Manage Google Play Music

How to cancel google play music and switch to YouTube music without losing your library

Understanding what happened to google play music

Google Play Music officially shut down on December 2020, and Google migrated all active users and their music libraries to YouTube Music. This means you can no longer sign up for new Google Play Music subscriptions, but if you still have an active subscription or lingering charges on your account, you need to know exactly how to cancel it and understand your rights. At Stopee, we help consumers navigate these kinds of service transitions, so let's walk through what you're facing and how to take control of your billing.

Why google play music no longer exists

Google made the strategic decision to consolidate its music streaming offerings under the YouTube Music brand. This wasn't a service failure, but a deliberate consolidation that affected millions of subscribers. If you were an active Google Play Music subscriber before the shutdown, your account was automatically migrated, your music library was transferred, and any active subscription was converted to an equivalent YouTube Music or YouTube Premium plan. However, the migration process created confusion for many users, and some discovered unexpected billing changes or duplicate charges. Understanding this history is critical because it explains why you may still see charges related to this legacy service.

What changed for your subscription

When Google migrated your account, your Google Play Music subscription didn't simply disappear, it converted. If you had an active all-access subscription, it likely became a YouTube Music Premium subscription at a comparable price point. If you only purchased individual tracks or used the free tier with ads, your music purchases remained accessible through your Google account, but no recurring subscription was created. This distinction matters enormously when you're trying to cancel, because the cancellation method depends on whether you're paying for an active subscription or just want to remove a payment method from your account.

Current subscription pricing and what you might be paying for

Since Google Play Music no longer accepts new subscriptions, the charges you see on your billing statement are almost certainly YouTube Music or YouTube Premium renewals. Here's the current pricing landscape so you can identify exactly what you're being charged for each month.

If you don't recognize the charge on your bill, it's likely one of these YouTube Music variants. The exact amount depends on when your subscription started, whether you locked in legacy pricing, and which plan tier your account converted to during the migration.

Why you should cancel your google play music or YouTube music subscription

Not every subscriber has a good reason to cancel, but many do. Stopee has helped thousands of music streaming customers evaluate whether their subscription still makes financial or practical sense for them. Here are the most common reasons people decide to cancel.

Reasons to cancel right now

You're paying for a service you no longer use, either because you switched to a competitor like Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon Music, or because you simply stopped streaming music after the Google Play Music shutdown confused your access. You discovered you're paying for a family plan when you only stream music solo, or family members have stopped using the service. You're unhappy with YouTube Music's interface or features compared to what you had with Google Play Music, and you've decided the successor service doesn't justify the monthly cost. You have a payment method on file that you want to remove to prevent unexpected future charges. You want to cancel the YouTube Premium subscription that includes Music because you only care about ad-free YouTube videos, not the music streaming component.

Reasons you might want to keep your subscription

You use YouTube Music daily for both music streaming and offline downloads during commutes or travel. Your family plan benefits multiple household members who actively stream, making the per-person cost quite low. You care about ad-free YouTube browsing and the Music Premium features together, and the combined YouTube Premium subscription offers genuine value. You accumulated a large music library in Google Play Music and want to maintain streaming access to those personalized collections. Your student or other promotional pricing makes the service cheaper than most competitors.

How to cancel your YouTube music or google play music subscription

The cancellation process depends on which device you're using and where your subscription is managed. At Stopee, we recommend canceling through the web interface when possible, because it gives you a clear record and reduces confusion. Here's the step-by-step process for each major platform.

Canceling through the web on a desktop or laptop

This is the most straightforward method, and it's the one we recommend at Stopee because you'll have a permanent record of your cancellation request.

