The fastest way to cancel depends on how you signed up
Most subscriptions can be cancelled through your account settings on the company's website or app, usually under a section called "Billing", "Account", or "Subscriptions". If you signed up through a third party — like Apple's App Store, Google Play, Amazon, or PayPal — you cancel there instead, not on the company's own site. The company that charged you is the one that can stop the charges.
Before you cancel, check whether you're in a contract period or trial. Some subscriptions lock you in for a set time and charge a cancellation fee if you leave early. Others let you cancel anytime. Reading the terms when you signed up tells you which applies, but if you've lost that email, the company's cancellation page usually states the terms again.
Cancellation is usually when ready — the charges stop right away — but the timing of your final bill depends on your billing cycle. If you're billed monthly on the 15th and you cancel on the 10th, you'll still be charged on the 15th for that month. If you cancel after being charged, you may be able to request a refund for the unused portion, though policies vary.
Key Takeaways
- Cancel through the same place you signed up: the company's website or app if you paid them directly, or through Apple, Google, Amazon, or PayPal if you subscribed through one of those platforms.
- Check your original confirmation email or the company's terms to see whether you're locked into a contract period or can cancel anytime.
- Cancellation stops future charges when ready, but your final bill depends on when your next billing date falls.
- Keep your cancellation confirmation email as proof the subscription ended, in case charges continue by mistake.
- If you're charged after cancelling, contact the company's customer service with your confirmation number to request a refund.
Cancelling a subscription you pay for directly
Log into your account on the company's website or open their app. Look for a menu or settings area — common labels are "Account", "My Account", "Settings", "Billing", "Subscriptions", or "Membership". Click or tap into that section.
Find the subscription you want to cancel. The page usually shows your plan name, the amount you're charged, and how often you're billed. Next to it, there should be a button or link that says "Cancel", "Cancel Subscription", "Pause", or "Manage". Click that button.
The company may ask you why you're cancelling or offer you a discount to stay. You can skip these questions or answer them — either way, you'll reach a final confirmation step. Read it carefully to make sure you're cancelling the right subscription, then confirm. You should see a message saying your subscription has been cancelled, and you'll receive a confirmation email within a few minutes.
Cancelling a subscription through Apple, Google, Amazon, or PayPal
If you signed up through the Apple App Store, open the App Store app on your iPhone or iPad, tap your profile picture in the top right, then tap "Subscriptions". Find the subscription you want to cancel and tap "Manage". Tap "Cancel Subscription" and confirm. On a Mac, open the App Store, click your account name in the top right, then click "Account Settings", find "Subscriptions", and follow the same steps.
If you signed up through Google Play on an Android phone, open the Google Play app, tap your profile picture, tap "Payments and subscriptions", then "Subscriptions". Select the subscription and tap "Cancel subscription". Confirm the cancellation.
If you signed up through Amazon, go to Amazon.com, click "Account & Lists" in the top right, then "Your Account". Click "Memberships and Subscriptions" and find the subscription you want to cancel. Click "Manage Subscription" or "Cancel Subscription" and confirm.
If you signed up through PayPal, log into PayPal.com, click the gear icon in the top right, then "Settings". Click "Payments" on the left, then "Manage automatic payments". Find the subscription and click "Cancel". PayPal will ask you to confirm.
What happens after you cancel
Your subscription stops at the end of your current billing period. If you're billed monthly and you cancel on the 10th but your billing date is the 15th, you'll be charged one more time on the 15th. After that charge posts, no more charges will occur.
You'll lose access to the service on the date your subscription ends, not the date you cancelled. Some companies give you access through the end of the day your billing period ends; others cut it off at midnight. Check your confirmation email or the company's cancellation page to see the exact date you lose access.
Save your cancellation confirmation email. If the company charges you again after the subscription ends, you'll need the confirmation number or email as proof that you cancelled. Most companies will refund an erroneous charge if you show them the confirmation.
If charges continue after you cancel
Check your bank or credit card statement to confirm the charge date and amount. Then contact the company's customer service with your confirmation number from the cancellation email. Explain that you cancelled on a specific date and were charged after that. Most companies will issue a refund within 5 to 10 business days.
If the company doesn't respond or refuses to refund, contact your bank or credit card company. You can dispute the charge as unauthorized, and your bank can reverse it. Keep your cancellation confirmation email and any customer service responses as documentation.
If you signed up through Apple, Google, Amazon, or PayPal and charges continue, contact that platform's customer service instead of the subscription company. Apple, Google, Amazon, and PayPal handle the billing, so they're the ones who can stop it and issue refunds.
Pausing instead of cancelling
Some subscriptions offer a pause option instead of cancellation. Pausing temporarily stops your charges and access for a set period — usually 1 to 3 months — then automatically resumes. Cancellation ends the subscription permanently.
Pause is useful if you want to keep your account and settings but don't need the service right now. When you resume, your preferences, saved content, and payment method are still there. With cancellation, you'd have to set everything up again if you signed up later.
Check the cancellation page to see if pause is an option. If it is, you'll see both "Pause Subscription" and "Cancel Subscription" buttons. Choose based on whether you think you'll return to the service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund for the month I cancel in?
It depends on the company's policy. Most subscriptions charge you for the full month even if you cancel partway through, and they don't refund the unused portion. Some companies do offer prorated refunds if you cancel within a few days of being charged. Check the company's refund policy on their cancellation page or contact customer service to ask.
What if I can't find the cancel button?
Try searching the company's help center or FAQ for "cancel subscription" or "how to cancel". If that doesn't work, contact customer service directly — most companies have a chat, email, or phone option. Have your account email and subscription details ready. Customer service can cancel for you if you can't do it yourself.
Will cancelling hurt my credit score?
No. Cancelling a subscription has no effect on your credit score. Your credit is only affected by loans, credit cards, and other formal credit accounts. Subscriptions don't appear on your credit report.
Can the company charge me again if I cancel?
A legitimate company should not charge you after you cancel. If it does, contact them with your cancellation confirmation and request a refund. If they don't respond, dispute the charge with your bank or credit card company. Keep your cancellation email as proof.
Do I need to delete the app after I cancel?
No. Deleting the app doesn't cancel the subscription — you have to cancel through your account settings first. Keeping the app installed won't cause charges to continue. You can delete it whenever you want, but it's not necessary to stop the billing.