Where to find and cancel subscriptions on iPhone

On an iPhone, subscriptions you've signed up for through the App Store live in your account settings, not in the apps themselves. Apple groups them all in one place so you can see what's charging you and stop the charges without deleting the app.

Open the Settings app, tap your name at the top, then tap Subscriptions. You'll see every active subscription tied to your Apple ID — streaming services, fitness apps, productivity tools, games with premium features, everything. Tap any subscription to see when it renews, what it costs, and your options to stop it.

This is the only reliable way to cancel. Deleting an app from your home screen does not cancel its subscription. Uninstalling it does not cancel it either. The subscription keeps charging until you turn it off in Settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions to see all active charges tied to your Apple ID in one list.
  • Deleting or uninstalling an app does not stop its subscription — you must cancel it in Settings to stop the charge.
  • When you cancel, you usually keep access until the current billing period ends, then the subscription stops renewing.
  • If you cancel within a few minutes of being charged, you may be able to request a refund directly from Apple.
  • Subscriptions you buy through an app's own website (not the App Store) do not appear in this list and must be canceled on that website instead.

The difference between canceling and downgrading

When you tap a subscription in Settings, you have two choices: cancel it or change your plan. Canceling stops all charges. Downgrading moves you to a cheaper tier of the same service — fewer features or less storage, but the app stays active and keeps charging a lower amount.

Some apps offer a free tier. If you downgrade to free, you'll see "Free Trial" or "Free Plan" as an option. Tap it and confirm. You keep using the app with limited features, and nothing charges you going forward.

If you want the app completely gone and no charges at all, cancel the subscription first, then delete the app from your home screen if you want the space back.

What happens after you cancel

When you cancel a subscription, Apple shows you the exact date your access ends. If you're charged on the 15th of each month and you cancel on the 20th, you keep the service until the 15th of next month. Then it stops renewing.

Some services let you resubscribe later without losing your account or settings. Others delete your account after a set period of inactivity — usually 30 to 90 days. Check the app's policy or website if you think you might come back.

If you cancel by mistake or change your mind within a few minutes, you can resubscribe when ready in the same Settings menu. Tap the subscription name, then tap "Resubscribe" if that option appears.

Getting a refund for a recent charge

If you were just charged and want your money back, you can request a refund from Apple directly. Open Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > Subscriptions, find the subscription, and look for a "Report a Problem" link or button. Tap it and explain why you want the refund.

Apple usually responds within a few days. They're more likely to approve a refund if you ask within a few minutes of being charged, or if you can show you canceled before the charge went through but were charged anyway. Refunds for subscriptions you've used for weeks are less likely to be approved.

If you don't see a "Report a Problem" option, you can also go to reportaproblem.apple.com, sign in with your Apple ID, find the charge, and request a refund there.

Subscriptions bought outside the App Store

Some apps let you buy a subscription through their own website instead of through Apple. Spotify, for example, lets you sign up on spotify.com and pay Spotify directly. These subscriptions don't show up in your iPhone's Settings menu because Apple isn't handling the payment.

To cancel a subscription you bought on an app's website, you have to go back to that website, log in to your account, and cancel there. Look for Account Settings, Billing, or Subscriptions on the website. If you can't find it, search the app's help section for "cancel subscription" or contact their support.

If you signed up through the app but used a payment method that isn't your Apple ID — a credit card you entered directly in the app, for example — that subscription is also outside Apple's system and must be canceled on the app's website or by contacting the company.

Stopping unwanted charges from family members

If you share an Apple ID with family members or someone else uses your phone, they can start subscriptions that charge your account. You'll see these in Settings > Subscriptions just like your own.

To prevent this, set up Family Sharing so each person has their own Apple ID, or turn off app purchases on shared devices. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases and set it to "Don't Allow." Anyone who wants to buy or subscribe will need to enter a password or use Face ID.

If a subscription was started without your knowledge, cancel it in Settings and request a refund. If this keeps happening, change your Apple ID password and enable two-factor authentication so only you can make account changes.

Checking your subscription history

Your subscription list in Settings shows only active subscriptions. To see ones you've canceled in the past, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > Purchase History. Scroll through to find canceled subscriptions and see when they ended.

This is useful if you're trying to remember which services you've tried, or if you want to check whether a subscription actually canceled when you thought it did. If you see a charge after the cancellation date, that's a sign something went wrong — request a refund or contact Apple Support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does deleting an app from my home screen cancel the subscription?

No. Deleting the app icon does nothing to the subscription. It keeps charging until you cancel it in Settings. You must go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions and tap the subscription name to stop the charge.

Can I cancel a subscription through the app itself?

Some apps have a cancel button inside them, but it's not reliable. The safest way is always through Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions. That's where Apple tracks what's active on your account.

What if I don't see a subscription I know I'm being charged for?

It may have been bought on the app's website instead of through the App Store. Check your email for receipts to see where you signed up, then go to that website to cancel. You can also check your credit card or bank statement to see which company is charging you.

How long does it take for a subscription to stop charging after I cancel?

It stops renewing on the date shown in Settings when you cancel. If you're charged monthly on the 15th and cancel on the 20th, you'll be charged one more time on the 15th of next month, then never again.

Can I get a refund if I cancel right after being charged?

Yes, if you ask quickly. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > Subscriptions, find the subscription, and look for "Report a Problem." Apple is more likely to approve a refund if you ask within minutes of the charge, or if you can show the subscription was canceled before the charge should have gone through.