Beginner
How to switch between test and live on Stripe
Quick Answer
Switch between Stripe's test and live modes using the toggle switch in the top-left corner of your Stripe Dashboard. Test mode allows safe experimentation with fake data, while live mode processes real transactions and requires account activation.
Prerequisites
- Active Stripe account
- Access to Stripe Dashboard
- Understanding of test vs live data differences
- Valid business information for live mode
1
Log into your Stripe Dashboard
Navigate to dashboard.stripe.com and sign in with your Stripe account credentials. Ensure you have the necessary permissions to switch between test and live modes.
Tip
Bookmark the dashboard URL for quick access during development and production work.
2
Locate the test/live mode toggle
In the top-left corner of the dashboard, you'll see a toggle switch labeled either "Test mode" or "Live mode". The current mode is clearly indicated with different colored backgrounds - orange for test mode and blue for live mode.
Tip
The toggle is always visible regardless of which page you're on in the dashboard.
3
Switch to test mode
Click the toggle switch to enable Test mode. The interface will refresh and display an orange banner indicating you're now in test mode. All data, transactions, and API keys will be sandboxed for testing purposes.
Tip
Test mode data is completely separate from live data - you can experiment freely without affecting real transactions.
4
Access test mode features
In test mode, use test card numbers like
4242424242424242 for successful payments. Navigate to Developers > API keys to find your test API keys, which start with pk_test_ and sk_test_.Tip
Save your test API keys in a secure location for development work.
5
Activate your account for live mode
Before switching to live mode, complete your account activation by going to Settings > Account details. Fill in all required business information, tax details, and bank account information for payouts.
Tip
Account activation can take 1-7 business days depending on your country and business type.
6
Switch to live mode
Once your account is activated, click the toggle switch to enable Live mode. The interface will refresh with a blue color scheme, indicating you're now processing real transactions with real money.
Tip
Double-check that your application is using live API keys before processing customer payments.
7
Update your application with live API keys
Navigate to Developers > API keys in live mode to retrieve your live keys (starting with
pk_live_ and sk_live_). Update your application's configuration to use these live keys instead of test keys.Tip
Store live API keys securely using environment variables or a secure key management system.
8
Verify the mode switch
Confirm you're in the correct mode by checking the color of the dashboard header and the mode indicator. Review recent transactions to ensure you're viewing the appropriate data set for your current needs.
Tip
Always verify which mode you're in before making configuration changes or processing transactions.
Troubleshooting
Toggle switch is grayed out or disabled
This usually means your account hasn't been fully activated for live mode yet. Complete the account activation process in Settings > Account details and wait for approval.
Live mode shows no data or transactions
This is normal if you haven't processed any live transactions yet. Live and test data are completely separate - switch back to test mode to see your development data.
API keys not working after switching modes
Ensure you're using the correct API keys for each mode. Test keys start with
pk_test_/sk_test_ and live keys start with pk_live_/sk_live_. Update your application configuration accordingly.Cannot access certain features in live mode
Some features may be restricted until your account is fully verified. Check Settings > Account details for any pending verification requirements or contact Stripe support for assistance.
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