How to Cancel YouTube Music Premium Membership

These days, users are offered so many subscription services: online cinemas, music catalogs, and more. It's easy to sign up for things like YouTube Music Premium without thinking twice. But sometimes, priorities shift. Maybe you’re trying to cut down on monthly expenses, or maybe the premium features just aren’t as useful as they once seemed. 

The reasons can be different but if you’re thinking about canceling your YouTube Music Premium subscription, don’t worry, it’s a simple process. It all starts with heading over to your account settings. Let’s break down this process step by step.

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On desktop:

Go to YouTube in your browser and click on your profile picture in the top-right corner. From the dropdown menu, select "Paid memberships."

On mobile:

Open the YouTube Music app, tap your profile picture, and you’ll see a similar menu where you can find your membership options.

Once you're in the Paid memberships section, locate your YouTube Music Premium subscription. Tap or click “Manage,” and you’ll see options like “Deactivate” or “Cancel Membership.” This is where you begin the cancellation process.

Before finalizing, YouTube will show you a summary of what you’ll lose once your membership ends like ad-free listening, offline access, and background play. You’ll also see how many days you have left in your billing cycle and whether you qualify for a prorated refund (usually, you won’t).

Sometimes, YouTube may offer a discount to encourage you to stay. It’s worth taking a moment to weigh those offers before making your final decision.

To complete the process, just confirm by clicking something like “Yes, cancel.” You should see a confirmation message on your screen or receive one by email. After cancellation, you’ll still be able to use YouTube Music's free, ad-supported version, just without the premium extras.

Even if you're thinking of canceling, it’s good to know that YouTube Music Premium can be more than just a personal perk, it can be a smart tool for creators and marketers. Below you can find some working examples: 

Track trends and audience preferences

Premium users often get better insights into trending songs, artists, and playlists. This can help you adjust your content with music that aligns with what’s popular.

Create an uninterrupted experience

If you're promoting music videos or content tied to sound, ads can break the flow. Premium helps keep viewers engaged from start to finish.

Offline listening for research

Need inspiration while offline? Download trending tracks to study styles, lyrics, or beats on the go.

Background play for multitaskers

Your audience can listen to your music or content even when they switch apps, helping increase total watch/listen time.

Better audio quality = better content

Premium gives access to high-quality tracks, which can level up your own videos’ soundtracks.

Cross-promotion opportunities

Creators can connect their YouTube and YouTube Music audiences—linking videos, playlists, or albums to expand reach.

Build a polished brand image

Pairing your visuals with high-quality, trending music can elevate your entire brand and bring yourself closer to monetization.  

And if you're looking to boost your promotional efforts even further, Viewsta can help. With services like buying real YouTube views, you can give your videos a head start and grow faster.

Here are some reasons others decide to stop their paid subscription:

Saving money: Subscriptions add up. If you’re not using it often, it might not be worth the cost.

Switching to other platforms: Some users prefer the features or music libraries on other streaming services.

Underused features: If you’re not downloading music or using background play, Premium might feel unnecessary.

Temporary needs: Maybe you only subscribed for a trip, project, or short-term need.

Lifestyle or financial changes: Job loss, new routines, or even just listening to less music can make a difference.

Technical issues: App glitches or bugs might also push people to look elsewhere.

Canceling YouTube Music Premium is quick and easy. Just be sure to double-check the terms, especially if you’re on a free trial or promotional offer, to avoid any surprise charges. And if you ever miss the perks, reactivating your membership only takes a few clicks.

If you're using YouTube for content creation or promotion, consider keeping Premium in your toolkit or explore services like Viewsta to take your reach even further with services like YouTube comments and YouTube followers.

Can I cancel my YouTube Music Premium membership at any time?

Yes! You’re free to cancel whenever you’d like. Just note that your access continues until the end of your billing cycle.

Will I get a refund for the unused time?

Generally, no. You’ll keep access until the billing period ends, but YouTube doesn’t usually issue refunds.

Can I resubscribe later?

Absolutely. You can rejoin YouTube Music Premium anytime you want.

What happens to my downloaded music?

Once your Premium ends, your offline downloads will no longer be available unless you resubscribe.

Are there any penalties for canceling?

No penalties or extra charges—just make sure you cancel before your next billing date.

Can I still use YouTube Music after canceling?

Yes, you’ll switch to the free version. It includes ads and lacks some features, but you can still listen to music.