You cannot directly gift a YouTube Premium subscription to someone else, but if you want to gift YouTube Premium there is an indirect way that works really well: you can give them a gift card in the amount of the membership cost.
You can use a Google Play or YouTube gift card or code to make purchases on YouTube and fund your account. When redeemed, the gift card or code will increase your Google Play balance, which you can then use to pay for:
- YouTube Premium
- YouTube Music Premium
- YouTube TV
- Movies and TV shows on YouTube
- Digital content on Google Play
- Channel memberships
- Super Chats and Super Stickers (on mobile)
What Are Your Options for Gifting YouTube Premium?
YouTube used to offer prepaid gift memberships for various durations, but now you can only buy gift cards in dollar amounts. Google does not sell Google Play gift cards directly. Instead, Google Play gift cards can be purchased from authorized retail partners:
https://play.google/intl/en_us/giftcards/#where-to-buy
You can purchase these gift cards through authorized retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Target, BestBuy, etc. There are options to purchase digital or physical cards so you can choose how you want your recipient to receive them.
Once the recipient gets the card, they can use it to fund their Google Play balance and use it to pay for their YouTube Premium subscription or any other item on the Google Play Store.
Google Play Gift Cards
A Google Play gift card is the most versatile option. Your friend or family member can use it to:
- Subscribe to YouTube Premium.
- Buy movies and TV Shows on YouTube.
- Purchase apps, games, and other content on the Google Play Store.
YouTube Gift Cards (Deprecated)
YouTube gift cards are more specific than standard Google Play gift cards. They can only be used for specific YouTube-related services, including:
- YouTube Premium subscriptions
- YouTube Music Premium subscriptions
- YouTube TV subscriptions
- Movies and TV show purchases
Share a Family Plan
If you already have a YouTube Premium family plan, you can add up to five additional family members. This is a great way to share the benefits of YouTube Premium with the people closest to you.
How to choose the best option:
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Google Play gift card | Most flexible, can be used for other Google services | Less targeted than YouTube gift card |
| YouTube gift card* | Specifically for YouTube related purchases | Can’t use for anything else on Google Play |
| Share your family plan | Cost-effective for multiple people | Requires that you have a family plan already |
Understanding YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium elevates the standard streaming experience by offering several enhanced features.
Benefits of YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium offers an uninterrupted viewing experience with ad-free videos. Users can also download videos for offline viewing, ensuring entertainment is always accessible, regardless of internet availability. Background play allows music or videos to continue playing even when the app is not in focus. Additionally, subscribers get access to YouTube Music Premium and exclusive YouTube Originals.
YouTube Premium vs YouTube Music Premium
YouTube Premium provides a comprehensive package, including ad-free access to all video content, music, offline downloads, and background play across the entire YouTube and YouTube Music platforms.
YouTube Music Premium focuses on the music side, offering ad-free music streaming, the ability to download music for offline listening, and background play, but only within the YouTube Music app.
With these features in mind, YouTube Premium stands out as a versatile and comprehensive subscription for those keen on enjoying a wide variety of entertainment without interruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Selecting the perfect gift can be challenging, but YouTube Premium poses a unique option that pleases music and video enthusiasts alike.
How can I purchase YouTube Premium as a gift for someone else?
To gift YouTube Premium, simply buy a Google Play gift card or digital code from an online retailer and deliver it to the recipient. They can then redeem it for a Premium subscription.
Is it possible to gift a YouTube Premium membership for a full year?
While direct gifting from YouTube doesn’t offer a year-long subscription, buying a Google Play gift card equivalent to the annual cost allows someone to use it for a year-long membership.
Can I use a Google Play gift card to buy someone YouTube Premium?
Certainly, Google Play gift cards can be used by the recipient to subscribe to YouTube Premium since it is part of Google’s offerings.
Can YouTube purchases be gifted to another user?
As of now, specific YouTube purchases like movies cannot be directly gifted, but with gift codes for overall services like YouTube Premium, you can indirectly gift access to such content.
Does YouTube Premium have a family plan option that can be given as a gift?
While you cannot directly gift a family plan, you can give a gift card that covers the cost of a family plan subscription for YouTube Premium.
