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 on any device and go to myaccount.google.com, then sign in with the same Google Account you use for YouTube TV.
Once you are logged in, look for the Payments & subscriptions section in the left 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 must change your payment method through your Google Account at myaccount.google.com, not in the YouTube TV app.
- Click Payments & subscriptions, then Manage subscriptions, then YouTube TV to reach your payment settings.
- You can add a new credit card, debit card, or PayPal account as your payment method.
- Changes take effect when ready, and YouTube TV will charge your new payment method on your next billing date.
- If your payment method fails, YouTube TV will attempt to charge you again before suspending your account.
Steps to add a new payment method
From the YouTube TV subscription page, click the payment method shown next to "Payment method". This opens a window where you can see your current card or account and add a new one.
Click Add payment method at the bottom of the window. You will be asked to choose the type: credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Enter the details for whichever you choose. If you are adding a credit or debit card, you will need the card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit security code on the back).
After you enter the information, click Save. Google will process the card and charge it a small amount — usually a few cents — to verify it works. That charge will be refunded within a few business days. Once the card is verified, it becomes your active payment method for YouTube TV.
How to remove an old payment method
If you added a new payment method but want to remove the old one, go back to the payment method window on the same Payments & subscriptions page. You will see all cards and accounts linked to your Google Account.
Find the old payment method and click the trash icon next to it. Google will ask you to confirm the removal. You can only delete a payment method if you have at least one other valid method on file — YouTube TV needs a way to charge you.
If you are trying to remove a card because it expired or was compromised, removing it will not stop YouTube TV from trying to charge it. Instead, add a new valid payment method first, then remove the old one.
What happens if your payment fails
If YouTube TV cannot charge your payment method on your billing date, you will receive an email notification. Google will attempt to charge the card again over the next few days. During this time, you can still watch YouTube TV normally.
If the payment continues to fail after several attempts, YouTube TV will suspend your account. You will not be able to watch anything until you update your payment method. Once you add a working card or account and the charge goes through, your service resumes when ready.
To avoid suspension, update your payment method as soon as you know your card has expired, been lost, or been compromised. Do not wait for the billing date to arrive.
Using PayPal instead of a card
YouTube TV accepts PayPal as a payment method. When you click Add payment method, select PayPal from the list. You will be taken to PayPal's website to log in and authorize the charge.
After you authorize it, PayPal becomes an option in your payment methods. You can switch between PayPal and any credit or debit card you have on file. The change takes effect on your next billing date.
If you use PayPal, make sure your PayPal account has a valid payment method linked to it — a bank account or card. YouTube TV charges PayPal, and PayPal then charges your linked account. If PayPal cannot complete the charge, YouTube TV will not receive payment and your account may be suspended.
Timing and billing after you make a change
When you change your payment method, the change takes effect when ready in your account settings. However, YouTube TV will not charge the new method right away unless your billing date is that same day.
Your next charge will happen on your regular billing date — the same day each month that you were originally charged. For example, if you change your payment method on the 15th and your billing date is the 20th, YouTube TV will charge your new method on the 20th.
If you change your payment method on your billing date itself, YouTube TV may charge either the old or new method depending on the exact time the system processes the charge. If you are concerned about this, contact YouTube TV support to confirm which method will be charged.
Troubleshooting payment method problems
If you see an error message when you try to add a payment method, the most common cause is that the information you entered does not match what your bank or card issuer has on file. Double-check the name, address, and zip code. Even a small difference will cause the verification to fail.
If you are adding an international card or paying from outside the United States, some banks block charges from Google by default. Contact your bank to ask them to allow charges from Google Services. Once they do, try adding the card again.
If you are still having trouble, try a different payment method — a different card, a different bank account through PayPal, or a different address if you have moved recently. If none of these work, you can contact YouTube TV support through your account settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a gift card to pay for YouTube TV?
No, YouTube TV does not accept gift cards as a direct payment method. You can add a gift card balance to your Google Account, and then that balance will be used to pay for YouTube TV before any card on file is charged. To do this, go to myaccount.google.com, click Payments & subscriptions, then Redeem a gift card or promo code.
What if I want to pause my subscription instead of changing payment methods?
You can pause YouTube TV for up to three months without canceling. Go to your subscription settings and select Pause instead of updating your payment method. Your billing will stop, but you can resume whenever you want without losing your settings or recordings.
Do I need to change my payment method if I move to a different country?
YouTube TV is only available in the United States. If you move outside the US, your account will be suspended and you will not be able to use the service, even if you update your payment method. If you move back to the US, you can reactivate your account.
Can someone else pay for my YouTube TV subscription?
Yes, but the payment method must be linked to your Google Account. The person paying can give you their card details, and you add it to your account. They will not have access to your YouTube TV account or settings — only you can manage those.
How long does it take for a new payment method to start working?
A new payment method starts working when ready after you save it and it passes verification. Verification usually happens within minutes. If Google needs to verify the card with a small charge, that takes a few business days, but the card will work for YouTube TV charges before the refund appears.