How to Cancel YouTube Premium on Android: A Definitive Guide

Cancelling YouTube Premium on your Android device is a straightforward process, but sometimes things get a little murky. Here’s the definitive method: Open the YouTube app, tap your profile picture in the top right corner, select “Purchases and memberships”, find your YouTube Premium membership, and then tap “Cancel”. Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm your cancellation.

Understanding the Cancellation Process

YouTube Premium offers an ad-free experience, access to YouTube Music Premium, and the ability to download videos for offline viewing. However, if you’re no longer finding value in the service, or simply want to cut expenses, cancelling is easy enough. Here’s a deeper dive into what you should know.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Cancelling via the YouTube App

This is the most direct and common method. Follow these steps precisely:

1. Open the YouTube App: Launch the YouTube application on your Android device. Ensure you are logged in with the Google account associated with your YouTube Premium subscription.
2. Tap Your Profile Picture: Locate your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen. This is your gateway to managing your account.
3. Navigate to Purchases and Memberships: In the menu that appears after tapping your profile picture, select the option labeled “Purchases and memberships”. This section consolidates all your YouTube-related subscriptions.
4. Locate Your YouTube Premium Membership: Within the “Purchases and memberships” screen, you will see a list of your active subscriptions. Find the entry for YouTube Premium. It will typically display the subscription status and renewal date.
5. Tap “Cancel”: Tapping on the YouTube Premium entry will reveal more details about your subscription. Look for the “Cancel” button or a similar option to terminate the service.
6. Confirm Your Cancellation: You will be prompted with a confirmation screen asking if you are sure you want to cancel. YouTube might try to entice you to stay with special offers or reminders of the benefits you’ll lose. If you are certain, proceed by tapping “Cancel” or a similar confirmation button.
7. Provide Feedback (Optional): YouTube may ask you for feedback regarding your reasons for canceling. This is optional, but providing feedback can help YouTube improve its service.
8. Cancellation Confirmation: You will receive a confirmation message indicating that your YouTube Premium subscription has been canceled. You will typically retain access to YouTube Premium benefits until the end of your current billing cycle.

Alternative Method: Cancelling Through Google Play Store

Another way to cancel is through the Google Play Store, especially if you’re managing other subscriptions there. Here’s how:

1. Open the Google Play Store: Launch the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
2. Tap Your Profile Picture: In the top right corner of the screen, tap your profile picture to access the account menu.
3. Select “Payments & subscriptions”: In the account menu, choose “Payments & subscriptions”.
4. Choose “Subscriptions”: From the “Payments & subscriptions” menu, select “Subscriptions”. This will display a list of all subscriptions managed through your Google account.
5. Locate YouTube Premium: Find YouTube Premium in the list of subscriptions.
6. Tap on YouTube Premium: Tapping on the YouTube Premium entry will open a page with details about your subscription and options to manage it.
7. Tap “Cancel Subscription”: Select the “Cancel subscription” option.
8. Follow the On-Screen Instructions: Follow the prompts to confirm your cancellation. You may be asked to provide a reason for canceling.
9. Confirmation: You will receive a confirmation message indicating that your subscription has been canceled.

Important Considerations Before Cancelling

Before you finalize your cancellation, consider these important factors:

• Remaining Subscription Time: You’ll retain access to YouTube Premium features until the end of your current billing cycle. Make the most of it!
• Downloaded Videos: Videos downloaded for offline viewing will no longer be available once your subscription ends.
• YouTube Music Premium: Cancelling YouTube Premium also cancels YouTube Music Premium, so you’ll lose ad-free listening and background playback in the YouTube Music app.
• Family Plan Considerations: If you’re on a family plan, cancelling will affect all members. The plan organizer is the only one who can cancel.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, the cancellation process doesn’t go as smoothly as planned. Here are some troubleshooting tips for common issues:

• Missing “Cancel” Button: This usually happens when the subscription is not directly managed through your Google account. Check if you signed up through a different account or platform (e.g., Apple App Store if you previously had an iOS device).
• Subscription Already Canceled: Double-check your subscription status. It might have already been canceled, and the system is just taking time to reflect the change.
• Payment Issues: If there are unresolved payment issues, your subscription might be on hold. Resolve the payment issues first before attempting to cancel.
• Contact Support: If you’ve exhausted all troubleshooting steps and still can’t cancel, reach out to YouTube Premium support for assistance.

YouTube Premium Cancellation FAQs

Here are 12 frequently asked questions regarding YouTube Premium cancellation to further clarify the process:

FAQ 1: Will I get a refund if I cancel YouTube Premium?

Generally, you won’t receive a refund for the remaining time in your billing cycle if you cancel. You will, however, retain access to YouTube Premium benefits until the end of that cycle.

FAQ 2: Can I re-subscribe to YouTube Premium after canceling?

Yes, you can re-subscribe to YouTube Premium at any time after canceling. Simply follow the subscription process again through the YouTube app or Google Play Store.

FAQ 3: How do I know if my YouTube Premium subscription is canceled?

Check your “Purchases and memberships” section in the YouTube app or the “Subscriptions” section in the Google Play Store. It should indicate that your subscription is canceled and show the date when your access to Premium features will end. You will also likely receive a confirmation email.

FAQ 4: Can I cancel YouTube Premium on my Android device even if I subscribed on my computer?

Yes, you can cancel your subscription through the YouTube app or Google Play Store on your Android device, regardless of where you initially subscribed, as long as you are logged into the correct Google account.

FAQ 5: What happens to my downloaded videos if I cancel YouTube Premium?

Once your YouTube Premium subscription ends, all downloaded videos will no longer be available for offline viewing.

FAQ 6: Does canceling YouTube Premium also cancel my YouTube Music Premium?

Yes, canceling YouTube Premium cancels YouTube Music Premium as they are bundled together. You will lose ad-free listening and background playback in the YouTube Music app.

FAQ 7: What happens to my YouTube channel if I cancel YouTube Premium?

Canceling YouTube Premium does not affect your YouTube channel. You will still be able to upload videos and manage your channel as usual. YouTube Premium is a user subscription, not a channel feature.

FAQ 8: Can someone else cancel my YouTube Premium subscription if they have access to my Android device?

Someone with access to your Android device and Google account can cancel your YouTube Premium subscription if they know your password or have access to your unlocked device. Ensure you secure your device and account.

FAQ 9: What if I don’t see YouTube Premium listed in my subscriptions?

If you don’t see YouTube Premium listed, double-check that you’re logged in with the correct Google account. If you’re sure you’re using the right account, you might have subscribed through a different platform (e.g., Apple App Store). Check the subscription settings on that platform.

FAQ 10: Can I pause my YouTube Premium subscription instead of canceling it?

Currently, YouTube does not offer an official option to pause your Premium subscription. Canceling is the only way to stop the billing. You can always resubscribe later.

FAQ 11: How do I cancel YouTube Premium if I’m on a family plan?

Only the family plan manager (the person who set up the plan) can cancel the YouTube Premium Family Plan. Other family members cannot cancel the entire plan, only remove themselves from the plan.

FAQ 12: If I cancel YouTube Premium, will I lose my YouTube account?

No, canceling YouTube Premium will not delete your YouTube account. Your account and your channel will remain active, but you will no longer have access to the Premium features like ad-free viewing.

By understanding these steps and FAQs, you should be well-equipped to cancel your YouTube Premium subscription smoothly and efficiently on your Android device. Enjoy the peace of mind, and remember, you can always resubscribe later if you miss the perks!