Definition: What is Spotify Premium Cancellation?
Canceling your Spotify Premium subscription is the process of ending your Premium membership, which stops automatic billing and downgrades your account to Spotify Free. When you cancel, you retain all your playlists, saved songs, followers, following, and account data, but you lose Premium benefits like ad-free listening, unlimited skips, offline downloads, and on-demand playback on mobile.
Spotify Premium offers ad-free music streaming, unlimited skips, offline downloads, high-quality audio, and on-demand playback. When you cancel, your subscription remains active until the end of your current billing period, after which you're automatically downgraded to Spotify Free. Spotify Free includes ads, limited skips (6 per hour), shuffle-only playback on mobile, and lower audio quality.
You can cancel your Spotify Premium subscription through the Spotify website (spotify.com/account) or the Spotify mobile app (Android/iOS). The cancellation process is straightforward, and you can resubscribe anytime to regain Premium benefits.
Key Point: Canceling Spotify Premium doesn't delete your account or playlists. You keep all your music, playlists, and account data. You're simply downgraded to Spotify Free, which has limitations but is still functional.
What: Understanding Spotify Premium Cancellation
When you cancel your Spotify Premium subscription, here's what happens:
Keep All Playlists and Music
All your playlists, saved songs, albums, artists, podcasts, and music library remain intact. Your followers, following, and account data are all preserved.
Your music collection is never lost when canceling Premium.
Downgrade to Spotify Free
You're automatically downgraded to Spotify Free, which includes ads between songs, limited skips (6 per hour), shuffle-only playback on mobile, and standard audio quality. Desktop/web still allows on-demand playback.
Free tier has limitations but is still functional.
Service Until Billing Period Ends
Your Premium subscription remains active until the end of your current billing period. You can continue enjoying Premium benefits (ad-free, unlimited skips, offline downloads) until that date.
You get full value for the current billing cycle.
Possible Refund Eligibility
Refund eligibility varies by region and circumstances. In EU/UK, you may be eligible for a refund if you cancel within 14 days of subscribing. Billing errors may also qualify for refunds. Contact Spotify support for refund requests.
Refund policies vary by location and subscription type.
Important: Your playlists, saved music, and account data are all preserved when you cancel Premium. You can resubscribe anytime and immediately regain Premium benefits without losing any of your music or playlists.
When: When to Cancel Spotify Premium
You should consider canceling your Spotify Premium subscription in these situations:
Not Using Premium Features
If you're not using offline downloads, don't mind ads, or primarily listen on desktop (which has on-demand playback on Free), canceling can save money. You can always resubscribe later.
Budget Constraints
If you need to reduce monthly expenses, canceling Premium can free up funds. Your playlists and music remain intact, and you can resubscribe when your budget allows.
Switching to Alternative Services
If you're trying other music streaming services (Apple Music, YouTube Music, etc.), canceling Premium makes sense. Your Spotify account and playlists remain available if you want to return.
Trial Period Ending
If you're on a Premium free trial and don't want to continue, cancel before the trial ends to avoid being charged. You can cancel anytime during the trial period.
Best Practice: If you're in the EU/UK and cancel within 14 days of subscribing, you may be eligible for a refund. Cancel early if you're not satisfied with Premium to maximize refund chances.
How To: Step-by-Step Guide to Cancel Spotify Premium
Follow these steps to cancel your Spotify Premium subscription:
Method 1: Cancel on Desktop/Web (Recommended)
Go to Spotify Account Page
Visit spotify.com/account in your web browser and sign in to your Spotify account. Make sure you're signed in to the correct account.
You can use any web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge).
Click Subscription
In your account page, find and click on "Subscription" in the left sidebar or main content area. This shows your current Premium subscription details.
You'll see your plan type, billing date, and payment method.
Click Cancel Premium
Find and click the "Cancel Premium" button. Spotify will show you what you'll lose (ad-free, offline downloads, etc.) and may offer retention benefits.
You can skip retention offers if you're sure you want to cancel.
Confirm Cancellation
Click "Cancel Premium" again to confirm. Spotify will process your cancellation. Your Premium subscription remains active until the end of your current billing period.
You'll be downgraded to Spotify Free after the billing period ends.
