Where to find your payment method in YouTube Premium
Your YouTube Premium payment method lives in your Google Account settings, not in the YouTube app itself. You log in to your Google Account, navigate to the Payments & subscriptions section, find YouTube Premium, and change the card or payment option attached to it from there.
The fastest route is to go directly to myaccount.google.com, click "Payments & subscriptions" in the left menu, then click "YouTube Premium" under your active subscriptions. From that screen, you can update the payment method without leaving Google's system.
If you subscribed through the YouTube app on your phone or tablet, the process is slightly different — you may need to manage it through your device's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store) instead of through Google Account settings. We cover that below.
Key Takeaways
- Go to myaccount.google.com, select "Payments & subscriptions," and click "YouTube Premium" to change your payment method from a computer.
- If you subscribed through an app store on your phone, you must change the payment method in that app store's settings, not in Google Account settings.
- You can add a new card, remove an old one, or switch between existing payment methods without cancelling your subscription.
- Changes take effect when ready, and your next billing date stays the same unless you cancel and restart the subscription.
Changing your payment method on a computer
Open a web browser and go to myaccount.google.com. Sign in with the Google Account that pays for your YouTube Premium subscription. On the left side of the screen, click "Payments & subscriptions."
Under "Subscriptions," you will see "YouTube Premium" listed. Click on it. A panel will open showing your current payment method, your next billing date, and options to manage the subscription. Look for the button or link that says "Update payment method" or shows your current card details — click that to edit it.
You can then add a new card by entering the card number, expiration date, and CVV, or select a different card if you have already saved multiple payment methods to your Google Account. Once you confirm the change, it applies when ready to your account. Your next billing charge will use the new method on your regular billing date.
Changing your payment method on iPhone or iPad
If you subscribed to YouTube Premium through the Apple App Store, you cannot change the payment method inside YouTube or Google Account settings. Instead, you manage it through your Apple ID settings.
On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app. Tap your name at the top, then tap "Subscriptions." Find "YouTube Premium" in the list and tap it. Tap "Edit" or the three dots menu, then select the option to change your payment method. You will be taken to your Apple ID payment settings, where you can update the card or payment option linked to your Apple ID.
The change takes effect on your next billing date. If you want to switch to a different payment method before then, you can also cancel YouTube Premium and restart it with a new payment method, though this may reset your billing date.
Changing your payment method on Android
If you subscribed through the Google Play Store on an Android phone or tablet, the process is similar to Apple but uses Google Play settings instead. Open the Google Play app on your device, tap your profile icon in the top right corner, then tap "Payments and subscriptions."
Tap "Subscriptions" and select "YouTube Premium" from the list. Tap "Manage" or the settings icon, then look for the option to change your payment method. You can add a new card, select an existing one, or update your current payment details. The change takes effect on your next billing date.
What payment methods YouTube Premium accepts
YouTube Premium accepts most major credit and debit cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You can also pay with a debit card as long as it carries one of those logos.
If you subscribed through the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, you are also limited to whatever payment methods your device's app store accepts. Google Play accepts Google Play balance (store credit), PayPal, and some regional payment methods depending on your country. The Apple App Store accepts credit cards, debit cards, and Apple Gift Cards.
YouTube Premium does not accept PayPal directly if you subscribed through Google Account settings, only through the app stores. If you want to use PayPal, you would need to cancel your current subscription and restart it through the Google Play Store on an Android device.
What happens to your subscription when you change payment methods
Changing your payment method does not interrupt your YouTube Premium service. You keep your subscription active, your watch history stays intact, and your next billing date does not change. The new payment method straightforward takes over on that date.
If the new payment method fails (for example, the card is declined), Google will try the payment again a few days later. If it fails a second time, you will receive an email asking you to update your payment method. If you do not update it within a set period, your subscription will be paused until you add a working payment method.
If you want to change your billing date itself — not just the payment method — you would need to cancel YouTube Premium and restart it. This resets your billing cycle to the day you restart, so plan accordingly if you are near the end of your current billing period.
Removing an old payment method from your Google Account
Once you have switched to a new payment method, you may want to remove the old card from your Google Account entirely. Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Payments & subscriptions," then click "Payment methods" in the left menu.
You will see a list of all cards and payment options saved to your account. Find the one you want to remove and click the three dots menu next to it, then select "Remove." You can only remove a payment method if it is not currently set as the default for any active subscriptions. If YouTube Premium is still using that card, you must change your YouTube Premium payment method first, then remove the card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my payment method without cancelling YouTube Premium?
Yes. You can update your payment method at any time without affecting your subscription. Your service continues uninterrupted, and the new payment method takes effect on your next billing date. You do not need to cancel and restart.
What if my new payment method is declined on the billing date?
Google will attempt the charge again a few days later. If it fails a second time, you will receive an email to update your payment method. You have a grace period to add a working card before your subscription is paused. Once you update it, your service resumes when ready.
Why can't I change my payment method in the YouTube app?
YouTube Premium subscriptions are managed through your Google Account or your device's app store, not through the YouTube app itself. If you subscribed on a phone or tablet, your app store (Apple or Google Play) controls the payment method. If you subscribed on a computer, Google Account settings control it.
Can I use a different payment method for YouTube Premium than I use for other Google services?
Yes. YouTube Premium has its own payment method setting separate from other Google services like Google One or Google Play purchases. You can set a different card for YouTube Premium without affecting your other subscriptions.
What if I subscribed through a third party or carrier billing?
If you subscribed through carrier billing (charged to your phone bill) or through a third party, you may need to contact that provider to change the payment method. Some carriers and third-party services do not allow changes through Google Account settings. Check your subscription confirmation email to see who is billing you.