Cancelling an app subscription is a straightforward process, but the specific steps depend on the device and app store you used to purchase the subscription. With a few clicks, you can easily manage or cancel recurring app subscriptions on iPhone, iPad, Android devices, and through app stores like the App Store, Google Play Store, Amazon Appstore, and more.
How to cancel subscriptions on iPhone or iPad
If you subscribed to an app using your Apple ID on an iPhone or iPad, follow these steps to cancel the subscription:
- Open the Settings app on your iOS device
- Tap your Apple ID banner at the top of the screen (your name and profile picture)
- Tap Subscriptions
- Tap the subscription you want to cancel
- Tap Cancel Subscription and confirm
The subscription will not cancel immediately – you will continue to have access until the end of the current billing period. At that point, the subscription will expire and not renew.
You can also manage and cancel iOS app subscriptions directly from your App Store account on a Mac or PC:
- Open the App Store app on your Mac or visit appstore.com on a computer
- Click on your profile icon in the bottom left
- Click Account Settings
- Click Manage under Subscriptions
- Click Edit next to the subscription you want to cancel
- Click Cancel Subscription
Again, cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing cycle – you will continue to have access to the app and its services until the subscription expires.
How to cancel subscriptions on Android
The process is similar for subscriptions purchased through the Google Play Store on Android devices:
- Open the Play Store app
- Tap the hamburger menu in the top left corner
- Tap Subscriptions
- Tap the subscription you want to cancel
- Tap Cancel subscription
You can also cancel Google Play subscriptions online:
- Go to play.google.com/store and log into your Google account
- Click on your profile picture in the top right
- Click Payments & subscriptions
- Under Subscriptions, click Manage beside the subscription you want to cancel
- Click Cancel subscription
As with iOS subscriptions, cancellations take effect at the end of the current billing period. You will retain access to the subscription content until then.
How to cancel subscriptions on Amazon devices
For subscriptions purchased from Amazon’s Appstore on Kindle Fire tablets or Amazon Fire TV devices, here is how to cancel:
- Open the Appstore app on your Amazon device
- Tap the hamburger menu in the top left corner
- Tap Your Apps and Games
- Tap Your Subscriptions
- Tap the subscription you want to cancel
- Tap Do Not Renew Subscription
You can also cancel Amazon app subscriptions by visiting www.amazon.com/gp/subscribe-and-save/manage and logging in. Click Cancel next to the subscription you wish to cancel.
How much notice is required to cancel?
Most subscription services only require advance notice of a cancellation within the current billing cycle. As long as you cancel before the next renewal date, the subscription will not continue. Check the terms for the specific app or service, as some may allow cancellation effective immediately.
Can I get a refund for a cancelled subscription?
In most cases, you will not receive a refund when you cancel an app subscription, as you retained access to the full subscription period you already paid for. However, some app stores and services may offer refunds in certain circumstances:
- Google Play – you can request a refund within 48 hours for unused portions of a subscription period already paid for
- App Store – you may qualify for a refund for an inactive subscription if you did not use the service and request within 60 days of the charge
- Amazon – full refunds are offered for cancellations within 3 days of purchase; partial refunds within 7 days
Check the cancellation and refund policies for the specific service to see if you may be eligible. You can often find these on the app store listing, website, or terms of service.
Can I re-subscribe later?
In most cases, yes – you can generally subscribe again to a service you previously cancelled. You simply need to go through the purchase process again as a new subscriber.
Your account and preferences may still be saved depending on the service. Some apps may retain your settings and data in case you subscribe again later. Check with the specific app developer for details.
What happens to my app data when I cancel?
The subscription cancellation process usually only stops further billing – it does not delete the app or your account data.
However, you may lose access to premium content, ad-free usage, and full functionality without an active subscription. Data or content created during the subscription period is usually still available.
Refer to the app’s subscription terms for specifics on what happens to app data when you unsubscribe. Some apps may continue providing limited access to previously created content or offer a grace period before deleting data.
Can I still use the app after cancelling?
You will still have access to the app itself after cancelling, but may revert to limited free-tier features. Depending on the app, this may mean:
- Seeing ads again in a previously ad-free app
- Losing unlimited usage or premium features
- Reverting to a free trial or limited basic account
- Losing access to content added during the subscription
Check what features and functionality are included in the app’s free or basic service tier. If in doubt, reach out to the app developer directly to understand what to expect after unsubscribing.
Can subscriptions be shared on a family plan?
Some app stores and services allow subscription sharing under a family plan or group account:
- Apple family sharing – App Store subscriptions can be shared with up to 5 family members, with one bill charged to the family organizer.
- Google Play family library – Subscriptions can be shared among up to 6 family members in a Google family group.
- Amazon Households – Two adults can share Appstore subscriptions and content on Amazon accounts linked as a household.
With family sharing enabled, cancelling a subscription affects all members who had access to it. Individual family members cannot selectively cancel their shared subscriptions.
What happens when I get a new phone?
Your app subscriptions are tied to your app store account, not your device. So when getting a new phone:
- Download and log into the app store using your existing account details
- Re-download any subscribed apps from the store
- Log into the apps with your account credentials
This will provide continued access to current subscriptions you already paid for. No need to re-subscribe or repay as long as you use the same app store account.
How do I manage auto-renewals?
By default, most subscriptions have auto-renewal enabled. After the current period ends, the subscription automatically renews for another term and charges your payment method on file.
To stop this:
- Turn off auto-renew at least 24 hours before the renewal date
- Cancel the subscription before it renews for another term
You can manage auto-renewal in your device settings or app store account settings. Disabling auto-renew ensures the subscription will expire at the end of the current billing term.
How do I cancel if the app is no longer available?
If an app has been removed from the app store, you may no longer have the option to cancel normally from your device. In this case:
- Visit the app store website and cancel the subscription there
- Contact the app developer directly to request cancellation
- Contact app store support – they can cancel subscriptions on your behalf
Act quickly if an app is no longer available, as you may be unintentionally charged otherwise due to an auto-renewing subscription.
How can I keep using the app features I like?
If you want to keep using select features from an app you cancelled, look for alternatives:
- See if the developer offers a lower tier paid plan with the features you need
- Try the limited free version of the app
- Search for new apps that provide similar functionality
- Use a free web-based tool rather than an app subscription
With some research, you may be able to find an affordable paid plan, free alternative, or web app option that provides the features and functionality you want to keep using.
Conclusion
Cancelling unwanted app subscriptions is straightforward once you know the steps for your device platform and app store. Most subscriptions can be cancelled with just a few taps, either directly on your phone or through your app store account.
Be aware of when exactly cancellation takes effect, what happens to your app data, and how further billing is prevented. With most services you will retain access to the app until the end of the current period when cancellation takes effect.
Managing your subscriptions and turning off auto-renewals ensures you have full control over recurring payments. Reach out to app or app store support teams if you encounter any issues cancelling a subscription.
