How to Change, Pause, or Cancel Your YouTube TV Subscription

Where to find your YouTube TV subscription settings

Your YouTube TV subscription lives inside your Google Account, not in a separate YouTube TV app or website. To reach it, go to myaccount.google.com, then select "Subscriptions and services" from the left menu. You will see YouTube TV listed there if you have an active subscription.

From that page, click "Manage subscription" next to YouTube TV. This takes you to a screen showing your current plan, billing date, and payment method. Everything you need to change your subscription happens on this one page — you do not need to read anything or contact YouTube support for routine changes.

If you are signed into YouTube on your phone or computer, you can also reach this page by opening YouTube, clicking your profile picture in the top right corner, selecting "Paid memberships," and then tapping "Manage" next to YouTube TV. Both routes lead to the same subscription settings.

Key Takeaways

Your YouTube TV subscription settings are in your Google Account at myaccount.google.com under "Subscriptions and services," not in the YouTube TV app itself.
You can pause your subscription for up to three months without losing your saved shows, recordings, or account data.
Downgrading to a lower-cost plan takes effect on your next billing date, and you keep access to your current plan until that date arrives.
Canceling your subscription stops all charges when ready, but you lose access to YouTube TV at the end of your current billing period.
Changes to your subscription happen when ready in your Google Account, though it may take a few minutes for the YouTube TV app to reflect the change.

How to pause your subscription temporarily

Pausing is useful if you are traveling, dealing with a temporary budget crunch, or straightforward do not want to watch for a few weeks. On your subscription management page, look for the option labeled "Pause subscription" or "Pause YouTube TV." Click it, and you will be asked to choose how long you want to pause — YouTube TV allows pauses of up to three months.

While paused, you will not be charged. Your saved shows, recordings, library, and watch history all stay in your account. When your pause period ends, your subscription automatically resumes and billing restarts. You can unpause early at any time by returning to the same page and selecting "Resume subscription."

Pausing is different from canceling because you keep everything in your account. If you cancel instead, YouTube TV deletes your saved shows and recordings after a certain period, though your watch history may remain tied to your Google Account.

Downgrading to a cheaper YouTube TV plan

YouTube TV offers different plan tiers at different price points. The base plan includes local channels and a set number of simultaneous streams. Higher tiers add more streams, 4K resolution, or extra features. To see which plans are available in your area, go to your subscription management page and look for "Change plan" or "View plans."

When you downgrade to a lower-cost plan, the change takes effect on your next billing date — you keep your current plan and its features until then. For example, if you are on a higher tier and your billing date is the 15th of the month, downgrading on the 1st means you stay on the higher plan until the 15th, then drop to the lower plan. You will not be charged the difference, and you will not receive a refund for the days remaining on your current plan.

Upgrading to a higher-cost plan usually takes effect when ready, and you will be charged a prorated amount for the remainder of your current billing period. The exact prorated charge depends on how many days are left in your cycle.

Canceling your YouTube TV subscription

To cancel, go to your subscription management page and select "Cancel subscription" or "Cancel YouTube TV." You will be asked to confirm, and YouTube TV may show you a pause option as an alternative. If you proceed with cancellation, your subscription ends at the end of your current billing period — you keep access until that date, then lose it.

After cancellation, YouTube TV will delete your saved shows and recordings within a set timeframe, though the exact timeline varies. Your watch history and account data tied to your Google Account may remain. If you want to rejoin later, you can sign up again, but you will start fresh without your previous library.

Cancellation stops all charges when ready in your Google Account, even though you retain access until your billing period ends. You will not receive a refund for unused time in your current billing cycle.

Updating your payment method

Your YouTube TV subscription charges to the payment method linked to your Google Account. To change it, go to myaccount.google.com, select "Payments & subscriptions" from the left menu, then click "Payment methods." You can add a new credit card, debit card, or other payment option there, and set it as your default.

YouTube TV will use your default payment method for the next billing charge. If a payment fails — for example, because your card expired — YouTube TV will attempt to charge you again over several days. If all attempts fail, your subscription may be suspended until you update your payment method.

Changes to your payment method take effect on your next billing date. If you update your card today but your billing date is next week, YouTube TV will charge the old card one more time, then switch to the new one after that.

What happens to your account when you make changes

When you pause, downgrade, or cancel your subscription in your Google Account, the change appears there when ready. However, the YouTube TV app on your phone, tablet, or TV may take a few minutes to catch up. If you pause your subscription and the app still shows you have access, wait a few minutes and refresh the app, or sign out and back in.

If you are having trouble seeing your changes reflected in the app after 15 minutes, try clearing the app's cache. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > YouTube TV > Storage > Clear Cache. On Apple devices, delete and reinstall the YouTube TV app. On a TV device, restart it or sign out and back in.

Your Google Account is the source of truth for your subscription status. If the app and your account disagree, the account is correct. Always check myaccount.google.com to confirm the actual state of your subscription.

Troubleshooting common subscription problems

If you cannot find the "Manage subscription" button, make sure you are signed into the Google Account that owns the YouTube TV subscription. If you have multiple Google Accounts, YouTube TV may be tied to a different one than the one you are currently using. Sign out of YouTube and Google, then sign back in with the correct account.

If your subscription page shows an error or the buttons are not working, try using a different web browser or clearing your browser's cache and cookies. Sometimes an outdated cached version of the page prevents changes from going through. You can also try accessing your subscription settings through the YouTube app instead of the website.

If you are charged after canceling, or if you see a charge you do not recognize, check your Google Account's transaction history at myaccount.google.com under "Payments & subscriptions" > "Transactions." You can dispute a charge there or contact Google Support directly. YouTube TV does not process refunds — those go through Google.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pause my subscription more than once?

Yes. You can pause for up to three months at a time, and when that pause ends, you can pause again if you want. There is no limit to how many times you can pause, as long as each pause period is three months or less.

Do I lose my recordings if I pause my subscription?

No. Pausing keeps your saved shows, recordings, and watch history intact. Canceling is what deletes your recordings after a period of time. If you think you might return, pausing is safer than canceling.

What if I downgrade and then want to upgrade again?

You can upgrade at any time through your subscription management page. The upgrade usually takes effect when ready, and you will be charged a prorated amount for the remainder of your current billing period. Downgrading again will take effect on your next billing date.

Will YouTube TV send me a confirmation email when I make changes?

Yes. Google sends a confirmation email to the address tied to your Google Account whenever you pause, resume, downgrade, upgrade, or cancel. Check your email to confirm the change went through. If you do not see an email, check your spam folder or verify that you are using the correct Google Account.

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

No. YouTube TV does not refund unused time in your current billing period. Your subscription ends at the end of that period, and you keep access until then. If you need a refund for a billing error or unauthorized charge, contact Google Support through your Google Account.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.