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Twitch
Blocked since 20 September 2018, weeks after Chinese viewers flocked to Twitch to watch esports at the Asian Games. The app was also removed from China's Apple App Store.
- Status
- Banned
- Country
- China
- Category
- Apps & Websites
- Banned since
- 2018-09-20
- Last checked
- 01/11/2026
Twitch has been blocked in mainland China since 20 September 2018. The Amazon-owned streaming site stopped loading in China that day, and its app disappeared from the Chinese Apple App Store.
Key facts
- Status: blocked in mainland China
- Since: 20 September 2018
- Trigger: a surge in Chinese viewers during the 2018 Asian Games esports
- Local alternatives: Huya, Douyu, Bilibili
Why did China block Twitch?
Chinese authorities did not issue a statement. The timing pointed to esports. In August 2018 the Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang included esports for the first time, and Chinese fans turned to Twitch to watch. App analytics firm Sensor Tower said Twitch downloads in China jumped about 23 times in the week of 27 August compared with the week before.
That sudden growth put an unregulated foreign livestreaming platform in front of millions of young Chinese viewers, outside the control of domestic censors. A few weeks later, the site was blocked.
What did Twitch say?
Twitch confirmed the block on 21 September 2018 but gave no further details. The company did not announce any plan for a China-specific version, unlike Valve, which had launched a separate Chinese edition of Steam with a local partner earlier that year.
Is Twitch still banned in China?
Yes. Twitch is still blocked in mainland China. Chinese gamers use domestic platforms such as Huya, Douyu and Bilibili, which follow Chinese content rules.
How does Twitch fit China’s wider blocks?
Twitch fell behind the Great Firewall a month after Reddit was blocked, and years after YouTube. Games and gaming platforms face bans in other countries too; our banned games list covers cases such as Roblox. The full list of blocked apps is on the Apps & Websites page.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Twitch banned in China?
Yes. Twitch has been blocked in mainland China since 20 September 2018, and its app was removed from the Chinese Apple App Store.
Why did China ban Twitch?
China gave no reason. The block came weeks after Twitch downloads in China jumped about 23 times as fans watched esports at the 2018 Asian Games.
What do Chinese gamers use instead of Twitch?
Chinese gamers mainly use domestic streaming platforms such as Huya, Douyu and Bilibili, which follow Chinese content rules.