How to Change Your Payment Method on Spotify
Where to find your payment settings on Spotify
You change your payment method through your Spotify account settings, not through the app itself. Log in to your Spotify account on a web browser, go to your Account page, and select "Billing" from the left menu. From there you can add a new card, remove an old one, or switch which card Spotify charges each month.
If you use Spotify on your phone or tablet, you cannot change payment methods inside the app. The app will direct you to the web version if you try. This is because Spotify's payment system runs separately from the mobile apps — Apple and Google handle payments through their app stores differently, and Spotify keeps its own billing separate from theirs.
You can also reach your billing page by going directly to account.spotify.com, signing in, and clicking "Billing" in the left sidebar. This works on any device with a web browser.
Key Takeaways
- Payment method changes happen only on the Spotify website, not in the mobile app or through your phone's settings.
- You can add a new card, delete an old one, or change which card Spotify charges without canceling your subscription.
- Spotify accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal; the options available depend on your country.
- Changes take effect immediately, so if you add a new card today, Spotify will charge it on your next billing date.
- If a payment fails, Spotify will retry it several times over a few days before suspending your account.
What payment methods Spotify accepts
Spotify takes Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards in the United States. It also accepts debit cards that carry one of these logos. PayPal is available in most countries, though not all. Some regions also support local payment methods — for example, iDEAL in the Netherlands or Przelewy24 in Poland — but the options vary by country.
When you add a card, Spotify will ask for the card number, expiration date, and the three-digit security code on the back. It does not store the full card number on its servers; instead, it uses a payment processor to tokenize the card, meaning Spotify keeps only an encrypted reference to it.
If you want to use a different payment method that Spotify does not support directly — a gift card, for example — you cannot add it as a payment method. Instead, you would need to purchase a Spotify gift card from a retailer and redeem it to add credit to your account, which then covers your subscription cost.
How to add a new payment method
Go to account.spotify.com and sign in. Click "Billing" on the left side. Under "Payment methods," click "Add a payment method." Enter your card details: the full name on the card, card number, expiration date, and security code. If you are using PayPal, you will be directed to PayPal's site to authorize the connection instead of entering card details.
After you add the card, Spotify will run a small test charge — usually between $0.01 and $0.99 — to verify the card is real and active. This charge will appear on your statement but will be reversed within a few days. If the test charge fails, the card was not added and you will see an error message on the Spotify page.
Once the card is added, you can set it as your default payment method or leave it as a backup. If you have multiple cards on file, Spotify will charge the one marked as default on your billing date.
How to remove an old payment method
Go to account.spotify.com, click "Billing," and find the card you want to remove under "Payment methods." Click the trash icon or "Remove" button next to it. Spotify will ask you to confirm the deletion. Once you confirm, the card is removed immediately and Spotify will not charge it again.
You cannot remove your only payment method — Spotify requires at least one valid card or PayPal account on file to keep your subscription active. If you want to remove your last card, you must add a new one first, then remove the old one.
If you remove the card that is currently set as your default, Spotify will automatically switch to another card on file. If you have no other cards, you will see a warning that your subscription may be suspended if you do not add a new payment method.
How to change which card Spotify charges
If you have more than one card on file, you can choose which one Spotify charges each month. Go to account.spotify.com, click "Billing," and look at your payment methods. The card with a checkmark or labeled "Default" is the one Spotify will charge. Click the card you want to use instead and select "Make default" or a similar option.
The change takes effect on your next billing date. If your subscription renews on the 15th of the month and you change your default card on the 10th, Spotify will charge the new card on the 15th. Your billing date does not change when you switch cards.
What happens if a payment fails
If Spotify tries to charge your card and it is declined, Spotify will retry the charge automatically. It typically attempts the charge again over the next few days — the exact schedule varies, but Spotify usually tries at least twice before giving up. During this time, your subscription remains active and you can still listen to music.
If all retry attempts fail, Spotify will suspend your account. You will see a message when you try to log in asking you to update your payment method. Once you add a working card or fix the problem with your current card, your subscription resumes immediately and you regain access to your music.
Spotify does not charge a fee for a failed payment, but your bank or card issuer may charge you a fee for the declined transaction. If you know your card will not work — for example, because it expired or you closed the account — update your payment method before your next billing date to avoid the failed charge and any fees.
Changing payment method if you subscribed through an app store
If you signed up for Spotify through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, your payment method is managed by Apple or Google, not by Spotify directly. To change it, you must go into your Apple or Google account settings, not into Spotify's billing page.
On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your name at the top, select "Payment & Shipping," and update your card there. On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile icon, select "Payments and subscriptions," then "Payment methods," and update your card. Changes you make in Apple or Google's systems will automatically apply to your Spotify subscription.
If you want to move away from app store billing and manage your payment through Spotify directly, you will need to cancel your subscription through the app store, then sign up for Spotify again on the web using a card or PayPal. Your playlists and saved music will remain in your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my payment method interrupt my subscription?
No. You can add, remove, or change your payment method at any time without losing access to your music. Your subscription continues uninterrupted, and the new payment method takes effect on your next billing date.
Can I use a prepaid card on Spotify?
Yes, as long as the prepaid card carries a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover logo. Spotify treats prepaid cards the same as regular debit or credit cards. Make sure the card has enough balance to cover your subscription cost on your billing date, or the charge will fail.
What if my card is declined but I know it has money on it?
Contact your bank or card issuer first — they may have blocked the charge for fraud protection or because Spotify's payment processor is unfamiliar to them. Once your bank approves it, Spotify will retry the charge automatically within a few days. You can also manually update your payment method on Spotify to trigger a new attempt.
Do I lose my playlists if my payment fails?
Your playlists and saved music stay in your account even if your subscription is suspended. Once you update your payment method and your subscription resumes, everything will be there. However, you cannot listen to music while your account is suspended.
Can I use someone else's card to pay for my Spotify subscription?
Yes. You can add any card to your account, regardless of whose name is on it. Spotify does not verify that the cardholder's name matches your account name. However, the cardholder may see the charge on their statement, so make sure they know about it.