How to cancel Game Pass on your account

You can cancel Game Pass through your Microsoft account settings on any device with internet access. The cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle — you keep access until that date, then your subscription stops. Microsoft does not offer refunds for the unused portion of a month you have already paid for.

The fastest route is through the Xbox app on Windows or the Xbox console itself. On a console, go to Settings, then Account, then Subscriptions, find Game Pass, and select Cancel subscription. On Windows, open the Xbox app, go to Settings, select Subscriptions, find Game Pass, and choose Manage. On the web, sign into your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com, go to Subscriptions, locate Game Pass, and select Manage.

You will see your current billing date and the date your access ends if you cancel. Confirm the cancellation, and you are done. You do not need to contact support unless the button does not appear or you see an error message.

Key Takeaways

  • Game Pass cancellation is available through the Xbox app, Xbox console settings, or your Microsoft account online — all three routes take about two minutes.
  • Your subscription ends on your next billing date, not when ready, so you retain access to all games until that date arrives.
  • Microsoft does not refund unused time in your current billing period, so cancelling mid-month means you lose that portion of your payment.
  • If you cancel and then change your mind before your billing date, you can reactivate Game Pass through the same menu without losing your save data.

Where to find the cancel button on each device

On an Xbox Series X, Series S, or Xbox One, the path is consistent across all models. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide, then navigate to Profile & system, Account, Subscriptions, Game Pass, and select Cancel subscription. The menu will show your current billing date and ask you to confirm.

On Windows 10 or Windows 11, open the Xbox app from your Start menu. Select the profile icon in the top right, go to Settings, then Subscriptions. Find Game Pass in the list, select it, and choose Manage subscription. From there, select Cancel.

On any web browser, go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with the Microsoft account tied to your Game Pass. Select Subscriptions from the left menu, find Game Pass, and select Manage. The page will show your renewal date and a Cancel option.

On iPhone or Android, you cannot cancel Game Pass through the mobile app itself. Instead, use a web browser on your phone to visit account.microsoft.com, or cancel through the Xbox app on a console or Windows PC.

What happens to your games and save data after cancellation

Your game library disappears from your console or PC on the day your subscription ends. You cannot launch any Game Pass titles after that date, even if you own them on disc or purchased them separately. Your save files remain on your device, so if you reactivate Game Pass later or buy a game outright, your progress is still there.

Games you purchased with your own money (not through Game Pass) stay playable forever. Game Pass is a rental service, not a purchase, so the games themselves are not yours to keep. If you want to keep playing a specific title after cancellation, you can buy it separately through the Microsoft Store or another retailer.

Avoiding accidental reactivation and managing auto-renewal

Game Pass is set to auto-renew by default. When you cancel, you are turning off that auto-renewal, so your subscription will not charge you again after your current period ends. You do not need to do anything else to prevent future charges.

If you see a charge after your cancellation date, it means the cancellation did not go through. This sometimes happens if there is a payment method issue or if the system did not register your request. Check your Microsoft account subscriptions page again to confirm the status. If Game Pass still shows as active, repeat the cancellation steps. If it shows as cancelled but you were still charged, contact Microsoft Support through account.microsoft.com/billing to request a refund.

Reactivating Game Pass if you change your mind

You can turn Game Pass back on at any time before or after your subscription ends. If you cancel and then reactivate before your billing date, you straightforward resume your subscription with no gap. If you reactivate after your subscription has ended, a new billing cycle begins on the day you reactivate.

To reactivate, go back to the same menu where you cancelled — Subscriptions in your Microsoft account, or Subscriptions in the Xbox app — and select Renew or Reactivate next to Game Pass. You will be charged on your next billing date, which is typically 30 days from reactivation for a monthly plan.

Game Pass tiers and which one you are cancelling

Microsoft offers three versions of Game Pass: Game Pass for Console (Xbox only), Game Pass for PC (Windows only), and Game Pass Ultimate (both console and PC, plus Xbox Live Gold). Each subscription is separate, so if you pay for more than one, you must cancel each one individually.

Check your Microsoft account subscriptions page to see which versions you are paying for. If you only want to cancel one tier — for example, keeping PC but cancelling Console — you can do that. Cancel only the one you no longer want, and the others will continue to renew.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?

No. Microsoft does not refund unused time in your current billing period. If you cancel on the 15th of a 30-day month, you lose the remaining 15 days of payment. You keep access until your next billing date, but you do not get money back for the time you do not use.

Will my save files disappear when I cancel?

No. Your save files stay on your console or PC even after Game Pass ends. If you reactivate Game Pass or buy the game separately later, your progress is still there. The only thing that disappears is your ability to launch Game Pass titles.

What if the cancel button does not show up?

This usually means you are signed into the wrong Microsoft account, or there is a payment issue on the account. Make sure you are signed into the account that actually pays for Game Pass. If the button still does not appear, try a different device or web browser. If it still does not work, contact Microsoft Support through account.microsoft.com/billing.

Do I lose Xbox Live Gold when I cancel Game Pass Ultimate?

No. Game Pass Ultimate includes Xbox Live Gold, but cancelling Game Pass Ultimate does not automatically cancel your Gold membership if you have a separate Gold subscription. Check your subscriptions page to see if you have both. If you only have Gold through Ultimate, you will lose Gold access when Ultimate ends.

Can I cancel Game Pass on my phone?

You cannot cancel through the Xbox app on phone, but you can use any web browser on your phone to visit account.microsoft.com and cancel there. The steps are the same as on a computer — sign in, go to Subscriptions, find Game Pass, and select Cancel.