Where to find your account status in Spotify
Open Spotify on any device where you're signed in. Tap or click your profile icon — usually in the top right corner or bottom left, depending on whether you're on mobile or desktop. Select "Account" or "Profile Settings." The page that opens will show your current plan at the top. If it says "Premium," you have a paid subscription. If it says "Free," you're using the ad-supported version.
On the web version at spotify.com, the same profile menu appears in the top right. On mobile apps (iPhone or Android), swipe to the "Home" tab and tap the gear icon for settings, then select "Account." The plan name appears near the top of that screen.
Key Takeaways
- Your Spotify plan type shows in your account settings under your profile name, visible on any device where you're logged in.
- Premium removes ads, lets you skip unlimited songs, and works offline; Free includes ads and limits skips to six per hour.
- If you pay for Premium but see "Free" in your account, your payment may have failed or your subscription may have ended.
- Spotify Premium costs vary by country and subscription type — individual, family, student, or duo plans each have different prices.
What Premium actually gives you versus Free
The difference between the two plans is straightforward. With Premium, you hear no ads between songs, you can skip as many tracks as you want, and you can read music to listen offline. With Free, Spotify plays ads roughly every 30 minutes, limits you to six skips per hour, and requires an internet connection to play music.
Premium also lets you choose exact songs to play in any order. On Free, you can only shuffle play on most devices, which means Spotify picks the song order for you. If you use Spotify on a phone or tablet, Premium removes the restriction that forces you to use shuffle mode.
What to do if you pay for Premium but your account shows Free
This usually means your payment method failed or your subscription ended. Go to your account settings and select "Subscription" or "Billing." Check whether your payment method is current and whether your next billing date has passed. If the date has passed and you see no charge, your card was likely declined.
Update your payment method with a valid card, and your Premium access should return within a few minutes. If you see a charge on your bank or credit card statement but Spotify still shows Free, contact Spotify Support through the app or at support.spotify.com. They can see whether the payment went through on their end and reactivate your account if there was a processing error.
How to check your billing and payment history
In your account settings, look for "Subscription" or "Billing" — the exact name depends on your device and app version. This page shows your current plan, your next billing date, and your payment method. You can also see your recent charges and read invoices if you need them for records.
If you want to see every charge Spotify has made, scroll down on that same page to find your payment history. Each charge should match a billing date. If you see charges you don't recognize or charges after you thought you cancelled, that section will show the dates and amounts.
The difference between individual, family, student, and duo plans
Spotify offers several Premium versions at different price points. Individual Premium is for one person. Family Premium covers up to six accounts in the same household and costs more per month than individual. Student Premium is cheaper than individual and requires proof you're enrolled in school. Duo Premium is for two people and costs less than Family but more than Individual.
All of these plans remove ads, allow unlimited skips, and enable offline listening. The main difference is how many people can use the account and the monthly cost. Prices vary by country, so check your local Spotify page to see what each plan costs where you live.
Why Spotify might show you as Free even if you think you're Premium
The most common reason is a failed payment. Your card may have expired, moved to a new bank, or been flagged for fraud. Spotify tries to charge you on your billing date, and if that charge fails, your subscription pauses until you update your payment information.
A second reason is that you may have cancelled your subscription intentionally and forgotten. If you cancelled, Spotify lets you use Premium until the end of your current billing period, then switches you to Free. Check your email for a cancellation confirmation from Spotify — it will have the date your Premium access ends.
A third reason, less common, is that you're signed into a different Spotify account than you think. If you have multiple email addresses, you might have created Premium on one account and be logged into another. Sign out completely, then sign back in with the email address you used to buy Premium.
How to upgrade from Free to Premium
In your account settings, look for "Upgrade to Premium" or a button that says "Get Premium." Tap or click it, and Spotify will show you the plan options available in your country. Choose the plan you want, enter a payment method, and confirm. Your account should upgrade within a few minutes.
You can also go directly to spotify.com/premium to see all available plans and start the upgrade from there. Some plans offer a free trial period — usually one month for individual or family plans — so you may not be charged when ready. Read the trial terms before you confirm, so you know when your first charge will happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have Premium on one device and Free on another?
No. Your account is either Premium or Free across all devices. If you're signed into the same Spotify account on your phone, computer, and tablet, they all show the same plan status. If you want different plans, you would need separate Spotify accounts with different email addresses.
What happens to my Premium if I don't use Spotify for a month?
Nothing. Spotify doesn't pause or cancel your subscription just because you haven't opened the app. Your Premium stays active as long as your payment method works and you don't cancel. You'll be charged on your regular billing date whether you use the service or not.
Does Spotify Premium cost the same everywhere?
No. Spotify adjusts prices by country based on local currency and purchasing power. A Premium subscription in the United States costs a different amount than the same plan in India or Brazil. Check your local Spotify website to see the exact price where you live.
If I share my Spotify account with someone, can they see I'm Premium?
Yes. Anyone logged into your account can see your plan type in the account settings. If you want separate accounts but want to share the cost, the Family or Duo plans let multiple people have their own accounts under one subscription.
Can I switch from Free to Premium and back again?
Yes. You can upgrade to Premium anytime, and you can cancel and go back to Free anytime. If you cancel mid-billing period, you keep Premium access until the end of that period, then switch to Free. You can upgrade again whenever you want.