Cancel Game Pass through your Microsoft account settings

You cancel Game Pass by logging into your Microsoft account online, finding your subscription in the settings, and choosing to turn it off. The process takes about two minutes and stops your subscription at the end of your current billing period — you keep access until that date, then it ends.

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, click on it, and select Manage. On the next screen, click Cancel subscription at the bottom. Microsoft will ask you to confirm and may offer you a discount to stay — you can accept the offer or proceed with cancellation.

If you cannot find the Subscriptions menu, your Game Pass may be linked to a different Microsoft account than the one you are using. Check which email address is attached to your Xbox profile by going to xbox.com, signing in, and looking at Account in the top right corner.

Key Takeaways

  • You cancel Game Pass through account.microsoft.com by finding Subscriptions, selecting Xbox Game Pass, and clicking Cancel subscription.
  • Your subscription continues until the end of your current billing period, so you do not lose access when ready after cancelling.
  • If you cannot find the Subscriptions menu, your Game Pass is linked to a different Microsoft account than the one you are currently using.
  • You can cancel Game Pass on the web, through the Xbox app on Windows, or through the Xbox console itself — all three methods access the same account settings.
  • Microsoft sometimes offers a discount or free month to keep you subscribed, but you can decline and proceed with cancellation.

Cancel Game Pass from your Xbox console

If you prefer not to use a web browser, you can cancel directly from your Xbox Series X, Series S, Xbox One, or Xbox 360. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide, go to Profile & system, then Settings, then Account, then Subscriptions. Select Xbox Game Pass and choose Manage subscription. The same cancellation screen appears, and you follow the same steps to confirm.

This method works only if you are signed into the console with the account that holds the Game Pass subscription. If someone else in your household set up Game Pass on a shared console, you will need to either sign in as that person or use the web method instead.

Cancel Game Pass through the Xbox app on Windows

The Xbox app on Windows 10 and Windows 11 also lets you manage your subscription. Open the app, select your profile icon in the top right, go to Settings, then Account, then Subscriptions. Find Xbox Game Pass, click Manage, and select Cancel subscription. The process is identical to the web method.

Use this route if you already have the Xbox app open or if you find it faster than opening a browser. The app syncs with your Microsoft account, so cancelling through the app has the same effect as cancelling on the website.

What happens after you cancel

After you click confirm, your subscription enters a cancelled state. You can still play Game Pass games and access your Game Pass benefits until your current billing period ends. The exact end date appears on the cancellation confirmation screen — this is the last day you have access.

Once that date passes, you lose access to all Game Pass games. Games you own outright (ones you bought, not ones you got through Game Pass) remain on your console and you can still play them. Your save files stay on your Xbox and in the cloud, so if you resubscribe later, your progress is still there.

You will not be charged again after the cancellation date. If you see a charge after that date, it means the cancellation did not go through — go back to your subscriptions and check the status.

Pause your subscription instead of cancelling

If you want to take a break from Game Pass but might come back, you can pause your subscription for up to three months instead of cancelling it. Go to your subscriptions the same way you would to cancel, but select Pause subscription instead of Cancel subscription. You will not be charged during the pause, and when it ends, your subscription resumes automatically.

Pausing is useful if you are between games or taking a break from gaming. You keep your save files and your subscription history, and you do not have to set up a new subscription if you change your mind. If you know you will not come back within three months, cancelling is the better choice.

Resubscribe to Game Pass later

If you cancel and later want Game Pass again, you can resubscribe through the same account. Go back to account.microsoft.com, find Subscriptions, and look for an option to add Xbox Game Pass. You will be charged starting on the day you resubscribe, and you can choose monthly or annual billing.

Microsoft sometimes offers discounted rates to returning subscribers — you might see a one-month trial or a reduced first month. These offers vary and are not may provide, but it is worth checking what rate appears when you go to resubscribe.

Troubleshooting cancellation problems

If you try to cancel and the button does not work, or if you see an error message, try signing out of your Microsoft account completely and signing back in. Clear your browser cache if you are using the web method, or restart the Xbox app if you are using that. Sometimes a temporary connection issue prevents the cancellation from going through.

If you still cannot cancel, check whether someone else has permission to manage your account. If you share a console with family members, a parent or guardian account might have restrictions on subscription changes. You may need to ask that person to approve the cancellation, or you can contact Microsoft Support through support.xbox.com and explain the issue — they can cancel the subscription for you.

If you were charged after you cancelled, or if you see a charge you do not recognize, go to account.microsoft.com, find Billing, and look at your transaction history. You can request a refund for charges within 60 days of the transaction date by contacting Microsoft Support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my games when ready after cancelling?

No. You keep access to all Game Pass games until the end of your current billing period. The cancellation confirmation shows the exact date your access ends. After that date, you cannot play Game Pass games unless you resubscribe.

Can I cancel Game Pass if I am in the middle of a month?

Yes. You can cancel anytime, but you are charged through the end of your current billing period. If you are on a monthly plan and cancel on the 15th of the month, you still have access until the last day of that month, and you will not be charged again.

What if I have Game Pass Ultimate instead of regular Game Pass?

Game Pass Ultimate cancels the same way as regular Game Pass. Go to your subscriptions, find Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and select Cancel subscription. You lose access to Game Pass, Xbox Live Gold, and cloud gaming on the same end date.

Will I lose my save files if I cancel?

No. Your save files stay in the cloud and on your console. If you resubscribe later, all your progress is still there. Games you own outright (ones you purchased) also remain playable.

Can I get a refund if I just subscribed?

Microsoft allows refunds for subscriptions within 60 days of purchase if you have not used the service much. Contact Microsoft Support through support.xbox.com and explain your situation. They will review your account and decide whether a refund is possible.