Google has become the "silent landlord" of our digital lives. Whether it’s paying for extra storage so your Gmail doesn't stop working, or a YouTube Premium sub so you don't have to watch ads, these charges are easy to set up and even easier to forget.
Because Google spans across YouTube, Android, and Google One, the "cancel" button isn't always where you expect it to be. Here is the roadmap to reclaiming your monthly budget.
1. The Central Hub (Google Payments)
The fastest way to see everything in one place—including apps you bought on the Play Store—is through your Google Account dashboard.
- Go to your Google Account settings (myaccount.google.com).
- On the left sidebar, click Payments & subscriptions.
- Click Manage subscriptions.
2. The "Hidden" Google One Storage Trap
Many people sign up for the 100GB or 200GB plan because their Gmail was 99% full. But once you clean out your old files, you might be paying for space you no longer need.
- Go to one.google.com.
- Click the Settings (gear icon).
- Select Cancel membership or Change storage plan to downgrade.
3. YouTube Premium and Channel Memberships
YouTube billing is often separate from your standard "Play Store" apps.
- Open the YouTube app.
- Tap your profile picture > Purchases and memberships.
- Here you can see your Premium status and any individual "Channel Memberships" you may have accidentally stayed subscribed to.
The "Third-Party" Connection
One of the most common ways to lose money through Google is the "Sign in with Google" feature. When you use your Google account to log into a third-party app (like a fitness tracker or a design tool), they often set up recurring billing that doesn't show up in your main Google subscription list.
These are "Shadow Subscriptions"—they hit your credit card through Google Pay, but they stay hidden from your primary dashboard.
Let the App Clear the Fog
Navigating three different Google dashboards to find a $5 charge is a headache. That’s why I built GhostSweep.
Instead of hunting through settings, GhostSweep performs a deep audit of your digital shadow. It identifies every Google-related receipt, storage upgrade, and third-party "Sign in with Google" charge buried in your email history.
Stop the silent drain. Use the app to map out exactly what Google is charging you for and kill the subscriptions you forgot you had.