How to Cancel YouTube Premium Student (2026 Guide)

Cancel on Web

1. Go to youtube.com/paid_memberships
2. Click Manage membership
3. Click Deactivate or Cancel membership
4. Follow the prompts — YouTube will show what you lose
5. Confirm — Premium stays active until the billing period ends

Cancel via App Store

What You Lose vs. Free Alternatives

• Ad-free videos → uBlock Origin: Free browser extension that blocks YouTube ads on desktop
• Background play → Firefox mobile: YouTube plays in background on Firefox for Android
• YouTube Music → Spotify Free: Same music library, shuffle-only on mobile but free
• Offline downloads → nothing: This is the one feature you truly lose

Student Verification Details

• Re-verify annually through SheerID
• Maximum 4 years of student pricing
• Failed verification bumps you to regular Premium ($13.99/mo)
• After graduation: Cancel or switch to Family plan ($22.99/mo split up to 5 people)

Is YouTube Premium Worth $8/mo?

• Worth it if: You watch 1+ hours of YouTube daily on mobile where ad blockers don't work
• Not worth it if: You mostly watch on desktop (use an ad blocker) or watch less than 30min/day
• YouTube Music value: If you'd pay for a music service anyway, Premium is only $2 more than Music alone