Cancel during the free trial period through Settings
Open Settings on your iPhone, then tap your name at the top. Select Subscriptions, find the trial you want to cancel, and tap it. You will see a Cancel Subscription button — tap it and confirm. The app will ask why you're canceling, but you can skip that step. Your subscription ends on the date shown, and you won't be charged.
The key is timing: you must cancel before the free trial ends. Once the trial period closes, your payment method gets charged automatically. If you've already been charged, you can still request a refund through the same menu by tapping Report a Problem, though Apple approves refunds only if you ask within a few days of the charge.
Keep the date your trial ends somewhere visible — your phone's calendar, a note, or a reminder app. Free trials often run 7 or 14 days, and it's straightforward to forget the exact cutoff. If you miss it by a day, contact the app developer or Apple Support to ask about a refund.
Key Takeaways
- Cancel a free trial by going to Settings, tapping your name, selecting Subscriptions, finding the trial, and tapping Cancel Subscription before the trial period ends.
- Once you cancel, the subscription stops on the date shown in Settings — you won't be charged even if the app still works until that date.
- If you're already charged after the trial ends, you can request a refund through Settings by tapping Report a Problem, but only within a few days of the charge.
- Set a phone reminder for a few days before your trial ends so you don't forget to cancel if you don't want to continue paying.
Why the free trial still works after you cancel
When you cancel a free trial, the app doesn't stop working when ready. You keep access until the trial period officially ends — that's the date shown next to Cancel Subscription in Settings. This is normal and not a mistake. Apple's system is designed this way so you get the full trial period you signed up for, even after you've decided not to pay.
Some people cancel and then worry the app will suddenly lock them out. It won't. You can use the app normally until the end date arrives. After that date passes, the app either stops working or shows a paywall asking you to subscribe again.
If you can't find Subscriptions in Settings
On older iPhones or if you're using an older version of iOS, the path is slightly different. Go to Settings, tap iTunes & App Store (not your name), then tap your Apple ID at the top. Select View Apple ID, then Subscriptions. The rest of the steps are the same.
If you still don't see your subscription listed, the trial might have been purchased through the app itself rather than through Apple. In that case, open the app, look for an account or settings menu inside the app, and find the cancellation option there. Some apps handle their own subscriptions instead of routing through Apple's system.
Canceling a trial you started on a website
If you signed up for a free trial on a website using your iPhone's browser, the cancellation process depends on which company runs the service. You usually need to log into your account on their website, find a subscriptions or billing page, and cancel from there. This is not handled through Apple Settings.
Check your email for a confirmation message from the company when you signed up — it often includes a link to manage your subscription. If you can't find the confirmation, go to the company's website, log in, and look for Account, Billing, or Subscriptions in the menu. Some companies make this harder to find than others, but it's always there somewhere.
What happens if you cancel too late
If your free trial ended and you were charged before you canceled, you have a window to request your money back. Open Settings, go to Subscriptions, tap the subscription you were charged for, and select Report a Problem. Explain that you didn't mean to be charged and ask for a refund. Apple reviews these requests and usually approves them if you ask within a few days of the charge.
Don't wait weeks to ask — the longer you wait, the less likely Apple is to refund you. If Apple denies your refund request, you can contact the app developer directly through the app's support page or website. Some developers will refund you even if Apple won't.
Setting reminders so you don't forget
The easiest way to avoid being charged is to set a reminder on your phone a few days before the trial ends. Open the Reminders app, create a new reminder with the name of the app and "cancel free trial," and set it for three days before the end date. When the reminder pops up, you'll have time to cancel without rushing.
You can also write the end date in your phone's calendar app. Some people take a screenshot of the Settings screen showing the trial end date and keep it in their photos so they have proof of when they were supposed to cancel if they need to dispute a charge later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a free trial and start it again later?
No. Once you cancel a free trial, you can't restart it. If you want to use the service again, you'll have to pay the regular subscription price. Some apps offer a second trial after a long gap, but this is rare and not may provide.
Will the app delete my data if I cancel the trial?
Usually no, but it depends on the app. Most apps keep your data even after the subscription ends — you just lose access to premium features. Some apps, especially those focused on storage or cloud services, may delete your data if you don't maintain an active subscription. Check the app's privacy policy or support page if you're unsure.
What if I cancel but the app keeps charging me?
Go back to Settings and check that the subscription actually shows as canceled. If it still appears in your Subscriptions list, you didn't complete the cancellation — tap it again and make sure you see the confirmation. If it's truly canceled but you're still being charged, contact Apple Support through the Settings app or the Apple Support website.
Can I cancel a free trial on my computer instead of my iPhone?
Yes. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, select Subscriptions, find the trial, and click Edit. You can cancel from there just like you would on your phone. The subscription will cancel on both devices since they use the same Apple ID.
Do I need to delete the app after canceling the trial?
No. Deleting the app doesn't cancel the subscription — you have to cancel through Settings first. If you delete the app without canceling, you'll still be charged when the trial ends. If you want to remove the app, cancel the subscription first, then delete the app.