Are you tired of Spotify’s ever-changing algorithms, frustrated with the lack of features in the free version, or simply wanting to switch to a different music streaming service? Whatever your reason, getting rid of Spotify can be a bit of a hassle, especially if you’ve invested a lot of time and energy into building your playlists and discovering new music. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ll take you through a step-by-step guide on how to cancel your Spotify subscription and delete your account for good.
Before You Begin: Why You Might Want to Cancel Spotify
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of canceling your Spotify subscription, it’s essential to understand why you might want to do so. Here are some common reasons why users decide to break up with Spotify:
- Limited features in the free version: While Spotify’s free version is excellent for casual listeners, it lacks many features that are available to premium subscribers, such as ad-free listening, offline playback, and higher quality audio.
- Algorithm changes: Spotify’s algorithms have changed over the years, and some users might not be fond of the new way music is curated and recommended.
- Lack of ownership: With Spotify, you don’t own the music you listen to; you’re simply leasing access to it. This can be a turn-off for users who prefer to own their music library.
- Cost: At $9.99 per month for an individual premium subscription, Spotify can be expensive, especially for users on a tight budget.
- Competition from other services: With the rise of competing music streaming services like Apple Music, Tidal, and Amazon Music, users might find a better fit for their music needs elsewhere.
How to Cancel Your Spotify Subscription
Canceling your Spotify subscription is a relatively straightforward process, but it does require some effort. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through it:
Web App
To cancel your subscription on the Spotify web app:
- Log in to your Spotify account: Open a web browser and navigate to www.spotify.com. Log in to your account using your credentials.
- Click on your profile picture: In the top-right corner of the screen, click on your profile picture to open the dropdown menu.
- Select “Account”: From the dropdown menu, select “Account” to access your account settings.
- Scroll down to “Subscription”: On the account settings page, scroll down to the “Subscription” section.
- Click “Cancel Premium”: Click the “Cancel Premium” button to initiate the cancellation process.
- Confirm cancellation: Spotify will prompt you to confirm that you want to cancel your subscription. Click “Confirm” to proceed.
Mobile App
To cancel your subscription on the Spotify mobile app:
- Open the Spotify app: Open the Spotify app on your mobile device.
- Tap the “Home” tab: Tap the “Home” tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap your profile picture: Tap your profile picture in the top-right corner of the screen to access your account settings.
- Tap “Account”: From the account settings page, tap “Account” to access your subscription settings.
- Tap “Subscription”: Tap “Subscription” to view your current plan and billing information.
- Tap “Cancel Premium”: Tap “Cancel Premium” to initiate the cancellation process.
- Confirm cancellation: Spotify will prompt you to confirm that you want to cancel your subscription. Tap “Confirm” to proceed.
What Happens When You Cancel Your Subscription
When you cancel your Spotify subscription, you’ll lose access to premium features like ad-free listening, offline playback, and higher quality audio. Here’s what you can expect:
- Ad-free listening: You’ll start seeing ads on the free version of Spotify, which can be annoying if you’re used to ad-free listening.
- Offline playback: You won’t be able to download songs for offline playback, which can be a problem if you commute or travel frequently.
- High-quality audio: The audio quality will revert to the standard 128 kbps, which might not be as clear or detailed as the high-quality audio you’re used to.
- Playlist access: You’ll still have access to your playlists, but you might not be able to edit or update them as easily.
How to Delete Your Spotify Account
Deleting your Spotify account is a more drastic step than canceling your subscription. When you delete your account, you’ll lose access to all your playlists, saved music, and account information. Here’s how to do it:
Web App
To delete your Spotify account on the web app:
- Log in to your Spotify account: Open a web browser and navigate to www.spotify.com. Log in to your account using your credentials.
- Click on your profile picture: In the top-right corner of the screen, click on your profile picture to open the dropdown menu.
- Select “Account”: From the dropdown menu, select “Account” to access your account settings.
- Scroll down to “Account”: On the account settings page, scroll down to the “Account” section.
- Click “Close Account”: Click the “Close Account” button to initiate the deletion process.
- Confirm deletion: Spotify will prompt you to confirm that you want to delete your account. Click “Confirm” to proceed.
Mobile App
To delete your Spotify account on the mobile app:
- Open the Spotify app: Open the Spotify app on your mobile device.
- Tap the “Home” tab: Tap the “Home” tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap your profile picture: Tap your profile picture in the top-right corner of the screen to access your account settings.
- Tap “Account”: From the account settings page, tap “Account” to access your account information.
