Where to cancel depends on how you signed up
The place you cancel a subscription is almost always the place where you started paying for it. If you signed up through Apple's App Store, you cancel through Apple. If you signed up through Google Play, you cancel through Google Play. If you signed up directly on the app's website or through the app itself using a credit card, you cancel directly with that company.
This matters because the app developer does not control your subscription — the payment platform does. The app is just the thing you use. Your subscription lives in your payment account, not in the app. So opening the app and looking for a "cancel" button often leads nowhere. You have to go where your payment method is stored.
The good news: once you know which platform holds your subscription, cancellation takes about two minutes and costs nothing. You will not be charged again after you cancel, though you usually keep access to the app until your current billing period ends.
Key Takeaways
- Cancel through the same platform where you signed up: Apple App Store, Google Play, the company's website, or the app itself — not by deleting the app.
- On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions to see and cancel Apple subscriptions.
- On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile icon, go to Payments and Subscriptions > Subscriptions, and cancel from there.
- If you signed up on a website or directly in the app with a credit card, look for Account Settings or Billing in the app or log into the website to cancel.
- You keep access to the app through the end of your current billing period after you cancel, but will not be charged again.
Canceling an Apple subscription on iPhone or iPad
Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad. Tap your name at the top of the screen (the Apple ID section). Then tap Subscriptions. You will see a list of all active subscriptions tied to your Apple ID.
Find the subscription you want to cancel and tap it. Tap "Cancel Subscription" at the bottom of the screen. Apple will ask you to confirm — tap "Confirm" or "Stop Subscription" depending on which version of iOS you have. That is it. You will see a message saying your subscription has been canceled, and you will not be charged on your next billing date.
If you see a subscription you do not recognize, the same steps explore. Tap it and cancel it. Apple will not charge you after you cancel, even if the app is still on your phone.
Canceling a Google Play subscription on Android
Open the Google Play app on your Android phone or tablet. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Tap "Payments and Subscriptions." Then tap "Subscriptions."
You will see all subscriptions tied to your Google account. Tap the one you want to cancel. Tap "Cancel Subscription" and confirm. Google will show you the date your access ends — you can use the app until then, but you will not be charged again after that date.
If you are canceling because the app charged you without permission, you can also request a refund from Google Play within 48 hours of the charge. Tap the subscription, scroll down, and look for "Request a refund" or "Report a problem."
Canceling a subscription you signed up for on a website
If you created an account directly on the company's website or signed up in the app using your credit card (not through Apple or Google), you cancel through that company's website or app.
Log into your account on the website or in the app. Look for a section called Account, Settings, Billing, Subscription, or Membership. Inside that section, you should see your active subscription and a button to cancel it. Click or tap that button and follow the prompts to confirm.
If you cannot find a cancel button, look for a Contact Us or Help section and send the company a message asking how to cancel. Include your account email address. Most companies respond within one business day. Do not just stop paying — that can damage your credit and trigger collection attempts. Canceling through the proper channel is always free and takes minutes.
What happens after you cancel
After you cancel, you will not be charged again. You keep access to the app or service through the end of your current billing period. If your subscription renews on the 15th and you cancel on the 10th, you have access until the 15th, then it stops.
Some apps show a message saying "Subscription Canceled" or "Access Ends [Date]" when you open them after canceling. Others do not. Either way, your payment account will not be charged. If you are charged after you cancel, contact the platform (Apple, Google, or the company) and report it as an unauthorized charge.
Deleting the app from your phone does not cancel the subscription. The subscription lives in your payment account, not on your device. You must cancel through the platform to stop being charged.
If you cannot find your subscription
Sometimes a subscription is hard to find because it is listed under a different name than the app uses. For example, an app might be called "Fitness Pro" but the subscription might be billed as "FitnessPro Inc" or under the parent company's name.
On Apple, search your email for receipts from the company. The receipt will show the exact name of the subscription. Then search for that name in your Subscriptions list. On Google Play, do the same — search your email for the charge, then look for that name in your Subscriptions list.
If you still cannot find it, you can contact Apple or Google directly. Apple Support is at support.apple.com. Google Play Support is at support.google.com/googleplay. Both can search your account and help you cancel a subscription you cannot locate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my data if I cancel a subscription?
It depends on the app. Some apps delete your data when your subscription ends. Others keep it but lock you out of premium features. Before you cancel, check the app's settings or help section to see what happens to your account. If the app deletes data, you may want to save or export it first.
Can I get a refund for a subscription I already paid for?
Apple and Google both allow refunds within 48 hours of a charge if you ask. Go to your subscription in Settings (Apple) or Google Play (Android), find the charge, and request a refund. For subscriptions you signed up for directly with a company, contact the company's customer service and ask. Many will refund recent charges if you cancel right away.
What if the app keeps charging me after I canceled?
Contact the platform when ready. On Apple, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions, tap the subscription, and tap "Report an Issue." On Google Play, tap the subscription and select "Report a problem." Describe what happened and ask for a refund. If the platform does not help, contact your bank or credit card company and dispute the charge.
Do I have to cancel before my free trial ends?
Yes. If you do not cancel before the free trial period ends, you will be charged for the first billing cycle. Most apps remind you a few days before the trial ends, but the reminder is not may provide. Mark the end date on your calendar or cancel as soon as you know you do not want to pay.
Can I pause a subscription instead of canceling it?
Some apps offer a pause or freeze option that stops billing for a set time without canceling. Look in your subscription settings to see if this option exists. If it does not, you have to cancel. You can always sign up again later if you want to use the app again.