Method 2: Cancel on Mobile (Android/iOS)
Open Spotify App
Open the Spotify app on your Android or iPhone device. Make sure you're signed in to your Premium account.
The app interface is similar on both platforms.
Go to Settings
Tap the gear icon (⚙️) in the top right corner to open Settings. This is usually accessible from the Home or Library tab.
Look for the settings icon in the top right corner.
Select Account
Tap on "Account" or "View Account" in Settings. This may open the Spotify account page in your mobile browser or redirect to the website.
Some mobile apps redirect to the website for account management.
Follow Desktop Steps
Once in Account settings, follow the same steps as desktop: Subscription > Cancel Premium > Confirm cancellation.
The mobile website interface is similar to desktop.
Pro Tip: Canceling via the Spotify website (spotify.com/account) is often easier and more reliable than using the mobile app. If you subscribed through Apple App Store or Google Play, you must cancel through those platforms instead.
Why: Why Cancel Spotify Premium Properly
Canceling your Spotify Premium subscription properly is important for several reasons:
Preserve Your Music Library
Proper cancellation ensures all your playlists, saved songs, and music library remain intact. You keep everything and can continue using Spotify Free or resubscribe later.
Stop Automatic Billing
Proper cancellation stops automatic billing. Your subscription ends at the current billing period, preventing future charges while allowing you to use Premium until then.
Refund Eligibility
If you're eligible for a refund (e.g., within 14 days in EU/UK), proper cancellation ensures you can request it. Contact Spotify support for refund requests based on your region and circumstances.
Easy Resubscription
With your account and playlists preserved, resubscribing is seamless. You can regain Premium benefits immediately without losing any music or playlists.
Warning: Simply deleting the app or ignoring billing doesn't cancel your subscription. You must actively cancel through Account settings to stop automatic billing. If you subscribed through Apple or Google Play, cancel through those platforms.
Understanding Spotify Premium Refunds
Spotify refund eligibility varies by region and circumstances:
14-Day Refund Policy (EU/UK)
In the European Union and United Kingdom, you may be eligible for a full refund if you cancel within 14 days of subscribing to Premium. This is part of EU consumer protection laws.
Contact Spotify customer support to request a refund within the 14-day window.
Billing Error Refunds
If there's a billing error, unauthorized charge, or duplicate charge, you may be eligible for a refund. Contact Spotify support with details of the billing issue.
Provide transaction details and proof of the billing error.
Refund Processing
Refunds are typically processed within 5-10 business days and credited back to your original payment method. Processing time may vary depending on your payment provider and region.
Check your payment method or bank account for the refund.
No Standard Refund Policy
Spotify typically doesn't offer refunds for subscription fees already paid outside of the 14-day EU/UK window or billing errors. However, you retain Premium access until the end of your billing period.
Contact Spotify support to discuss your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I request a Spotify Premium refund?
Contact Spotify customer support through the Help section on spotify.com or the Spotify app. Explain your situation (14-day cancellation, billing error, etc.) and request a refund. Refund eligibility depends on your region, subscription type, and circumstances.
What happens to my downloaded music when I cancel Premium?
Downloaded music requires an active Premium subscription to play. When you cancel and your subscription ends, downloaded content becomes inaccessible. However, your playlists and saved songs remain in your library, and you can stream them (with ads) on Spotify Free.
What if I subscribed through Apple or Google Play?
If you subscribed to Spotify Premium through Apple App Store or Google Play, you must cancel through those platforms. Go to Settings > Subscriptions (iOS) or Google Play Store > Subscriptions (Android) and cancel Spotify from there. Canceling through Spotify directly won't work for app store subscriptions.
Can I reactivate Premium after canceling?
Yes, you can resubscribe to Spotify Premium at any time. Simply go to spotify.com/premium or the Premium section in the app and subscribe again. Your account, playlists, and music library remain intact, and you'll immediately regain Premium benefits.
What's the difference between Spotify Free and Premium?
Spotify Free includes ads, limited skips (6 per hour), shuffle-only playback on mobile, and standard audio quality. Premium offers ad-free listening, unlimited skips, offline downloads, high-quality audio, and on-demand playback on all devices. Desktop/web Free tier allows on-demand playback, but mobile Free is shuffle-only.