Tired of Random Gifted Subs Showing Up for Channels You Never Watch?
If you're a regular Twitch viewer, you've probably experienced this at least once: a notification pops up out of nowhere saying someone gifted you a sub to a channel you've never followed, never visited, and have zero interest in. It feels random, a little intrusive, and it clutters your inbox with stuff that doesn't matter to you.
The good news? Twitch built in a simple, official setting years ago that lets you stop this completely. It's still working perfectly in 2026, and it takes less than a minute to enable. Once it's on, you'll only receive gifted subs and memberships from channels you actually follow. No more surprise notifications from strangers.
Why Gifted Subs Happen in the First Place
Streamers and big gifting events often hand out subs to random viewers in the chat to boost engagement or celebrate milestones. It's generous, but it can backfire when those random gifts land in your notifications for channels you don't care about. The setting we're about to turn on quietly blocks those while still letting you enjoy gifts from the streamers you actually support.
How to Block Gifted Subs on Channels You Don't Follow (Desktop)
Follow these four quick steps on your computer or laptop:
Step 1: Log into your Twitch account and click your profile picture in the top right corner. A small menu will appear.
Step 2: Select "Settings" from that menu.
Step 3: In the Settings page, click the tab labeled "Security and Privacy."
Step 4: Scroll down until you see the section called "Block Receiving Gifts on Channels You Don't Follow." Flip the toggle to On.
That's it. Twitch will instantly apply the change, and future gifts from unfollowed channels will be blocked automatically.
Does This Work on the Twitch Mobile Apps?
Absolutely. The process is almost identical on both Android and iOS:
- Tap your profile icon (bottom right on mobile).
- Go to Account Settings.
- Tap Security and Privacy.
- Scroll to the same "Block Receiving Gifts on Channels You Don't Follow" option and enable it.
The setting syncs across all your devices, so one change covers everything.
What You Should Know After Turning It On
This setting only affects channels you don't follow. If a friend or a streamer you already follow gifts you a sub, you'll still receive it normally. You can always turn the toggle off later if your preferences change.
Pro tip: While you're in the Security and Privacy tab, take a quick look at the other privacy options. Many viewers also enable two-factor authentication and adjust whisper settings for extra peace of mind.
Why This Small Change Makes a Big Difference
Turning on this feature keeps your notifications clean, reduces inbox clutter, and makes your Twitch experience feel more personal and intentional. No more random distractions from channels that don't interest you. You'll focus on the creators you actually enjoy and support.
If you've been dealing with unwanted gifted subs for a while, give this a try right now. It really does make a noticeable difference.
Have questions about the setting, or did it work differently on your account? Drop a comment below and I'll help sort it out.
