Paywall FAQ
Answers to common questions about Cloakd channel paywalls.
Can I have multiple paywalls?
Yes, up to 10 paywall channels per account. Each channel has its own subscribe link and can offer up to 5 pricing tiers (e.g. Monthly, Yearly, Lifetime) at different prices and billing lengths.
Can I change the price after setup?
Yes. Open /paywalls, manage the channel, and tap Edit next to the tier you want to change. The new price applies immediately to new subscribers and renewals; subscribers already in their current paid period are unaffected until they renew.
What happens to existing channel members when I set up a paywall?
Nothing changes for existing members. They are not affected by the paywall. The paywall only applies to new subscribers who join through the subscribe link.
What crypto can subscribers pay with?
Over 160 coins across 40+ networks — Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, USDC, Solana, and many more. Subscribers pay in whatever they hold. You receive whichever coin and network you chose during setup.
When do I receive the payment?
The conversion and settlement to your wallet happens automatically via the exchange. It typically completes within minutes of the subscriber paying.
What is the fee?
Cloakd takes 1% from each payment. The fee is deducted before settlement — you receive the net amount. There are no monthly fees or setup fees.
Can subscribers get a refund?
Refunds are not automated. If a subscriber has an issue, open /paywalls → Payments for that channel (or ask the subscriber for their payment ID from /memberships → History) to look up exactly what happened — status, amount, and the blockchain transaction — before resolving it with them directly.
Can I verify a payment, or get a transaction ID and blockchain hash?
Yes. Every settlement message includes a receipt with the amount, a payment ID, and a link to the transaction on a block explorer when one is available. Tap that payment ID at any time (as the creator or the paying subscriber) to open the full payment detail — status, plan, amount, timestamps, and the transaction.
What if I lose the subscribe link?
Type /paywalls and tap Copy Link next to the channel. The bot sends you the link again.
Can I offer a free trial on a one-time paywall?
No. Free trials only work with subscription paywalls: monthly, 3-month, yearly, and custom lengths. The trial converts to the first subscription payment.
Does the bot work with public channels?
No. Paywalls only work with private channels and groups. Public channels can be joined by anyone for free, so gating them is not possible.
What if the bot gets removed from my channel?
The bot notifies you immediately. New subscriptions stop working and expired subscribers are not removed automatically. Re-add the bot as admin with Invite Users and Ban Members permissions, then check your paywalls with /paywalls.
Can I run a paywall on a supergroup?
Yes. For a supergroup, type /paywall directly inside the group. The bot detects the group context and redirects you to a private chat to finish the setup.
Can subscribers see their own payment history?
Yes. /memberships shows a History button per channel listing every payment they've made on it — status, amount, date, and a link to the transaction when available.