I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.
See all posts Frank GogolHow to Cancel YouTube TV
Updated on April 9, 2024
Written by
Written by
Reviewed by
Rohit Mittal
Reviewed by
Rohit Mittal
Rohit Mittal is the co-founder and CEO of Stilt. Rohit has extensive experience in credit risk analytics and data science. He spent years building credit risk and fraud models for top U.S. banks. In his current role, he defines the overall business strategy, leads debt and capital fundraising efforts, leads product development, and leads other customer-related aspects for the company. Stilt is backed by Y Combinator and has raised a total of $275M in debt and equity funding to date.
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At a Glance: To cancel your YouTube TV subscription, the process varies depending on the device you’re using.
If you’re canceling from the web, log into your account, click on your avatar, go to Settings > Membership, click on Pause or Cancel Membership, select a reason, and confirm the cancellation.
On iOS devices, open a web browser, go to tv.youtube.com, click on your profile picture, go to Settings > Membership, select Cancel Membership, and confirm.
On Android, open the YouTube TV app, sign in, tap on your profile icon, go to Settings > Membership, tap on Pause or Cancel Membership, choose a reason, and confirm the cancellation.
YouTube TV quickly gained popularity upon its launch as a top live TV streaming option. While you may have enjoyed it in the past, you might decide to cancel your subscription. If you’re contemplating this, you’re in the right spot. This guide will provide you with step by step details on how to cancel your YouTube TV subscription.
How to Cancel YouTube TV Subscription
Many users enjoy YouTube TV but may want to cancel due to cost or having too many overlapping subscriptions. The cancellation process varies by device. Here’s how to start:
- Cancel YouTube TV from a Computer
- Cancel YouTube TV on iOS
- Cancel YouTube TV on Android
Continue reading for detailed steps on each method.
How to Cancel YouTube TV from a Computer
In order to cancel your YouTube TV subscription, you can choose the easiest route: canceling it from the desktop website. You can do this on Mac, Linux, or Windows 10 computer.
To cancel your YouTube membership:
- Navigate to youtube.com/paid_memberships.
- If you are logged into your account, click on your profile picture (on the top right).
- Select “Youtube TV” in “Manage membership.”
- Choose “Deactivate.”
- Press “Continue to cancel.”
- Indicate your reason for canceling and proceed by clicking “Next.”
- Confirm by selecting “Yes, cancel.”
How to Cancel YouTube TV from a Computer – Option 2
- On your iOS device, open a web browser and then access tv.youtube.com/cancel.
- If you are not logged in, you will need to log into your account. Once you are logged in, you can follow the next steps.
- If you are logged into your account, click on your profile photo on the top right.
- Then, go to Membership on the top left of the sidebar.
- Then click on Pause or Cancel Membership.
- Then click on Cancel Membership at the bottom right.
- Select a reason for your cancellation and confirm by clicking “Cancel Membership.”
How to Cancel YouTube TV from iOS
If you have an iPhone or iPad and want to cancel your YouTube TV from this device, here are the steps you have to go through:
- On your iOS device, open a web browser and then access tv.youtube.com/cancel.
- If you are not logged in, you will need to log into your account. Once you are logged in, you can follow the next steps.
- If you are logged into your account, click on your profile picture.
- Go to Settings.
- Then, go to Membership.
- Select Cancel Membership, your cancellation reason, and confirm your choice.
On iOS devices, the process is basically the same as it would be on a computer.
How to Cancel YouTube TV from Android
Follow these steps to cancel your YouTube TV membership using an Android device or a web browser:
- Launch the YouTube TV app on your Android device. Alternatively, visit tv.youtube.com/cancel on a web browser.
- If you are not logged in, you will need to log into your account. Once you are logged in, you can follow the next steps.
- Tap on your profile photo.
- Navigate to “Settings” and then select “Membership.”
- Choose “Manage.”
- Tap on “Cancel membership” followed by “Cancel” to confirm your decision.
And that’s it! Your YouTube TV membership will be canceled.
Can You Pause Your YouTube TV Subscription?
Yes, instead of canceling your subscription, you can pause it. This halts charges and, after a set period, it’ll reactivate. You can also manually resume anytime. While paused, you won’t be charged, and your recordings remain saved. However, other accounts linked to YouTube TV will pause too. Resuming restores full access.
You can go to tv.youtube.com on your browser, log into your account, and follow the next steps to pause your subscription.
What Happens When You Cancel YouTube TV Membership?
