Where to cancel depends on which app store sold you the subscription

You cancel most app subscriptions through the same place you bought them — either Apple's App Store, Google Play, or the app's own website. The steps are different for each one, and cancelling in the wrong place won't work. If you subscribed through your phone, you'll usually need to cancel through your phone too. If you subscribed on a website, you may need to cancel there instead.

The key thing to know upfront: cancelling stops future charges, but it doesn't refund money you've already paid for the current billing period. Some apps will let you request a refund if you cancel within a few days of the charge, but that's not may provide. The sooner you cancel after being charged, the better your chances.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple App Store subscriptions are cancelled in Settings under your Apple ID, not in the app itself.
  • Google Play subscriptions are cancelled in the Play Store app under your account menu, and the process is different from Apple's.
  • Some apps let you cancel directly on their website or in the app's account settings, but this varies widely by company.
  • Cancelling stops future charges when ready, but you keep access until your current billing period ends.
  • Refunds for the current period are possible within a few days of being charged, but you have to request them separately.

Cancelling an Apple App Store subscription

Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad and tap your name at the top. Then tap Subscriptions. You'll see a list of every subscription tied to your Apple ID. Find the one you want to cancel and tap it.

On the subscription details screen, tap Cancel Subscription at the bottom. You'll see a confirmation screen asking why you're cancelling — this is optional, but Apple uses your answer to improve the app. Tap Confirm Cancellation. That's it. Your subscription is now cancelled, and you won't be charged again after your current billing period ends.

If you want a refund for the current period, tap Request a Refund on that same subscription details screen. You can request a refund up to 45 days after the charge, but Apple is most likely to approve it if you ask within a few days. Explain briefly why you want the refund. Apple will email you within 48 hours with a decision.

Cancelling a Google Play subscription

Open the Google Play Store app on your Android phone or tablet. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner, then tap Payments and subscriptions. Tap Subscriptions. Find the subscription you want to cancel and tap it.

Tap Cancel subscription. Google will ask you to confirm and may offer you a discount to keep the subscription — you can ignore this. Confirm the cancellation. Your subscription ends at the end of your current billing period, and you won't be charged again.

To request a refund, go back to that subscription in the same menu and tap Request a refund. Like Apple, Google allows refunds within a limited window — usually up to 48 hours after the charge for most subscriptions, though some apps set their own policies. Google will email you with a decision.

Cancelling directly through an app or website

Some apps, especially streaming services and news outlets, let you manage your subscription inside the app or on their website instead of through the app store. Look for a Settings, Account, or Subscription menu in the app. If you see a subscription management option there, you can often cancel directly without going through Apple or Google.

If the app doesn't have a subscription menu, check the company's website. Log into your account and look for a Billing, Subscription, or Manage Subscription section. You should be able to cancel from there. Some companies require you to cancel through their website even if you subscribed through an app store, so if the app itself has no cancellation option, the website is your next stop.

The advantage of cancelling through the app or website is that some companies will offer you a discount or pause option before you cancel. They may also process refunds faster than the app stores do. However, if you cancel through the app or website but the app store still charges you, you'll need to cancel through the app store as well to stop the charge.

What happens after you cancel

Once you cancel, you keep access to the subscription until the end of your current billing period. If you were charged on the 15th of the month, you'll keep access until the 15th of next month, even though you cancelled today. You won't be charged again after that date.

If you change your mind before the cancellation takes effect, you can resubscribe at any time. You'll be charged on your next billing date. Some apps will let you pause a subscription instead of cancelling it, which stops charges temporarily without losing your account settings or saved preferences — look for a Pause option when you're cancelling.

If you're having trouble cancelling

If you can't find the subscription in your app store's subscription menu, it may be tied to a different Apple ID or Google account than the one you're currently using. Check if you have multiple accounts on your device and look in each one. You can also check your email receipts to see which account was charged.

If you cancelled but are still being charged, contact the app's customer support directly. Provide them with a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation and your most recent charge. They can investigate whether the cancellation went through on their end. If the app store charged you after you cancelled, contact Apple or Google support — they can often reverse the charge if it happened within a few days.

If you subscribed through a website and can't find a way to cancel there, look for a contact or support link on that same website. Many companies require you to email them to cancel, especially if you subscribed years ago and their website has changed. Include your account email and the date of your most recent charge so they can find your account quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I cancel in the middle of a billing period?

You can request one, but approval isn't may provide. Apple and Google allow refund requests within a few days to 48 hours of a charge, depending on the app. The sooner you ask, the more likely they'll approve it. You have to request the refund separately from cancelling — cancelling alone does not refund the current period.

Will I lose my data or account if I cancel?

Cancelling the subscription doesn't delete your account. Your saved data, preferences, and login information stay with the app. If you resubscribe later, everything will be there. Some apps may limit what you can see or do without an active subscription, but your account itself remains.

What if the app store won't let me cancel?

Try cancelling through the app's website or account settings instead. If that doesn't work, contact the app's customer support with proof of your subscription and ask them to cancel it. If they don't respond, contact Apple or Google support directly and explain that you've tried to cancel but can't — they can force-cancel subscriptions on their end.

Do I need to uninstall the app after I cancel?

No. Uninstalling the app doesn't cancel the subscription, and cancelling the subscription doesn't require you to uninstall. You can keep the app on your phone and use it until your current billing period ends. After that, the app may ask you to resubscribe or may limit features, depending on how the developer designed it.

Can I cancel a subscription someone else bought for me?

If they bought it through their own Apple ID or Google account, you can't cancel it directly. You'll need to ask them to cancel it, or you can contact Apple or Google support and explain the situation. If they bought it as a gift and set it up on your device, you may be able to cancel it through your own account settings, but this depends on how the gift was set up.