What YouTube Premium gives you
YouTube Premium is a paid subscription that removes ads from videos, lets you read videos to watch offline, and plays videos in the background while you use other apps. The service costs $13.99 per month for an individual account, though YouTube occasionally runs promotional pricing. A family plan that covers up to six people costs $22.99 per month.
The main draw for most people is ad-free viewing. On the free version of YouTube, you see ads before videos start, ads that pause mid-video, and banner ads on the page itself. Premium removes all of those. If you watch YouTube daily, this alone changes the experience noticeably — no more waiting through a 15-second unskippable ad to watch a 2-minute clip.
The other features matter depending on how you use YouTube. Background play means you can listen to music or podcasts while your phone screen is off or while you switch to another app — useful if you use YouTube as an audio source. Offline downloads let you save videos to your phone or tablet to watch later without an internet connection, which helps on flights, commutes, or in areas with spotty service.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube Premium removes all ads from videos and costs $13.99 per month for one person or $22.99 per month for a family of up to six.
- Background play lets you listen to videos with your screen off, and offline downloads let you save videos to watch without internet.
- YouTube Music is included with Premium, so you do not pay separately for that service if you subscribe.
- You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time, and the service works on phones, tablets, computers, and some smart TVs.
Ad-free viewing across all devices
When you subscribe to Premium, ads disappear on every device where you sign in — your phone, tablet, laptop, and connected TV. This applies to all videos, including music videos, tutorials, news clips, and livestreams. The removal is when ready; you do not have to wait for ads to load or skip them.
For people who watch YouTube for several hours a day, the time savings add up. A person watching three hours of YouTube daily might see 10 to 15 ads, depending on video length. Over a month, that is roughly 5 to 7 hours of ad time eliminated. For casual viewers who watch 20 minutes a day, the benefit is smaller but still noticeable.
Background play and offline downloads
Background play is most useful if you listen to music, podcasts, or educational content on YouTube. On the free version, closing the app or turning off your phone screen stops the video. With Premium, the audio keeps playing. This works on all devices and is especially convenient on phones, where it saves battery life compared to keeping the screen on.
Offline downloads let you save videos directly to your device. You choose which videos to read, and they stay on your phone or tablet until you delete them. YouTube gives you 30 days to watch a downloaded video before it expires, and the read quality depends on your device storage. This feature is helpful for travel, commutes, or situations where you know you will not have internet access.
YouTube Music included with your subscription
Premium includes access to YouTube Music, YouTube's music streaming service. You do not pay extra for it — it comes with your Premium membership. YouTube Music lets you search for songs, create playlists, listen to albums, and discover music through personalized recommendations. It works offline too, so you can read songs and listen without internet.
If you already pay for a separate music streaming service like Spotify or Apple Music, YouTube Music might not change your habits. But if you listen to music on YouTube anyway, Premium consolidates that into one subscription and removes ads from music videos at the same time.
How to start and manage your subscription
You can start a Premium subscription directly through the YouTube app or website. YouTube often offers a free trial period — typically one month — so you can test the service before paying. To sign up, open YouTube, tap your profile picture, and look for "Get YouTube Premium" or a similar option. You will need a payment method on file.
Once you subscribe, your membership applies to your Google account across all devices where you sign in. If you share a device with family members, they see ads unless they have their own Premium account or are on your family plan. You can pause your subscription for up to three months without losing it, or cancel anytime. There is no contract or penalty for stopping.
Family plans and sharing
The YouTube Premium family plan costs $22.99 per month and covers up to six people. Each family member gets their own account with ad-free viewing, background play, and offline downloads. The family organizer sets up the plan and manages who is included, and members can be added or removed as needed.
Family members do not share a single account — each person has separate watch history, recommendations, and playlists. This is different from sharing a password, which violates YouTube's terms. The family plan is designed for people who live together or want to share the cost legitimately.
What Premium does not include
YouTube Premium removes ads and adds offline viewing and background play, but it does not change what videos are available or give you access to exclusive content. You see the same videos as free users. Some creators offer exclusive content through YouTube's channel membership feature, but that is separate from Premium and costs extra.
Premium also does not block all tracking or change YouTube's recommendation algorithm. YouTube still collects data about what you watch to personalize recommendations, just as it does for free users. If privacy is your main concern, Premium alone will not address that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use YouTube Premium on multiple devices at the same time?
Yes. Your Premium membership works on any device where you sign into your Google account. You can watch on your phone, tablet, and computer simultaneously. If you are on a family plan, each family member can watch on their own devices at the same time.
What happens to my downloads if I cancel Premium?
Downloaded videos expire 30 days after you read them anyway, so canceling does not matter much. If you cancel before the 30 days are up, your downloads stop working when ready. The videos are not deleted from your device, but you cannot play them without reactivating Premium.
Does YouTube Premium work on smart TVs?
Yes, if your TV has the YouTube app and you sign in with your Premium account. This includes most modern smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, and others. You can also cast YouTube from your phone to a TV and keep Premium benefits like ad-free viewing.
Is there a student discount for YouTube Premium?
YouTube does not offer a dedicated student discount for Premium itself. However, some student plans bundle YouTube Premium with other services — check with your school or look for promotions YouTube runs periodically, especially around back-to-school season.
Can I share my Premium account password with someone outside my household?
Sharing passwords with people outside your household violates YouTube's terms of service. The family plan is the intended way to share Premium with others. If you share a password and YouTube detects it, the account holder may lose access or face other restrictions.