The difference between canceling a subscription and deleting the app
When you want to stop using an app, you actually need to do two separate things, and skipping one of them will cost you money. Deleting the app removes it from your device — the icon disappears, and it stops taking up storage space. Canceling a subscription stops the app from charging you every month. You can delete an app without canceling the subscription, and the charges will keep coming. You can also cancel the subscription and leave the app on your phone, though there is no reason to.
Most apps are free to read and use, so you only need to delete them. But if you pay for the app itself or pay for features inside it — like a fitness app with a monthly membership, or a game with a premium pass — you must cancel the subscription first, or you will keep being charged even after you delete the app from your device.
The steps are different depending on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, Windows computer, or Mac. Start with whichever device you use most, since that is where the subscription is probably set up.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting an app from your device does not stop subscription charges — you must cancel the subscription separately in your account settings or app store.
- On iPhone, cancel subscriptions through Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions, not by deleting the app.
- On Android, cancel subscriptions through Google Play Store > Account > Subscriptions, then delete the app afterward.
- On Windows and Mac, uninstall the app through Settings or Applications folder, but check the app's own settings first for subscription options.
- If you cannot find a cancel button, look for a "Manage Subscription" link in your email receipts or contact the app maker directly.
How to cancel a subscription on iPhone
Open Settings on your iPhone. Tap your name at the top of the screen (not "Settings" — your actual Apple ID name). Then tap "Subscriptions." You will see a list of every app you are paying for, whether monthly, yearly, or one-time. Tap the app you want to cancel.
On the next screen, tap "Cancel Subscription" at the bottom. The app will ask you to confirm — tap "Confirm Cancellation." Your subscription ends when ready, though you can usually keep using the app until your current billing period ends. After you cancel, you can delete the app by holding down its icon on your home screen, tapping "Remove App," and then "Delete App."
If you do not see "Cancel Subscription," the app is free or you have not set up a paid subscription for it. You can just delete it. If you see "Manage" instead of "Cancel," tap that — some apps let you pause or downgrade rather than cancel outright.
How to cancel a subscription on Android
Open Google Play Store (the app with the colorful triangle icon). Tap your profile picture in the top right corner, then tap "Manage apps & device." Go to the "Manage" tab. Scroll down and tap "Subscriptions." You will see every app you are paying for.
Tap the app you want to cancel. On the next screen, tap "Cancel Subscription." Google will ask why you are canceling — you can skip this or answer it. Tap "Cancel Subscription" again to confirm. Your subscription ends right away, though you keep access until your current billing period ends.
After you cancel, delete the app by holding down its icon on your home screen, tapping "Remove," and then "Delete." If you cannot find the app in your Subscriptions list, it may be free, or you may have set it up through a different account (like Facebook or Amazon). Check those accounts' settings if the app keeps charging you.
How to uninstall an app on Windows
Before you uninstall, check whether the app has its own subscription settings. Open the app and look for a menu (usually three lines or dots in a corner), then search for "Account," "Subscription," "Settings," or "Billing." If you find a subscription option, cancel it there first.
If there is no subscription option in the app itself, open Settings on your Windows computer. Go to "Apps" > "Apps & Features." Scroll down and find the app you want to remove. Click it, then click "Uninstall." Windows will ask you to confirm — click "Uninstall" again. The app will disappear from your computer.
If the app charged you through Microsoft Store (the Windows app store), you may also need to cancel through your Microsoft account. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and look for "Subscriptions" or "Billing" to see if anything is still active.
How to uninstall an app on Mac
First, check the app itself for subscription settings. Open the app and look for a menu (usually in the top left, next to the Apple logo), then search for "Account," "Subscription," "Settings," or "Billing." Cancel any subscription you find there.
To remove the app, open Finder and click "Applications" in the sidebar. Find the app in the list, right-click it, and select "Move to Trash." The app is now deleted. Empty your Trash afterward to free up space.
If the app came from the Mac App Store, you can also go to the App Store, click your profile picture in the top right, select "Account," then "Subscriptions," and cancel from there. This method works the same way as iPhone since both use Apple's system.
What to do if you cannot find a cancel button
Some apps hide the cancel option or make it hard to find on purpose. If you have looked in Settings, Subscriptions, and the app's own menu and still cannot find it, check your email. Look for a receipt or confirmation email from when you signed up. These emails usually have a "Manage Subscription" link that takes you straight to the cancellation page.
If you still cannot cancel, contact the app maker directly. Look for a "Contact Us" or "Support" link in the app, or search the app's name plus "customer support" online. Explain that you want to cancel your subscription and ask them to do it for you. Keep the email you send — if they do not respond, you may be able to dispute the charge with your bank or credit card company.
As a last resort, you can contact your bank or credit card company and ask them to block charges from that app. This stops the payments but does not officially cancel the subscription, so the app may keep trying to charge you.
How to stop app notifications after you delete it
After you delete an app, you may still get notifications from it for a few days. This happens because the notification system takes time to catch up. On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications and scroll down to find the app — it may still be listed even though it is deleted. Tap it and turn off "Allow Notifications."
On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Notifications and find the app. Tap it and turn off notifications. On Windows and Mac, notifications usually stop automatically once the app is deleted, but if they continue, check your notification settings for any leftover entries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?
Most apps do not refund the current month if you cancel partway through. You keep access until your billing date, then the subscription ends. Some apps offer refunds within a few days of purchase if you change your mind — check your email receipt for that option. If you were charged by mistake, contact the app maker or your payment method's customer service.
Can I reactivate an app subscription after I cancel?
Yes. Go back to the app's subscription page in your device's settings or app store and choose to subscribe again. You will start a new billing cycle. Some apps offer a free trial again if you resubscribe after a break, but this varies by app.
What if an app keeps charging me after I deleted it?
This means the subscription was not canceled, only the app was deleted. Go back to your device's subscription settings (Settings > Subscriptions on iPhone, or Google Play Store > Subscriptions on Android) and cancel it there. If the app no longer appears in your subscription list, contact your bank or credit card company to dispute the charges.
Do I need to cancel before deleting, or can I delete first?
Always cancel the subscription first, then delete the app. If you delete first, the app disappears from your device but the subscription stays active in your account settings, and you will keep being charged. You can still cancel it afterward, but it is easier to do while you can see the app listed.
How do I know which apps are charging me?
On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions to see everything you are paying for. On Android, open Google Play Store > Account > Subscriptions. You can also check your credit card or bank statement for recurring charges, or look through your email for subscription confirmation messages.