YouTube Premium family plan at risk — what’s changing

YouTube cracks down on Premium family plan sharing — stricter checks begin
YouTube app logo on a smartphone screen. Photo: Unsplash

YouTube is tightening enforcement of its "same household" rule for Premium family plans and has started sending warnings about suspending access. Users who fail to confirm that they live with the family manager may lose subscription benefits within 14 days.

The news was reported by Android Police.

Advertisement

How YouTube is enforcing family plan rules

The YouTube Premium family plan allows up to five members and includes YouTube Music. However, it requires all members to live at the same address. While this rule has formally existed since at least 2023, the company rarely enforced it in practice. With testing of a new two-user plan underway, YouTube now appears to be applying stricter controls.

The service has begun flagging accounts in family groups that are not physically located at the same household as the family manager. In emails titled "Your YouTube Premium family membership will be paused," users are warned that Premium access will be suspended after 14 days. They will remain in the group and can still watch videos with ads but without Premium features.

Letter from YouTube with a warning
YouTube notification warning about the termination of Premium. Photo: Android Police

The message also notes the option to contact Google support to "confirm eligibility and keep access."
These changes come alongside monthly "electronic checks" — every 30 days YouTube verifies whether all family members share the same address as the group manager. Previously, failed checks carried no consequences, but now enforcement has real impact.

So far, reports of suspensions remain limited. Some users, including on Reddit, said they received the warnings, with at least one case confirming that access was revoked after the 14-day period. Other family groups with different addresses, however, have yet to be flagged.

Read also: 

Xiaomi unveils HyperOS 3 with new camera watermarks

Google wins court case — Chrome and Android sales not required

YouTube Google smartphone services pre-payment
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement