YouTube Premium is a popular subscription service that offers ad-free videos, offline playback, and background play. 

Many users sign up to enjoy an uninterrupted viewing experience. 

However, circumstances change, and you might decide that YouTube Premium no longer suits your needs. 

Perhaps you want to reduce monthly expenses, you are not using the features as much as you once did, or you might even prefer to watch videos with ads (but that is unlikely). 

Whatever your reasons, cancelling your subscription is a straightforward process. 

In this article, we will explore what YouTube Premium is, discuss common reasons for cancelling the service, and provide step-by-step instructions for cancelling YouTube Premium on Android devices, iOS devices, and via the website. 

We hope that this guide will help you understand the process and make the cancellation as smooth as possible.

What is YouTube Premium?

YouTube Premium is a subscription service offered by YouTube. 

It is designed to provide an enhanced viewing experience by removing advertisements and offering exclusive features.

Ad-Free Viewing

One of the primary benefits of YouTube Premium is ad-free viewing. 

Subscribers can watch videos without interruptions from pre-roll, mid-roll, or banner ads. 

This results in a smoother, more enjoyable experience, especially during long viewing sessions.

Offline Playback

YouTube Premium allows you to download videos for offline viewing. 

This is particularly useful when you have limited internet access or want to save on data usage. 

You can watch your favourite videos and playlists without needing a continuous connection.

Background Play

Another significant feature is background play. 

With YouTube Premium, you can continue listening to a video while using other apps or when your device screen is turned off. 

This is ideal for music, podcasts, or long-form content where audio is key.

YouTube Originals and Extras

Subscribers gain access to YouTube Originals – exclusive series, films, and documentaries produced by YouTube. 

These high-quality shows are not available on the free platform. 

Additionally, Premium users enjoy improved functionality in YouTube Music, which offers a similar ad-free, uninterrupted experience for music lovers.

Common Reasons to Cancel YouTube Premium

YouTube Premium offers many benefits, such as ad-free viewing, offline playback, and background play. 

However, not every user finds these features essential. 

There are several common reasons why people choose to cancel their YouTube Premium subscription.

Cost Concerns

Many users cancel YouTube Premium due to the subscription cost. 

The monthly fee may not seem justified, especially if you do not use all the premium features. 

For casual viewers, the extra expense can add up over time. 

Some users find that the cost outweighs the benefits, particularly if they already have tight budgets or other streaming subscriptions.

Limited Usage

Another reason to cancel is limited usage. 

Not everyone watches enough content to make full use of Premium features. 

If you only occasionally watch videos on YouTube, the value of ad-free viewing, offline playback, and background play diminishes. 

For these users, sticking with the free version is more practical.

Preference for Ad-Supported Experience

Some viewers prefer the traditional, ad-supported experience. 

They do not find ads overly disruptive and appreciate the occasional promotional content. 

For them, the free version of YouTube is perfectly acceptable. 

This familiarity with the ad-supported model can lead to a decision to cancel Premium.

Availability of Alternative Platforms

With the rise of alternative streaming services, some users opt for different platforms. 

If another service offers similar or superior features at a competitive price, it may be more appealing than YouTube Premium. 

This shift in preference can prompt users to cancel their Premium subscription.

How to Cancel YouTube Premium on Android

Cancelling YouTube Premium on an Android device is quite straightforward. 

Follow these simple steps to stop your subscription.

Open the YouTube App

Launch the YouTube app on your Android smartphone or tablet. 

Make sure you are signed in with the account that holds the Premium subscription.

Access Your Account Settings

Tap your profile icon located in the top-right corner. 

From the drop-down menu, select ’Settings’. 

This will open your account settings menu.

Navigate to Purchases and Memberships

Scroll down until you find the ‘Purchases and memberships’ section. 

Tap on this option to view your current subscriptions, including YouTube Premium.

Cancel Your Subscription

Locate the YouTube Premium subscription on the list. 

Tap on it to open the details page. 

You will see an option labelled ‘Cancel membership’. 

Tap this option and follow the on-screen prompts. 

You may be asked to provide a reason for cancellation. 

Confirm your choice when prompted. 

After confirming, your subscription will be cancelled, but you will continue to have access to YouTube Premium benefits until your current billing period ends.

How to Cancel YouTube Premium on IOS

Cancelling your YouTube Premium on IOS is fairly easy to do. 

Access Your Settings

To cancel YouTube Premium on an iOS device, start by opening the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. 

Tap on your name at the top of the screen to access your Apple ID settings.

Navigate to Subscriptions

Next, scroll down and select the ‘Subscriptions’ option. 

This will display all your active subscriptions linked to your Apple ID. 

Locate YouTube Premium from the list of subscriptions.

Cancel YouTube Premium

Once you find YouTube Premium, tap on it to view the subscription details. 

You will see a ‘Cancel Subscription’ button. 

Tap this button and confirm your cancellation when prompted. 

This action stops future payments. 

Your YouTube Premium benefits will continue until the end of the current billing cycle.

How to Cancel YouTube Premium on the Website

Cancelling YouTube Premium via the website is an easy process. 

Follow these steps for a hassle-free cancellation.

Access Your Account

Start by opening your web browser and visiting YouTube. 

Log in with the account that holds your YouTube Premium subscription. 

Once logged in, click on your profile icon in the top-right corner of the page.

Navigate to Paid Memberships

From the drop-down menu, select ‘Paid memberships’. 

This section displays all your current subscriptions. 

Locate the YouTube Premium subscription in the list. 

Click on ‘Manage membership’ to view detailed information about your subscription.

Cancel the Subscription

On the subscription details page, you will see an option to ‘Deactivate’. 

Click this option and follow the on-screen prompts to proceed with the cancellation. 

You may be asked to confirm your decision and provide a reason for cancelling. 

Once confirmed, your subscription will be cancelled, and you will not be charged for the next billing cycle. 

You will still have access to Premium benefits until the end of your current billing period.

Conclusion

You should now know how to cancel YouTube Premium. 

YouTube Premium offers many benefits, but it may not suit everyone’s needs. 

Whether you decide to cancel because of cost, limited use, or personal preference, the process is straightforward. 

We have explored how to cancel YouTube Premium on Android, iOS, and via the website, ensuring that you have the guidance needed for whichever device you use. 

In today’s digital landscape, it is important to review your subscriptions regularly and make choices that best align with your viewing habits and budget. 

If YouTube Premium is no longer providing the value you expected, cancelling it can be a sensible step. 

Remember, you always have the option to resubscribe if your needs change in the future. 

Stay in control of your online experience and choose the services that work best for you.

For more information, or any help with your business’ digital marketing needs, get in contact with us here at Neon Atlas.