1. Open your web browser and go to myaccount.google.com
2. Sign in with the Google account linked to your YouTube Music or Google Play Music subscription
3. Click the "Payments & subscriptions" option in the left navigation menu
   • If you don't see this option, look for "Manage your payment methods" or "Billing" under account settings
4. Locate "YouTube Music Premium" or "YouTube Premium" in your active subscriptions list
   • If you see "Google Play Music" listed, click it immediately, as Google's system may still display the legacy name for older accounts
5. Click "Manage subscription" or the gear icon next to the subscription name
6. Select "Cancel subscription" at the bottom of the page
   • Read the retention offer (Google may offer a discount to keep you; decide whether this is worth staying)
7. Confirm your cancellation by clicking the final "Yes, cancel" button
   • Google will immediately stop charging your payment method, effective at the end of your current billing cycle
8. Screenshot or save the confirmation page as proof of your cancellation request

Pro tip: Google sometimes displays retention offers designed to keep you subscribed at a lower rate. If the discount is genuinely attractive and you think you'll use the service, this might be worth accepting. However, if you're canceling because you don't use the service, do not accept the offer-you can always resubscribe later at the standard rate.

Canceling through the YouTube music mobile app (iPhone or android)

If you prefer to manage your subscription directly from your phone, follow these steps. The process is slightly different depending on whether you're on iOS or Android.

1. Open the YouTube Music app on your phone
   • If you don't have it installed, download it from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android)
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner
3. Select "Purchases and memberships" or "Manage subscriptions"
   • On some older accounts, this may be labeled "YouTube Premium" or "Manage your membership"
4. Tap "YouTube Music Premium" or "YouTube Premium"
5. Scroll down and select "Cancel subscription" or "Manage membership"
6. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm your cancellation
   • You'll see the cancellation effective date (usually the end of your current billing period)
7. Take a screenshot of the confirmation screen for your records

Warning: Mobile app cancellations sometimes don't register properly due to app caching or network issues. If you cancel through the mobile app, we recommend verifying your cancellation by logging into myaccount.google.com on a web browser within 24 hours to confirm the subscription is no longer listed as active.

Canceling if you subscribed through apple app store or google play store

If you originally signed up for YouTube Music Premium through the Apple App Store (iOS) or the Google Play Store (Android), you may need to cancel through that platform instead of Google's account settings, because the subscription is managed by Apple or Google's billing system, not directly by Google.

1. For Apple App Store subscriptions:
   • Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad
   • Tap your name at the top of the screen
   • Select "Subscriptions"
   • Find "YouTube Music Premium" or "YouTube Premium" in the list
   • Tap it and select "Cancel Subscription"
   • Confirm the cancellation
2. For Google Play Store subscriptions:
   • Open the Google Play Store app on your Android phone
   • Tap your profile icon in the top right
   • Select "Payments and subscriptions"
   • Tap "Subscriptions"
   • Find "YouTube Music Premium" or "YouTube Premium"
   • Tap "Cancel subscription" and confirm

Important note: Even after you cancel through the App Store or Google Play Store, check myaccount.google.com to confirm Google's billing system no longer shows an active subscription. Sometimes app-based cancellations don't fully propagate to Google's master account system, and you might see duplicate or orphaned charges.

What happens after you cancel your subscription

Cancellation is immediate, but access changes take effect at the end of your billing cycle, and understanding what happens next prevents surprise disruptions.

Timeline and access changes

When you cancel your YouTube Music or Google Play Music subscription, Google stops charging your payment method immediately. However, you retain full access to all premium features (ad-free streaming, background play, offline downloads) until the end of your current billing period. On the day your billing cycle ends, your access downgrades to the free tier with ads. Any music you uploaded to your personal library during your subscription remains accessible forever, even after cancellation-those are yours to keep. However, you lose the ability to stream the full YouTube Music catalog, and offline downloads expire once you downgrade to the free tier.

Your music library after cancellation

This is where the history of Google Play Music matters. If you uploaded personal music files to your Google Play Music library before the shutdown, those tracks remain accessible through YouTube Music at no cost, even after you cancel your subscription. However, if you relied solely on the streaming catalog (songs you didn't upload yourself), you'll lose access to those after your billing cycle ends. At Stopee, we recommend downloading or exporting your essential playlists before your cancellation takes effect, just to be safe.

Refunds and what you're entitled to after cancellation

Google's refund policy is straightforward but depends on the timing of your cancellation relative to your billing date.

