Many users often overlook their billing practices until an unexpected charge catches their attention—perhaps due to an automatic subscription renewal. This comprehensive guide aims to clarify how YouTube Premium refunds work, including who qualifies for a refund and the steps to efficiently request your money back. Our goal is to provide you with clear, step-by-step instructions to ensure a seamless experience, helping you regain your funds with ease.
What You Should Prepare Before Applying For Refund
YouTube Account Information: Ensure you have your account email and username ready.
Transaction ID: Locate the specific transaction ID for the subscription charge you are disputing.
Payment Method Details: Have details of the payment method used for the subscription (credit card number, PayPal account, etc.).
Subscription Plan Details: Compile information about the specific YouTube Premium plan you subscribed to, including start and renewal dates.
Cancellation Confirmation: If applicable, include evidence or confirmation of your cancellation request or any communication regarding the cancellation.
Reason for Refund: Prepare a clear and concise explanation mentioning why you are requesting the refund (service issues, subscription errors, etc.).
Previous Support Communication: Retain any emails or messages exchanged with YouTube support regarding the issue or your account.
Proof of Service:** If there's a service-related issue, gather screenshots or examples demonstrating the problems experienced.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Refund?
Payment method
How long it takes*
Credit/Debit Card
5-10 working days
PayPal
5-10 working days
Google Play Credit
Immediately (if eligible)
Gift Card
Not eligible for refund
*Working days are Monday to Friday, and don't include public holidays.
What are my Rights? Am I eligible for a Refund from YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium offers a subscription-based service that provides users with ad-free access to YouTube, offline viewing, and music streaming options. Understanding your rights and eligibility for refunds involves considering your specific subscription circumstances and account status. There are specific scenarios in which users may qualify for a refund:
Subscription Abandonment: If you decide to cancel your subscription before the end of a billing cycle, you may be eligible for a pro-rata refund based on the remaining days of service.
Service Bugs or Issues: If you experience consistent technical issues preventing you from accessing features of YouTube Premium, this could warrant a refund request, subject to YouTube's evaluation of the service disruption.
Promotional Periods: If you signed up using a promotional offer and the expected benefits were not provided, you might be eligible for compensation or a credit to your account.
Underage Use: In cases where the user signed up without proper age verification and is found to be below the minimum age required, there may be circumstances for a refund upon request.
It is recommended that users review the specific terms and conditions of YouTube Premium or contact support for detailed clarifications regarding any refund eligibility based on these situations.
Step-by-Step Process to Request Your YouTube Premium Refund Like a Pro
Scroll to "Memberships and paid content" and select it.
Under the options, find and click "Refunds".
Follow the prompts to submit your refund request, making sure to mention that the subscription renewed without notice or that the account was unused.
If you purchased through Apple:
Open the Settings app on your iOS device.
Tap on your Apple ID at the top of the screen.
Select Subscriptions.
Find and tap on YouTube Premium.
Select Report a Problem.
Choose "I want to request a refund".
In the message box, emphasize that you didn’t receive clear notifications for the renewal.
Submit your request.
If you purchased through Google Play:
Open the Google Play Store app on your device.
Tap on the Menu (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner.
Select Subscriptions.
Tap on YouTube Premium.
Select Cancel Subscription to stop future charges.
After cancellation, find the option to Request a refund and follow prompts.
Mention that you were unaware of the automatic renewal.
If you purchased through Roku:
Go to the Roku website and log into your account.
Hover over your profile and select Account.
In the 'Manage your subscriptions' section, find YouTube Premium.
Click on Unsubscribe to stop future charges.
Visit the Roku support page for refund requests.
Provide details emphasizing that the subscription continued without your consent.
Disclaimer
Chargeback is an independent consumer resource that provides educational information to help users understand how to cancel, manage, or request refunds for various subscriptions. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any of the companies mentioned on this site. All trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners.
The information we provide is based on publicly available sources and user reports and may contain inaccuracies or become outdated over time. Our guides are intended for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as official company instructions or legal advice.
Consumers are solely responsible for reviewing their own contracts, terms of service, and refund or cancellation obligations before taking any action. Nothing on this site should be interpreted as legal, financial, or contractual guidance.
Chargeback does not encourage or condone disputing valid charges, misrepresenting transactions, or taking any action that could violate a company's terms, service agreement, or applicable laws. We promote fair, transparent, and lawful communication between consumers and businesses.
I would like to request a refund in the amount of [Amount]. I have attached any relevant documentation for your reference.
I would appreciate your confirmation of this request within 3-5 business days.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Phone Number]
Common refund statuses
Status
Meaning
What It Means for You
Pending
Your refund request is under review and has not yet been processed.
