How to cancel YouTube Premium: a step-by-step guide

YouTube Premium offers great perks like ad-free videos, offline downloads, and access to YouTube Music, but if you’re no longer using it or want to cut down on subscription costs, it may be time to cancel. This guide walks you through the process of unsubscribing from YouTube Premium, whether you’re on a mobile device, desktop, or using a third-party subscription manager like SubTracked to keep your services in check.

Why Cancel YouTube Premium?

Before we dive into the step-by-step process, let’s briefly explore why you might consider canceling YouTube Premium. Here are a few common reasons:

• Budgeting concerns: Subscription costs add up quickly, and cutting out YouTube Premium may be a way to save money.
• Lack of use: If you’re not taking full advantage of the premium features like ad-free viewing or background play, it might not be worth the cost.
• Alternative services: Some users may find that free or cheaper alternatives offer similar benefits.

Regardless of the reason, canceling your subscription is simple and can be done in just a few steps.

How to Cancel YouTube Premium on Desktop

1. Log in to YouTube: Open your web browser and go to YouTube. Make sure you’re signed in with the account that holds the YouTube Premium subscription.

2. Access Settings: Click on your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen. From the dropdown menu, select “Purchases and memberships.”

3. Select YouTube Premium: In the “Purchases and memberships” section, you’ll see your active YouTube Premium subscription. Click “Manage Membership.”

4. Cancel Subscription: Under YouTube Premium, click the “Deactivate” button, then follow the on-screen prompts to complete your cancellation. You may be offered a pause or other incentives, but if you wish to proceed with canceling, continue through the steps.

5. Confirm Cancellation: You’ll receive a confirmation that your subscription has been canceled. Keep in mind that you’ll still have access to premium features until the end of your billing cycle.

How to Cancel YouTube Premium on Mobile (Android & iOS)

1. Open the YouTube App: On your mobile device, launch the YouTube app and ensure you’re signed in to the account with the active YouTube Premium subscription.

2. Go to Your Profile: Tap on your profile picture in the top-right corner and select “Purchases and memberships” from the menu.

3. Manage Your Membership: Tap on “Manage Membership” under the YouTube Premium section.

4. Cancel the Subscription: Tap “Deactivate” and follow the instructions to complete the cancellation process. As with the desktop version, you may be offered the option to pause instead of canceling.

5. Confirm: Once canceled, you’ll receive a confirmation, and your premium features will remain available until the current billing period ends.

Using a Subscription Manager like SubTracked

If you’re juggling multiple subscriptions and want an easier way to manage them, consider using SubTracked. Instead of canceling each service manually, SubTracked provides:

• A subscription overview: See all your subscriptions, including YouTube Premium, in one place.
• Notifications: Get notified before renewal dates so you can avoid unwanted charges.
• One-click cancellations: Get quick access to cancel options for all your services.
• Spending insights: Keep track of how much you’re spending monthly and make informed decisions about which services to keep.

SubTracked streamlines the process and ensures you never lose track of any subscription, saving you both time and money.

What Happens After You Cancel?

Once you’ve canceled your YouTube Premium subscription, you’ll retain access to premium features like ad-free viewing and background play until the end of your billing period. After that, your account will revert to the free version of YouTube, and you’ll see ads again. However, all your downloads and access to YouTube Music will also be removed.

Conclusion

Canceling YouTube Premium is a quick and easy process whether you’re on a desktop or mobile device. If you’re managing multiple subscriptions, a tool like SubTracked can make it even easier to stay on top of your services and ensure you’re not paying for ones you no longer need. Try SubTracked today to keep your subscription spending under control!