Why can't I find the cancel button on Spotify?

Spotify intentionally hides cancellation behind multiple screens. You cannot cancel in the mobile app — you must use a web browser. On the website, you have to scroll past multiple "downgrade" offers and retention screens before reaching the actual cancel button. This is a documented dark pattern.

Can I cancel Spotify on my phone?

Not through the Spotify app directly. On iPhone, if you subscribed through Apple: go to Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions → Spotify → Cancel. On Android via Google Play: Play Store → Profile → Payments → Subscriptions → Spotify → Cancel. If you subscribed on spotify.com, you must use a mobile browser to cancel.

Do I lose my playlists if I cancel Spotify?

No. Your playlists, saved songs, followers, and listening history are all preserved when you cancel. You revert to the free tier with ads and shuffle-only on mobile. If you resubscribe later, everything is exactly as you left it.

What free alternatives to Spotify Premium exist?

Spotify Free (with ads), YouTube Music Free, Amazon Music Free, SoundCloud, and Deezer Free all offer ad-supported streaming. For downloaded music, tools like Spotube or NewPipe (Android) offer alternatives. Apple Music has no free tier but offers a 1-month trial.

How much does Spotify Premium cost in 2026?

Individual: $11.99/month. Duo: $16.99/month. Family (up to 6): $19.99/month. Student: $5.99/month. Spotify has raised prices twice since 2023, increasing individual from $9.99 to $11.99 — a 20% increase.

How to Cancel Spotify Premium in 2026 (They Hide the Button)

Updated February 2026 · 6 min read

Spotify Premium costs $11.99/month ($143.88/year). They've raised prices 20% since 2023, and they've made the cancel button harder to find each time. Reddit is full of people who can't figure out how to cancel. Here's the exact path — no dark patterns, no runaround.

⚠️ Difficulty: Medium

Can't cancel in the app. Must use a browser. Multiple retention screens to click through.

🚨 The Dark Pattern

Spotify sends you to the app → the app says "manage on web" → the web hides cancel behind "Change plan" → you have to scroll past 3 downgrade offers → THEN you see cancel. This circular redirect is deliberate.

Cancel on Web (The Only Direct Way)

Go to spotify.com/account/subscription
Log in if prompted
Click "Change plan" (yes, really — cancel is hidden inside this)
Scroll past ALL the downgrade offers (Free, Duo, etc.)
At the very bottom, click "Cancel Premium"
They'll show you what you'll lose — click "Continue"
Select a reason → click "Cancel Premium" again

That's 7 steps and 4 clicks past the initial button. Most services take 2-3 clicks.

Cancel on iPhone (Apple Billing)

If you subscribed through the App Store, Spotify can't even see your subscription — Apple handles it:

Open Settings → tap your name at top
Tap Subscriptions
Tap Spotify → Cancel Subscription

⚠️ If Spotify isn't listed in Apple Subscriptions, you subscribed directly on spotify.com — use the web method above.

Cancel on Android (Google Play Billing)

Open Google Play Store → tap your profile picture
Payments & subscriptions → Subscriptions
Tap Spotify → Cancel subscription

What You Keep After Canceling

✅ You Keep

All playlists
Saved songs & albums
Followers & following
Listening history
Account & username

❌ You Lose

Ad-free listening
Offline downloads
On-demand mobile play
High-quality audio
Spotify Connect

The Math: Is Spotify Premium Worth It?

Plan	Monthly	Yearly
Individual	$11.99	$143.88
Duo	$16.99	$203.88
Family (6 people)	$19.99	$239.88
Student	$5.99	$71.88

Since 2023, Spotify has raised Individual pricing from $9.99 → $10.99 → $11.99. That's a 20% increase in under 3 years. If this trend continues, expect $12.99-13.99 by 2027.

Free Alternatives That Actually Work

Spotify Free — Same library, with ads. Mobile is shuffle-only.
YouTube Music Free — Ad-supported, on-demand playback on desktop.
Amazon Music Free — If you have Prime, you get a limited catalog included.
SoundCloud — Great for independent artists, free tier is generous.
Apple Music — No free tier, but 1-month trial. $10.99/mo after (cheaper than Spotify).

Pro Tips

Export your playlists first: Use TuneMyMusic or Soundiiz to transfer playlists to Apple Music, YouTube Music, or any other service.
Wait for a win-back offer: After canceling, Spotify often sends 1-3 months at 50% off within 2-4 weeks.
Check if you're on Family: If you're on someone else's Family plan, leaving doesn't affect them — you just lose your spot.
Student discount: If you're eligible, the Student plan at $5.99 includes Hulu with ads — better value than Individual.

💡 Find ALL Your Hidden Subscriptions

Spotify might not be the only subscription draining your account. Upload your bank statement and we'll find every recurring charge — average user discovers $312/year in forgotten subscriptions.

Scan My Statement — $5 One-Time →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pause Spotify instead of canceling?

No. Unlike some services, Spotify doesn't offer a pause feature. You can only cancel and resubscribe later. Your data is preserved indefinitely.

Will I get a refund for the remaining days?

No. Spotify doesn't prorate. You keep Premium access until the end of your current billing cycle. Cancel right after being charged to maximize remaining time.

I canceled but I'm still being charged. What do I do?

Check if you subscribed through Apple or Google — canceling on spotify.com won't stop those charges. Also check for a second Spotify account (it happens more than you think). If neither applies, contact your bank to dispute the charge.

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Quick Cancel Guide: Spotify

Direct cancel link + step-by-step instructions