Where to cancel depends on which app store you use

Most app subscriptions live in your phone's app store, not in the app itself. On iPhone, you cancel through the Apple App Store. On Android, you cancel through Google Play. On a computer, you cancel through whichever store sold you the subscription — usually Apple, Google, Microsoft, or Amazon. The app itself almost never has a cancel button, even though that would be simpler.

Before you cancel, write down the app name and the date your next charge is due. You can find the charge date in your app store account, and you will need it to confirm the cancellation worked. Cancellations take effect on your next billing date, not when ready — if you are charged today and cancel tomorrow, you still have access until the next charge date arrives.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone subscriptions cancel in Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions, not in the app itself.
  • Android subscriptions cancel in Google Play > Account > Subscriptions, and the process is the same whether you used a phone or a web browser to buy.
  • Computer subscriptions bought through Microsoft Store, Amazon Appstore, or Apple's Mac App Store each have their own cancellation page.
  • Cancellation takes effect on your next billing date, so you keep access until then even after you cancel.
  • If a charge goes through after you cancel, contact the app store's support team with your cancellation confirmation as proof.

Canceling subscriptions on iPhone

Open Settings on your iPhone. Tap your name at the top of the screen, then tap Subscriptions. You will see a list of every active subscription tied to your Apple ID. Tap the subscription you want to cancel.

On the subscription details page, tap Cancel Subscription at the bottom. Apple will ask you to confirm and may show you a discount offer to keep you subscribed — you can ignore this and tap Cancel Subscription again. You will see a message saying your subscription ends on a specific date. That date is your last day of access. Screenshot this confirmation or write down the date.

If you bought the subscription through an app on your iPhone but the app is no longer installed, you can still cancel it this way. The subscription lives in your Apple ID account, not on the phone itself.

Canceling subscriptions on Android

Open Google Play on your Android phone. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner, then tap Payments and Subscriptions, then tap Subscriptions. You will see a list of every active subscription. Tap the one you want to cancel.

Tap Cancel Subscription, then confirm by tapping Cancel Subscription again. Google will show you the date your access ends. Write this date down or take a screenshot. If you bought the subscription through a web browser instead of the Google Play app, you can cancel the same way — Google Play tracks all subscriptions tied to your account regardless of where you bought them.

Some subscriptions, particularly those for games or streaming services, may ask you to cancel inside the app instead of through Google Play. If you see a message saying you cannot cancel in Google Play, open the app and look for a Settings or Account menu. Most apps have a cancel option buried there, though it may be labeled Manage Subscription or Billing.

Canceling subscriptions on Windows or Mac

If you bought an app subscription on a Windows computer through the Microsoft Store, open the Microsoft Store app, click your profile icon in the top right, then click App Subscriptions. Click the subscription you want to cancel, then click Cancel. Microsoft will confirm the cancellation date.

If you bought through the Mac App Store on a Mac computer, open System Settings, click your name at the top of the sidebar, click Media & Purchases, then click Manage. You will see your subscriptions listed. Click Edit next to the one you want to cancel, then click Cancel Subscription. Apple will show you the final access date.

If you bought through Amazon Appstore on a Fire tablet or Fire TV, go to amazon.com on any web browser, click Account & Lists, click Your Account, click Login & Security, scroll down to Apps and Devices, click Manage Your Content and Devices, click the Subscriptions tab, find the subscription, and click Actions, then Cancel Subscription.

What happens after you cancel

Your access continues until the next billing date. If your subscription renews on the 15th and you cancel on the 10th, you can use the app until the 15th. After that date, the app will either stop working or show a message asking you to resubscribe.

Some apps let you keep using them in a limited way after the subscription ends — for example, a note-taking app might let you read old notes but not create new ones. Other apps lock completely. This depends on how the app developer designed it.

If you are charged after the cancellation date, the app store made an error. Contact Apple Support, Google Play Support, Microsoft Support, or Amazon Support depending on where you bought it. Have your cancellation confirmation date ready. They can refund the charge and investigate why it went through.

Finding subscriptions you forgot about

Many people have subscriptions they no longer use. Check your app store account at least once a year. On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions and look for anything you do not recognize or no longer want. On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile icon, tap Payments and Subscriptions, then tap Subscriptions. On a Mac, go to System Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > Manage. On Windows, open the Microsoft Store and click your profile icon, then App Subscriptions.

If you see a subscription you do not remember buying, it may have been a free trial that converted to a paid subscription. Some apps start charging automatically after the trial ends without sending a reminder. Cancel it when ready, and if you were charged without your knowledge, contact the app store support team and ask about a refund.

Subscriptions that require you to cancel inside the app

A few subscription services, particularly dating apps and some fitness apps, require you to cancel through the app itself rather than through the app store. If you try to cancel in the app store and see a message saying you cannot, open the app and look for Settings, Account, Billing, or Subscription Management. The cancel button is usually there, though sometimes buried several menus deep.

If you cannot find a cancel option in the app, look for a Help or Contact Us section and send a message asking how to cancel. Keep a copy of your request and their response. If they do not respond or refuse to cancel, contact the app store support team and explain that the app will not let you cancel. The app store can force the cancellation on their end.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose access when ready after I cancel?

No. You keep access until your next billing date. If you are charged on the 20th of each month and you cancel on the 5th, you can use the app until the 20th. After that date, the subscription ends and you lose access unless you resubscribe.

Can I get a refund for the subscription I just paid for?

It depends on how long ago you were charged. Apple and Google both offer refunds if you ask within a few days of the charge. Contact the app store support team, explain that you want to cancel and request a refund, and include your order number. They will review your request, though they are not required to approve it.

What if the app store says I have no active subscriptions but I am still being charged?

The charge may be coming from a different app store or account. Check that you are logged into the correct account — if you have multiple Apple IDs or Google accounts, the subscription might be under a different one. If you still cannot find it, contact the app store support team with a screenshot of the charge from your bank or credit card statement.

Can I pause a subscription instead of canceling it?

Some apps offer a pause or pause billing option, but most do not. Check the subscription details page in your app store to see if the option is available. If it is not, your only choice is to cancel and resubscribe later if you want to use the app again.

What if I cancel but the app keeps asking me to subscribe?

The app may not have synced with the app store yet. Close the app completely and reopen it. If it still asks you to subscribe, restart your phone. If the problem continues after a restart, contact the app developer through the app store support page and describe the issue.