YouTube Premium cancellation works differently on mobile and desktop, and the steps depend on whether you signed up through YouTube directly or through Apple, Google Play, or another third party
If you subscribed through YouTube's own website or app, you cancel directly in your account settings. If you signed up through Apple's App Store, Google Play Store, Amazon, or another payment method, you must cancel through that platform instead — YouTube cannot process the cancellation for you. The method matters because cancelling in the wrong place leaves your subscription active and your card still charged.
Most cancellations take effect at the end of your current billing cycle, not immediately. You keep YouTube Premium access until that date, then your account reverts to the free version. If you cancel mid-cycle, you do not receive a refund for unused time.
Key Takeaways
- Cancellations made through YouTube's website or app happen in Account settings under Purchases and memberships, and take effect at the end of your billing cycle.
- If you subscribed through Apple, Google Play, Amazon, or another third-party platform, you must cancel through that platform's app or website, not through YouTube.
- YouTube Premium access continues until your billing cycle ends; you do not lose it the moment you cancel.
- Cancelling does not delete your YouTube account, remove your videos, or affect your ability to use YouTube for free.
Cancelling a YouTube subscription you bought directly from YouTube
Open YouTube on a web browser or the YouTube app and sign in to the account with the subscription. On the web, click your profile picture in the top right corner, then select Purchases and memberships. On the YouTube app for Android or iPhone, tap your profile picture, then tap Purchases and memberships.
Find YouTube Premium in the list and tap or click it. You will see your current plan, renewal date, and payment method. Select Cancel membership or Manage and then Cancel. YouTube will ask you to confirm and may show you a retention offer (a discount to keep the subscription). Confirm the cancellation. You will receive an email confirming the cancellation, and your Premium access will end on the date shown.
Cancelling a subscription bought through Apple, Google Play, Amazon, or another platform
If you signed up for YouTube Premium through the Apple App Store, open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad, tap your name at the top, select Subscriptions, find YouTube Premium, and tap Cancel Subscription. On Mac, open the App Store, click your account icon in the top right, select Account Settings, scroll to Subscriptions, find YouTube Premium, and click Manage then Cancel.
If you subscribed through Google Play on Android, open the Google Play Store app, tap your profile icon in the top right, select Payments and subscriptions, then Subscriptions. Find YouTube Premium, tap it, and select Cancel subscription. If you signed up through Amazon, open the Amazon app or website, go to Your Account, select Memberships and Subscriptions, find YouTube Premium, and click Cancel membership. For other payment methods (PayPal, credit card billed by a third party), check your email confirmation from signup — it will name the platform or company handling the billing, and you cancel there.
What happens after you cancel
Your YouTube Premium membership remains active until the end of your current billing cycle. If your cycle renews on the 15th of each month and you cancel on the 5th, you keep Premium until the 15th. After that date, your account becomes a free YouTube account. You can still watch videos, upload content, create playlists, and use all free YouTube features.
Cancelling does not delete your YouTube channel, your videos, your watch history, or your subscriptions to other channels. Your account settings and preferences stay the same. If you want to resubscribe later, you can do so at any time using the same payment method or a different one.
If you cannot find the cancellation option
If you are signed into the wrong account, the cancellation button will not appear. Confirm you are signed into the account that has the YouTube Premium subscription. Check the email address shown in your profile picture menu — it should match the email you used to purchase Premium.
If you subscribed through a third-party platform and are trying to cancel in YouTube's settings, the option will not be there. Go back to the platform where you signed up (Apple, Google Play, Amazon, or another service) and cancel there instead. If you are unsure which platform you used, check your email for the original confirmation receipt — it will name the payment processor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I get a refund if I cancel mid-cycle?
No. YouTube does not issue refunds for unused time in your current billing cycle. If you want to avoid paying for another full month, cancel as close to your renewal date as possible. Your access continues until the end of the cycle regardless of when you cancel.
Will cancelling delete my YouTube channel or videos?
No. Cancelling YouTube Premium only removes the Premium features from your account. Your channel, videos, playlists, subscriptions, and watch history all remain. You can still use YouTube for free after cancellation.
Can I cancel YouTube Premium on my phone if I subscribed on a computer?
Yes, as long as you are signed into the same account. The cancellation option appears in Purchases and memberships on any device. However, if you subscribed through a third-party platform like Apple or Google Play, you must cancel through that platform's app or website, not through YouTube itself.
What if I see a discount offer after I click cancel?
YouTube sometimes shows a retention offer — a lower price to keep the subscription for a few months. You can accept it to stay subscribed at the discounted rate, or confirm the cancellation to proceed. There is no penalty for declining the offer and cancelling.
How do I know if my cancellation went through?
You will see a confirmation message on screen, and YouTube will send a confirmation email to the address on your account. Check your email (including spam folders) for the confirmation. Your Purchases and memberships page will also show the cancellation date and when your access ends.