Where to find and cancel your Apple subscriptions

You cancel most Apple subscriptions through the same place you set them up: your device settings or the App Store app. The exact steps depend on whether you're on iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch, but the principle is the same — you go to your account settings, find the subscription, and tap or click to cancel. Apple does not charge a cancellation fee, and your access ends on the date your current billing period finishes.

The most common subscriptions you'll manage this way are Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple News+, Apple One bundles, iCloud+ storage plans, and apps you pay for monthly or yearly. You can also cancel subscriptions to third-party apps purchased through the App Store, though some apps have their own cancellation process outside of Apple's system.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your name, select Subscriptions, find the subscription you want to cancel, and tap Cancel Subscription.
  • On Mac, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click your name, select Subscriptions, and click Edit next to the subscription you want to remove.
  • Your access continues until the end of your current billing period — canceling does not cut you off when ready.
  • If you cancel during a free trial, you lose access when the trial ends, not when ready after canceling.
  • Some third-party apps let you cancel through their own website or app settings rather than through Apple's system.

Canceling subscriptions on iPhone and iPad

Open the Settings app and tap your name at the top of the screen. Then tap Subscriptions. You'll see a list of all active subscriptions tied to your Apple ID. Tap the subscription you want to cancel — for example, Apple Music or a third-party app subscription. On the next screen, tap Cancel Subscription. A confirmation message will appear asking why you're canceling (this is optional to answer). Tap Confirm to finish.

After you confirm, Apple sends you an email receipt showing the cancellation. Your subscription remains active through the end of your current billing cycle. If you're in a free trial period, the trial ends on its scheduled date and you won't be charged. If you change your mind before the billing date, you can resubscribe to the same service from the same screen.

Canceling subscriptions on Mac

On a Mac running macOS Ventura or newer, open System Settings and click your name in the sidebar. Click Subscriptions. Find the subscription you want to cancel and click Edit. A menu appears with options including Cancel Subscription — click that option. On older Mac versions running macOS Monterey or earlier, the path is System Preferences > [Your Name] > Subscriptions, and the steps are the same.

Like on iPhone and iPad, your subscription continues through the end of the current billing period. You'll receive an email confirming the cancellation. If you need to cancel multiple subscriptions, you can repeat these steps for each one — there's no limit to how many you can cancel at once.

Canceling subscriptions on Apple Watch

You cannot cancel subscriptions directly on an Apple Watch. Instead, use the Watch app on your paired iPhone. Open the Watch app, go to the Account tab, tap Subscriptions, and follow the same steps as you would in iPhone Settings. Alternatively, you can cancel through iPhone Settings or Mac System Settings as described above, and the change syncs to your Watch automatically.

This approach works because your Apple Watch is linked to your iPhone through the same Apple ID. Any subscription changes you make on your iPhone or Mac appear on your Watch within a few minutes. If you don't have access to your paired iPhone, you can still manage subscriptions through a Mac or another Apple device on the same account.

What happens to your data and access after cancellation

When you cancel, your access to the subscription's content or features ends on the last day of your current billing period. For example, if you subscribe to Apple TV+ on the 15th of each month and cancel on the 20th, you can still watch until the 14th of the next month. After that date, you lose access to the service.

For cloud storage subscriptions like iCloud+, your data remains on Apple's servers for 30 days after your subscription ends. If you don't resubscribe within that window, Apple deletes the data. For app subscriptions, you lose access to premium features but can usually keep using the free version if one exists. Some apps delete your account data when ready upon cancellation — check the app's terms if you're concerned about losing saved progress or settings.

Canceling subscriptions from third-party apps and websites

Some apps let you manage your subscription through their own website or app settings instead of through Apple's system. Spotify, for example, allows you to cancel through your Spotify account online. If you subscribed through the App Store but the app has its own account system, try logging into the app's website first to see if cancellation is an option there.

If you're unsure whether an app uses Apple's subscription system or its own, look at your App Store receipt. If the receipt says "Billed by Apple," you must cancel through Apple's system. If it says "Billed by [App Name]," you may be able to cancel through the app's own website. When in doubt, try canceling through Apple's Subscriptions menu first — if the app uses its own system, you'll see a message directing you elsewhere.

Troubleshooting cancellations that won't go through

If you tap Cancel Subscription but nothing happens, try signing out of your Apple ID and signing back in. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out, wait a few seconds, then sign back in with your password. Then return to Subscriptions and try canceling again.

If you see a subscription you don't recognize or can't cancel, it may be tied to a Family Sharing account. If you're part of a Family Sharing group, the organizer (the person who set up the group) controls some subscriptions. Ask them to cancel it, or leave the Family Sharing group if you want full control of your own subscriptions. If a subscription still won't cancel after these steps, contact Apple Support through the Support app on your device or visit support.apple.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I get a refund if I cancel mid-billing cycle?

No. Apple does not refund the portion of your subscription you haven't used yet. Your access straightforward continues until the end of the current billing period. If you want to avoid being charged again, cancel before the renewal date.

Can I cancel a subscription if I'm still in a free trial?

Yes. Canceling during a free trial stops the subscription from converting to a paid one. Your access ends when the trial period ends, not when ready after you cancel. You won't be charged.

What if I accidentally canceled a subscription I wanted to keep?

You can resubscribe when ready through the same Subscriptions menu. Your access will restart on the date you resubscribe. If you resubscribe before your current period ends, you'll have overlapping coverage and may be charged twice for one billing cycle.

Do I need to cancel before switching to a different payment method?

No. You can update your payment method in Settings > [Your Name] > Payment & Shipping without canceling any subscriptions. Your existing subscriptions will automatically charge to the new payment method on the next billing date.

Why does my subscription still show as active after I canceled?

It's active because you're still in your current billing period. Cancellation takes effect at the end of that period, not when ready. Check your confirmation email to see the exact date your access ends.