How to cancel Kindle Unlimited on your device or account
You can cancel Kindle Unlimited through your Amazon account settings on a computer, phone, or tablet. The process takes about two minutes and stops your membership at the end of your current billing cycle — you keep reading access until that date arrives. Amazon does not charge a cancellation fee.
The fastest route is through the Manage Your Memberships page on Amazon's website. You log in, find Kindle Unlimited in your active memberships, and select the option to cancel. On a phone or tablet, you can also cancel through the Amazon app or the Kindle app, though the website method is more straightforward because the app sometimes buries the cancellation button.
If you cancel mid-month, your subscription runs through the end of that billing period. For example, if you cancel on the 15th of a month and your renewal date is the 20th, you have access until the 20th and are not charged again. Amazon sends a confirmation email after you cancel, which includes your final access date.
Key Takeaways
- You cancel Kindle Unlimited through your Amazon account on the Manage Your Memberships page, not through the Kindle app itself.
- Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle, so you keep your membership benefits until that date.
- Amazon sends a confirmation email with your final access date after you cancel.
- You can reactivate Kindle Unlimited later if you change your mind, and any books you borrowed remain in your library if you rejoin.
- If you have an active loan or borrowed books, they stay in your library until the loan period ends, even after your membership cancels.
Step-by-step cancellation on a computer
Go to amazon.com and sign in to your account. In the top right corner, click the account menu (usually your name or "Account & Lists") and select "Your Account" or "Account Settings."
Look for a section called "Memberships and Subscriptions" or "Manage Your Memberships." Click on it. You will see a list of all active subscriptions tied to your Amazon account. Find Kindle Unlimited in that list and click "Manage" or "Cancel Membership" next to it.
Amazon will show you your current billing date and ask you to confirm the cancellation. Read the final access date carefully — this is the last day you can read your borrowed books. Click the button to confirm cancellation. You should see a message saying your membership has been canceled, and an email will arrive within a few minutes.
Canceling through the Amazon app or Kindle app
On the Amazon app, open the menu (three horizontal lines in the bottom right on most phones), tap "Account," then look for "Memberships and Subscriptions." Find Kindle Unlimited and tap "Manage" or "Cancel." The steps from there match the website method.
The Kindle app itself does not have a direct cancellation button in most versions. If you open the Kindle app and look for subscription settings, you may see a link that says "Manage Your Kindle Unlimited Membership" — tapping that usually opens your browser and takes you to the Amazon website to cancel. It is simpler to use the website or Amazon app directly rather than hunting through the Kindle app.
What happens to your books after cancellation
Books you borrowed through Kindle Unlimited stay in your library until the loan period ends. Kindle Unlimited loans are usually 14 days, but you can return a book early if you want to borrow another one. After your membership ends, you cannot borrow new books, but any books still checked out to you remain readable until their loan period expires.
If you had borrowed a book and returned it before canceling, that book is gone from your library. Kindle Unlimited books are not yours to keep — they are borrowed only while your membership is active. Books you purchased separately (not through Kindle Unlimited) stay in your library forever, regardless of your membership status.
Reactivating Kindle Unlimited later
You can turn your Kindle Unlimited membership back on at any time by going to the same Manage Your Memberships page and selecting the option to reactivate or restart. Amazon does not charge a penalty for canceling and restarting. If you rejoin within a certain period, your reading history and any books still in your library from before you canceled may still be there, though this depends on how long you were away.
Some readers cancel for a month or two when they have a backlog of books to read, then restart when they are ready to borrow more. There is no limit to how many times you can cancel and restart.
If you cannot find the cancellation option
If the Manage Your Memberships page does not show Kindle Unlimited, check that you are signed in to the correct Amazon account. Some people have multiple Amazon accounts (one for personal use, one for business, for example), and Kindle Unlimited might be tied to a different account than the one you are currently using.
If you are signed in to the right account and still do not see Kindle Unlimited listed, it may already be canceled. You can verify this by checking your most recent Amazon receipt or by looking at your Kindle library — if you cannot borrow new books, your membership is no longer active.
If you need further help, Amazon's customer service can cancel the membership for you over the phone or through chat. You can reach them through the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of any Amazon page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my books if I cancel Kindle Unlimited?
Books you borrowed through Kindle Unlimited are removed from your library after your membership ends, unless you had not yet returned them and their loan period has not expired. Books you purchased separately stay in your library forever. If you rejoin later, you can borrow the same titles again.
Can I cancel in the middle of my billing cycle?
Yes. You keep your membership through the end of your current billing period and are not charged again. If your renewal date is the 20th and you cancel on the 10th, you have access until the 20th.
What if I want to pause instead of cancel?
Amazon does not offer a pause option for Kindle Unlimited. Your only choices are to keep the membership active or cancel it. If you want to take a break, you can cancel and rejoin whenever you are ready.
Do I need to return borrowed books before I cancel?
No. Books you have checked out stay in your library and remain readable until their loan period ends, even after your membership cancels. You do not need to return them manually.
How long does it take for the cancellation to go through?
The cancellation is when ready in your account, and you receive a confirmation email within a few minutes. Your access continues until the end of your billing cycle, as shown in the confirmation.