Cancel Xbox Game Pass through your Microsoft account settings

You cancel Xbox Game Pass the same way you manage any Microsoft subscription — through your account page, not through the Xbox app or console. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in with the email and password you use for Xbox, and select "Subscriptions" from the left menu. Find Xbox Game Pass in the list, select it, and choose "Manage subscription." From there, you can cancel when ready or at the end of your current billing cycle.

The exact wording changes slightly depending on whether you have Game Pass for Console, Game Pass for PC, or Game Pass Ultimate (which includes both plus Xbox Live). The cancellation process is identical for all three — the difference is only which subscription name appears in your list. If you have multiple Game Pass subscriptions, you'll see each one separately and can cancel them individually.

Cancellation takes effect when ready if you choose "Cancel now," but you keep access until your current billing period ends. If you choose "Cancel at the end of my billing period," you won't be charged again, but you'll retain access for the remaining time you've already paid for. Either way, you won't lose your game saves or achievements — those stay tied to your Microsoft account.

Key Takeaways

  • Cancel Game Pass at account.microsoft.com under Subscriptions, not through the Xbox app or console settings.
  • You can cancel when ready or wait until your current billing cycle ends, but you keep access through the end of the period you've paid for.
  • Game saves and achievements remain on your account after cancellation and will be there if you resubscribe later.
  • If you subscribed through a third party like Amazon Prime Gaming or a mobile carrier, you must cancel through that service instead of Microsoft.
  • Reactivating Game Pass later uses the same Microsoft account page — there's no penalty for cancelling and returning.

What happens to your games and saves after cancellation

When your Game Pass subscription ends, you lose access to all games included in the service. You cannot play them, launch them, or read new content for them. However, your save files, achievements, and progress stay on your Microsoft account permanently. If you resubscribe to Game Pass later — whether when ready or years later — you'll find everything exactly where you left it.

Games you purchased outright (not through Game Pass) remain playable after cancellation. The same applies to games you own through backward compatibility or Games with Gold. Only the Game Pass catalog itself becomes unavailable. If you want to keep playing a Game Pass game after your subscription ends, you can purchase it at the regular price, and your saves will transfer over.

Cancel Game Pass if you subscribed through a third party

If you signed up for Game Pass through Amazon Prime Gaming, a mobile carrier, or another bundled service, you must cancel through that service, not through Microsoft. Cancelling at Microsoft's website won't stop the charges because the subscription is managed by the third party.

Check your email for the original confirmation of how you subscribed. If it came from Amazon, go to your Prime Gaming settings and remove Game Pass from there. If it came from a carrier like Verizon or T-Mobile, log into your carrier account and cancel the Game Pass add-on. If you're unsure where the subscription came from, check your credit card or bank statement for the charge — it will show the name of the company billing you.

Stop Game Pass charges if you can't access your Microsoft account

If you've forgotten your Microsoft password or no longer have access to the email address linked to your account, you can still stop the charges by contacting your bank or credit card company. Ask them to block future charges from Microsoft or the service you subscribed through. This is faster than recovering your account and works when ready.

You can also contact Xbox Support directly at support.xbox.com. They can verify your identity using your console, your billing information, or other account details, and they can cancel the subscription on your behalf. Have your credit card or the phone number associated with your account ready when you contact them.

Pause Game Pass instead of cancelling

Microsoft offers the option to pause your Game Pass subscription for up to three months instead of cancelling it outright. During a pause, you won't be charged, but you also won't have access to the service. When the pause ends, your subscription resumes automatically and billing restarts.

Pausing is useful if you know you won't play for a while but plan to return — it preserves your subscription without the cost. You can pause from the same Subscriptions page where you'd cancel. Select "Manage subscription," then look for the pause option. You can extend the pause or cancel entirely before it expires if your plans change.

Reactivate Game Pass after cancellation

Restarting Game Pass is as straightforward as going back to account.microsoft.com, finding the cancelled subscription, and selecting "Reactivate" or "Resume." You'll be charged for the next billing cycle at whatever the current price is — there's no penalty or waiting period. Your game saves and achievements will be waiting for you.

If you cancelled more than a few months ago, Microsoft may offer you a promotional rate to return — check your email or the subscription page for any offers. You can also check Xbox Game Pass pricing at xbox.com to see if there are any current deals before you reactivate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my games if I cancel Game Pass?

You lose access to play Game Pass games, but your saves and achievements stay on your account. If you resubscribe later, everything is still there. Games you purchased separately remain playable.

Can I cancel Game Pass on my Xbox console?

No. You must cancel through account.microsoft.com. The Xbox app and console settings let you view your subscription but not cancel it. Going to the Microsoft website is the only way to actually stop the charges.

How long does it take for Game Pass to be cancelled?

Cancellation is when ready if you choose "Cancel now." You lose access at the end of your current billing period, which could be days or weeks away depending on when you were last charged. If you choose to cancel at the end of your cycle, you keep access until that date.

What if I'm charged after I cancel?

Contact Xbox Support at support.xbox.com with proof of cancellation. They can issue a refund if you were charged after requesting cancellation. You can also dispute the charge with your bank if Microsoft doesn't respond within a few days.

Can I cancel one type of Game Pass and keep another?

Yes. If you have Game Pass for Console and Game Pass for PC, they're separate subscriptions and you can cancel either one independently. Game Pass Ultimate includes both, so cancelling it removes access to everything.