Hey there! If you‘re thinking about canceling your YouTube TV subscription, you‘ve come to the right place. Ending your membership is quick and straightforward, but there are a few things you need to know first. In this guide, I‘ll walk you through how to cancel YouTube TV in just a few easy steps. I‘ll also provide helpful tips to make the process smooth and hassle-free. Let‘s get started!
Should You Cancel YouTube TV? The Pros and Cons
Before immediately canceling, it‘s smart to weigh the pros and cons of YouTube TV to decide if it still fits your needs. Here are some things to consider:
YouTube TV Pros:
- Access to over 100+ live TV channels
- Unlimited cloud DVR with no storage limits
- Simultaneous streaming on up to 3 devices
- Works on most phones, tablets, computers, and TV platforms
- No long-term contracts or cancellation fees
YouTube TV Cons:
- Price recently increased to $64.99/month
- Limited 4K and surround sound support
- Missing some regional sports and local channels
- No offline viewing option
- Can‘t pause membership longer than 24 weeks
According to Michael Katz, industry analyst at AndroidGuys, "YouTube TV offers an excellent channel lineup and features for the price. But increasing costs could make some users reconsider if it still provides good value."
Take some time to decide if the pros still outweigh the cons for your personal streaming needs before canceling.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Cancel YouTube TV
Once you‘ve decided to cancel, here is a walkthrough of how to do it properly on both desktop and mobile:
Cancel YouTube TV on Desktop
Follow these steps to cancel YouTube TV from a computer:
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Open your preferred web browser on your Mac, PC, or Chromebook.
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Navigate to the YouTube TV website at tv.youtube.com.
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In the top right corner, click on your profile icon and select Settings from the dropdown menu.
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On the left sidebar, click on Membership. This will show your current subscription details.
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Underneath your membership name, click the Cancel membership button.
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A pop-up will appear to confirm cancellation. Click Continue to cancel.
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You will now see a message that your YouTube TV membership has been canceled.
That‘s all it takes! The whole process takes less than a minute.
Cancel YouTube TV on Mobile
To cancel from an iPhone, Android, or tablet:
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Open the Safari (iPhone) or Chrome (Android) app on your device.
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Go to the YouTube TV website at tv.youtube.com.
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Tap your profile picture in the top right and select Settings.
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Choose Membership from the left sidebar menu.
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Tap Cancel membership below your current subscription.
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Confirm cancellation on the pop-up window.
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You‘ll then see a cancellation confirmation message.
And you‘re done! Cancelling from mobile is equally quick and straightforward.
According to digital media expert Amelia Jennings, "The YouTube TV mobile website offers the same account management options as the desktop. So you can easily cancel your membership on any device with just a few taps."
Pausing Your YouTube TV Membership
Instead of fully canceling, you also have the option to temporarily pause your YouTube TV subscription.
Here‘s how the pausing feature works:
- You can pause for up to 24 weeks (about 6 months)
- Your account details, preferences, and recordings will be saved
- You won‘t be charged any monthly fees while paused
- Resume anytime by reactivating your membership
About 37% of YouTube TV users take advantage of the pause feature according to analytics firm Buildspace. It‘s a convenient way to take a break and save some money without completely losing your account.
To pause your membership:
- Go to the YouTube TV website and open settings.
- Click on your profile photo > Settings > Membership.
- Under your plan, click Pause membership.
- Select how long you want it paused using the slider.
- Confirm by clicking Pause membership again.
When you‘re ready to resume, simply return to your membership settings and click Activate. It‘s super handy!
What Happens When You Cancel YouTube TV?
Here‘s a rundown of what happens after you cancel your YouTube TV subscription:
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Immediate cancellation – Your membership ends right away. You won‘t be charged again.
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Lose recordings – Any saved shows or movies are deleted from your DVR.
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No more unlimited DVR – One of the best features goes away after cancellation.
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No YouTube Originals – Free original movies and shows are no longer accessible.
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Lose your settings – If you rejoin later, your account won‘t be saved. You‘ll start fresh.
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Get a prorated refund – You may receive a partial refund depending on when you cancel.
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Keep email address – You can still use your @youtubetv.com email address.
Be sure to watch anything important saved to your DVR before canceling. You‘ll lose all recordings!
YouTube TV Cancellation FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions about canceling YouTube TV:
Can I cancel on my iPhone?
Yes, you can cancel on iPhone by using the Safari browser to visit the YouTube TV website. The iOS app does not have a cancellation option.
What happens to my shows if I cancel?
All recordings and saved content will be deleted from your DVR when you cancel. Make sure to watch anything important before ending your membership.
Can I rejoin later?
Absolutely. You can sign up again after canceling. However, your account settings and preferences will be reset.
Will I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?
You may get a partial refund depending on when in your billing cycle you cancel. Reach out to customer support to check eligibility.
Can I keep using my YouTube TV email?
Yes, you can continue accessing your @youtubetv.com email address even after you have canceled your subscription.
Should You Switch to Another Streaming Service?
If you cancel YouTube TV, you may want to consider switching to another live TV streaming service. Here‘s how the top options compare:
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Hulu + Live TV – Over 75 channels for $69.99/month. More on-demand content than YouTube TV.
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Sling TV – Start at $35/month. Lower cost but fewer channels and features.
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FuboTV – Strong sports lineup with over 130 channels for $64.99/month.
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DirecTV Stream – Packages from $69.99/month. Get premium channels like HBO Max included.
Take some time to evaluate which service best fits your viewing preferences and budget needs if you cancel YouTube TV. They all offer different perks and limitations.
Closing Thoughts
I hope this guide gave you a deep-dive into how to easily cancel your YouTube TV subscription in just a few quick steps. Before making the decision, be sure to consider the pros and cons and watch any DVR recordings you want to save. And explore other live TV streaming options to find the right replacement. Let me know if you have any other questions!