How to cancel a PayPal subscription
You can cancel a PayPal subscription through your PayPal account settings in a few steps. Log into PayPal on a computer or phone, go to your account settings, find the subscription under "Subscriptions" or "My Preapproved Payments," and select the option to cancel. PayPal will ask you to confirm, and the cancellation takes effect when ready — you will not be charged again after that date.
The exact steps depend on whether you are using the PayPal website or the mobile app, but both routes lead to the same place. If you subscribed through a merchant's website rather than PayPal directly, you may also be able to cancel from that merchant's account page, though going through PayPal is more reliable.
Key Takeaways
- Log into your PayPal account, navigate to Settings, and select "Subscriptions" or "My Preapproved Payments" to find active subscriptions.
- Click or tap the subscription you want to stop, then select the cancel option and confirm your choice.
- Cancellation takes effect right away, and you will not be charged on your next billing date.
- If you subscribed through a merchant's website, you can sometimes cancel from their account page, but PayPal's method is more direct.
- Keep a record of your cancellation confirmation in case a charge appears after you have cancelled.
Cancelling on the PayPal website
Open PayPal in a web browser and log in with your email and password. Click the gear icon in the top right corner to open Settings, then select "Payments" from the left menu. Look for "Manage preapproved payments" or "Subscriptions" — the label varies depending on your account type and region.
You will see a list of all active subscriptions and preapproved payments. Find the one you want to stop, click on it, and look for a "Cancel" or "Remove" button. PayPal will ask you to confirm the cancellation. Once you confirm, the subscription ends when ready, and no further charges will occur.
Cancelling on the PayPal mobile app
Open the PayPal app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Select "Settings," then tap "Payments." Choose "Manage preapproved payments" or "Subscriptions," depending on what appears in your version of the app.
Tap the subscription you want to cancel, then tap "Cancel Subscription" or "Remove." Confirm your choice when prompted. The cancellation is final, and you will receive a confirmation message in the app. You can also check your email for a cancellation receipt from PayPal.
What happens after you cancel
Once you cancel, PayPal stops the recurring charges when ready. You will not be billed on your next scheduled payment date. If you had a balance due before cancellation, that charge may still go through — cancellation only stops future recurring payments, not past-due amounts.
PayPal sends a cancellation confirmation to the email address on your account. Save this email as proof that you cancelled. If a charge appears after your cancellation date, contact PayPal support with your confirmation email and the transaction details.
Cancelling a subscription set up through a merchant
If you subscribed to a service through a merchant's website (like a streaming service or software company), you have two options. You can cancel directly through that merchant's account settings — most services have a "Manage Subscription" or "Billing" page where you can stop recurring charges.
Alternatively, you can cancel through PayPal by following the steps above. The merchant's method is often faster because it updates their system right away, but PayPal's method works if the merchant's cancellation page is broken or unclear. If you cancel through PayPal but the merchant still charges you, contact the merchant's support team with your PayPal cancellation confirmation.
If you cannot find your subscription
Subscriptions sometimes appear under different names than you remember. Search your email for confirmation messages from PayPal or the merchant — these emails usually contain the exact subscription name and the merchant's name. You can also search your PayPal transaction history for recurring charges to identify which subscription is active.
If you still cannot locate it, log into your PayPal account and check under "Activity" or "History" for recent charges. Look for a pattern of charges on the same date each month. Once you identify the merchant, go back to the Subscriptions page and search for that name. If the subscription does not appear in your PayPal account, contact PayPal support with the merchant name and your transaction history.
Stopping a subscription without cancelling
If you want to pause a subscription temporarily rather than cancel it permanently, check whether the merchant offers a pause or suspension option. Many subscription services let you pause for a set number of days and then resume automatically. This option is usually found in the merchant's account settings, not in PayPal.
PayPal itself does not have a pause feature — you can only cancel or let the subscription continue. If the merchant does not offer a pause option, your only choices are to cancel through PayPal or the merchant's website, or to contact the merchant's support team and ask if they can manually pause your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I get a refund if I cancel mid-billing cycle?
No. Cancelling a subscription stops future charges but does not refund money you have already paid for the current billing period. If you want a refund for the current month, contact the merchant's support team — some offer prorated refunds or credits, but PayPal does not handle refunds for cancelled subscriptions.
Can I cancel a subscription if I do not remember the password?
Yes. Use PayPal's "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset your password, then log in and cancel as normal. If you no longer have access to the email address on your PayPal account, contact PayPal support and they can help you regain access.
What if the merchant keeps charging me after I cancel?
Contact PayPal support and report the unauthorized charge. Provide your cancellation confirmation email and the transaction details. PayPal can dispute the charge and may refund you. You can also contact your bank or credit card company to dispute the charge if PayPal does not resolve it.
Do I need to cancel through both PayPal and the merchant?
No. Cancelling through either PayPal or the merchant's website should stop the charges. However, if one method does not work, try the other. For safety, you can cancel through both, but it is not necessary — one cancellation is enough to stop the subscription.
How long does it take for a cancellation to take effect?
Cancellation takes effect when ready in your PayPal account. You will not be charged on your next billing date. However, if a charge was already processed before you cancelled, it may take a few days to appear in your account, and a refund (if the merchant offers one) may take several business days to post.