When google will refund your money

Google does not issue refunds for partial months. If you cancel on the 15th of a 30-day billing cycle, you retain full access until day 30, and no refund is issued. However, if you were charged for a subscription you did not authorize, or if Google charged you after you submitted a valid cancellation request, you have the right to dispute that charge. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces the Restore Online Shoppers Confidence Act (ROSCA), which requires companies to obtain your express informed consent before charging you for negative-option subscriptions and to honor cancellation requests within a reasonable timeframe. If Google charged you after you canceled, you can file a complaint with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, and you can also dispute the charge with your credit card company or bank.

Disputing unauthorized charges

If you see a charge for Google Play Music or YouTube Music that you don't recognize, take these steps immediately.

1. Log into myaccount.google.com and check your Payments & Subscriptions section to confirm whether you actually have an active subscription
2. If you find an active subscription you didn't authorize, cancel it immediately using the steps above
3. Review your billing history in Google's payment settings to see all charges from the past 180 days
4. If you were charged after you canceled, or if charges appear duplicated, document this with screenshots
5. Contact Google support at support.google.com/youtubePremium or call 855-236-4326 to explain the unauthorized charge and request a refund
6. If Google refuses to refund you within 5 business days, dispute the charge with your credit card company or bank
   • Call the number on the back of your card and file a dispute for "unauthorized charges" or "subscription charged after cancellation"
7. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov if the charge was fraudulent or if Google failed to honor your cancellation request within a reasonable timeframe

Under FTC rules, companies must stop charging you within one billing cycle after you submit a cancellation request. If Google charged you more than one billing cycle after you canceled, that violates federal law, and you have grounds for a refund demand and potential damages.

Your consumer rights and what the law protects you for

The Federal Trade Commission has specific rules protecting you when you cancel subscriptions, and Google must follow them.

ROSCA and your right to cancel anytime

The Restore Online Shoppers Confidence Act (ROSCA) is the federal law that governs all negative-option subscriptions like YouTube Music. Under ROSCA, Google must obtain your express informed consent before charging you each billing cycle. This consent must be unambiguous, meaning you cannot be tricked into a subscription through a confusing checkout process. ROSCA also requires companies to honor cancellation requests within one billing cycle and to provide an easy cancellation method that's just as simple as the original signup. If Google makes you jump through hoops to cancel, or if it takes longer than one billing cycle to process your cancellation, that's a violation of ROSCA.

State consumer protection laws

In addition to federal ROSCA rules, your state may have its own subscription cancellation laws. For example, California's Automatic Renewal Law requires companies to obtain clear consent before charging you, to remind you within a reasonable time before each billing cycle that you'll be charged, and to provide an easy cancellation mechanism. The New York General Business Law Section 527 and similar state laws impose the same requirements. If Google violates these laws, you may be entitled to actual damages, statutory damages up to $2,500 per violation, and attorney fees if you file a claim.

What to do if google refuses to cancel or refund you

If you submit a cancellation request and Google continues to charge you, follow this escalation path.

1. Document the unauthorized charges with screenshots and a timeline of when you canceled and when you were charged
2. Contact Google support a second time, referencing your previous cancellation request and the dates of the unauthorized charges
   • Request a refund in writing via support.google.com
3. If Google does not respond within 5 business days, file a dispute with your credit card company or bank
   • Provide your documentation of the unauthorized charges and the dates you requested cancellation
4. File a complaint with your state's Attorney General (search "[your state] attorney general complaint" to find the right office)
5. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov
   • The FTC does not issue individual refunds, but it investigates companies for patterns of consumer complaints and can take enforcement action
6. Consider small claims court if the refund amount is under your state's small claims threshold (typically $5,000 to $10,000)

At Stopee, we've found that most companies, including Google, will issue refunds for unauthorized post-cancellation charges once you dispute them with your bank. The key is documenting your cancellation request and the subsequent charges clearly.

Common cancellation mistakes and how to avoid them

Many subscribers think they've canceled only to discover charges months later, and most of these mistakes are preventable.

