The streaming industry has significantly transformed our entertainment habits, shaping how we consume video content and music. YouTube Premium is a compelling choice in this crowded landscape, offering users many attractive features. However, for various reasons, some may cancel their YouTube Premium subscription. Perhaps you want to trim your monthly expenses, switch to another service, or you aren’t fully utilizing the benefits. Regardless of the reasons, knowing how to cancel your subscription effectively is crucial.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps to cancel your YouTube Premium subscription and request a refund on both desktop and mobile platforms, should you be eligible.
Delving Into YouTube Premium
To fully appreciate the cancellation process and the subsequent effects, it is necessary to understand the advantages of a YouTube Premium subscription. As a subscriber, you enjoy an elevated YouTube experience free of ads, the convenience of downloading videos for offline viewing, and access to exclusive content from top creators via YouTube Originals. Additionally, for music lovers, YouTube Premium includes YouTube Music Premium, providing an ad-free listening experience, background play, and downloads.
However, losing these benefits may not significantly impact your experience if you are not frequently using them. Hence, if you are considering canceling your subscription, you must weigh these features against your usage and decide if the monthly subscription fee is justified.
Guide to Cancel YouTube Premium on Desktop 🖥️
1. Initiating the Cancellation
Step #1: Starting on your desktop browser
Step #2: Visit YouTube and sign in to the account associated with your YouTube Premium subscription.
Step #3: Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner.
Step #4: Select ‘Paid Memberships,’ from the dropdown menu, which directs you to a page displaying all your active YouTube subscriptions.
Step #5: Look for YouTube Premium in this list and click ‘Manage Membership‘ next.
Step #6: Following this, you will see the option to ‘Deactivate.’ Clicking on ‘Deactivate‘ will give you two options: to ‘Pause’ or ‘Cancel’ your membership. While pausing extends your membership for up to six months, the cancellation option ends it permanently.
2. Proceeding with the Cancellation
Step #1: After clicking ‘Continue to cancel,’ you will be asked to provide a reason for canceling. This feedback is collected to improve the user experience.
Step#2: Once you select a suitable reason, click ‘Next‘ and then ‘Yes, Cancel.
Step#3: This completes the cancellation process from a desktop browser.
Step#4: If you had initially subscribed to YouTube Premium via Google Play, the ‘Cancel’ option would instead lead you to the subscriptions page on Google Play, where you can cancel your Premium membership directly.
Guide to Cancel YouTube Premium on Mobile📱
On Android Devices
Step #1: YouTube Premium subscription management on Android devices is done through the YouTube app.
Step #2: Launch the YouTube App
Step #3: Tap your profile icon in the upper-right corner.
Step #4: From the dropdown menu, select ‘Purchases and memberships.’ You’ll then see your active YouTube Premium subscription.
Step #5: By clicking on it, you’ll see the option to ‘Deactivate.’ Much like the desktop version, you are given a choice to either pause or cancel your membership.
Step #6: If you decide to cancel, tap on ‘Continue to cancel.’ As in the desktop process, you’ll be asked why you canceled your subscription.
Step #7: After providing this, tap ‘Next’ and then ‘Yes, Cancel.’ This will end your YouTube Premium subscription on your Android device.
On iOS Devices
The process on iOS devices is slightly different and requires you to use the device’s settings.
Step #1: Navigate to ‘Settings’ on your iOS device.
Step #2: Tap on your name to access your Apple ID settings.
Step #3: Scroll down and select ‘Subscriptions.’ Here, you will see a list of all your active subscriptions, including YouTube Premium.
Step #4: Upon selecting YouTube Premium, you will see an option to ‘Cancel Subscription.’
Step #5: Tap on it and confirm your cancellation. This will end your YouTube Premium subscription on your iOS device.
However, it’s worth noting that if you subscribed via Google Play on an iOS device, you cannot cancel it directly from the device. You will need to use a non-iOS device to navigate to the subscriptions page on Google Play Store and cancel it there.
What Happens After You Cancel YouTube Premium?
Upon canceling YouTube Premium, you do not immediately lose your subscription benefits. The cancellation process stops future billing, but your Premium benefits persist until the end of the current billing period. You can continue to enjoy ad-free videos, downloads, and other features until your next billing date.
This can benefit those who cancel their subscription partway through a billing cycle. However, once the benefits expire, you cannot download videos for offline viewing, and ads will reappear between your videos. Background play will also no longer be available, which could impact those who listen to YouTube audio while multitasking on their devices.
Refunds: When and How to Request
There may be instances where you might seek a refund after canceling your YouTube Premium. This typically applies if the service doesn’t work as expected, such as if you still see ads on your videos while using YouTube Premium. In such cases, you may be eligible for a refund.
To request a refund, navigate to the ‘Help’ support page on YouTube and follow the instructions for submitting a refund request. If your request is approved, your payment will be refunded to the method you used for the subscription. This could be Google Play, Apple Pay, a credit card, or a debit card.
It’s essential to check that you are logged in to the correct YouTube Premium account when you submit your refund request. Submitting a request from a non-Premium account may lead to unnecessary delays or rejection.
Wrapping Up: Managing Your Digital Subscriptions
In this digital age, getting swept up in the tide of subscription services is easy. From music and video streaming to digital publications, myriad services are vying for our attention and wallets. While these services can enhance our digital lives, evaluating whether we are getting our money’s worth regularly is important.
Effective management of digital subscriptions involves regular audits of your active subscriptions, evaluating your usage, and deciding whether each service’s cost is justified. It may be challenging to let go of service, especially if you have been a long-time subscriber. However, responsible digital consumption often involves making tough choices and prioritizing your needs.
Remember, various streaming platforms are available, and canceling one opens up the opportunity to explore others. You might find that another service aligns better with your needs and preferences. The digital world is vast, and there’s always something new to discover. Ultimately, it’s all about finding the perfect fit for your digital lifestyle.
Conclusion
This comprehensive guide has hopefully shed light on how to cancel your YouTube Premium subscription and apply for a refund. Whether you use a desktop, Android, or iOS device, the process is straightforward and user-friendly. YouTube’s approach allows you to pause or cancel your subscription, giving you flexibility based on your needs.
However, as you consider canceling your subscription, remember to evaluate the features you will lose and how they will affect your YouTube experience. Are you prepared to view ads again? Can you do without downloading videos for offline viewing? Such considerations are essential to ensure you make an informed decision. After all, our digital choices should always enhance our overall experience, not detract from it.