Where to find your payment settings on YouTube Premium

Your payment method lives in your Google Account settings, not in the YouTube app itself. You reach it by going to myaccount.google.com, then selecting the "Payments & subscriptions" tab on the left side. From there, click "Manage subscriptions" to see your YouTube Premium subscription listed.

Once you're in the subscriptions section, you'll see YouTube Premium with a "Manage" button next to it. Click that button, and you'll land on the page where you can change your payment method. The exact layout depends on whether you're on a computer or phone, but the steps are the same either way.

If you signed up for YouTube Premium through the YouTube app on your phone, the process is slightly different — you'll need to go through your phone's app store settings instead. We'll cover that in the section below.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your YouTube Premium payment method through your Google Account at myaccount.google.com, not through YouTube itself.
  • If you signed up on an iPhone, you'll change the payment method in Apple's App Store settings; if you signed up on Android, you'll use Google Play settings.
  • You can add a new credit or debit card, use a different existing card, or switch to a different payment method like a bank account or Google Play balance.
  • Your new payment method takes effect on your next billing date, not when ready.
  • If your payment method fails, YouTube will try again for several days before pausing your 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's connected to your YouTube Premium subscription. On the left side menu, click "Payments & subscriptions."

Next, click "Manage subscriptions" in the middle section. You'll see a list of all your active subscriptions. Find YouTube Premium and click the "Manage" button next to it. This opens your subscription details page.

On this page, look for the section that says "Payment method" or "Billing information." Click "Update payment method" or the pencil icon next to your current card. A window will pop up showing your current payment method and giving you the option to add a new one or select a different card you've already saved to your account.

If you want to add a brand-new card, click "Add payment method" and enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV. If you already have another card saved, you can straightforward click on it to select it. Once you've chosen your new payment method, click "Update" or "Save." Your change will take effect on your next billing date.

Changing your payment method on iPhone or Android

If you signed up for YouTube Premium through the YouTube app on your iPhone, you'll change the payment method in Apple's App Store settings, not in your Google Account. Open the App Store app, tap your profile icon in the top right corner, then tap "Subscriptions." Find YouTube Premium in the list and tap it.

Tap "Manage" or the settings icon, then tap "Payment Method." From here you can add a new card, use a different card you've already saved, or change to a different payment option like Apple Pay. Make your selection and confirm the change.

On Android, the process is similar but uses Google Play instead. Open the Google Play app, tap your profile icon in the top right, then tap "Payments and subscriptions." Tap "Subscriptions," find YouTube Premium, and tap "Manage subscription." Tap "Payment method" to add a new card or switch to a different one you've already saved.

Keep in mind that if you signed up on your phone, you must change the payment method through your phone's app store — you cannot change it through your Google Account settings on a computer. The two systems don't sync with each other.

What payment methods YouTube Premium accepts

YouTube Premium accepts most major credit and debit cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You can also use a bank account if you're in the United States — this is called an ACH transfer and takes a few extra days to process the first time you set it up.

If you have a Google Play balance (money you've added to your Google account), you can use that to pay for YouTube Premium. Some countries also allow payment through local methods like iDEAL in the Netherlands or Przelewy24 in Poland, but these vary by region.

You cannot pay with PayPal, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. If your preferred payment method isn't available in your country, you'll need to use one of the standard options listed above.

What happens when your payment method fails

If your card is declined or your bank rejects the charge, YouTube doesn't cancel your subscription right away. Instead, it tries to charge you again over the next few days. During this time, you keep your YouTube Premium access.

If all the retry attempts fail, YouTube will pause your subscription and send you an email letting you know. You have about a month to update your payment method before the subscription is fully canceled. Once you add a working payment method, your subscription resumes when ready.

To avoid this situation, check your email regularly for payment failure notices. If you see one, update your payment method as soon as you can. You can also proactively update your card if you know it's about to expire or if your bank issued you a new one.

Switching between different Google Accounts

If you have more than one Google Account and want to move your YouTube Premium subscription to a different account, you'll need to cancel it on the current account and start a new subscription on the other one. YouTube doesn't allow you to transfer a subscription between accounts.

To cancel, go to myaccount.google.com, click "Payments & subscriptions," then "Manage subscriptions." Find YouTube Premium and click "Cancel subscription." You'll be asked to confirm and may see options to pause instead of cancel — choose what fits your situation.

Once the subscription is canceled, sign into your other Google Account and start a new YouTube Premium subscription. You can use the same payment method on both accounts if you want, or use different cards for each one.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does my new payment method start being charged?

Your new payment method takes effect on your next billing date, not when ready. If your billing date is the 15th of each month and you change your payment method on the 5th, you won't be charged on the new card until the 15th. Until then, you'll continue using your old payment method if it's still active.

Can I use a prepaid card for YouTube Premium?

Yes, prepaid cards work as long as they're Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. Make sure the card has enough balance to cover the monthly charge. If the prepaid card declines, YouTube will retry for several days, and your subscription will pause if all attempts fail.

What if I don't see my subscription in the Manage Subscriptions section?

Make sure you're signed into the correct Google Account — the one you used when you started YouTube Premium. If you signed up through the YouTube app on your phone, you won't see it in your Google Account settings; you'll need to change it through your phone's app store instead. If you still can't find it, try signing out and signing back in.

Can I remove my payment method without canceling YouTube Premium?

No, you must have an active payment method on file to keep your subscription active. You can change it to a different card or account, but you cannot delete all payment methods. If you want to stop paying, you'll need to cancel the subscription.

Does YouTube charge me right away when I change my payment method?

No. Your new payment method is saved but not charged until your next regular billing date. If you change your payment method on the 10th and your billing date is the 20th, you won't see a charge until the 20th.