Deciding to cancel your YouTube TV membership? Here’s what you need to know:
Access Post-Cancellation
Even after canceling, you can continue enjoying YouTube TV until the end of your current payment cycle. However, if you’re on a free trial and decide to cancel, your access will be terminated immediately.
Post-Payment Period Changes
- Add-on Networks: Once your payment period concludes, any add-on networks will no longer be accessible. If you wish to add networks in the future, you’ll need an active membership.
- Library Recordings: Any shows or movies you’ve recorded will remain in your library for 21 days post-cancellation. After this period, they will expire. But don’t worry, YouTube TV will retain your library preferences, making it easier if you decide to return.
Restarting Your Membership
If you ever choose to rejoin YouTube TV, be aware that promotional prices might no longer be available. Additionally, recordings from your previous membership might not be accessible.
Data Retention by Google
For billing and fraud prevention, Google may retain minimal information, like your home zip code.
YouTube TV Cancellation Fee
No, YouTube TV does not have a cancellation fee. You can cancel your membership at any time without incurring any additional charges. However, once you cancel, you’ll only have access to YouTube TV until the end of your current billing period. After that, your membership will end, and you won’t be charged further.
Alternatives to YouTube TV
While YouTube TV has cemented its position as a top live TV streaming service, its recent price hike in March 2023 might have you considering alternatives. The beauty of streaming services is the ease of switching, pausing, or canceling. But with so many options, which one should you try next?
1. Hulu with Live TV
- Pros: Access to Hulu’s on-demand library, part of the Disney Bundle, and now includes unlimited DVR for free.
- Cons: No 4K option for live content.
- Price: $70/month with ads; $76/month ad-free.
- Note: With the Disney Bundle, combining Hulu With Live TV, Disney+, and ESPN+ costs $73/month.
2. FuboTV
- Pros: Offers 4K content for certain sports and a wide range of international sports channels.
- Cons: Smaller player in the market and lacks the 4K content variety of YouTube TV.
- Price: $70/month for the Pro plan with 131 channels; $80/month for Fubo Elite with 190 channels.
3. Sling TV
- Pros: Closest to à la carte TV with customizable channel packages.
- Cons: The “Extras” can quickly increase the monthly cost.
- Price: $35/month for either Orange or Blue; $50/month for both.
4. DirecTV Stream
- Pros: Extensive channel list and potential deals for AT&T customers.
- Cons: Higher price per channel and no live 4K options.
- Price: Starting at $70/month for 75 channels.
5. Philo
- Pros: Highly affordable.
- Cons: Limited channel list and lacks local broadcast channels.
- Price: $25/month for over 60 channels.
Each service offers its unique set of channels, features, and pricing. Depending on your preferences and budget, one of these might be the perfect fit for your streaming needs.
Read More
- How to Cancel Discovery Plus
- How to Cancel SiriusXM
- How to Cancel HBO Max
- How to Cancel Sling TV
- How to Cancel EA Play
- How to Cancel ESPN Plus
Final Thoughts
Canceling YouTube TV is not difficult, but the process you perform on a web browser is slightly different compared to an iPhone or iPad, so you must know what to do. If you follow the right steps, your subscription will be successfully canceled.
On the other hand, if you want a break from the subscription but don’t want to cancel it completely, you can simply pause it and return to it later.
Canceling YouTube TV FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about canceling YouTube TV:
Can I restart my YouTube TV membership after canceling?
Yes, you can restart your membership anytime, but promotional prices may not be available, and you might not have access to previous recordings.
Will I receive a refund if I cancel in the middle of a billing cycle?
No, YouTube TV doesn’t offer refunds for partially used billing periods. You’ll have access until the end of your current billing cycle.
What happens to my recorded content after canceling?
Recorded programs in your library will expire after 21 days of canceling. However, YouTube TV will save your library preferences if you decide to sign up again later.
Can I pause my YouTube TV subscription instead of canceling?
Yes, instead of canceling, you have the option to pause your subscription. This allows you to take a break without being charged, and you can manually resume it later.
What happens if I cancel during a free trial?
If you cancel during a free trial, you will lose access to YouTube TV immediately upon cancellation.
Do I need to return any equipment after canceling?
No, YouTube TV is a streaming service, so there’s no equipment to return.
Will canceling YouTube TV affect my regular YouTube account or other Google services?
No, canceling YouTube TV will not impact your regular YouTube account or any other Google services you use.
Frank Gogol
I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.