Amazon FreeTime is a subscription service for kids' content, and the charge appears on your Amazon account bill
An Amazon FreeTime charge is a monthly or annual subscription fee for a service that gives children access to books, videos, games, and educational apps. The charge shows up on your Amazon account statement under the name "Amazon FreeTime Unlimited" or sometimes just "FreeTime". It costs around $3 per month if you have Amazon Prime, or $5 per month without Prime — though these prices vary by region and change over time.
The charge appears because someone with access to your Amazon account set up the subscription. This is often a parent or guardian who wanted to create a restricted space for children, but it can also happen if a child used a device linked to your account without permission. Unlike some subscriptions that send a confirmation email, FreeTime can be activated quietly, which is why you may not remember signing up.
If you see this charge and did not intentionally start it, you have two paths: cancel the subscription to stop future charges, or request a refund for charges you believe were unauthorized.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon FreeTime Unlimited is a monthly subscription for children's content that costs around $3 with Prime or $5 without Prime, though prices vary by region.
- The subscription can be activated by anyone with access to your Amazon account, including children, which is why you may not remember signing up.
- You can cancel FreeTime directly through your Amazon account settings under "Manage Your Subscriptions" to stop future charges when ready.
- If you believe the charge was unauthorized, you can request a refund through Amazon's contact center, though approval depends on how long ago the charge occurred and your account history.
- To prevent accidental charges in the future, set up parental controls on shared devices and use a separate Amazon account for children.
How to cancel Amazon FreeTime and stop the charge
To stop future charges, log into your Amazon account on a computer or the Amazon app. Go to "Account & Lists" in the top right, then select "Your Account". Look for "Memberships and Subscriptions" or "Manage Your Subscriptions" — the exact wording depends on whether you are on a phone or computer. Find "Amazon FreeTime Unlimited" in the list and click "Cancel Subscription".
Amazon will ask you to confirm the cancellation and may offer a discount to keep you subscribed. Ignore this and complete the cancellation. Your access ends when ready, but you will not be charged again. If you have already paid for the current month, that charge stays on your account — canceling only stops future charges.
If you cannot find the subscription in your account, it may be linked to a different Amazon account or a family member's account. Check whether anyone else in your household has access to your payment method, or ask family members whether they set it up on a shared device.
Requesting a refund for charges you did not authorize
If you want to recover money already charged, contact Amazon's customer service. You can reach them through the Amazon website by going to "Account & Lists" > "Your Account" > "Contact Us", or by calling the phone number on your credit card or bank statement. Have your account number and the dates of the charges ready.
Explain that you did not authorize the subscription and ask for a refund. Amazon's policy allows refunds within a reasonable time frame — usually 30 to 90 days depending on your account history and whether this is your first dispute. If you have a pattern of requesting refunds, Amazon may deny the request or close your account.
If Amazon declines the refund, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company or bank. Contact the customer service number on the back of your card and report the charge as unauthorized. Your bank can reverse the transaction, though this process takes one to two weeks. Be aware that disputing charges with your bank may cause Amazon to suspend your account temporarily.
Why children can set up subscriptions without permission
Amazon FreeTime can be turned on through the Amazon app, a Fire tablet, or a web browser — anywhere your account is logged in. If a child has access to a device where your Amazon account is active, they can navigate to the FreeTime page and start the subscription with just a few taps. Amazon does not require a password or additional confirmation for this action, which is different from how it handles other purchases.
This happens most often on Fire tablets, which are marketed for children and come with FreeTime pre-installed. A child can open the FreeTime app, see the "Subscribe Now" button, and set up it without understanding that it will charge money to a parent's account. The subscription then renews automatically each month until someone cancels it.
Setting up parental controls to prevent accidental charges
If you use shared devices in your home, set up a separate Amazon account for each child and link it to a FreeTime profile. This keeps their activity separate from your main account and prevents them from accessing your payment method. Go to "Amazon Household" in your account settings to add family members and assign them their own logins.
On Fire tablets, you can also enable "Parental Controls" through the device settings. This restricts what apps a child can open and whether they can make purchases. The controls require a PIN to change, so a child cannot disable them without your code.
If you do not want FreeTime on your account at all, you can remove it from your devices. On a Fire tablet, go to "Settings" > "Applications" > "Manage All Applications" and uninstall FreeTime. On a phone or computer, you can straightforward avoid the FreeTime page and cancel any active subscriptions.
Understanding the difference between FreeTime and FreeTime Unlimited
Amazon offers two versions of FreeTime. The free version, called Amazon FreeTime, comes with your Amazon Prime membership at no extra cost and includes a limited library of books, videos, and apps. The paid version, Amazon FreeTime Unlimited, costs money and gives access to a much larger collection of content.
If you see a charge, it is almost certainly for FreeTime Unlimited. The free version does not appear on your bill because you are not paying for it. However, both versions can be turned on by anyone with access to your account, so even the free version may appear on your devices without your knowledge.
What to do if you think someone else used your account
If you believe a family member, roommate, or someone else with access to your account activated FreeTime without permission, talk to them first. They may have thought it was free, or they may have forgotten to tell you. This conversation often resolves the issue faster than disputing the charge.
If you live alone or believe the charge is truly unauthorized, change your Amazon password when ready. Go to "Account & Lists" > "Your Account" > "Login & Security" and select "Edit" next to your password. Create a strong new password that no one else knows. You should also check your account for other unauthorized subscriptions or purchases while you are there.
If you see charges from a time period when you did not have access to your account, or if changing your password does not stop new charges, contact Amazon's fraud team. They can review your account activity and help you find it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if my child subscribed without asking?
Amazon may refund charges if you contact them within 30 to 90 days and explain that the subscription was activated without your knowledge. Refunds are not may provide, especially if you have requested multiple refunds before. The sooner you contact Amazon after noticing the charge, the better your chances.
Does Amazon FreeTime come free with Prime?
The basic Amazon FreeTime service is included with Prime at no extra cost, but it has a smaller library. FreeTime Unlimited, which has more books, videos, and apps, costs extra. If you see a charge, you are paying for the Unlimited version.
How do I know if FreeTime is still active on my account?
Go to "Manage Your Subscriptions" in your Amazon account and look for "Amazon FreeTime Unlimited" in the list. If it is there and shows an active status, the subscription is running and will charge you again next month. If it is not in the list, the subscription is already canceled.
What happens to my child's FreeTime content if I cancel the subscription?
Once you cancel, your child loses access to all FreeTime content when ready. Any books, shows, or games they were using will no longer be available. If you think you might resubscribe later, take note of what they were using so you can set it up again.
Can I dispute this charge with my bank instead of asking Amazon?
Yes, you can contact your bank or credit card company and report the charge as unauthorized. They can reverse it, but the process takes one to two weeks. Be aware that disputing charges with your bank may cause Amazon to suspend or close your account, so try canceling the subscription and requesting a refund from Amazon first.