Where to find your Spotify subscription settings

Your subscription details live in one place: the Account page on Spotify's website or in the mobile app. On the web, go to spotify.com, sign in, click your profile name in the top right, and select "Account." On the mobile app (iOS or Android), tap the profile icon at the bottom right, then tap "Settings and privacy," then "Account."

From the Account page, you'll see a section labeled "Subscription" or "Premium" depending on which version of Spotify you use. This is where you can see your current plan, your billing date, your payment method, and the options to change or cancel. Everything you need to do happens from this single page.

Key Takeaways

  • Your subscription settings are in your Account page on Spotify's website or mobile app, under a section labeled "Subscription" or "Premium."
  • You can switch between Spotify's different plans (Individual, Duo, Family, or Student) at any time, and changes take effect on your next billing date.
  • Pausing your subscription freezes your billing for up to three months without canceling your account or losing your playlists and preferences.
  • Canceling removes your Premium features when ready, but you can still use Spotify's free tier with ads.
  • If you're billed through Apple, Google Play, or Amazon, you may need to cancel through that platform instead of through Spotify directly.

Switching between Spotify plans

Spotify offers four main subscription tiers: Individual (one person), Duo (two people in the same household), Family (up to six people), and Student (for full-time students). You can move between any of these plans from your Account page without losing your playlists, saved songs, or listening history.

Click "Change plan" or "Upgrade plan" on your Subscription page. Spotify will show you the available options and the price difference. If you're upgrading mid-cycle, you'll pay a prorated amount for the remainder of your current billing period, then the full new price starting next month. If you're downgrading, the change takes effect on your next billing date and you won't be refunded for the current period.

The change is when ready on the website, but it may take a few minutes to sync across your devices. If you're switching to Family, you'll need to invite household members through the same Account page, and they'll receive an invitation to join your plan.

Pausing your subscription temporarily

If you need a break but don't want to cancel, Spotify lets you pause your subscription for up to three months. During a pause, you won't be charged, but your account stays active and your playlists, followers, and preferences remain exactly as they are. When you resume, everything picks up where you left it.

To pause, go to your Account page and look for a "Pause subscription" button or link. Spotify will ask you how long you want to pause (one, two, or three months) and may ask why you're pausing. After your pause period ends, your subscription automatically resumes and billing restarts on the date you specified.

If you don't see a pause option on your Account page, it may not be available in your country or for your specific plan type. In that case, canceling and restarting later is your alternative, though you'll lose any promotional pricing you had.

Canceling your Spotify subscription

To cancel, go to your Account page, find your Subscription section, and click "Cancel subscription" or "Cancel Premium." Spotify will ask you to confirm and may offer you a discount to stay. If you proceed, your Premium features stop when ready, but you can still use Spotify's free tier with ads.

Your playlists, saved songs, and followers don't disappear when you cancel. If you restart a Premium subscription later, all of that comes back. You won't be refunded for the current billing period, but you also won't be charged again after cancellation takes effect.

If you signed up through Apple App Store, Google Play, or Amazon, you may need to cancel through that platform instead of through Spotify. Check your Account page for a note about where your subscription is managed. If it says "Managed by Apple" or "Managed by Google Play," go to your app store settings, find your Spotify subscription, and cancel there.

Updating your payment method

Your payment method is stored separately from your subscription plan. To change it, go to your Account page and look for "Payment methods" or "Billing information." Click "Add a payment method" or "Edit" next to your current method. Spotify accepts credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal in most countries.

If your current payment method expires or fails, Spotify will try to charge your backup method if you have one set up. If all payment methods fail, your Premium access will be suspended until you update your billing information. You'll receive an email warning before this happens.

What happens to your account after cancellation

When you cancel Premium, you drop to Spotify's free tier when ready. You can still listen to music, but you'll hear ads between songs, you can't skip as freely, and audio quality is limited to 96 kbps (lower than Premium's 320 kbps). Your playlists and saved songs stay in your account.

If you don't log in for an extended period (typically several months), Spotify may deactivate your account, but you can reactivate it by signing in again. Your data isn't deleted just because you canceled; it's held in case you return.

Troubleshooting common subscription issues

If you can't find your subscription settings, make sure you're signed into the correct account. Some people have multiple Spotify accounts without realizing it. Check the email address shown at the top of your Account page to confirm it's the one you use most often.

If a change (like a plan upgrade or cancellation) isn't showing up across your devices, sign out completely and sign back in. Spotify sometimes needs a few minutes to sync changes, especially on mobile apps. If the problem persists after an hour, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app.

If you're being charged but can't access Premium features, your payment may have failed and your account may be suspended. Check your Account page for a warning message, update your payment method, and contact Spotify support if the issue doesn't resolve within a few hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Spotify doesn't refund unused portions of your billing period. If you cancel on the 15th of a month and your billing date is the 20th, you keep Premium until the 20th but won't receive money back. Plan your cancellation for just before your next billing date if you want to minimize the unused time.

What's the difference between pausing and canceling?

Pausing stops your billing for up to three months and then automatically resumes. Canceling ends your Premium access when ready and you must manually restart it later if you want to return. Pausing is better if you know you'll come back; canceling is better if you're unsure.

If I cancel, do I lose my playlists and saved songs?

No. Your playlists, saved songs, followers, and listening history all stay in your account after you cancel. If you restart Premium later, everything is still there. The only thing you lose is the Premium features themselves (ad-free listening, offline downloads, higher audio quality).

Why does my subscription say it's managed by Apple or Google Play?

If you signed up through the Spotify app on your phone using Apple App Store or Google Play, your subscription is billed through that platform instead of directly through Spotify. You must cancel through that app store's settings, not through Spotify's website. Go to your phone's app store, find your subscriptions, and cancel Spotify there.

Can I switch from Individual to Family plan mid-month?

Yes. When you upgrade to Family mid-cycle, you'll pay a prorated amount for the remainder of your current billing period, then the full Family price starting next month. The upgrade takes effect when ready and you can invite household members right away.