YouTube Premium Finally Available in Zimbabwe

The long-awaited YouTube Premium service has finally arrived in our country, allowing us to enjoy an enhanced YouTube experience and access features that were previously restricted to us.

As many of us know, Zimbabwe and other African countries often lag behind when it comes to online services. We tend to receive services like ChatGPT and Spotify many years after they launch in the United States and other countries. This delay forces us to find alternative means to access these restricted services such as VPNs. One such service that was inaccessible to us for a significant period of time was YouTube Premium.

Features of YouTube Premium

However, about a week ago, the restrictions were lifted, and Zimbabweans can now enjoy the benefits of YouTube Premium. For those who are unfamiliar, YouTube Premium is a paid subscription service that not only removes ads from videos but also allows users to download videos for offline viewing and listen to videos with the player in the background. Additionally, it includes a music streaming service that competes with Spotify, known as Google Music.

One of the standout features of YouTube Premium that can be particularly useful in Zimbabwe is the ability to download videos for offline viewing. Given that mobile data can be quite expensive, being able to download videos on Wi-Fi at work or home and watch them later without using mobile data is a game-changer.

The background play option is another valuable feature. With YouTube Premium, you can continue listening to a video even when you switch to another app or lock your phone. Without YouTube Premium, as soon as you leave the YouTube app, the video stops playing. This feature allows for a seamless and uninterrupted listening experience.

Pricing Options: Personal and Family Packages

The pricing for YouTube Premium starts at USD 3.49 for a personal account and USD 6.49 for the family package. The family package is an excellent money-saving option as it enables you to add up to five additional accounts at the same price. This means you can include your partner and children in your account, granting them all the benefits of YouTube Premium.

To subscribe to YouTube Premium, you can make payments using Visa or Mastercard. The easiest way to obtain one of these cards is through an Ecocash virtual Mastercard. Currently, YouTube is offering a one-month free trial, allowing you to experience the service at no cost. To activate the free trial, you will still need a Visa or Mastercard, but no payment will be deducted during the first month. The deduction of payments will begin in the second month after the free trial period is over.