, 75 average viewers)
2. Keep at least 8 individual streams with 75+ average viewers over two consecutive months
3. Create content that follows Twitch's Community Guidelines and Terms of Service

Partnership works differently than the Affiliate program. Twitch must review and approve your application manually. The Path to Partner achievement gives you access to apply, but doesn't guarantee acceptance.

Twitch sometimes accepts creators who don't meet these exact requirements but show exceptional growth or bring established audiences from other platforms.

Step-by-Step: How to Set Up Bits on Twitch

Let me show you how to set up Bits on your channel now that you qualify for Twitch's monetization features.

Accessing the Creator Dashboard

The Creator Dashboard works as your streaming command center. You can reach it by clicking your avatar in the upper-right corner of Twitch.tv and selecting "Creator Dashboard" from the dropdown menu. Every Twitch user can access the dashboard, but all but one of these features—including Bits—are exclusive to Affiliates and Partners.

Guiding to Monetization settings

The Dashboard makes it easy to find the Monetization section:

1. Look at the left-hand navigation menu
2. Select "Settings" then "Affiliate" (or "Partner" if applicable)
3. Click on "Bits & Cheering"

You can also use Dashboard Search in the top bar. Just press Ctrl+/ on Windows or Cmd+/ on Mac to get there faster.

Enabling Cheering and verifying identity

New Affiliates and Partners will find Cheering enabled automatically. This section lets you customize your Bits settings:

1. Set minimum Bits to cheer (the smallest amount a viewer must use)
2. Adjust minimum Bits Emote thresholds
3. Enable/disable pinned cheers (enabled by default)
4. Set minimum threshold for pins (default is 100 Bits)

You'll need to confirm your password and have two-factor authentication enabled before making any changes.

Setting up your payout method

The "Onboarding Info" section under Affiliate or Partner Settings contains the "Change Payout Method" option. Here are your choices:

1. ACH/Direct Deposit: US residents get their money in 1-4 days with a USD 0.25 fee
2. Local Bank/eCheck: Perfect for non-US Affiliates, takes 1-2 days with a USD 3.75 fee
3. PayPal: Costs USD 0.50 for US, up to USD 20.00 + USD 0.25 for non-US
4. Check: Takes longest to process with a USD 3.00 fee
5. Wire Transfer: Comes with higher fees (USD 11.00-16.00)

Most payment methods need a minimum of USD 50.00, while wire transfers require USD 100.00. Your payment information changes take effect after seven days.

Customizing and Managing Your Bits Settings

Your Bits experience becomes more rewarding when you personalize it after the simple setup. Here's how you can customize your Bits settings to make your stream more profitable.

Setting minimum Bits to cheer

Two important settings in your Creator Dashboard control how Bits flow in your chat. The "Minimum Bits to Cheer" option sets the smallest total amount viewers must use in one message. You need to set this to 30 if you want viewers to use at least 30 Bits per cheer. The "Minimum Bits Emote" setting determines the smallest individual Cheermote viewers can use. A threshold of 100 stops viewers from using any Cheermotes below that amount.

These settings help reduce spam in busy chats. Start with default values and adjust them upward as you watch how your community uses the feature.

Uploading custom Cheermotes

Partners have the ability to create custom animated Cheermotes that only work in their channel. These tailored emotes show up instead of standard gem icons when viewers cheer. Your viewers can use them by typing your prefix with "Cheer" and the amount (e.g., bobrossCheer1000). Each partner can create one Cheermote with five different tiers right now.

The best part is that anyone can use a partner's Custom Cheermote in their channel without a subscription.

Enabling Bits badges and rewards

Custom designs can replace standard Bit badges for both Affiliates and Partners. You'll find these options under "Monetization" → "Bits & Cheering" → "Bits Tier Badges". Each badge needs PNG files in three sizes: 18x18px, 36x36px, and 72x72px.

Special emotes become available to viewers at the 1,000 Bits tier. The first three emote reward slots unlock at 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000 Bits tiers automatically.

Using alerts to highlight Cheers

Your streams become more interactive with custom alerts for Bits contributions. The Alerts section lets you create different versions based on:

1. Exact amount cheered
2. Minimum threshold reached
3. First-time cheerers
4. Specific users

Make your messages personal by using variables like {username} and {amount}. You can set up separate alerts for Power-ups and Extension-based Bits usage too.

Smart alert configuration shows appreciation to your supporters and encourages participation through visible recognition.

Conclusion

Bits on Twitch has become a game-changer for streamers in 2025. This piece covers everything from the basics of Bits to the steps you need to set up this money-making tool on your channel.

Bits give you a secure way to earn money through your stream. Your viewers can support you with colorful CheerMotes that make chat more fun. The best part? Each Bit turns into one cent of revenue, and you never have to worry about chargebacks like traditional donations.

Your first step to using Bits is qualifying as an Affiliate or Partner. Most streamers start as Affiliates by getting 50 followers, streaming 8 hours across 7 different days, and keeping 3 viewers at once. Once you qualify, you'll set up your Dashboard and pick how you want to get paid.

The system lets you customize your Bits experience in several ways. You can set minimum donation amounts, create eye-catching alerts, and design your own Cheermotes. These features help boost viewer participation and can lead to better earnings.

Bits help create a stronger bond with your audience. Your viewers feel more connected to your channel when they have a simple way to show support. Take time to understand what your audience likes and adjust your Bits setup to get the most out of both engagement and earnings.