How to cancel Game Pass on Xbox, PC, or the web

You can cancel Game Pass through your Xbox console, the Xbox app on Windows, or the Microsoft account website. The steps differ slightly depending on which device or platform you use, but the cancellation takes effect when ready — you lose access to the Game Pass library right away, though your current billing period remains active until its end date.

On an Xbox console, go to Settings, select Account, then Subscriptions. Find Game Pass in the list and select Manage. Choose Cancel subscription and confirm. On a Windows PC using the Xbox app, open the app, select your profile icon in the top right, go to Settings, then Subscriptions, find Game Pass, and select Manage. The web route works from any browser: sign into your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com, go to Subscriptions, locate Game Pass, and select Manage subscription, then Cancel.

If you subscribed through a third-party platform — an Apple device, Android phone, or PlayStation console — you must cancel through that platform instead. Apple subscriptions cancel in the Settings app under your name, then Subscriptions. Android subscriptions cancel in Google Play, under your profile, then Subscriptions. PlayStation subscriptions cancel in your account settings under Subscriptions.

Key Takeaways

  • Game Pass cancellation is when ready on all platforms, but you keep access through the end of your current billing period.
  • Console and PC cancellations happen in your account settings under Subscriptions; web cancellations happen at account.microsoft.com.
  • If you subscribed through Apple, Android, or PlayStation, you must cancel through that platform's subscription settings, not through Microsoft.
  • After cancellation, your save data and achievements remain tied to your account and will be there if you resubscribe later.
  • Game Pass Ultimate includes Xbox Live Gold and PC Game Pass, so cancelling one cancels both.

What happens to your games and saves after you cancel

When your subscription ends, you lose the ability to launch any Game Pass games on that device. Games you own outright — ones you purchased rather than accessed through the subscription — remain playable. Your save files, achievements, and game progress stay on your account indefinitely, even after cancellation.

If you resubscribe later, you can pick up where you left off in any Game Pass game. The subscription does not delete your data or reset your progress. However, if you uninstall a Game Pass game after your subscription ends, you will need to reinstall it if you resubscribe — the game files themselves are removed from your device when you no longer have access.

Cancelling Game Pass Ultimate versus standard Game Pass

Game Pass Ultimate includes Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Live Gold all in one subscription. When you cancel Game Pass Ultimate, you lose all three services at once. If you want to keep Xbox Live Gold but drop the games, you cannot do that through a standard cancellation — you would need to switch to a separate Xbox Live Gold subscription instead.

Standard Game Pass (console-only or PC-only) can be cancelled independently. If you have both console and PC Game Pass as separate subscriptions, cancelling one does not affect the other. Check your Subscriptions page to see which versions you currently have active.

Pausing versus cancelling your subscription

Microsoft does not offer a pause feature for Game Pass. Your only options are to keep the subscription active or cancel it entirely. If you think you might return within a few months, cancelling and resubscribing later is straightforward — your account information and progress remain intact.

Some promotional offers are available only to new or returning subscribers, so if you cancel and resubscribe after a gap, you may be offered a discounted rate. Check the subscription page when you cancel to see if any returning-subscriber offers appear.

Refunds and billing after cancellation

Game Pass operates on a monthly or annual billing cycle. Cancelling does not trigger a refund for the current billing period — you keep access through the end of the month or year you already paid for. If you cancel mid-cycle, you do not get a prorated refund for unused time.

After your current billing period ends, Microsoft will not charge you again. You will not be charged on the renewal date if you have already cancelled. If you are charged after cancelling, contact Microsoft Support to report the issue and request a refund.

Reactivating Game Pass after cancellation

Resubscribing to Game Pass is the same process as the initial subscription. Go to your Subscriptions page, select Game Pass, and choose to reactivate or purchase a new subscription. Your account, saves, and achievements will be exactly as you left them.

If you cancelled recently, you may see a special offer for returning subscribers — often a discounted first month. These offers vary and are not always available, so the price you see when you resubscribe depends on current promotions and your subscription history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my games and saves if I cancel Game Pass?

Your saves, achievements, and progress stay on your account forever. Game Pass games become unplayable once your subscription ends, but if you resubscribe later, you can resume exactly where you left off. Games you purchased outright remain playable after cancellation.

Can I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?

No. You keep access through the end of your current billing period, but Microsoft does not refund unused time. If you were charged in error or believe you have a billing issue, contact Microsoft Support to dispute the charge.

What if I subscribed through my phone or PlayStation?

You must cancel through the platform where you subscribed. Apple subscriptions cancel in Settings under your name and Subscriptions. Android subscriptions cancel in Google Play under your profile. PlayStation subscriptions cancel in your account settings under Subscriptions. Cancelling through Microsoft's website will not work if you subscribed elsewhere.

Do I lose Xbox Live Gold if I cancel Game Pass Ultimate?

Yes. Game Pass Ultimate includes Xbox Live Gold, so cancelling Ultimate cancels both services. If you want to keep Xbox Live Gold, you would need to purchase a separate Xbox Live Gold subscription instead of cancelling everything at once.

Can I pause my subscription instead of cancelling?

No pause option exists for Game Pass. You can only cancel or keep it active. If you plan to return later, cancelling and resubscribing is straightforward — your account and progress will be waiting for you.