Update Your Payment Method in Account Settings
To change how Spotify charges you, go to your account page on a web browser, find the "Billing" section, and replace your current payment method with a new one. Spotify stores your payment details separately from your login information, so changing your card or payment type does not affect your password or username.
You cannot change your payment method through the Spotify mobile app — you must use a computer or tablet with a web browser. The process takes about two minutes and takes effect when ready for your next billing cycle.
Key Takeaways
- Payment method changes happen only through the Spotify website, not the mobile app, and require you to be logged into your account.
- Spotify accepts credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, and gift cards, depending on your country and account type.
- Your new payment method starts charging on your next scheduled billing date, not right away.
- If your payment fails, Spotify will try again for a few days before pausing your account, giving you time to update your method.
Step-by-Step: Changing Your Card or Payment Account
Open a web browser and go to www.spotify.com. Log in with your email and password. In the top right corner, click your profile name or the settings icon (three horizontal lines), then select "Account" from the dropdown menu.
On the Account page, look for the "Billing" section on the left side. Click "Payment methods" to see what Spotify currently has on file. You will see your current payment method listed with the last four digits of your card or the name of your PayPal account. Click the trash icon next to it to remove it, then click "Add a payment method" to enter your new card or account details.
Enter your new card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit code on the back), or choose PayPal if you prefer to pay through that account instead. Spotify will charge a small amount to verify the card — usually less than one dollar — and refund it within a few days. This verification step protects your account from fraud.
What Payment Methods Spotify Accepts
Spotify takes Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover credit and debit cards in most countries. You can also pay through PayPal if your account is set up in a country where PayPal operates. Some regions also accept local payment methods — for example, iDEAL in the Netherlands or Przelewy24 in Poland.
If you have a Spotify gift card, you can add its balance to your account instead of using a card or PayPal. Go to the "Payment methods" page and select "Redeem a gift card," then enter the code from the back of the card. The balance will cover your subscription until it runs out, at which point Spotify will ask you to add a regular payment method.
Prepaid cards and virtual card numbers work as long as they are issued by one of the major networks (Visa, Mastercard, etc.). Some banks issue temporary card numbers for online purchases — these work fine with Spotify as long as the number stays active through your next billing date.
Timing: When Your New Payment Method Takes Effect
Your new payment method does not charge you right away. Instead, Spotify will use it on your next scheduled billing date — the same day each month that you were charged before. If you change your payment method on the 15th of the month but your billing date is the 20th, you will not be charged until the 20th.
If you are switching because your old card expired or was declined, Spotify may have already tried to charge it and failed. In that case, your account may be on pause. Once you add a working payment method, Spotify will attempt to charge it within a day or two, and your service will resume.
What to Do If Your New Payment Method Is Declined
If Spotify cannot charge your new card on your billing date, it will try again over the next few days — usually three to five attempts spread across a week. During this time, your account stays active. You can keep listening while Spotify retries the charge.
If all attempts fail, Spotify will pause your account and send you an email asking you to update your payment method. You have time to fix this — your account does not delete when ready. Log back into your account, go to "Payment methods," and either add a different card or check that the card you entered has the correct expiration date and zip code.
Common reasons for declined payments are a mistyped zip code, an expired card, or a card that your bank flagged as suspicious. Call your bank to ask if they blocked the charge, and ask them to allow Spotify's next attempt. Then log back into Spotify and make sure the zip code and expiration date match exactly what your bank has on file.
Removing a Payment Method Without Adding a New One
You cannot have an account with no payment method on file. If you want to stop paying for Spotify, you must cancel your subscription instead of just deleting your card. Go to "Account," then scroll down to find "Subscription" or "Plan." Click "Cancel Subscription" and follow the prompts.
If you have already deleted your payment method and your account is paused, Spotify will ask you to add a new one before you can use the service again. You can either add a payment method and resume, or cancel your subscription entirely.
Changing Your Subscription Plan at the Same Time
If you are changing your payment method, you might also want to switch to a different Spotify plan — for example, from Individual to Family, or from Premium to Free. You can do both in the same visit to your account page. Go to "Subscription" or "Plan" and click "Change plan" to see your options, then go to "Payment methods" to update your card.
If you downgrade to a free account, Spotify will not charge you anything, and you do not need a payment method at all. If you upgrade to a paid plan, your new payment method will be charged on your next billing date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my payment method on my phone?
No. Spotify only lets you change payment methods through a web browser on a computer or tablet. Open spotify.com in Safari, Chrome, or Firefox, log in, and go to Account > Billing > Payment methods. The mobile app does not have this option.
Will changing my payment method affect my playlists or saved songs?
No. Your playlists, saved songs, and listening history stay exactly the same. Changing your payment method only updates how Spotify charges you — nothing else on your account changes.
What if I want to use a different email address for my payment?
Your payment method is tied to your Spotify account email, not a separate email. If you want to change the email address associated with your account, go to Account > Profile and edit your email there. Your payment method will stay the same.
How long does it take for a new payment method to start working?
Your new payment method is active when ready after you add it, but Spotify will not charge it until your next billing date. If you need to be charged sooner, contact Spotify Support through your account page and ask them to process a manual charge.
Can I have more than one payment method saved at once?
Spotify only stores one active payment method at a time. If you want to switch between two cards, you must delete the old one and add the new one each time. You cannot set up a backup card that Spotify will use if the first one fails.