Where to find your payment settings

You change your YouTube TV payment method through your Google Account, not through the YouTube TV app itself. Open a web browser and go to myaccount.google.com, then sign in with the Google Account linked to your YouTube TV subscription.

Once you are signed in, look for the Payments & subscriptions section on the left side menu. Click it, then select Manage subscriptions. You will see YouTube TV listed there along with your current plan and payment method.

Key Takeaways

  • You manage YouTube TV payments through your Google Account at myaccount.google.com, not through the YouTube TV app.
  • Click Payments & subscriptions, then Manage subscriptions to find your YouTube TV listing and current payment method.
  • You can add a new credit card, debit card, or PayPal account as your payment method before removing the old one.
  • Changes take effect when ready, but YouTube TV will continue to charge your old method if you remove it before adding a new one.
  • If your payment method fails, YouTube TV will pause your service and send you an email asking you to update it.

Adding a new payment method before removing the old one

Click on YouTube TV in your subscriptions list. You will see a section labeled Payment method with your current card or PayPal account displayed. Click the pencil icon or Edit button next to it.

Select Add a payment method. You can enter a new credit card, debit card, or link a PayPal account. Fill in all required fields—card number, expiration date, and CVV for cards, or your PayPal login for PayPal. Click Save when you are done.

Once the new method is saved and showing in your payment method section, you can then remove the old one by clicking the trash icon or delete option next to it. This order matters: if you delete your only payment method, YouTube TV cannot charge you and will pause your service within a few days.

What happens if you remove your only payment method

If you delete your current payment method without adding a new one first, YouTube TV will not when ready cancel your subscription. Instead, the service will pause after a few days when the system tries to charge you and fails.

You will receive an email from YouTube TV asking you to update your payment information. You have a grace period—usually around two weeks—to add a new payment method before the subscription is fully canceled. If you add one during that window, your service resumes right away.

Payment methods YouTube TV accepts

YouTube TV takes most major credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You can also use debit cards that carry one of these logos. PayPal is another option if you link your PayPal account to your Google Account.

Google Play balance—credit you may have from gift cards or refunds—cannot be used to pay for YouTube TV subscriptions. You must use a card or PayPal. If you have a Google Play balance and want to use it, you would need to spend it on other Google services first, then use a payment method for YouTube TV.

Changing payment method on phones and tablets

You cannot change your payment method directly from the YouTube TV app on your phone or tablet. You must use a web browser and go through your Google Account the same way described above.

Open any web browser on your phone or tablet, go to myaccount.google.com, and follow the same steps: Payments & subscriptions, then Manage subscriptions, then edit YouTube TV's payment method. The process is identical on mobile devices.

When your payment method fails

If YouTube TV tries to charge your card and it is declined—because the card expired, was reported lost, or has insufficient funds—the service will pause. You will get an email from YouTube TV with the subject line something like "Update your payment method for YouTube TV."

Click the link in that email or go back to myaccount.google.com and update your payment method. YouTube TV usually gives you about two weeks to fix it. Once you add a working payment method, your service turns back on within a few hours, and you do not lose any of your saved shows or settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different payment method for YouTube TV than I use for other Google services?

Yes. Your YouTube TV payment method is separate from any payment method you use for the Google Play Store, Google One, or other Google services. You can have different cards or PayPal accounts set up for each one.

What if I want to pause my subscription instead of canceling it?

YouTube TV does not have a pause feature. You can cancel anytime through the same Manage subscriptions page, and you will not be charged again. If you want to rejoin later, you can resubscribe and your settings and library will be restored if you use the same Google Account.

Does changing my payment method affect my billing date?

No. Your billing date stays the same. If you change your payment method on the 15th and your bill is due on the 20th, you will be charged on the 20th using the new method you just added.

Can I use a prepaid card for YouTube TV?

Yes, as long as the prepaid card is branded with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover and has enough balance to cover the monthly charge. Make sure the card is registered with your name and address so the payment goes through.