Why you might link Steam to Twitch

Linking Steam to Twitch lets Twitch see what games you own and are playing on Steam. When you stream, Twitch can automatically detect and label your stream with the correct game title. You also unlock certain drops — in-game items that games give to viewers who watch streams — that are only available through Twitch when your Steam account is connected.

The connection is one-way: Twitch learns about your Steam library, but Steam does not learn about your Twitch activity. You stay in control of what information flows between them, and you can disconnect at any time.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a Twitch account and a Steam account before you start; the link itself takes about two minutes.
  • The connection happens through Steam's official authorization page, not through Twitch's website.
  • Once linked, Twitch can see your Steam library and what you are currently playing, but the connection does not give either platform access to your password.
  • You can unlink the accounts at any time from your Steam account settings, and the process is when ready.

What you need before you start

You must have both a Steam account and a Twitch account already created. If you do not have a Twitch account yet, go to twitch.tv and sign up — it takes a few minutes and requires only an email address and password. Your Steam account should be set up the same way.

Make sure you can log into both accounts before you begin the linking process. You will need to sign into Steam during the connection, so have your Steam password ready. Twitch will not ask for your Steam password; any page that asks for it is not legitimate.

How to link Steam to Twitch from your Steam account

Open Steam on your computer and log in. Click your username in the top right corner, then select Account from the dropdown menu. On the Account page, look for the section labeled Connections — it appears as a list of other platforms you can link to Steam.

Find Twitch in the Connections list and click the button next to it. Steam will open a new browser window and take you to Steam's authorization page. This page will show you what information Twitch is asking to see: your Steam library, your current game, and your public profile information. Read through the permissions, then click Authorize at the bottom of the page.

Steam will ask you to confirm your login one more time for security. Enter your Steam username and password, then click Continue. The page will confirm that the connection was successful. You can close the browser window and return to Steam — the link is now active.

What happens after you link the accounts

Once linked, Twitch can see your Steam library and detect which game you are playing when you launch it through Steam. When you start streaming, Twitch will automatically fill in the game title based on what Steam reports you are playing. You do not have to manually select the game each time.

You also become may be able to access for Twitch drops that require a Steam connection. Some games offer exclusive in-game items only to viewers whose Twitch and Steam accounts are linked. The game's Twitch page will tell you whether drops are available and what you need to do to receive them — usually just watching a may have access to stream for a set amount of time.

The connection does not change how you stream or broadcast. It only gives Twitch read-only access to your library and current game — Twitch cannot launch games, make purchases, or change any Steam settings.

How to unlink Steam from Twitch

If you want to disconnect the accounts, go back to Steam, click your username, and select Account. Find Twitch in the Connections section and click the button next to it. This time, click Disconnect. Steam will ask you to confirm; click Disconnect again.

The disconnection is when ready. Twitch will no longer see your Steam library or what you are playing. If you were receiving Twitch drops that required the Steam link, you will no longer be may be able to access for those drops until you link again.

Troubleshooting common problems

If the authorization page does not open or you see an error message, make sure you are logged into Steam in your browser as well as in the Steam process. Some browsers block pop-up windows; if nothing happens when you click Authorize, check your browser's pop-up settings and allow pop-ups from steampowered.com.

If Twitch is not detecting your game after linking, launch the game through the Steam process itself rather than launching it directly from your computer. Steam must report the game to Twitch in real time, and that only happens when Steam is the one starting the game. If you have already started playing, close the game, close Steam, reopen Steam, and launch the game again.

If you see a message saying the account is already linked to another Twitch account, that means a different Twitch account is currently connected to your Steam account. You must disconnect the old Twitch account first before you can link a new one. Go to your Steam Connections page and click Disconnect next to Twitch, then start the linking process again with your correct Twitch account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does linking Steam to Twitch let Twitch see my password?

No. The authorization page is run by Steam, not Twitch, and it only gives Twitch permission to read your library and current game. Twitch never sees your Steam password. If any page asks for your Steam password outside of the official Steam website or Steam process, it is not legitimate.

Can I link multiple Steam accounts to one Twitch account?

No. One Twitch account can be connected to only one Steam account at a time. If you have multiple Steam accounts and want to switch which one is linked, you must disconnect the current Steam account first, then link the new one.

Will unlinking Steam from Twitch delete my Twitch account or my games?

No. Unlinking only removes the connection between the two accounts. Your Twitch account, your Steam account, and all your games remain exactly as they were. You can link them again at any time.

What if I do not want Twitch to see my entire Steam library?

Steam's authorization gives Twitch access to your full library — you cannot choose to hide specific games. If you want to limit what Twitch can see, you must disconnect the accounts. Some games have their own privacy settings within Twitch, but those work separately from the Steam link.