What YouTube Music Premium is and who it's for
YouTube Music Premium is a paid subscription that removes ads from the YouTube Music app and website, lets you download songs to listen offline, and plays music in the background while you use other apps. It costs $11.99 per month for an individual plan, though the price varies slightly by country and has changed over time. YouTube also offers a family plan for $19.99 per month that covers up to six people, and a student plan for $5.99 per month if you have a valid .edu email address.
The service works on phones, tablets, computers, and smart speakers. You get access to YouTube Music's catalog of songs, albums, and playlists. If you already use YouTube (the video platform), YouTube Music Premium does not give you YouTube Premium — those are separate subscriptions, though YouTube offers a bundle called YouTube Premium + Music for $13.99 per month that includes both.
Most people choose YouTube Music Premium because they want to listen without interruption, download for travel or areas with no signal, or use background play. If you mostly watch music videos rather than listen to audio, or if you want music recommendations tailored to your taste, other services like Spotify or Apple Music may fit better.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube Music Premium costs $11.99 per month for one person and removes ads, enables offline downloads, and allows background listening.
- A family plan covers up to six people for $19.99 per month, and each person gets their own account and recommendations.
- Student pricing is $5.99 per month if you have a valid university email address, and you must re-verify your student status every 12 months.
- You can cancel anytime through your Google Account settings, and you keep access until the end of your current billing period.
- YouTube Music Premium and YouTube Premium are separate subscriptions; bundling both costs $13.99 per month.
How to start a YouTube Music Premium subscription
Open the YouTube Music app or go to music.youtube.com on a web browser. Tap or click the profile icon in the top right corner and select "Get YouTube Music Premium." You will see the plan options: individual, family, or student. Choose the one that fits your situation.
You will need a Google Account to proceed. If you do not have one, you can create it for free during this process. Enter a payment method — a credit card, debit card, or Google Play balance. YouTube will charge your payment method on the same date each month. After you confirm, your subscription starts immediately and you can begin using Premium features right away.
If you are on a free trial (YouTube sometimes offers one-month free trials to new users), the trial period starts first, and your paid subscription begins when the trial ends. Check the confirmation email to see your trial end date and when billing will start.
What you get with a Premium subscription
Ad-free listening is the most noticeable change. On the free version, ads play between songs and sometimes during them. With Premium, you hear no ads at all on YouTube Music.
Offline downloads let you save songs, albums, or playlists to your phone or tablet so you can listen without an internet connection. This is useful for flights, commutes in areas with poor signal, or when you want to save data. Downloaded music stays on your device until you delete it or your subscription ends. Once your subscription ends, you cannot play downloaded music anymore, even if you downloaded it months earlier.
Background play means music keeps playing when you close the app or lock your phone. On the free version, closing the app stops the music. With Premium, you can switch to another app, check email, or turn off your screen and the music continues.
You also get higher audio quality on some devices and the ability to create and share playlists without restrictions. Premium subscribers can also upload up to 100,000 of their own songs to their library.
Family plan details and how it works
The family plan costs $19.99 per month and covers up to six people in your household. Each person needs their own Google Account. When you set up the family plan, you become the family manager and can add members by inviting them through your Google Account settings or by sharing a link.
Each family member gets their own Premium account with separate recommendations, playlists, and download storage. Their music activity does not affect yours. Family members can be removed at any time, and you can add new members up to the limit of six.
Family members do not need to live in the same house, though Google's terms say the plan is intended for people in the same household. If a member leaves the family group, they lose Premium access immediately unless they start their own individual subscription.
Student plan pricing and verification
If you are a full-time student, you can get YouTube Music Premium for $5.99 per month instead of $11.99. To use the student plan, you need a valid university email address (ending in .edu in the United States, or the equivalent in other countries). You will verify your student status through SheerID, a third-party verification service, during signup.
YouTube requires you to re-verify your student status every 12 months. You will receive a reminder email before your verification expires. If you do not re-verify, your subscription will switch to the regular individual plan at the full $11.99 price. If you graduate or are no longer a full-time student, you should switch to a different plan to avoid being charged the higher rate.
How to cancel or change your plan
To cancel, open your Google Account settings and go to "Payments & subscriptions." Find YouTube Music Premium in the list and select "Cancel subscription." Your Premium access continues until the end of your current billing period — you do not lose it immediately. After that date, your account reverts to the free version.
If you want to switch plans instead of canceling — for example, from individual to family — go to the same section and select "Change plan." Choose the new plan and confirm. The change takes effect on your next billing date. If the new plan costs more, you will be charged the difference. If it costs less, you may receive a credit.
You can also pause your subscription for up to three months if you want a temporary break without fully canceling. This option appears in the same subscription settings area.
Payment methods and billing
YouTube accepts credit cards, debit cards, and Google Play balance as payment. You can add or change your payment method in your Google Account settings under "Payments & subscriptions." If a payment fails — for example, if your card is declined — YouTube will try again a few times over several days. If all attempts fail, your subscription will be paused until you update your payment method.
Your billing date is the same each month, based on the day you started your subscription. If you started on the 15th, you will be charged on the 15th of every month. If you started on the 31st and a month has only 30 days, you will be charged on the last day of that month.
YouTube sends a receipt to your email address after each charge. Keep these receipts for your records. If you see a charge you do not recognize, contact Google Support through your Google Account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use YouTube Music Premium on multiple devices at the same time?
Yes, you can play music on multiple devices simultaneously with one account. However, if you are on a family plan, each family member should use their own account rather than sharing login credentials. Sharing passwords violates YouTube's terms of service.
What happens to my downloaded music if my subscription ends?
Downloaded songs become unplayable once your subscription ends. You cannot play them even though they are still stored on your device. If you re-subscribe later, you can download them again. This is different from music you purchase outright, which you own permanently.
Is there a free trial for YouTube Music Premium?
YouTube occasionally offers free trials to new users, usually for one month. The availability and length of trials change over time and vary by country. When you sign up, you will see whether a trial is available to you. If one is offered, it will be clearly stated before you enter your payment information.
Can I use YouTube Music Premium offline without downloading?
No. To listen offline, you must download songs, albums, or playlists to your device first. The offline feature is only available to Premium subscribers. Free users cannot download music at all.
What is the difference between YouTube Music Premium and YouTube Premium?
YouTube Music Premium removes ads and adds offline listening for music only. YouTube Premium removes ads from the main YouTube video platform, allows background play for videos, and includes YouTube Music Premium. They are separate subscriptions, but you can bundle both for $13.99 per month instead of paying for them separately.