Where to find and cancel your subscriptions
The place you cancel depends on which device you use and which app store sold you the subscription. Most subscriptions run through Apple's App Store, Google Play, or directly through the app itself. You do not cancel through your bank or credit card company — you have to go back to where you bought it.
If you subscribed on an iPhone or iPad, you cancel in the App Store settings. If you subscribed on an Android phone, you cancel in Google Play. If the app has its own login and you signed up directly on the company's website, you may need to log in to that website or contact the company to turn it off. The steps are different for each, so start by remembering which device you used when you first signed up.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone and iPad subscriptions cancel through Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions, where you tap the subscription and select "Cancel Subscription."
- Android subscriptions cancel through Google Play > Account > Subscriptions, where you tap the subscription and select "Cancel Subscription."
- Subscriptions you bought directly from a company's website usually require you to log into that website or contact their support team to cancel.
- Canceling stops future charges but does not refund money you already paid for the current billing period.
- After you cancel, check your email for a confirmation message, and verify the charge stops on your next billing date.
Canceling on iPhone or iPad
Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap your name at the top of the screen, then tap "Subscriptions." You will see a list of all active subscriptions tied to your Apple ID. Tap the subscription you want to stop.
On the subscription details screen, tap "Cancel Subscription" at the bottom. A confirmation message will appear asking why you are canceling — you can choose a reason or skip it. Tap "Confirm" or "Cancel Subscription" again to finish. You should see a message saying your subscription has been canceled, along with the date your access ends.
Apple will send you a confirmation email to the address tied to your Apple ID. Your subscription will remain active until the end of your current billing period, then stop. You will not be charged again after that date.
Canceling on Android
Open the Google Play app on your Android phone or tablet. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner, then tap "Manage your Google Account." Go to the "Payments and subscriptions" tab, then tap "Subscriptions."
Find the subscription you want to cancel and tap it. Tap "Cancel subscription" at the bottom of the screen. Google will ask you to confirm — tap "Cancel subscription" again. You should see a message confirming the cancellation and the date your access will end.
Google sends a confirmation email to your Google account email address. Like Apple, your subscription stays active through the end of your current billing cycle, then stops. No further charges will appear after that date.
Canceling subscriptions bought directly from a company
Some apps and services let you sign up and pay directly through their website instead of through an app store. Examples include streaming services, meal kits, and fitness apps that have their own login system. For these, you usually need to log into the company's website or app and find a settings or account page.
Look for a section called "Subscriptions," "Billing," "Account," or "Membership." There should be a button or link to cancel, pause, or manage your subscription. If you cannot find it, look for a "Help" or "Contact Us" page and send the company a message asking how to cancel. Many companies respond within one business day.
Some companies let you pause a subscription instead of canceling it outright — this stops charges but keeps your account active so you can restart later without losing your settings or history. If that option appears, you can choose it instead of full cancellation.
What happens after you cancel
Canceling a subscription stops future charges, but it does not refund money you already paid for the current billing period. If you paid for a month on the 15th and cancel on the 20th, you keep access until the 15th of next month, and you will not be charged again. You do not get a refund for those five days.
Some subscriptions let you cancel and get an when ready refund if you ask within a certain window — usually three to seven days of the charge. Check the company's refund policy on their website or in the app's terms. If you think you may have access to, contact their support team with your receipt or order number.
After you cancel, you should receive a confirmation email within a few minutes. Keep that email as proof. Check your bank or credit card statement on your next billing date to make sure no charge appears. If a charge does show up after your cancellation date, contact the company's support team with your cancellation confirmation and the unwanted charge.
If you cannot find the subscription to cancel
Sometimes a subscription does not show up in your app store settings even though you are being charged. This usually means it was bought through a different account, a different device, or directly from the company.
Check your email for receipts from the company. Search your inbox for words like "subscription," "receipt," "order," or the company name. The receipt will tell you where you bought it and may have a link to manage or cancel the subscription. If you find a receipt from the company's website, log into that website with the email address on the receipt and look for account settings.
If you still cannot find it, contact the company's support team directly. Provide them with the email address you used to sign up, the date you think you subscribed, and the amount being charged. They can look up your account and cancel it for you.
Stopping charges if the company will not cancel
If you cancel a subscription through the app store or company website but charges keep appearing, contact your bank or credit card company. Tell them the subscription was canceled and you want to dispute the charges. Your bank can block future charges from that company, a process called a chargeback.
Before you contact your bank, gather proof that you canceled: a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation, the confirmation email, or a record from your app store account showing the subscription as inactive. Your bank will ask for this when you file the dispute.
You can also ask your bank to block all charges from that company going forward, even if you have other subscriptions with them. This is useful if a company keeps charging after you cancel multiple times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose access to the app when ready after I cancel?
No. You keep access through the end of your current billing period. If you paid for a month, you have access for the full month even after you cancel. Once that period ends, the app will either lock you out or show a message asking you to subscribe again.
Can I get a refund for the current billing period?
Usually not, but some companies offer refunds if you cancel within a few days of being charged. Check the company's refund policy on their website. If you think you may have access to, contact their support team with your receipt. Your bank or credit card company cannot force a refund for a service you already used.
What if I want to resubscribe later?
You can resubscribe anytime through the same app store or website where you canceled. Your old account and settings may still be there, or you may need to set up a new account. Check the company's website to see what happens to canceled accounts.
Do I need to delete the app after I cancel the subscription?
No. The app stays on your phone. When your subscription ends, the app will either stop working or show a message asking you to subscribe again. You can delete it if you want, but you do not have to.
Why am I still being charged after I canceled?
The most common reason is that you canceled in the wrong place — for example, canceling in the app itself instead of in your app store settings. Check all three places: your app store account, the company's website, and the app's settings. If you canceled in the right place and charges continue, contact your bank to dispute them.