Cancel an Apple subscription through Settings on iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app and tap your name at the top. Select Subscriptions, then tap the subscription you want to cancel. Tap Cancel Subscription at the bottom of the screen. Apple will ask you to confirm — tap Confirm Cancellation. Your subscription ends on the date shown; you keep access until that date passes.

If you don't see Subscriptions in your account menu, you may be using an older iOS version. Update to the latest version of iOS first, then return to Settings and try again. The Subscriptions section only appears if you have active subscriptions tied to your Apple ID.

Cancel through the App Store app on iPhone or iPad

Open the App Store and tap the profile icon in the top right corner. Select Subscriptions. Tap the subscription you want to stop, then tap Cancel Subscription. Confirm the cancellation when prompted. This method reaches the same cancellation screen as Settings but takes a different path.

Some older subscriptions may only appear in the App Store version, not in Settings. If you can't find a subscription in Settings, check the App Store app instead. Both locations show the same list, but occasionally one loads faster or more reliably than the other.

Cancel on Mac using System Settings

Click the Apple menu and select System Settings. Click your name in the sidebar, then select Subscriptions. Click the subscription you want to cancel, then click Cancel Subscription. Confirm when the system asks. Your access continues until your current billing period ends.

On older Mac systems running Catalina or earlier, open the App Store instead. Click your account icon in the bottom left, select Account Settings, then find Subscriptions in the menu. The process is the same; only the starting location changes.

Cancel through iCloud.com on any web browser

Go to iCloud.com and sign in with your Apple ID. Click your name in the top right and select Account Settings. Click Subscriptions in the left sidebar. Click the subscription you want to cancel, then click Cancel Subscription. Confirm the cancellation. This method works from any computer or phone with a web browser.

The web version is useful if you're away from your Apple devices or if your phone or Mac is having technical problems. You see the same subscription list and cancellation options as you would in Settings or the App Store.

What happens after you cancel

Your subscription remains active until the end of your current billing period. If you paid for a month, you have access for the rest of that month. If you paid for a year, you have access for the rest of that year. Apple sends a confirmation email to the address tied to your Apple ID.

After your access ends, you lose the ability to use the service or app features that required the subscription. You can resubscribe at any time by going back to the same location and selecting the subscription again. Resubscribing does not restore past content or data unless the service provider stores it separately.

Cancel a subscription started through an app, not Apple

Some apps let you start a subscription directly within the app rather than through Apple's system. These subscriptions still appear in your Apple ID subscription list, but you may need to cancel them through the app itself instead of through Settings. Open the app, look for Account, Settings, or Subscriptions, and find the cancellation option there.

If you cancel through Apple's system but the app continues to charge you, contact the app developer's support team. They may be using a different billing system. Always check your receipt email to see which company charged you — it will say either "Apple" or the app developer's name. That tells you where to cancel.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your name, select Subscriptions, choose the subscription, and tap Cancel Subscription to stop it immediately.
  • On Mac, use System Settings (or the App Store on older versions) to reach the same Subscriptions menu and cancel the same way.
  • You can also cancel through iCloud.com in any web browser if you don't have your Apple device nearby.
  • Your subscription stays active until the end of your current billing period; cancellation takes effect on that date, not right away.
  • Some subscriptions started within apps may require cancellation through the app itself, not through Apple's system.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Apple does not refund unused time in most cases. If you cancel on day 15 of a 30-day subscription, you lose the remaining 15 days. However, if you cancel within 14 days of starting a new subscription, you can request a refund through Apple Support. Contact them through Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > Report a Problem, or visit support.apple.com.

Can I turn off auto-renewal without canceling the subscription?

No. Canceling the subscription is the only way to stop automatic renewal. Once you cancel, the subscription ends at the end of your current billing period and does not renew. There is no separate "turn off auto-renewal" toggle for Apple subscriptions.

What if I don't see a subscription I'm being charged for?

Check your email for receipts from Apple to confirm the subscription name and the Apple ID it's tied to. If you use multiple Apple IDs, the subscription may be under a different one. Sign out and sign in with each ID to check. If you still can't find it, contact Apple Support with your receipt — they can locate and cancel it for you.

Do I lose my data if I cancel a subscription?

It depends on the service. Some apps (like iCloud+) delete your data when access ends. Others (like music streaming services) simply lock you out but keep your playlists if you resubscribe later. Check the app's privacy policy or contact the developer to learn what happens to your data after cancellation.

Can I cancel a family subscription for just one person?

No. Family subscriptions are all-or-nothing — the organizer cancels the entire plan, and all family members lose access. If one person wants to stop using it, they can remove themselves from the family group, but the subscription itself continues for everyone else. The organizer manages all cancellations.