How to Cancel Your Spotify Subscription: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re considering parting ways with Spotify Premium. Maybe your budget needs a trim, or perhaps another music streaming service has caught your ear. Whatever the reason, unsubscribing from Spotify is a relatively straightforward process, but it’s crucial to do it correctly to avoid unwanted charges. Let’s get right to the point: to cancel your Spotify subscription, you need to log in to your account on the Spotify website and follow the cancellation instructions within your account settings. This is the only reliable method, as you cannot cancel your subscription through the mobile app.

The Exact Steps to Cancel Spotify Premium

Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to ensure a smooth cancellation:

1. Access the Spotify Website: Open your web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc.) and go to the official Spotify website: www.spotify.com. This is the ONLY place you can officially cancel.
2. Log In to Your Account: Click the “Log In” button in the upper-right corner of the page. Enter the email address or username and password associated with your Spotify account. If you signed up using Facebook, select the “Log in with Facebook” option.
3. Navigate to Your Account Page: Once logged in, click on your profile name in the upper-right corner. A dropdown menu will appear. Select “Account.” This will take you to your account overview page.
4. Find “Your Plan”: Scroll down the account overview page until you find the section labeled “Your Plan.” This section displays your current subscription type (e.g., Premium, Family, Student).
5. Click “Change Plan”: Within the “Your Plan” section, you should see a button that says “Change Plan.” Click on this button.
6. Select “Cancel Premium”: You’ll be presented with various options, including upgrading your plan or exploring other Premium options. Scroll down until you see the “Cancel Premium” section. Click the “Cancel Premium” button. Sometimes it might be worded slightly differently, like “Cancel” or “Switch to Free.”
7. Confirm Your Cancellation: Spotify will likely try to persuade you to stay, highlighting the benefits of Premium or offering a discount. Don’t be swayed if you’re set on cancelling. Scroll through these screens and click the “Continue to Cancel” button (or similar wording) to proceed.
8. Provide Feedback (Optional): Spotify might ask you for feedback about why you’re cancelling. This is optional, but providing your reasons can help Spotify improve its service.
9. Final Confirmation: You should see a confirmation message indicating that your subscription will be cancelled at the end of your current billing cycle. You’ll also receive an email confirmation. This is crucial – keep this email as proof of cancellation.

Understanding the Transition to Free

After cancelling, you’ll retain access to your Premium features until the end of your current billing period. Once that period ends, your account will revert to the free version of Spotify. This means you’ll experience:

• Advertisements: You’ll hear audio ads between songs and may see banner ads within the app.
• Limited Mobile Playback: On mobile, you’ll only be able to shuffle play playlists and albums.
• Lower Audio Quality: The audio quality will be reduced compared to Premium.
• Skipping Limits: You’ll have a limited number of skips per hour.

Important Considerations

• Billing Dates: Pay close attention to your billing date. Cancelling a day or two before your next billing cycle ensures you won’t be charged for another month.
• Family Plan Implications: If you’re the manager of a Spotify Family plan and you cancel, the entire Family plan will be cancelled. All members will revert to free accounts.
• Partner Subscriptions: If you signed up for Spotify Premium through a partner (e.g., your mobile carrier), you may need to cancel through that partner’s website or customer service. Check your Spotify account details to see how you are billed.
• No Refunds: Spotify typically doesn’t offer refunds for partially used billing periods. You’ll have access to Premium features until the end of the period you’ve already paid for.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Spotify Cancellation

Here are 12 common questions users have about unsubscribing from Spotify, along with detailed answers:

1. Can I cancel my Spotify subscription from the mobile app?

No, you cannot cancel your Spotify subscription directly from the mobile app. You must log in to your account on the Spotify website using a web browser (on your computer or mobile device) and follow the cancellation instructions there.

2. What happens to my downloaded music after I cancel Spotify Premium?

When your account reverts to the free version, any music you downloaded for offline listening will no longer be accessible. These downloaded tracks are only available with an active Premium subscription.

3. Will I lose my playlists if I cancel Spotify Premium?

No, you won’t lose your playlists if you cancel your Premium subscription. Your playlists will still be available when you switch to the free version of Spotify. However, you may experience limitations on how you can listen to them (e.g., shuffle-only on mobile).

4. I signed up for Spotify Premium through my mobile carrier. How do I cancel?

If you signed up for Spotify Premium through a partner like your mobile carrier, you’ll need to cancel your subscription directly through them. Log in to your account on the Spotify website and check the “Your Plan” section. It should indicate that you’re being billed through a partner. Contact your mobile carrier’s customer service or visit their website for instructions on how to cancel.

5. Can I pause my Spotify subscription instead of cancelling?

Spotify does not offer a “pause” feature for individual Premium accounts. The only way to temporarily stop being charged is to cancel your subscription and then resubscribe when you’re ready to use Premium again.

6. I cancelled my Spotify subscription, but I’m still being charged. What should I do?

First, check your bank statements to confirm the charges are indeed from Spotify. Then, log in to your Spotify account on the website and verify that your subscription is showing as cancelled. If you’re still being charged despite cancellation, contact Spotify customer support immediately. Provide them with proof of cancellation (the confirmation email) and any relevant billing information.

7. What happens to my Spotify Family plan if I cancel?

If you’re the manager of a Spotify Family plan and you cancel, the entire Family plan will be cancelled. All members of the plan will revert to free accounts.

8. Can I get a refund if I cancel my Spotify subscription mid-month?

Spotify generally does not offer refunds for partially used billing periods. You will continue to have access to Premium features until the end of your current billing cycle, even if you cancel before the cycle ends.

9. How do I reactivate my Spotify Premium subscription after cancelling?

To reactivate your Spotify Premium subscription, log in to your account on the Spotify website and click “Get Premium.” Choose the desired Premium plan and follow the payment instructions to resubscribe.

10. Will my Spotify account be deleted if I cancel my Premium subscription?

No, cancelling your Premium subscription will not delete your Spotify account. Your account will simply revert to the free version. You can continue using Spotify for free or resubscribe to Premium at any time.

11. What happens to my Spotify Student discount if I cancel and then resubscribe?

If you cancel your Spotify Student discount and then resubscribe, you will need to re-verify your student status through the third-party verification service (SheerID). This is to ensure you are still eligible for the student discount.

12. I cancelled my subscription, but the cancellation hasn’t taken effect yet. When will it happen?

Your subscription cancellation will take effect at the end of your current billing cycle. You will continue to have access to Premium features until that date. Check your account details on the Spotify website to see the exact date your subscription will end.

Cancelling your Spotify subscription is a straightforward process if you follow these steps carefully. Remember to cancel through the website, keep your confirmation email, and understand the implications of switching to the free version. Happy listening!