Stop a PayPal subscription in three steps

To cancel a recurring payment on PayPal, log into your account, go to Settings, find the subscription under Payments, and click Cancel. The process takes about two minutes. PayPal will stop charging you on your next billing date — you will not be refunded for the current billing period unless the merchant offers a refund separately.

The exact steps depend on whether you use PayPal on a computer or phone, and whether you are canceling a subscription you set up yourself or one that a merchant set up for you. Both routes use the same Settings menu, but the navigation differs slightly.

Key Takeaways

  • You can cancel most recurring payments yourself through PayPal Settings without contacting the merchant.
  • Cancellation stops future charges but does not refund money already paid in the current billing period.
  • If you cannot find the subscription in your PayPal account, the merchant may have set it up outside PayPal, and you will need to contact them directly.
  • Some merchants require you to cancel through their own website or customer service instead of through PayPal.
  • PayPal sends a confirmation email when you cancel, which you should keep as proof.

Cancel a subscription on PayPal.com (desktop)

Open PayPal in a web browser and sign in with your email and password. Click the gear icon in the top right corner to open Settings.

In the Settings menu, click Payments on the left side. You will see a section labeled "Manage my money" — under that, click Manage automatic payments. This shows every recurring charge linked to your PayPal account.

Find the subscription you want to cancel in the list. Click on it to open the details. At the bottom of the subscription details, you will see a Cancel button. Click it, and PayPal will ask you to confirm. Select Cancel Subscription to finish.

PayPal will send you a confirmation email within a few minutes. The merchant will also receive a notice that you canceled. Your account will no longer be charged after your current billing cycle ends.

Cancel a subscription on the PayPal mobile app

Open the PayPal app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Tap Settings, then tap Payments.

Scroll down and tap Manage automatic payments. Find the subscription you want to stop and tap it. On the subscription details screen, scroll to the bottom and tap Cancel. Confirm the cancellation when PayPal asks.

The mobile app works the same way as the desktop version — you will receive a confirmation email, and the charge will stop after your current billing period.

What to do if you cannot find the subscription in PayPal

If you look in Manage Automatic Payments and do not see the subscription you are trying to cancel, the merchant may have set it up outside the PayPal system. Some companies use their own billing system and only use PayPal as a payment method — in those cases, PayPal cannot cancel it for you.

Contact the merchant directly through their website or customer service phone number. Ask them to cancel the recurring charge. They may ask for your email address, account number, or the last four digits of your card to find your subscription in their system.

If you want to block the merchant from charging your PayPal account in the future, you can also revoke their permission to access your account. Go to Settings, click Apps and Permissions, find the merchant's name, and click Remove. This stops them from charging you, but it may also prevent you from using their service if you try to pay with PayPal again.

Refunds and what happens after you cancel

Canceling a subscription stops future charges but does not refund the current billing period. If you paid $15 on the 1st of the month and cancel on the 15th, you will not get a refund for those 15 days. You have already paid for that period.

Some merchants offer refunds for partial months if you cancel early — check their refund policy on their website. If they do offer one, you will need to contact them to request it. PayPal does not automatically refund partial periods.

After cancellation, check your email for the confirmation from PayPal. Keep this email as proof that you canceled. If the merchant charges you again after the cancellation date, you can show PayPal this confirmation and dispute the charge.

If the merchant keeps charging you after cancellation

If you canceled the subscription but the merchant charged you again, log back into PayPal and check Manage Automatic Payments. The subscription should no longer appear there. If it does, the cancellation did not go through — try canceling again.

If the subscription is gone but you were still charged, you can dispute the charge. Go to your PayPal transaction history, find the charge, and click it. Select Report a Problem and choose Unauthorized Transaction or I do not recognize this charge. PayPal will investigate and may refund you.

You can also contact PayPal customer service directly. Call the number on the back of your PayPal debit card or go to the Help Center on PayPal.com and start a chat. Have your confirmation email from the cancellation ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I get a refund when I cancel?

No. Canceling stops future charges but does not refund money you already paid for the current billing period. Some merchants offer refunds for partial months — check their policy or contact them to ask.

Can I cancel a subscription without contacting the merchant?

Yes, if the subscription appears in your PayPal Manage Automatic Payments list. You can cancel it yourself through PayPal Settings. If it does not appear there, the merchant set it up outside PayPal and you will need to contact them.

How long does it take for the cancellation to take effect?

when ready. PayPal stops the subscription right away, but you will not see the effect on your billing until your next scheduled charge date passes. If you were supposed to be charged on the 15th and you cancel on the 10th, you will not be charged on the 15th.

What if I want to cancel but keep using the service?

Some services let you pause or downgrade instead of canceling completely. Check the merchant's website or contact their customer service to see if that option exists. If you cancel completely, you will lose access to the service unless you sign up again.

Can I cancel a subscription someone else set up on my PayPal account?

Yes, if you have access to the PayPal account, you can cancel any subscription linked to it. If someone else set up a subscription on your account without permission, cancel it and then change your PayPal password when ready.