How to Cancel YouTube Premium

Last Updated: 7 March 2025

YouTube Premium offers ad-free videos, offline playback, and YouTube Music for $13.99/month, but it’s not a must-have for everyone. Whether you’re done with your free trial, switching to Spotify, or just want to save money, canceling YouTube Premium is straightforward once you know where to look. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to cancel YouTube Premium on various devices, troubleshoot common issues, and share tips to avoid unexpected charges. Let’s get you unsubscribed!

Why Cancel YouTube Premium?

There are plenty of reasons to cancel. Maybe the $13.99/month fee (as of 2025) feels steep when free YouTube still works fine. Or perhaps you’ve watched all the Premium-exclusive content you wanted and don’t need offline downloads. Whatever your reason, YouTube doesn’t tie you into a contract, but the cancellation process varies by signup method—direct, Google Play, Apple, or otherwise. Here’s how to handle it all.

How to Cancel YouTube Premium (Direct Subscription)

If you subscribed directly through YouTube’s website or app, follow these steps:

Step 1: Sign In to YouTube

Open a browser or the YouTube app.
Go to youtube.com and click “Sign In”.
Use your Google account tied to Premium.

Step 2: Access Your Membership

Click your profile picture (top-right corner).
Select “Purchases and Memberships” or “Paid Memberships” from the menu.

Step 3: Manage YouTube Premium

Find “YouTube Premium” in the list.
Click “Manage Membership” or “Deactivate” next to it.

Step 4: Cancel Subscription

Click “Cancel” or “Deactivate” (YouTube might offer a pause option—skip it if you want to cancel fully).
YouTube will ask why you’re leaving (e.g., “too expensive,” “not using it”). Pick a reason or skip.
Hit “Continue” and confirm cancellation.
You’ll see a confirmation with the date Premium ends (end of your billing cycle).

Note: You keep Premium perks—like ad-free viewing—until the paid period expires.

How to Cancel YouTube Premium Through Third-Party Platforms

Subscribed via Google Play, Apple, or another provider? Here’s how:

Canceling YouTube Premium on Google Play (Android)

Open the Google Play Store app.
Tap your profile > “Payments & Subscriptions” > “Subscriptions”.
Find YouTube Premium, tap it, and select “Cancel Subscription”.
Confirm to stop billing.

Canceling YouTube Premium on Apple (iOS/App Store)

Open Settings on your iPhone/iPad.
Tap your name > “Subscriptions”.
Locate YouTube Premium, tap it, and choose “Cancel Subscription”.
Confirm cancellation.

Canceling YouTube Premium Through a Carrier (e.g., Verizon)

Log in to your carrier’s site (e.g., verizon.com).
Go to “My Plan” > “Add-ons”.
Find YouTube Premium, click “Manage”, and select “Remove”.
Follow carrier-specific steps to confirm.

What Happens After You Cancel YouTube Premium?

Access: You retain Premium benefits until your billing cycle ends. Cancel on March 10th with a March 20th renewal? You’re Premium until the 20th.
Post-Cancellation: You revert to free YouTube—ads return, offline videos vanish, and YouTube Music limits kick in. Your playlists and watch history stay saved.
Refunds: No partial refunds for monthly plans; annual plans might qualify within 14 days—contact Google Support.

Troubleshooting: Can’t Cancel YouTube Premium?

Running into issues? Here’s what might be wrong:

Wrong Account: Ensure you’re logged into the Google account tied to Premium—multiple accounts can confuse things.
Third-Party Signup: If “Manage Membership” lacks a cancel option, check Google Play, Apple, or your carrier.
App Glitches: Use a browser instead of the app for a smoother experience.

Still stuck? Reach Google Support via the YouTube Help Center or @TeamYouTube on X.

Tips to Avoid Unexpected Charges

Check Renewal Date: Find it in “Purchases and Memberships” and cancel a few days early.
Save Proof: Screenshot the confirmation or keep the email.
Monitor Billing: Check your bank/Google Play/Apple statement post-cancellation.

Refunds: Will You Get Money Back?

Monthly Plans: No refunds—you use the full month paid for.
Annual Plans: If you prepaid and cancel early, you might get a prorated refund within 14 days—check Google’s policy.
Trials: Cancel before the trial ends (usually 1 month) to avoid charges.

Alternatives to Canceling YouTube Premium

Not ready to lose it entirely? Consider:

Pause Membership: YouTube offers a 1-6 month pause option instead of canceling—benefits stop, but it auto-resumes later.
Switch Plans: Go from Family ($22.99) to Individual ($13.99) or Student ($7.99).
Share It: Add family members to a Family plan to split costs (up to 5 extra users).

Frequently Asked Questions About Canceling YouTube Premium

Can I Cancel YouTube Premium Anytime?

Yes, no contracts. Cancel whenever, and benefits end at the billing cycle’s close.

How to Cancel YouTube Premium on Android?

Via Google Play: Profile > Subscriptions > YouTube Premium > Cancel.

What If I Only Want to Cancel YouTube Music?

YouTube Premium includes Music—canceling Premium stops both. No separate Music-only cancellation exists.

Can I Reactivate Later?

Absolutely. Resubscribe via YouTube or Google Play, and your data’s waiting.

Why This Guide Matters in 2025

As of March 6, 2025, YouTube Premium’s price and perks—like background play—keep evolving amid competition from ad-blockers and rival services. Knowing how to cancel YouTube Premium gives you control in a shifting digital landscape. Whether you’re saving cash or ditching subscriptions, this process is fast and painless.

Wrap-Up

Canceling YouTube Premium doesn’t have to be a chore. Whether you’re unsubscribing directly, via Google Play, or through Apple, these steps make it simple. Time your cancellation, confirm it worked, and enjoy the flexibility to choose your viewing experience. Got questions? Leave them below—we’re here to help!