You can cancel Microsoft 365 directly through your Microsoft account, and the process takes about five minutes

Microsoft 365 subscriptions renew automatically each month or year, depending on your plan. To stop the charges, you need to turn off the automatic renewal in your account settings — straightforward deleting the apps or stopping use will not stop the billing. The cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period, so you keep access to the software until that date arrives.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you pay Microsoft directly or through a third party like Apple, Google, or Amazon. If you are unsure where your subscription came from, check your credit card or bank statement for the charge source, then follow the matching set of instructions below.

Key Takeaways

  • Cancelling through Microsoft.com takes about five minutes and stops charges at the end of your current billing cycle, not when ready.
  • If you subscribed through Apple, Google Play, or Amazon, you must cancel through that platform instead — Microsoft cannot process the cancellation for you.
  • You will keep access to Microsoft 365 apps until your paid period ends, even after you cancel.
  • Check your receipt or credit card statement to find where the charge originates before you start the cancellation process.

Cancelling a subscription you pay Microsoft directly

Sign in to your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com. Click "Subscriptions" in the left menu, then find Microsoft 365 in the list and click it. You will see a button that says "Manage subscription" — click that button.

On the subscription details page, scroll down until you see "Turn off recurring billing" or "Cancel subscription." Click that option. Microsoft will ask you to confirm and may offer you a discount to keep the subscription — you can decline and proceed with the cancellation. After you confirm, the automatic renewal stops. Your access continues until the end of your current billing period (the date shown on the subscription page), and then the subscription ends.

Cancelling a subscription through Apple, Google, or Amazon

If your Microsoft 365 charge appears on an Apple bill, Google Play bill, or Amazon bill, you must cancel through that platform. Microsoft cannot cancel subscriptions purchased through these services, and contacting Microsoft support will only redirect you back to the original seller.

Through Apple (iPhone, iPad, or Mac): Open the Settings app, tap your name at the top, select "Subscriptions," find Microsoft 365, and tap "Cancel Subscription." On a Mac, open System Settings, click your name, select "Subscriptions," find Microsoft 365, and click the minus button.

Through Google Play: Open the Google Play app on an Android device, tap your profile icon in the top right, select "Payments and subscriptions," then "Subscriptions." Find Microsoft 365, tap it, and select "Cancel subscription."

Through Amazon: Go to amazon.com, click "Account & Lists" in the top right, select "Your Account," then "Memberships and Subscriptions." Find Microsoft 365 and click "Cancel subscription."

What happens after you cancel

You will receive a confirmation email from Microsoft (or from Apple, Google, or Amazon, depending on where you cancelled). Keep this email as proof that the cancellation went through. The confirmation will include the date your access ends — this is the last day you can use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft 365 apps.

After that date, you will no longer be able to edit documents in Microsoft 365 apps. You can still view files you created, but you cannot make changes. If you want to keep your documents, read them or save them to OneDrive before your access ends. Microsoft will not delete your files, but you will need a different way to edit them (such as the free online versions at Office.com).

If the cancellation does not go through

Sometimes the cancellation page does not load, or you see an error message. If this happens, try using a different web browser (Chrome instead of Safari, for example) or clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try again. If you still cannot cancel online, you can contact Microsoft support by phone or chat.

Go to support.microsoft.com, search for "cancel subscription," and you will see a link to start a chat or schedule a call. Have your account email and the last four digits of your payment method ready. Microsoft support can cancel the subscription for you if the online process is broken, though they may ask why you are cancelling.

Stopping charges if you cannot reach the cancellation page

If you have tried multiple times and cannot access the cancellation tool, you have another option: contact your bank or credit card company and ask them to block future charges from Microsoft. This is called a "chargeback prevention" or "stop payment" request. Your bank can usually do this within one business day.

Tell your bank the merchant name (Microsoft Corporation), the amount of the charge, and that you have cancelled the subscription but the charges continue. Your bank will flag the account and may issue you a new card number. This method works but can take longer than cancelling directly, and Microsoft may send the account to collections if they do not see the cancellation on their end — so contact Microsoft support as well to document that you tried to cancel.

Reactivating Microsoft 365 later

If you cancel and then change your mind within 30 days, you can reactivate the subscription through your Microsoft account. Go to account.microsoft.com, click "Subscriptions," find the cancelled Microsoft 365 subscription, and look for a "Reactivate" button. This restores your subscription at the same price you were paying before.

After 30 days, the subscription is permanently deleted from your account. If you want Microsoft 365 again, you will need to purchase a new subscription. Prices and available plans may have changed since you cancelled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I get a refund if I cancel in the middle of my billing cycle?

Microsoft does not refund the unused portion of your subscription. Your access continues until the end of the period you already paid for, but you will not receive money back. If you paid for a full year and cancel after one month, you keep access for the remaining 11 months but do not get a refund.

What if I subscribed through my work or school?

If your Microsoft 365 subscription came through your employer or school, you cannot cancel it yourself. Contact your IT department or the person who manages your account. They control the subscription and can remove your access or downgrade your plan.

Can I pause my subscription instead of cancelling?

Microsoft does not offer a pause feature for Microsoft 365. Your only options are to keep paying or to cancel. If you think you might return, cancellation is reversible for 30 days, so you can reactivate without losing your account.

Do I need to uninstall Microsoft 365 from my computer after I cancel?

You do not have to uninstall it, but you will not be able to use it after your access ends. The apps will open but will show a message that your subscription has expired. Uninstalling frees up storage space on your device, but it is not required.

What if I see a charge after I cancelled?

Check the date of the charge against your cancellation confirmation email. If the charge is dated after your access end date, contact Microsoft support with your confirmation email and the charge details. If the charge is before your end date, it is the final billing cycle you already paid for and is not an error.