How to change your YouTube TV plan, pause, or cancel

You can change your YouTube TV plan, pause your subscription for up to three months, or cancel entirely from your account settings. The steps are the same whether you're using a phone, tablet, computer, or TV device — you'll go through your Google Account to make any changes. Most changes take effect when ready, though some billing adjustments may appear on your next statement.

YouTube TV lets you switch between its Standard plan and 4K Plus plan at any time without penalties. If you pause instead of canceling, your shows and settings stay saved, and you can resume whenever you're ready. Canceling removes your access to all content and recordings, though you keep your account history for 12 months if you want to return later.

Key Takeaways

  • Access your subscription settings through your Google Account on any device — phone, computer, or TV — by going to your profile and selecting "Manage your Google Account."
  • You can pause your subscription for up to three months without losing your recordings or settings, then resume whenever you choose.
  • Switching between YouTube TV's Standard and 4K Plus plans happens when ready and takes effect on your next billing date.
  • Canceling removes your access when ready, but your account information stays on file for 12 months in case you want to resubscribe.
  • Billing changes, refunds, and plan switches all appear in your Google Account billing section, where you can also see your payment history.

How to access your subscription settings

Start by opening YouTube TV on any device and signing in with your Google Account. Look for your profile picture or initial in the top right corner and tap or click it. A menu will appear — select "Manage your Google Account" or "Settings," depending on your device.

Once you're in your Google Account, navigate to the "Payments & subscriptions" or "Billing" tab. You'll see YouTube TV listed under your active subscriptions. Click or tap on it to open your subscription details. This is where you'll find all your options: plan information, billing date, payment method, and buttons to pause, change your plan, or cancel.

If you're using YouTube TV on a TV device like a Roku, Apple TV, or Fire Stick, you'll need to make changes through the YouTube TV app itself. Open the app, go to your profile, select "Settings," then "Membership," and you'll see the same options available.

Switching between Standard and 4K Plus plans

YouTube TV offers two plans: Standard (which includes local channels, sports, and news in up to 1080p resolution) and 4K Plus (which adds 4K resolution, offline downloads, and simultaneous streams on more devices). You can move between these plans without any waiting period or cancellation fee.

To switch plans, go to your subscription details in your Google Account and look for "Change plan" or "Upgrade/Downgrade." Select the plan you want and confirm. The change takes effect on your next billing date, and your bill will adjust accordingly. If you're switching to a higher-priced plan mid-month, you'll typically see a prorated credit or charge on your next statement. If you're downgrading, the credit appears as a reduction in your next bill.

Your recordings, watch history, and saved shows stay with you when you switch plans. If you downgrade from 4K Plus to Standard, you'll lose access to 4K streams and offline downloads, but your account data remains unchanged.

Pausing your subscription temporarily

If you want to stop paying for YouTube TV but don't want to cancel permanently, you can pause your subscription for up to three months. During a pause, you won't be charged, but your account, recordings, and settings are preserved exactly as they are.

To pause, go to your subscription details and select "Pause subscription" or "Pause membership." You'll be asked to choose how long you want to pause — YouTube TV offers pause periods of one, two, or three months. Select your timeframe and confirm. Your subscription will automatically resume on the date you choose, and you'll be charged starting that day.

If you pause and then decide you want to resume early, you can do that from the same subscription settings page. You'll be charged when ready for the remainder of the current billing cycle. If you pause and then change your mind before the pause ends, you can cancel the pause and resume right away.

Canceling your subscription

Canceling YouTube TV removes your access to all content and recordings when ready. To cancel, go to your subscription details and select "Cancel membership" or "Cancel subscription." YouTube TV will ask you to confirm and may offer you a discount to stay — you can accept or decline.

Once you confirm cancellation, your access ends right away. You won't be charged again. Any recordings you've made are deleted, and you lose access to your library. However, your Google Account stays active, and YouTube TV keeps your account information on file for 12 months. If you want to resubscribe within that year, you can sign back up without creating a new account.

If you cancel mid-month, you typically keep access through the end of your current billing period. Check your subscription details to see your exact cancellation date and final access date. Some payment methods or promotional offers may have different rules — your confirmation email will specify your final date.

Managing your payment method and billing

Your payment method is stored in your Google Account, not in YouTube TV itself. To update your credit card, debit card, or other payment method, go to your Google Account's "Payments & subscriptions" section and select "Payment methods." You can add a new card, remove an old one, or set a preferred payment method.

Your billing date is the same day each month that you were first charged. You can see this date in your subscription details. If you want to change when you're billed, you'll need to cancel and resubscribe, which will set your new billing date to the day you sign up again.

All charges, refunds, and credits appear in your Google Account billing history. You can read invoices from this section for your records. If you see a charge you don't recognize or believe there's an error, you can dispute it through your Google Account or contact your bank.

Troubleshooting common subscription issues

If you can't find your subscription settings, make sure you're signed in with the Google Account that's linked to your YouTube TV subscription. Some people create a YouTube TV account with one email and later try to manage it with a different email — this won't work. Check which email address you used when you first signed up, then sign in with that account.

If your pause or cancellation didn't go through, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the YouTube TV app. Sometimes the change takes a few minutes to process. If you're still having trouble after waiting 15 minutes, try accessing your subscription through a web browser instead of the app, as the web version is sometimes more reliable.

If you're charged after canceling, contact Google Support through your Google Account. Go to "Payments & subscriptions," find YouTube TV, and select "Get help." You can report the charge and request a refund. Keep your cancellation confirmation email as proof of when you canceled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pause my subscription if I'm in the middle of a promotional offer?

Yes, you can pause even if you're on a discounted rate. However, when your pause ends and your subscription resumes, you'll be charged the regular price for your plan, not the promotional rate. Check your subscription details to see when your promotional period ends so you know what to expect.

What happens to my recordings if I pause my subscription?

Your recordings stay saved during a pause. When you resume, all your recordings are still there. If you cancel instead of pausing, your recordings are deleted when ready and cannot be recovered.

Can I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?

Refund policies vary depending on your payment method and when you cancel. Most of the time, if you cancel before your billing date, you keep access through the end of that billing period and won't receive a refund. If you cancel after your billing date, you've already paid for the month. Check your cancellation confirmation email for your specific final access date.

How do I know which Google Account is linked to my YouTube TV subscription?

Open YouTube TV and look at your profile picture in the top right corner. The email address shown there is the Google Account linked to your subscription. If you're not sure, sign out and sign back in with the email you think you used when you first subscribed.

Can I share my YouTube TV subscription with family members?

Yes. YouTube TV allows multiple people to watch on the same account, and you can create separate profiles for each household member. Each person gets their own watch history and recommendations. The number of people who can watch at the same time depends on your plan — Standard allows two simultaneous streams, and 4K Plus allows three.