Where to cancel depends on what device you use
You can cancel an Apple subscription from your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or the web through your Apple ID account settings. The steps differ slightly by device, but they all lead to the same place: your subscription list in the App Store or Apple ID settings. You do not need to contact Apple support to cancel — you can do it yourself in a few taps or clicks.
Apple subscriptions include services like Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple News+, Apple Arcade, iCloud+ storage plans, and subscriptions to apps through the App Store. Each one cancels the same way, though the timing of when your access ends depends on your billing cycle.
Key Takeaways
- You can cancel any Apple subscription through Settings on iPhone or iPad, System Settings on Mac, or your Apple ID account on the web.
- Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period, so you keep access until that date even after you cancel.
- If you cancel during a free trial, your access stops when ready when you confirm the cancellation.
- You can turn off auto-renewal for a subscription without cancelling it, which stops future charges but keeps your current access active.
- Refunds for subscriptions you already paid for are handled through the same menu where you cancel, using the "Report a Problem" option.
Cancel on iPhone or iPad through Settings
Open the Settings app and tap your name at the top of the screen. Select "Subscriptions" — you will see a list of all active subscriptions tied to your Apple ID. Tap the subscription you want to cancel.
On the subscription details screen, tap "Cancel Subscription" at the bottom. A confirmation message will appear asking why you are cancelling; you can select a reason or skip this step. Tap "Cancel Subscription" again to confirm. Your subscription will remain active until the end of your current billing period, then it will stop renewing.
If you are in the middle of a free trial, the cancellation takes effect when ready and you lose access right away. If you want to keep your subscription but stop future charges, tap "Turn Off Auto-Renewal" instead of cancelling — this keeps your current access but prevents the next charge.
Cancel on Mac through System Settings
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older macOS versions). Click your name in the sidebar, then select "Subscriptions."
You will see your list of active subscriptions. Click the subscription you want to cancel, then click "Cancel Subscription." Confirm your choice when prompted. Like on iPhone, your access continues until your billing period ends, unless you are cancelling a free trial.
Cancel through your Apple ID on the web
Go to appleid.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID and password. Click "Subscriptions" in the left sidebar. You will see all active subscriptions on your account.
Click the subscription you want to cancel. On the details page, click "Cancel Subscription" and confirm your choice. The same rules explore: your access ends at the end of your billing cycle unless you are cancelling a free trial, in which case it stops when ready.
What happens after you cancel
After you cancel, you will receive a confirmation email from Apple at the address tied to your Apple ID. Keep this email for your records. Your subscription will stop renewing on the date shown in your confirmation, and you will no longer be charged.
If you cancelled during a paid period and want a refund, you can request one through the same subscription menu. Open your subscription details, scroll down, and select "Report a Problem." Explain that you want a refund and submit. Apple reviews refund requests on a case-by-case basis, and you will receive an email with their decision within a few days.
You can resubscribe to the same service at any time by going back to the App Store or the service's app and selecting the subscription option again. Your previous data or settings may or may not be saved depending on the service.
Turning off auto-renewal instead of cancelling
If you want to keep your current subscription but do not want to be charged again, you can turn off auto-renewal without cancelling. This keeps your access active through the end of your current billing period, then stops the subscription from renewing.
On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions, tap the subscription, and select "Turn Off Auto-Renewal." On Mac, follow the same path through System Settings. On the web, click the subscription and select "Turn Off Auto-Renewal" instead of cancelling.
This option is useful if you want to pause a subscription temporarily or if you are unsure whether you will want it again. You will not be charged after your current period ends, but you can turn auto-renewal back on anytime before that date.
Subscriptions through third-party apps
Some apps offer subscriptions that are managed through the App Store but billed by the app developer, not Apple. These still cancel through your Apple ID subscription settings using the same steps above. However, the app developer controls the refund policy, so refund requests may be handled differently.
If you cancel a third-party app subscription and the developer's refund policy is unclear, check the app's website or contact their support team directly. Apple can tell you when the subscription will end, but the developer decides whether to refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I lose access when ready after I cancel?
No, unless you are cancelling a free trial. Paid subscriptions remain active through the end of your current billing period. You will see the end date in your subscription details when you cancel.
Can I get a refund if I just paid for a subscription?
You can request one through the subscription menu by selecting "Report a Problem" on the subscription details page. Apple reviews refund requests individually. Refunds are more likely if you cancelled within a few days of the charge, but there is no may provide.
What if I forgot which email address I used for my Apple ID?
Go to appleid.apple.com and click "Forgot Apple ID or password." Follow the steps to recover your account. Once you are in, you can see all subscriptions tied to that Apple ID and cancel any of them.
Will I get charged again if I resubscribe to the same service?
Yes. Cancelling a subscription does not prevent you from subscribing again. If you resubscribe, you will be charged according to the plan you choose, whether that is a free trial or a paid tier.
Can I cancel a subscription someone else gave me as a gift?
If the gift subscription is on your Apple ID, you can cancel it the same way you cancel any other subscription. The cancellation takes effect at the end of the gift period, and you will not be charged after that.