How to cancel YouTube Premium on any device

To cancel YouTube Premium, you go to your Google Account settings, find your YouTube Premium subscription, and turn it off. The process takes about two minutes. You keep access to Premium features until the end of your current billing period — YouTube does not cut you off immediately when you cancel.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you signed up through YouTube.com, the YouTube app, Apple's App Store, or Google Play. The reason: each route handles billing differently. If you signed up on YouTube's website, you cancel in Google Account settings. If you signed up through an app store, you cancel through that app store instead.

Cancellation is permanent — if you want Premium again later, you will have to sign up and pay again from the start. There is no "pause" option or way to freeze your subscription temporarily.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube Premium cancellation happens in Google Account settings if you signed up on YouTube.com, or in your app store if you signed up through Apple or Google Play.
  • You keep Premium access through the end of your current billing cycle after you cancel, so you do not lose features immediately.
  • Cancellation is final — restarting Premium later means paying the full price again with no credit for unused time.
  • If you signed up through a third party like a mobile carrier or family plan, you may need to cancel through that provider instead of YouTube.

Cancel through Google Account settings (YouTube.com signup)

If you signed up for YouTube Premium directly on YouTube.com or through youtube.com/premium, this is your cancellation route. Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Payments & subscriptions" on the left side, then click "Manage subscriptions." You will see YouTube Premium listed with your next billing date.

Click on YouTube Premium, then click "Cancel subscription." Google will ask you why you are canceling — this is optional feedback, not a requirement. After you confirm, you will see a message saying your subscription ends on a specific date. That date is the last day you have Premium access. You can still use YouTube for free after that date.

Keep the confirmation email Google sends you. If you are charged again by mistake, you will need proof that you canceled.

Cancel through Apple App Store (iPhone or iPad signup)

If you signed up for YouTube Premium through the YouTube app on an iPhone or iPad, you cancel through Apple's settings, not through YouTube or Google. Open the Settings app on your device, tap your name at the top, then tap "Subscriptions." Find YouTube Premium in the list.

Tap YouTube Premium, then tap "Cancel Subscription." Apple will show you the date your subscription ends. You will receive a confirmation email from Apple. After the end date, Premium features stop working, but you can still use YouTube for free.

Apple handles the billing and cancellation, so YouTube does not see the cancellation request until Apple processes it. This usually takes a few hours, but can take up to a day.

Cancel through Google Play (Android signup)

If you signed up for YouTube Premium through the YouTube app on an Android phone or tablet, you cancel through Google Play. Open the Google Play app, tap your profile icon in the top right, then tap "Manage subscriptions." Find YouTube Premium in the list.

Tap YouTube Premium, then tap "Cancel subscription." Google Play will confirm the cancellation and show you the date your subscription ends. You will get a confirmation email from Google. After that date, you lose Premium access but can still use YouTube for free.

Cancellation through Google Play is usually instant, though it can take a few hours for the change to show up in your YouTube account.

Cancel a family plan or carrier-bundled subscription

If you are part of a YouTube Premium Family plan, the family manager (the person who set up the plan) controls cancellation. They go to myaccount.google.com, click "Manage your Google Play family group," and can remove you from the plan or cancel the entire family subscription. If you are not the manager, you cannot cancel yourself — you have to ask the manager to remove you.

If YouTube Premium came bundled with your mobile phone plan or another service (like a carrier plan or a music streaming bundle), you cancel through that provider, not through YouTube. Call your carrier or log into your account with that company and look for subscription settings. YouTube cannot cancel these subscriptions for you.

What happens after you cancel

You keep all Premium features — ad-free viewing, offline downloads, background play — until the end of your current billing cycle. If your next billing date is March 15 and you cancel on March 1, you have Premium until March 15. After that date, ads return, offline downloads stop working, and background play is no longer available.

Your watch history, playlists, and subscriptions stay on your account. Canceling Premium does not delete your YouTube account or any of your data. If you sign up for Premium again in the future, you start fresh with a new subscription — YouTube does not restore old settings or give you credit for the time you already paid for.

If you were charged after you canceled, contact Google Support or Apple Support (depending on where you signed up) and ask for a refund. Most refunds are issued within 5 to 10 business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?

YouTube and Apple do not refund unused portions of your subscription. You keep Premium access through the end of your billing cycle, so you are paying for the full month regardless of when you cancel. If you were charged incorrectly or double-charged, contact support and request a refund within 30 days of the charge.

Will I lose my YouTube account if I cancel Premium?

No. Canceling Premium only removes the paid subscription. Your YouTube account, watch history, playlists, and subscriptions all stay. You can still use YouTube for free with ads.

What if I do not see YouTube Premium in my subscriptions list?

You may not have an active subscription. Check your email for a receipt from Google or Apple to confirm you ever signed up. If you see charges on your credit card statement, contact Google Support or Apple Support with the charge date and amount.

Can I pause YouTube Premium instead of canceling?

No. YouTube does not offer a pause or freeze option. Your only choices are to keep paying or cancel. If you cancel and want Premium again later, you will pay the full subscription price.

How long does it take for Premium to turn off after I cancel?

Premium stays active until the end of your current billing cycle. If you cancel on the first day of your billing period, you still have access for the full month. After the end date, Premium features stop working immediately.