You can pause YouTube TV for up to three months at a time through your account settings

To pause your YouTube TV subscription, sign into your account on a web browser, go to Settings, select Membership and Billing, and choose Pause Membership. You will be asked to pick a pause length — YouTube TV lets you pause for one, two, or three months. Your subscription will resume automatically when the pause period ends, unless you cancel it before that date arrives.

Pausing is different from cancelling. When you pause, your membership details and any recordings stay saved. When the pause ends, your account picks up exactly where it left off. If you cancel instead, your library of saved shows and settings are deleted, and you would need to set up your account fresh if you return later.

You cannot pause through the YouTube TV app on your phone or TV — the pause option only appears on the web version. If you try to manage your subscription from the app, you will see only the option to cancel.

Key Takeaways

  • Pause your subscription through Settings > Membership and Billing on a web browser, not through the mobile or TV app.
  • You can pause for one, two, or three months, and your subscription will resume automatically when the pause ends.
  • Your saved shows, recordings, and account settings remain intact while your membership is paused.
  • If you want to cancel the pause before it ends, you can resume your subscription at any time from the same Settings menu.
  • Pausing costs nothing and does not charge you during the pause period.

Step-by-step: how to pause on a computer or tablet

Open a web browser and go to youtube.tv. Sign in with the Google account that holds your YouTube TV membership. Once you are signed in, look for your profile icon in the top right corner and click it.

From the menu that appears, select Settings. On the Settings page, find the section labeled Membership and Billing on the left side. Click on it. You will see your current plan and billing information. Below that, you should see a button or link that says Pause Membership — click it.

A window will pop up asking you to choose how long you want to pause: one month, two months, or three months. Select the length you need. YouTube TV will show you the date your subscription will resume. Review that date, then confirm your choice. Your pause is now active, and you will not be charged during this period.

What happens to your shows and settings while paused

All of your saved shows, recordings, and watch history stay on your account. Your DVR recordings do not disappear, and any shows you marked as favorites remain marked. When your pause ends and your subscription resumes, everything will be exactly as you left it.

Your home screen layout, channel guide preferences, and any custom settings you created also stay in place. You do not lose access to any of the customization you did before you paused.

How to resume your subscription before the pause ends

If you decide you want to resume your subscription before the pause period is over, go back to Settings > Membership and Billing on the web. You will see an option to Resume Membership. Click it, and your subscription will restart when ready. You will be charged for the current billing cycle starting that day.

Once you resume, you cannot pause again right away — YouTube TV requires you to have an active subscription for at least one month before you can pause a second time.

The difference between pausing and cancelling

Pausing temporarily stops your subscription and charges. Cancelling ends your membership permanently and deletes your account data. If you cancel, your saved shows, recordings, and watch history are gone. You can still sign back up later, but you would be starting a brand-new account with no history.

Pausing is the right choice if you know you want to come back in a few weeks or months. Cancelling is the right choice if you do not plan to return, or if you want a fresh start with a new account.

Why you cannot pause through the app

YouTube TV only allows pausing through the web version of your account. The mobile app and TV app do not have a pause option — they only show the option to cancel. This is a limitation of how YouTube TV designed the apps, not a technical problem on your device.

If you only have access to the app right now, you will need to use a computer, tablet, or any device with a web browser to pause. You can use any browser — Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge all work the same way.

What to do if the pause button does not appear

If you are signed in on the web but do not see the Pause Membership option, check that you are signed in with the correct Google account — the one that actually owns the YouTube TV subscription. If you have multiple Google accounts, you may be signed into the wrong one.

If you are signed in with the right account and still do not see the pause option, your subscription may not be in a state that allows pausing. For example, if you are already in the middle of a pause, you will see Resume instead. If you recently cancelled, you will not see either option. If you are unsure, contact YouTube TV support through your account settings for help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pause YouTube TV if I am in the middle of a free trial?

No. You can only pause a paid subscription. If you are still in a free trial period, you must either wait until the trial ends and you are charged, or cancel the trial. Once you have been charged at least once, you can pause on your next billing cycle.

Will I be charged during the pause?

No. While your subscription is paused, you are not charged. Your billing resumes on the date your pause ends, unless you cancel before that date.

Can I pause for longer than three months?

No. YouTube TV only allows pauses of one, two, or three months. If you need to stop your subscription for longer than three months, you would need to cancel and sign back up later.

What if I pause and then change my mind before the pause ends?

You can resume your subscription at any time by going back to Settings > Membership and Billing and clicking Resume Membership. You will be charged when ready for the current billing cycle, and your account will be active again right away.

Do I lose my YouTube TV email address or login if I pause?

No. Your Google account and login stay the same. Your email address does not change. Everything about your account identity remains intact — only your access to the service is temporarily paused.