You will be notified once a decision has been made, which could take up to 5 business days.
Processing
Your refund has been approved and is currently being processed by our system.
You can expect the funds to be returned to your payment method within 5-10 business days.
Refunded
Your refund has been successfully issued to your payment method.
The amount should reflect in your account shortly, depending on your bank’s processing time.
Partially Refunded
A portion of your refund has been processed, but not the full amount requested.
Check your account to see the refunded amount; the remaining amount will be processed later if eligible.
Completed
Your refund process has been finalized and funds have been issued.
You should see the refund in your account soon; check your payment method for confirmation.
Canceled
Your refund request has been canceled and will not be processed.
You may initiate a new request if you still seek a refund for your YouTube Premium subscription.
Real User Scenarios: When and How Refunds Were Successfully Claimed
When using YouTube Premium, subscribers can occasionally encounter situations where a refund may be appropriate. Here are some real user scenarios where refunds were successfully claimed:
Annual Subscription Change: A user decided to switch from a monthly to an annual YouTube Premium subscription. After contacting support, they realized they had been billed for both plans during the transition. The representative reviewed their account status and issued a refund for the extra monthly charge.
Trial Subscription Cancellation: A user signed up for a free trial of YouTube Premium but forgot to cancel before the trial period ended. When they noticed the charge, they reached out to customer service, explaining the oversight. The support team promptly issued a refund, thanking the user for their feedback.
Family Plan Misunderstanding: A family member upgraded the account to a family plan without realizing it would change the billing cycle. After discussing this with support and clarifying the user’s intent to maintain their original plan, the team processed a refund for the additional charge incurred during the switch.
Geo-Restrictions Impact: A subscriber traveling abroad discovered that certain features of YouTube Premium were restricted in their destination. Frustrated but understanding of the situation, they reached out to YouTube's support. After explaining the circumstances, they received a refund for the month they could not fully utilize the service.
The Easiest Way to Get a YouTube Premium Refund
If you're frustrated trying to get a refund from YouTube Premium—or if you didn't even realize you were being charged—Chargeback can help. Chargeback is a personal subscription manager that automatically detects hidden, recurring charges like Netflix, Hulu, and hundreds of others. With one click, we can cancel unwanted subscriptions, flag suspicious billing, and even initiate refund requests on your behalf. No more waiting on hold or navigating confusing help pages. Just connect your bank or card account, and we'll take care of the rest.
How to Track Your Refund Status Efficiently
Tracking your refund status for YouTube Premium is straightforward if you know where to look. Here are some efficient ways to keep tabs on your refund:
Email Notifications: After initiating a refund, check your registered email. YouTube Premium sends out updates regarding your refund status, including confirmations and any additional steps needed.
YouTube App Notifications: If you use the YouTube app, make sure to enable notifications. You may receive in-app alerts concerning the progress of your refund.
Account Dashboard: Log into your YouTube Premium account on a web browser and navigate to the Settings section. From there, go to Billing History to check the details regarding your refund request.
Order History: Within the Billing section of your account settings, look for Order History. This section will provide a timeline and status updates on any pending refunds.
Customer Service Chat: If you're unsure about your refund status, YouTube Premium offers a customer service chat option. Access it from the help section in your account for real-time assistance on your refund queries.
FAQ
If you forget to cancel your YouTube Premium subscription before the billing date, you generally won't be eligible for a refund for that period. However, you can stop future charges by cancelling your subscription, and you'll still have access to the service until the end of your billing cycle.
Refund processing times for YouTube Premium typically take 7 to 10 business days, depending on your bank or payment method. Once the refund is initiated, you will receive a confirmation, and the amount should reflect in your account shortly thereafter.
If you see a charge for YouTube Premium but don’t have an active subscription, first check your Google Play or YouTube account to verify your subscription status. If the charge persists and you believe it’s an error, you can request a refund through the YouTube Help Center by following the provided instructions for disputed charges.
If you are unable to secure a refund directly from YouTube Premium, consider reaching out to their customer service again for further assistance. You might also explore escalating your inquiry within their support system for more comprehensive review. Additionally, ensure that your account details are up-to-date to facilitate any potential resolutions.
If YouTube Premium refuses to issue a refund, you may want to carefully review their refund policy to ensure your request aligns with their guidelines. Additionally, consider reaching out to their customer support again for further clarification or assistance, as they may be able to offer more information on your account details or alternative options.
Chargeback and the Chargeback trademarks used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Chargeback and its affiliates. The use of any other trade name, copyright, or trademark is for identification and reference purposes only and does not imply any association with the copyright or trademark holder of their product or brand. Other product and company names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.
¹ Total savings is calculated based on internal annualized estimates of savings for customers. ² Average requests times may vary depending on volume of requests
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