How to cancel an app subscription
The steps to cancel an app subscription depend on which platform you use and where you set up the subscription. Most subscriptions run through Apple's App Store, Google Play, or the app developer's own website. You cancel where you subscribed, not in the app itself. If you subscribed through your phone, you cancel on your phone. If you subscribed on a website, you cancel there. Cancellation usually takes seconds, but the timing of your refund depends on when in your billing cycle you cancel.
Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period, so you keep access until then even after you cancel. You will not be charged again after you cancel, and the subscription will not renew on your next billing date.
Key Takeaways
- You cancel app subscriptions through the platform where you subscribed—Apple App Store, Google Play, or the app developer's website—not through the app itself.
- On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions to see all active subscriptions and cancel any of them when ready.
- On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile icon, select Manage Subscriptions, and tap the subscription you want to cancel.
- If you subscribed through a website, log into your account on that website and look for a Subscriptions, Billing, or Account Settings section.
- Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period, so you keep access until then even after you cancel.
Cancelling on iPhone through the App Store
Open the Settings app on your iPhone. 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 cancel.
On the subscription details screen, tap Cancel Subscription at the bottom. A confirmation screen will appear asking why you are cancelling—this is optional feedback for Apple. Tap Cancel Subscription again to confirm. Your subscription will end at the end of your current billing period, and you will see a message saying "Expires on [date]" on the subscription details page.
If you do not see the Cancel Subscription button, the subscription may already be cancelled or may be managed elsewhere. Check the app developer's website or your email receipts to confirm where the subscription was set up.
Cancelling on Android through Google Play
Open the Google Play app on your Android phone. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner, then tap Manage Subscriptions. You will see all subscriptions linked to your Google account. Tap the subscription you want to cancel.
On the subscription details page, tap Cancel Subscription. Google will show you a confirmation screen with details about when your access ends. Tap Cancel Subscription again to confirm. Your subscription will remain active through the end of your current billing period, after which it will stop renewing.
Some subscriptions may show a Pause Subscription option instead of Cancel. Pausing temporarily stops renewal without fully cancelling, and you can resume later. If you want to fully cancel, select Cancel Subscription instead.
Cancelling subscriptions set up on a website
If you subscribed directly through an app developer's website rather than through Apple or Google, you must cancel there as well. Log into your account on the app's website using your email and password. Look for a section called Subscriptions, Billing, Account Settings, or My Account.
Once you find your subscription, look for a Cancel, Unsubscribe, or Downgrade option. Click it and follow the prompts to confirm cancellation. Some websites offer a pause option or a chance to switch to a cheaper plan before you cancel—read the screen carefully to choose what you want. After you cancel, you should receive a confirmation email from the app developer. Keep this email for your records. If you do not receive one within a few hours, log back in to confirm the cancellation went through.
What happens after you cancel
Cancelling a subscription does not end your access when ready. You keep full access to the app and all its features until the end of your current billing period. For example, if you pay monthly and cancel on the 15th of the month, you keep access until the end of that month. After that date, the app will either stop working or show a message asking you to subscribe again.
You will not be charged again after you cancel. The subscription will not renew on your next billing date. If you were charged for a subscription you did not want, contact the app developer or your payment method's customer service to ask about a refund—refund policies vary by developer and by how long ago you were charged.
If you cannot find the cancel button
Some subscriptions are harder to find than others. If you cannot locate a subscription in your phone's settings, check your email for receipts from the app developer. The receipt usually contains a link to manage your subscription or instructions on where to cancel.
You can also search your phone's settings for the app name. On iPhone, try Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > Subscriptions. On Android, open Google Play, search for the app name, and tap it to see if a subscription option appears on the app's store page. If the subscription was set up through a third-party service like Patreon, Substack, or a fitness platform, you may need to cancel through that service's website instead. Check your email receipts to see which company charged you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I get a refund if I cancel in the middle of my billing cycle?
Most app subscriptions do not offer refunds for partial months. You keep access through the end of your billing period, but you will not receive money back for the unused portion. Some app developers offer refunds within 48 hours of purchase if you cancel when ready—check the app's refund policy on its store page or website.
Can I pause a subscription instead of cancelling it?
Some apps offer a pause option that temporarily stops charging you without fully cancelling. Paused subscriptions usually resume automatically after a set period, like 30 days. Check your subscription details page to see if pause is available. If it is, you can pause instead of cancel and resume later without losing your account or settings.
What if I was charged after I cancelled?
If you were charged after cancelling, contact the app developer's customer service first—they can often issue a refund directly. If they refuse, contact your payment method (credit card company, PayPal, Apple, or Google) and report the charge as unauthorized. Your bank or payment service can dispute the charge and may refund you.
Do I need to delete the app after cancelling the subscription?
No. Cancelling the subscription and deleting the app are separate actions. You can keep the app on your phone after cancelling—it will straightforward stop working or ask you to subscribe again when you open it. Delete the app only if you want to free up storage space or no longer want it on your device.