Cancel YouTube Premium: 2026 Step-by-Step Guide
Cancelling YouTube Premium isn't always straightforward — it depends on how you're being billed. The process varies whether you signed up through YouTube directly, Apple App Store, Google Play, or a third-party provider. This guide walks through every method to help you cancel successfully.
YouTube Premium Cancellation at a Glance
| Main Cancel methods | Time to Cancel | Where to Cancel |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube Website | 2-3 mins | Account Settings |
| Mobile App | Instant for direct billing | Or app store subscriptions |
| Google Play Store | ||
| Apple App Store |
YouTube Premium is often bundled with Google services or purchased through mobile app stores. If you subscribed through Google Play or Apple App Store, you won't see a cancel option in your YouTube account settings. Check the steps below for your specific billing method.
Cancel Your YouTube Premium Subscription
Follow these steps to cancel YouTube Premium directly through your Google account. If you're billed through an app store, see the alternative methods section.
01
Sign in to YouTube
Go to youtube.com and sign in with the Google account that has YouTube Premium. Make sure you're using the correct account if you have multiple.
02
Open your profile menu
Click your profile picture in the top-right corner, then select Purchases and memberships from the dropdown menu.
03
Find YouTube Premium
Look for your YouTube Premium subscription in the list. Click Manage next to YouTube Premium to open the subscription details.
04
Cancel subscription
Click Cancel membership or Deactivate. YouTube may ask why you're cancelling and offer alternatives like pausing your subscription.
05
Confirm cancellation
Follow the prompts to confirm your cancellation. You'll receive an email confirmation, and your Premium benefits will continue until your current billing period ends.
YouTube Premium-specific things to know
YouTube Premium subscriptions can work differently depending on your plan or how you signed up. These tips cover common edge cases.
- Family plans have a manager: Only the family plan manager can cancel YouTube Premium Family. Other family members can only leave the plan, not cancel it entirely.
- Downloads expire after cancellation: Any videos you downloaded for offline viewing will become unavailable once your Premium subscription ends, even if they're still on your device.
- YouTube Music continues until billing ends: After cancelling, you'll keep ad-free YouTube and YouTube Music access until your current billing period expires, not immediately.
Before you cancel, keep this in mind
These details can affect your cancellation timing or whether it goes through properly.
1. Check who's billing you
Look at your credit card or bank statement to see if you're being charged by Google, Apple, or another provider. You'll need to cancel through whoever is actually charging you.
2. Access continues until period ends
You'll keep YouTube Premium benefits until your current billing cycle ends, whether that's monthly or annual. There's usually no refund for partial months.
3. Deleting the app doesn't cancel
Removing the YouTube app from your phone doesn't cancel your Premium subscription. You need to follow the proper cancellation steps or you'll keep being charged.
Alternatives to cancelling your subscription
If cost is the issue, you might be able to pause your subscription or switch to a cheaper plan instead of cancelling completely.
Switch to YouTube Premium Lite
YouTube Premium Lite costs less and removes ads but doesn't include YouTube Music or downloads. Only available in select countries.
- YouTube Premium Lite - Ad-free YouTube only
- YouTube Music Premium - Music streaming only
Pause your YouTube Premium subscription
YouTube offers a pause option that temporarily stops your billing for up to 6 months. This keeps your account settings and preferences intact while you take a break.
Switch Your Billing Cycle
YouTube Premium annual plans offer significant savings compared to monthly billing. Save about 15-20% with annual billing.
Share Your Plan
YouTube Premium Family lets up to 6 people share one subscription, making it much cheaper per person than individual plans.
Check for Bundles
YouTube Premium is often included with Google One storage plans or mobile carrier promotions, which might be cheaper than standalone Premium.
Alternative ways to cancel YouTube Premium
If you can't cancel through your YouTube account, you may need to go through Google Play or Apple App Store. The right option depends on how you're being billed.
Apple App Store
iOS users who subscribed through the YouTube app need to cancel via iPhone Settings > Apple ID > Subscriptions.
Google Play Store
If you subscribed through the YouTube app on Android, cancel through Google Play Store subscriptions instead.
TV Provider / Reseller
YouTube Premium included in mobile carrier plans must be cancelled through your wireless provider.
Common YouTube Premium Cancellation Questions
- Will I get a refund if I cancel YouTube Premium?
- Can I cancel YouTube Premium online?
- What happens after I cancel YouTube Premium?
- Why can't I find the cancel button in YouTube?
- Does deleting the YouTube app cancel my subscription?
- Can I cancel YouTube Premium from my phone?
- How do I check if my YouTube Premium cancellation worked?
Cancel Similar Streaming Subscriptions
- How to Cancel Spotify: Complete guide to cancelling your Spotify Premium subscription across all platforms.
- How to Cancel Apple Music: Step-by-step instructions for cancelling Apple Music from any device.