Where to cancel depends on which device and store you used to buy the subscription
You cancel most app subscriptions through the same store where you bought them — Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or the app's own website. The store you used is the one that charges your card each month, so that is where you go to stop the charges. If you bought through your phone, you cancel on your phone. If you bought on a computer, you may need to cancel there too, depending on the app.
The app itself usually cannot cancel your subscription, even though it is their app. Deleting the app from your phone does not cancel it either — your card will keep getting charged. You have to go into the store's subscription settings and turn it off there.
Key Takeaways
- Cancelling an app subscription requires going to the store where you bought it (Apple App Store, Google Play, or the app's website), not deleting the app or contacting the app maker.
- On iPhone and iPad, open Settings, tap your name, select Subscriptions, find the app, and tap Cancel Subscription.
- On Android phones, open Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, go to Payments and Subscriptions, select Subscriptions, find the app, and tap Cancel.
- On a computer, you can cancel Apple subscriptions through your account settings or cancel Google Play subscriptions through your Google Account.
- Some apps let you cancel directly on their website, but you should check the store first to make sure the subscription actually stops.
Cancelling subscriptions on iPhone and iPad
Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap your name at the top of the screen (the one that shows your Apple ID). Tap Subscriptions. You will see a list of all active subscriptions tied to your Apple account. Find the app you want to cancel and tap it.
Tap Cancel Subscription. A confirmation screen will appear asking if you are sure. Tap Confirm. The subscription stops when ready, but you keep access to the app until your current billing period ends. After that date, the app will stop working unless you renew.
If you do not see Subscriptions in your Apple ID menu, you may be on an older version of iOS. Go to Settings, tap iTunes & App Store instead, tap your Apple ID at the top, then tap View Apple ID. Tap Subscriptions and follow the same steps.
Cancelling subscriptions on Android phones
Open the Google Play Store app. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Tap Payments and Subscriptions, then tap Subscriptions. You will see all active subscriptions on your Google account. Tap the subscription you want to cancel.
Tap Cancel Subscription. Google will ask you to confirm and may show you a reason to stay (like a discount offer). Tap Cancel Subscription again to finish. The subscription stops right away, but you keep using the app through the end of your current billing period.
Some Android apps use their own subscription system instead of Google Play. If you do not see the subscription in Google Play, open the app itself, look for Settings or Account, and check whether there is a subscription or membership option there. If the app has its own system, you cancel inside the app.
Cancelling subscriptions on a computer
For Apple subscriptions, go to appleid.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID. Click Subscriptions. Find the app you want to cancel and click the edit button (pencil icon). Click Cancel Subscription and confirm.
For Google Play subscriptions, go to myaccount.google.com, click Payments & subscriptions on the left, then click Manage subscriptions. Find the app and click Cancel subscription. Confirm your choice.
Some apps like Spotify, Netflix, or Hulu let you cancel directly from their website. Log into the app's website, go to Account or Settings, find Subscription or Membership, and look for a Cancel option. However, you should still check the store (Apple or Google) afterward to make sure the subscription actually stopped, because some apps do not sync cancellations when ready.
What happens after you cancel
When you cancel, the subscription stops charging your card on the next billing date. You keep using the app until that date arrives. After your current period ends, the app either stops working or switches to a free version (if one exists). You do not get a refund for the time you have already paid for.
If you cancel by mistake, you can usually resubscribe right away through the same store. Your data inside the app (saved games, preferences, photos) usually stays there even after the subscription ends, so you can pick up where you left off if you resubscribe later. Check the app's own settings to see what it saves.
If the subscription does not stop charging
If your card keeps getting charged after you cancelled, the subscription may not have actually stopped. Go back to the store and check whether it still shows as active. Sometimes the cancellation does not go through the first time.
If it still shows as active, try cancelling again. If it shows as cancelled but you are still being charged, contact the app maker's support team with a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation. Include the date you cancelled and the dates of the charges you want refunded. Keep records of all your messages.
If the app maker does not respond or refuses to refund, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company or bank. Tell them you cancelled the subscription and provide the cancellation confirmation. Your bank can reverse the charges and may close the merchant account if there are many complaints.
Subscriptions that renew automatically
Most app subscriptions renew automatically on the same day each month or year. The store sends you a reminder a few days before the renewal date, usually by email. If you do not cancel by that date, your card gets charged again and a new subscription period begins.
Some apps offer a free trial period (usually 7 to 14 days) before charging you. The free trial still requires a payment method on file. If you do not cancel before the trial ends, you get charged. Set a phone reminder a day or two before the trial ends so you do not forget to cancel if you do not want to keep paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting the app cancel the subscription?
No. Deleting the app from your phone does not stop the subscription or the charges. You must cancel through the store (Apple, Google, or the app's website). The app will keep charging your card even if it is not on your phone anymore.
Can I get a refund after I cancel?
Most stores do not refund the time you already paid for. You keep access through the end of your current billing period, then lose access. If you cancel within a few days of being charged and have a good reason, some app makers will refund one month as a one-time courtesy, but this is not may provide.
What if I cannot find the subscription in the store?
The subscription may be tied to a different account (like a family member's Apple ID or Google account). Check whether you are signed into the right account on your device. If the app has its own website, log in there and look for Account or Subscription settings. Some apps manage subscriptions only on their own site, not through the store.
Will I lose my data if I cancel?
Usually no. Your saved games, photos, preferences, and other data stay in the app even after the subscription ends. If you resubscribe later, your data is still there. However, some apps delete data after a certain period of inactivity, so check the app's policy if you plan to cancel for a long time.
Can I pause a subscription instead of cancelling it?
Some apps offer a pause or freeze option that stops charges for a set time without cancelling. Check the subscription settings in the store or in the app itself to see if this option exists. If not, you have to cancel and resubscribe later if you want to use the app again.