So, you're thinking of canceling YouTube Music. It happens. Launched in 2015, YouTube Music tries to blend a massive music catalog with YouTube's video library, but maybe the algorithm keeps pushing weirdly aggressive recommendations at you. Or maybe you're just tired of another subscription fee. This guide will help you cancel your plan, which costs anywhere from $10.99 to $16.99 a month. We cover how to cancel on iOS, Android, and your desktop, potentially saving you up to $110 a year. Let's get it done.
How to Cancel YouTube Music Subscription on Desktop
This is probably the most straightforward way to cancel. Just use your computer and a web browser. It takes about two minutes, tops.
1 Go to Paid Memberships
Open your web browser and head over to youtube.com/paid_memberships. You'll probably need to sign in to your Google account if you aren't already.
2 Find and Manage Your Membership
You should see your YouTube Music or YouTube Premium subscription listed here. Click on Manage membership to expand the options. Sometimes this link can be a bit slow to load, so give it a second.
3 Click Deactivate
A link that says Deactivate should appear. Click on it. Don't worry, this doesn't cancel it instantly.
4 Choose to Continue or Pause
YouTube will offer to pause your membership for up to 6 months instead of canceling. If you just need a break, this is a good option. If you're sure you want to cancel, click Continue to cancel.
5 Confirm the Cancellation
They'll ask you for a reason why you're leaving. Pick one or just skip it. After that, you'll have to hit the final confirmation button to seal the deal.
How to Cancel YouTube Music Subscription on Android
Canceling on an Android device is pretty easy since it's all handled directly through the Google ecosystem. Just follow these steps in the app.
1 Open the YouTube App
Open the YouTube app on your Android phone or tablet.
2 Tap Your Profile Picture
Tap on your profile picture in the top-right corner of the screen.
3 Go to Purchases and Memberships
In the menu that pops up, find and tap on Purchases and memberships.
4 Select Your Membership
You'll see your active membership. Tap on it to see the details.
5 Tap Deactivate
Tap the Deactivate button. It will then give you the same options as the desktop version.
6 Confirm Your Choice
Choose Continue to cancel and follow the final steps to confirm. You're all set.
How to Cancel YouTube Music Subscription on iOS
Okay, this is where it gets annoying. If you subscribed to YouTube Music through the App Store, you have to cancel it through Apple, not YouTube. A user on Reddit put it perfectly: 'I swear they hide the cancel button on purpose. Took me 10 minutes to find it on my iPhone because I forgot I subscribed through Apple.' If you subscribed directly on the YouTube website, you should follow the Desktop instructions instead, even on your phone's browser.
1 Open iPhone/iPad Settings
Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. It's the gray gear icon.
2 Tap Your Apple ID
Tap your name and Apple ID at the very top of the Settings screen.
3 Select Subscriptions
From the list, tap on Subscriptions.
4 Find YouTube Music
Find YouTube Music in your list of active subscriptions and tap on it.
5 Tap Cancel Subscription
Tap the Cancel Subscription button. You'll need to confirm your choice, and then you're done. Apple will handle the rest.
Before you hit cancel, here are a few things to know. First, YouTube generally doesn't give refunds for partial months. If you cancel, your premium access will continue until the end of your current billing period. The good news is that your playlists and library won't be deleted, you'll just revert to the free, ad-supported version. You will lose any music you've downloaded for offline listening. Also, YouTube offers a pretty decent 'pause' option. You can pause your membership for one to six months, which is great if you just need a temporary break without losing everything.
YouTube Music Plans and Pricing 2025
| Plan | Monthly Price (USD) | Annual Price (USD) | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium | $10.99 | $109.99 | Ad-free music, background listening, and downloads for one account. |
| Family | $16.99 | N/A | All Premium features for up to 6 family members in the same household. |
| Student | $5.49 | N/A | All Premium features for one eligible student. Requires annual verification. |
Frequently Asked Questions about YouTube Music
Can I unsubscribe from YouTube Music anytime?
Can I get a refund from YouTube Music if I forgot to cancel?
How do I know my YouTube Music subscription is cancelled?
How long does it take for YouTube Music to cancel?
What else should I know before I cancel my YouTube Music subscription?
How do I raise a complaint to YouTube Music?
Olivia Harper
Content Manager
Olivia Harper, a Content Manager with nine years of experience, creates user-focused guides on subscription services. Featured in Digital Consumer Reports, her work simplifies subscription terms and cancellations.
