Open Settings and find your subscriptions

To cancel an app subscription on an iPhone, start in the Settings app on your home screen. Tap your name at the top of the screen, then select Subscriptions. This takes you to a list of every subscription tied to your Apple ID — both active and expired ones.

If you do not see a Subscriptions option, you may be using an older version of iOS. Update your phone first by going to Settings > General > Software Update, then try again.

Key Takeaways

  • Subscriptions are managed through Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions on any iPhone, not through the app itself.
  • Cancelling stops future charges immediately, but you keep access until your current billing period ends.
  • Some subscriptions offer a free trial period — cancelling during the trial means no charge at all.
  • If you were charged after cancelling, contact the app developer or Apple Support to request a refund.
  • Family Plan subscriptions can only be cancelled by the person who started the plan.

Select the subscription you want to cancel

From your Subscriptions list, tap the app whose subscription you want to stop. The screen shows your current plan, the renewal date, and the price you are charged each billing cycle.

Read this screen carefully. It tells you exactly when your next charge is due and whether you are in a free trial period. If you cancel now, you will keep access to the app until that renewal date passes.

Tap "Cancel Subscription" and confirm

At the bottom of the subscription details screen, you will see a red button labeled Cancel Subscription. Tap it. A pop-up will appear asking you to confirm — it may also offer you a discount to keep the subscription, or ask why you are cancelling. You do not have to answer these questions.

Tap the final confirmation button to complete the cancellation. The screen will change to show a message like "Subscription Cancelled" or "Your subscription will end on [date]." This confirms the cancellation went through.

What happens after you cancel

Once you cancel, no future charges will be made to your payment method. You will keep full access to the app and all its features until your current billing period ends. After that date, the app may stop working or show a paywall asking you to renew.

If you were in a free trial when you cancelled, you will not be charged at all. If you cancel after the trial ends but before your first paid charge, that charge will not happen.

If you need a refund

If you were charged after you cancelled, or if you cancelled too late and want money back, contact the app developer first. Many will refund a recent charge if you ask within a few days. You can find their contact information by opening the app, going to Settings or About, and looking for Support or Contact Us.

If the developer does not respond or refuses, you can request a refund from Apple. Open Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > Purchase History, find the charge, tap it, and select "Report a Problem." Explain what happened and ask for a refund. Apple reviews these requests and usually responds within a few days.

Cancelling a Family Plan subscription

If you are on a Family Plan subscription, only the person who started the plan can cancel it. That person goes to Settings > [Their Name] > Subscriptions, selects the plan, and taps "Cancel Subscription." When they do, the subscription ends for everyone in the family group.

If you are not the plan organizer and want to stop paying, you will need to ask them to cancel, or you can remove yourself from the family group. Removing yourself means you lose access to shared subscriptions but can start your own individual subscription if you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel an app subscription from within the app itself?

No. Apple requires all subscriptions to be managed through Settings, not through the app. If an app tells you to cancel through its own menu, that is not how it works — go to Settings instead. This protects you from accidentally confirming a cancellation you did not intend.

Will I lose access to the app immediately after cancelling?

No. You keep full access until your current billing period ends. If you are charged on the 15th of each month and you cancel on the 10th, you can use the app until the 15th of next month. After that date, the app may lock you out or show a paywall.

What if I cancel during a free trial?

You will not be charged anything. Cancelling during the trial period means the subscription ends when the trial ends, with no payment ever made. You can still use the app for the rest of the trial period.

Can I turn a subscription back on after cancelling?

Yes. Go back to Settings > Subscriptions and look for the cancelled app. You should see an option to renew or resubscribe. You will be charged starting from the day you renew, not retroactively for the time you were away.

Why does my subscription still show in Settings after I cancelled?

Cancelled subscriptions stay visible in your Subscriptions list for a while so you can see your history and renew if you change your mind. They will eventually disappear from the list. This does not mean you are still being charged — check the status line to confirm it says "Cancelled" or shows an end date.