Cancel Scribd through your account settings

Log into your Scribd account on the website or app, go to your account settings, and select the subscription or billing section. Look for a "Cancel Subscription" or "Manage Subscription" button — the exact wording changes depending on whether you're on web or mobile. Click it, and Scribd will ask you to confirm the cancellation and may offer you a discounted rate to stay. You can decline and proceed with the cancellation.

The cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle, not when ready. If you cancel on the 15th of the month and your renewal date is the 20th, you keep access until the 20th, then lose it. Scribd sends a confirmation email with your cancellation date, so check your inbox or spam folder to verify it went through.

Cancel through your payment method if you can't access your account

If you've forgotten your Scribd password or can't log in, you can stop the charge by contacting your payment provider directly. Call your credit card company, bank, or the platform you used to subscribe (Apple, Google Play, Amazon) and ask them to block recurring charges from Scribd. Provide them with the transaction details from your statement.

This method stops the charge but doesn't formally cancel your Scribd account, so Scribd may still try to bill you or send you notices. After blocking the charge, contact Scribd's support team through their website to formally close the account and avoid future issues.

Key Takeaways

  • Cancellation through your Scribd account settings takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle, not right away.
  • You can block the charge through your credit card company or app store if you cannot access your Scribd account.
  • Scribd sends a confirmation email when you cancel, so check for it to verify the cancellation went through.
  • Blocking the charge through your bank does not formally cancel your account, so contact Scribd support afterward to close it completely.

What happens to your library and downloads after cancellation

Once your subscription ends, you lose access to Scribd's library and cannot read or listen to titles you borrowed through the service. Any books you saved to your library disappear from your account. If you downloaded books to read offline, those files remain on your device and stay readable, but you cannot read new ones after your subscription ends.

Scribd does not refund unused portions of your subscription, even if you cancel mid-cycle. If you paid for a monthly plan and cancel on day 5 of a 30-day cycle, you do not get a refund for the remaining 25 days.

Cancel a free trial before the paid plan starts

If you signed up for a free trial, cancel before the trial period ends to avoid being charged for a paid plan. Log into your account, find your subscription settings, and cancel the same way you would cancel a paid subscription. Scribd will confirm the cancellation date, which should be the last day of your free trial.

Check your confirmation email to see the exact date your access ends. If you cancel on the last day of the trial, you may lose access when ready rather than at the end of the day, so cancel a day or two early if possible.

Reactivate your subscription if you change your mind

You can reactivate a cancelled Scribd subscription by logging back into your account and selecting a plan. Your old library and reading history return, though any books you removed from your library before cancellation stay removed. Reactivation charges you when ready for the new plan, not at the end of a billing cycle.

If your account was closed due to non-payment or a dispute with your payment method, you may need to update your payment information before you can reactivate. Contact Scribd support if you get an error when trying to restart your subscription.

Contact Scribd support if cancellation doesn't go through

If you cancelled your subscription but Scribd continues to charge you, contact their support team through the website or app. Go to the Help section, select "Contact Us," and describe the issue. Include your account email, the date you cancelled, and the dates of any charges that came after cancellation.

Keep records of your cancellation confirmation email and any bank statements showing charges after the cancellation date. Scribd's support team typically responds within a few business days and can issue refunds for charges made after you cancelled if there was an error on their end.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Scribd does not refund unused portions of your subscription. Once you pay for a billing cycle, that payment is non-refundable, even if you cancel the next day. You keep access until the end of that cycle, then lose it.

Will I lose my saved books and highlights when I cancel?

Yes. Your library, saved books, and highlights disappear when your subscription ends. If you downloaded books to read offline before cancelling, those files stay on your device and remain readable, but you cannot access anything through Scribd's service after cancellation.

How long does it take to cancel?

Cancellation is when ready in your account settings, but your access continues until the end of your current billing cycle. The charge stops at renewal, not right away. Scribd sends a confirmation email within a few minutes of cancellation.

What if I subscribed through Apple or Google Play?

You can cancel through Scribd's website the same way, or you can cancel through your app store. Go to your Apple ID or Google Play settings, find Scribd in your subscriptions, and cancel there. Both methods stop the charge at renewal.

Can I pause my subscription instead of cancelling?

Scribd does not offer a pause feature. Your only options are to keep the subscription active or cancel it completely. If you want to stop charges temporarily, you must cancel and reactivate later.