- Tap “Close Account”: Tap “Close Account” to initiate the deletion process.
- Confirm deletion: Spotify will prompt you to confirm that you want to delete your account. Tap “Confirm” to proceed.
What to Do After You Cancel or Delete Your Spotify Account
Congratulations! You’ve successfully canceled or deleted your Spotify account. Now, what’s next?
- Export your playlists: If you want to take your playlists with you, you can export them using a third-party service like TuneMyMusic or Playlist Converter.
- Try a different music streaming service: Explore alternative music streaming services like Apple Music, Tidal, or Amazon Music to find one that better fits your needs.
- Buy music: Consider purchasing music from online stores like iTunes or Google Play Music to build a local music library.
- Take a break from music streaming: You might decide to take a break from music streaming altogether and focus on discovering new music through other means, like attending concerts or listening to the radio.
Conclusion
Getting rid of Spotify might seem daunting, but it’s a relatively straightforward process. Whether you’re canceling your subscription or deleting your account, it’s essential to understand the implications of your decision and what you’ll be giving up. By following the steps outlined in this article, you’ll be able to break up with Spotify and move on to greener pastures. Remember to export your playlists, explore alternative music streaming services, and consider purchasing music to build a local library. Happy listening!
What happens to my saved music and playlists after I cancel my Spotify subscription?
When you cancel your Spotify subscription, you will no longer have access to the premium features, such as offline listening and ad-free music. However, you will still be able to access your saved music and playlists, but with limited features. You will be able to play the songs you’ve saved, but you won’t be able to download them for offline listening or play them ad-free.
You can still access your playlists and saved music by logging into your Spotify account on the free version. You can also recover your playlists and saved music if you decide to resubscribe to Spotify in the future. Just log back into your account, and you’ll have access to all your saved content.
Will I still be able to access Spotify Free after canceling my subscription?
Yes, you will still be able to access Spotify Free after canceling your subscription. Spotify Free is a free version of the service that allows you to stream music with ads and limited features. You can still log into your account and access your playlists and saved music, but you’ll be limited to the free features.
You can use Spotify Free to stream music, discover new artists, and create playlists, but you won’t have access to premium features like offline listening, ad-free music, and improved audio quality. If you decide you want to upgrade to a premium subscription again, you can do so at any time.
Can I cancel my Spotify subscription at any time?
Yes, you can cancel your Spotify subscription at any time. You can cancel your subscription through the Spotify website or through the mobile app. If you cancel your subscription, you will still have access to the premium features until the end of your current billing cycle.
After canceling your subscription, you will be downgraded to the free version of Spotify, and you will no longer be charged for the premium features. If you’re unsure about canceling your subscription, you can try pausing your subscription instead. This will allow you to take a break from your subscription without losing your premium features.
Can I get a refund for my Spotify subscription?
Spotify offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for new subscriptions. If you’re not satisfied with the service within the first 30 days, you can request a refund. However, if you’ve been a subscriber for more than 30 days, you will not be eligible for a refund.
If you’re unsure about canceling your subscription, you can try reaching out to Spotify customer support to see if they can offer any assistance or discounts. Keep in mind that Spotify’s refund policy may vary depending on your location and payment method.
How do I cancel my Spotify subscription through the mobile app?
To cancel your Spotify subscription through the mobile app, follow these steps: Open the Spotify app, tap on the “Your Library” tab, tap on the gear icon in the top-right corner, tap on “Account,” and then tap on “Subscription.” From there, tap on “Cancel Premium” and follow the prompts to confirm cancellation.
Make sure you’re logged into the correct account and that you have the latest version of the app. If you’re having trouble canceling your subscription through the app, you can try canceling through the Spotify website instead.
Will I lose my Spotify username if I cancel my subscription?
No, you will not lose your Spotify username if you cancel your subscription. Your username is tied to your Spotify account, and you will still be able to log into your account and access your playlists and saved music after canceling your subscription.
You can still use your username to log into the free version of Spotify and access your playlists and saved music. If you decide to resubscribe to Spotify in the future, you’ll be able to use the same username and password to log into your account.
Can I pause my Spotify subscription instead of canceling it?
Yes, you can pause your Spotify subscription instead of canceling it. Pausing your subscription allows you to take a break from your premium features without losing access to your playlists and saved music.
When you pause your subscription, you will not be charged for the premium features, but you will still be able to log into your account and access your playlists and saved music. You can pause your subscription for up to 30 days, and you can resume your subscription at any time.