Mistake 1: canceling through the wrong platform

If you signed up for YouTube Music through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, you must cancel through that same app store, not through Google's account settings. Canceling in the wrong place is the single most common reason subscriptions don't actually terminate. Stopee recommends checking both myaccount.google.com and your device's app store subscription settings to confirm the subscription is gone from both places.

Mistake 2: not taking a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation

Google's system sometimes fails to process cancellations, and without proof that you requested cancellation, you'll have a harder time disputing unauthorized charges. Always screenshot the final confirmation page that shows your cancellation request was received and processed.

Mistake 3: assuming your old payment method is deactivated

Canceling your subscription does not remove your payment method from your Google account. Google can still use that card if you reactivate a subscription, or if there's an error. After you cancel, go to myaccount.google.com, click "Payment methods," and delete any cards you don't want Google to charge in the future.

Mistake 4: not verifying cancellation after 24 hours

Mobile app cancellations sometimes don't register. Within 24 hours of canceling, log into myaccount.google.com on a web browser and check your Payments & Subscriptions section to confirm the subscription is no longer listed. If it's still active, cancel again through the web.

Mistake 5: ignoring retention offers

When you cancel, Google often displays a special offer (e.g., "50% off for 3 months"). Don't click accept unless you genuinely want to keep the service. Clicking accept will restart your subscription, and you'll have to cancel again later to stop the charges.

Comparison: YouTube music vs. popular alternatives

If you're canceling Google Play Music or YouTube Music because you want a different service, here's how the main competitors compare on price, features, and ease of cancellation.

Spotify is often cited as the easiest to cancel because the process takes 30 seconds and Google's retention offers are much more aggressive. If you're price-sensitive and have Amazon Prime, Amazon Music Unlimited often feels like the better value because you're already paying for Prime membership.

Checklist before you hit cancel

Use this final checklist to ensure you're ready to cancel and won't regret it later.

• Confirm this is the correct subscription (YouTube Music Premium, not YouTube Premium, or vice versa)
• Download or export any custom playlists you want to keep after cancellation
• Download any offline music you've saved, if you want to retain it
• Check your upcoming billing date-canceling right after being charged means 30 days until the next cycle
• Decide whether to accept any retention offer, or confirm you'll decline it
• Have a screenshot tool ready (Shift + Windows key + S on Windows, Cmd + Shift + 5 on Mac)
• Plan to verify cancellation within 24 hours by logging into myaccount.google.com
• Remove your payment method from Google's account settings after cancellation is confirmed
• Set a reminder to check your next credit card bill to confirm no charges appear

Summary and next steps

Google Play Music is gone, but the subscription charges tied to your account may still be active. The good news is that canceling is straightforward when you follow the right process: log into myaccount.google.com, navigate to Payments & Subscriptions, find your YouTube Music or YouTube Premium subscription, and select Cancel Subscription. Within one billing cycle, the charges will stop, and your access will downgrade to the free tier with ads. Your personal music library uploaded during your Google Play Music days remains accessible forever, even after cancellation.

At Stopee, we've helped thousands of consumers cancel streaming subscriptions, and the most important step is verifying your cancellation within 24 hours and documenting the confirmation. If Google charges you after you cancel, dispute the charge with your bank and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. You have strong legal protections under ROSCA, and companies must honor cancellation requests within one billing cycle.

Ready to take action? Start here: go to myaccount.google.com, sign in, and follow the step-by-step cancellation process in this guide. If you run into any issues or if Google refuses to refund unauthorized charges, Stopee is here to help you understand your rights and escalate the complaint to the right authorities. The service may have changed, but your consumer protections haven't.

Google's corporate address (for formal cancellation requests)

If you need to send a formal cancellation or complaint letter to Google, use this address:

Google Inc.
1600 Amphitheatre Parkway
Mountain View, CA 94043
United States

Send your letter via certified mail with return receipt requested so you have proof of delivery. Include your name, account email, a clear description of your cancellation request, and any relevant dates or charges. Request a written confirmation that your subscription has been canceled. Keep a copy of the letter and the delivery receipt for your records.