Cancel a subscription directly in the App Store app

Open the App Store app on your iPhone or iPad and tap the profile icon in the top right corner. Tap Subscriptions, then find the subscription you want to stop and tap it. On the subscription details screen, tap Cancel Subscription at the bottom. You'll see a confirmation screen asking why you're canceling — this is optional to answer — and then a final Confirm Cancellation button. Tap it, and the subscription ends.

The timing matters: if you cancel before your renewal date, you keep access until that date arrives. If you cancel after renewal but before the next billing date, you lose access when ready. The App Store shows you both dates on the subscription details screen, so you can see exactly what happens when you cancel.

Some subscriptions offer a free trial period. If you cancel during the trial, you won't be charged at all. If you cancel after the trial ends but before the first paid billing date, you still won't be charged — the cancellation takes effect right away.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the App Store app, tap your profile icon, select Subscriptions, find the one you want to cancel, and tap Cancel Subscription.
  • Canceling before your renewal date lets you keep the service until that date; canceling after renewal ends access when ready.
  • If you cancel during a free trial, you are not charged anything.
  • You can also cancel through your iPhone Settings app under your Apple ID, which works the same way.
  • The app itself does not need to be installed on your device to cancel its subscription.

Cancel through Settings instead of the App Store app

If you prefer not to open the App Store app, you can cancel from your device settings. Go to Settings and tap your name at the top. Tap Subscriptions, find the subscription you want to stop, and tap it. Then tap Cancel Subscription and confirm.

This method reaches the exact same cancellation screen as the App Store app, so the result is identical. Some people find it easier to remember because Settings is where they manage other account details. The subscription still appears in your Settings for a few days after cancellation, showing the date your access ends.

What happens after you cancel

Once you cancel, the app may stop working when ready or on your renewal date, depending on when you canceled. Some apps show a message saying your subscription ended and offer a button to renew if you change your mind. You can renew at any time, even years later, and you'll be charged the same price you were paying before.

Your data inside the app — saved games, documents, photos, settings — usually stays on your device even after the subscription ends. The app itself remains installed. When you open it, you'll typically see a message that your subscription expired and a button to renew. Deleting the app does not cancel the subscription, so always cancel first if you don't plan to renew.

Cancel a subscription you no longer recognize

If you see a subscription you don't remember starting, open it and look at the app name and developer. Search for that app name online if you're unsure what it is. Some subscriptions are buried inside apps that seem free — a photo editor, a game, or a utility — and you may have started the subscription without realizing it.

If you're certain you didn't start it, check whether someone else with access to your Apple ID account started it. Family members who share your payment method through Family Sharing can start subscriptions that bill to your account. Ask them directly, or check your Apple ID settings to see who has access. You can remove people from Family Sharing if needed, which also cancels any subscriptions they started on your account.

Refunds for subscriptions you already paid for

If you were charged for a subscription you didn't want, you can request a refund from Apple. Go to Settings, tap your name, tap Subscriptions, find the subscription, and tap it. Scroll down and tap Report a Problem. Describe what happened — for example, "I was charged but did not authorize this subscription" — and submit.

Apple reviews the request and usually responds within a few days. Refunds typically appear back in your original payment method within one to two weeks. If you were charged multiple times, you can report each charge separately. Canceling the subscription stops future charges when ready, but reporting a problem is what gets you money back for charges that already happened.

Subscriptions that renew on different dates

Some subscriptions renew on the date you started them, while others renew on the same day each month or year. The App Store shows your renewal date clearly on the subscription details screen. If you want to cancel before being charged again, make sure you cancel before that date arrives.

If you have multiple subscriptions, they may all renew on different dates. Checking your subscriptions list once a month helps you catch ones you forgot about before they renew. Some people set a phone reminder on the first of each month to review their subscriptions, which takes less than a minute.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose access to the app when ready after canceling?

Not always. If you cancel before your renewal date, you keep access until that date. If you cancel after being charged but before the next renewal date, access ends right away. The subscription details screen shows both dates, so you can see exactly when you'll lose access.

Can I cancel a subscription from a computer?

Yes. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, click Subscriptions, find the one you want to cancel, and click Manage. Then click Cancel Subscription. The process is the same as on your phone, and the cancellation takes effect when ready.

What if the app developer won't let me cancel inside the app?

Some apps have a "Subscribe" button but no "Cancel" button inside the app itself. This is intentional — Apple requires all subscriptions to be cancellable through the App Store or Settings, not through the app. Never give a developer your payment information directly to cancel; always cancel through Apple's system.

Will deleting the app cancel the subscription?

No. Deleting the app does nothing to the subscription. You must cancel through the App Store, Settings, or the Apple ID website. If you delete the app without canceling, you'll still be charged on your renewal date.

Can I get a refund if I cancel right after renewing?

You can request one. Go to Settings, tap your name, tap Subscriptions, find the subscription, and tap Report a Problem. Explain that you were charged and want a refund. Apple reviews these requests and often approves them if you canceled within a few days of renewal, but there's no may provide.