Where to cancel depends on which device and store you used to buy the subscription

You cancel most app subscriptions through the same store where you bought them — 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 usually have to cancel through your phone too.

The store keeps your payment method on file and charges you automatically until you stop it. Deleting the app from your phone does not cancel the subscription — you will keep getting charged. You have to go into the store's subscription settings and turn it off there.

Most subscriptions renew on the same day each month or year. If you cancel before that date, you keep access until the renewal date passes. If you cancel after the charge goes through, you have already paid for that period and won't get a refund, though some services offer a grace period to request one.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting an app does not cancel its subscription — you must cancel through the App Store, Google Play, or the app's website where you originally bought it.
  • On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions to see and cancel all active subscriptions in one place.
  • On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile icon, select Subscriptions, and cancel from there.
  • If you subscribed through the app's own website, log into your account on that website and look for a Subscriptions or Billing section to cancel.
  • Cancelling before your renewal date lets you keep the service until that date; cancelling after the charge means you've already paid for that period.

Cancel a subscription on iPhone

On iPhone, all your app subscriptions live in one place in Settings. Open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap Subscriptions. You'll see every active subscription listed with its renewal date and price.

Tap the subscription you want to cancel. A screen will show you the renewal date, what you're paying, and a red button that says Cancel Subscription. Tap that button, then confirm. You'll see a message saying your subscription has been cancelled, and you'll keep access until the renewal date.

If you see a subscription you don't recognize, this is where you'll find it. Some apps charge for features you didn't know were paid, or you may have forgotten about a free trial that converted to paid. Check this list every few months to catch subscriptions you're no longer using.

Cancel a subscription on Android

On Android phones, open Google Play — the app with the colorful triangle icon. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner, then tap Subscriptions. You'll see a list of every subscription you're paying for through Google Play.

Tap the subscription you want to cancel. The next screen shows your renewal date and price. Tap Cancel Subscription at the bottom, then confirm your choice. Google Play will tell you when your access ends — usually the same day your next charge would have gone through.

Some Android apps let you subscribe through their own website instead of Google Play. If you don't see a subscription in Google Play, the app may have its own billing system. Log into the app's website with your account and look for a Subscriptions, Billing, or Account Settings section.

Cancel a subscription through the app's website

Some apps — especially streaming services, news sites, and fitness apps — let you subscribe directly through their website instead of through Apple or Google. If you signed up this way, you have to cancel on their website too.

Log into your account on the app's website. Look for a menu option called Account, Billing, Subscriptions, or Settings. Click into that section and find the option to cancel or manage your subscription. The exact wording and location varies by app, but there will be a button or link to stop the subscription.

After you cancel on the website, you can delete the app from your phone if you want. Your subscription is now cancelled at the source, so you won't be charged again. Some apps will let you keep using the free version after you cancel the paid subscription.

What happens after you cancel

Once you cancel, the store or app will send you a confirmation email. Keep this email — it proves you cancelled on a specific date. You'll keep full access to the service until your renewal date passes. On that date, your access will stop and you won't be charged again.

If you cancel after your renewal date has already passed and you've been charged, you may be able to request a refund. Apple and Google both allow refunds within a short window — usually 14 to 30 days depending on your location. Contact the store's support team with your confirmation email and ask for a refund. Some apps also offer their own refund process on their website.

If you want to use the service again later, you can always re-subscribe. Your old account and any saved preferences will usually still be there. You won't lose anything by cancelling — you're just stopping the automatic charges.

If you can't find where to cancel

Some apps hide their subscription settings or make cancellation deliberately hard to find. If you've looked in the obvious places and can't find a cancel button, try these steps.

First, check the app's settings or account menu within the app itself. Look for tabs or menu items labeled Account, Billing, Subscription, or Settings. Some apps put the cancellation option there instead of on their website.

Second, search the app's website for "cancel subscription" or "manage subscription." Many apps have a help or FAQ page that explains exactly where to go. If the app has a contact form or support email, use it and ask directly how to cancel. Include the email address you used to sign up.

Third, if you subscribed through Apple or Google but can't cancel through the store, contact Apple Support or Google Support directly. Give them the app name and your subscription date. They can cancel it for you and may issue a refund if you were charged recently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my data if I cancel a subscription?

Usually no. Cancelling stops the automatic charges, but your account and any data you created — photos, documents, preferences — stays on the app's servers. When you log back in later, everything will be there. Some apps delete inactive accounts after a long period, so check the app's policy if you're cancelling for a while.

Can I get a refund if I was charged after I cancelled?

Yes, if the charge happened recently. Apple allows refunds up to 14 days after purchase in most places; Google allows up to 48 hours. Contact the store's support team with your confirmation email showing when you cancelled. They can reverse the charge if it's within their refund window.

What if the app charges me even after I cancelled?

Contact the store where you bought the subscription first — Apple Support or Google Support — and show them your cancellation confirmation. If they confirm it's cancelled but you were still charged, they'll refund you. If the app has its own billing system, contact the app's support team directly with proof of cancellation.

Do I need to cancel before deleting the app?

Yes. Deleting the app does nothing to stop the subscription. You must cancel through the store or the app's website first, then you can delete the app. If you deleted it without cancelling, go back to the store, find the subscription, and cancel it there.

Can I pause a subscription instead of cancelling it?

Some apps offer a pause or freeze option that stops charges for a set period without fully cancelling. Check the subscription settings in the store or on the app's website — there may be a Pause or Manage option alongside Cancel. Not all apps offer this, so if you don't see it, cancelling and re-subscribing later is your only choice.