Cancel Xbox Game Pass directly through the Xbox app or Microsoft account settings

You can cancel Xbox Game Pass on your phone through either the Xbox app or your Microsoft account settings. The process takes about five minutes and stops your subscription immediately — you will not be charged again, though you lose access to the game library right away. If you have an active Game Pass Ultimate subscription, cancelling removes both Game Pass for Console and Game Pass for PC.

The two methods work equally well. The Xbox app route is faster if you remember your login. The Microsoft account route works if you have forgotten your Xbox credentials or prefer to manage subscriptions from your account settings directly.

Key Takeaways

  • You can cancel through the Xbox app by opening your profile, selecting Subscriptions, finding Game Pass, and choosing Cancel subscription.
  • You can also cancel through Microsoft account settings at account.microsoft.com by selecting Subscriptions and choosing the Game Pass plan to remove.
  • Cancellation takes effect immediately, and you lose access to games the same day, even if you paid for the full month.
  • If you cancel mid-month, you will not receive a refund for unused time, though some situations may may have access to for a one-time courtesy refund through Xbox Support.
  • You can resubscribe at any time using the same Microsoft account without losing your saved game data.

Cancel through the Xbox app on your phone

Open the Xbox app on your phone and sign in with the Microsoft account that holds the Game Pass subscription. Tap your profile icon in the top left corner, then select Subscriptions. You will see a list of active subscriptions tied to that account.

Find Xbox Game Pass in the list and tap it. The screen will show your current plan, the renewal date, and a button labeled Cancel subscription or Manage. Tap that button, then confirm the cancellation when prompted. The app will ask if you want to keep the subscription — select the option to cancel. You will receive a confirmation message on screen and an email to your Microsoft account address.

After cancellation, your Game Pass access ends immediately. Any games you were playing will no longer be available through the subscription, though your save files remain tied to your account if you resubscribe later.

Cancel through Microsoft account settings on your phone

Open a web browser on your phone and go to account.microsoft.com. Sign in with the Microsoft account associated with the Game Pass subscription. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left, then select Subscriptions.

You will see a list of all active subscriptions. Find the Game Pass plan you want to cancel — it will be labeled Xbox Game Pass for Console, Xbox Game Pass for PC, or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Tap the subscription, then select Manage or Cancel subscription. Follow the prompts to confirm. Microsoft will send a confirmation email within a few minutes.

This method works on any phone browser and does not require the Xbox app to be installed. If you have multiple Microsoft accounts, make sure you are signed into the correct one before cancelling.

What happens to your games and account after cancellation

Your access to Game Pass games stops the moment you cancel, even if you paid for the current month. You cannot play any games that came through the subscription unless you own them separately or resubscribe. Games you purchased outright remain playable.

Your Xbox profile, achievements, and game save files stay on your account permanently. If you resubscribe to Game Pass in the future using the same Microsoft account, your saves will be there and you can resume playing. You do not lose anything by cancelling — you only lose the right to play subscription games.

If you have Game Pass Ultimate, cancelling removes both the console and PC versions of Game Pass, along with Xbox Live Gold. Any Xbox Live Gold time you had remaining will also end.

Refunds and what to do if you cancel by mistake

Microsoft does not automatically refund unused subscription time. If you cancel on the first day of a monthly billing cycle, you will not receive money back for the remaining 29 or 30 days. This is standard for most subscription services.

If you believe you have a reason for a refund — such as cancelling within 48 hours of being charged, or a billing error — you can contact Xbox Support through the Xbox app or at support.xbox.com. Explain your situation and request a one-time courtesy refund. Support agents can issue refunds in some cases, though there is no may provide.

If you cancelled by mistake, you can resubscribe immediately using the same Microsoft account. Your previous save data and achievements will be intact. There is no penalty for cancelling and resubscribing.

Troubleshooting if cancellation does not work

If the Cancel subscription button does not appear, you may not be signed into the account that holds the subscription. Sign out completely and sign back in with the correct Microsoft account. If you have multiple accounts on your phone, make sure you are using the one associated with Game Pass.

If you see an error message during cancellation, try the Microsoft account settings method instead of the Xbox app. Sometimes one route works when the other encounters a temporary glitch. Clear your browser cache and try again if the web method fails.

If you still cannot cancel after trying both methods, contact Xbox Support directly. They can cancel the subscription from their end and confirm the cancellation in writing. Have your Microsoft account email address and the phone number associated with your account ready when you reach out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?

No. Microsoft does not refund unused subscription time. If you cancel on day five of a 30-day billing cycle, you lose access immediately and receive no refund for the remaining 25 days. You can request a one-time courtesy refund through Xbox Support if you believe there was a billing error or if you cancelled within 48 hours of being charged.

Can I cancel Game Pass Ultimate without cancelling Xbox Live Gold?

No. Game Pass Ultimate bundles Game Pass for Console, Game Pass for PC, and Xbox Live Gold into one subscription. Cancelling Game Pass Ultimate cancels all three. If you want to keep Xbox Live Gold, you must downgrade to a separate Gold subscription before cancelling Game Pass Ultimate.

What happens to my games and saves after I cancel?

Games you played through Game Pass will no longer be playable, but your save files, achievements, and profile stay on your account forever. If you resubscribe later, your saves will be there and you can pick up where you left off. Games you purchased separately remain playable.

Can I cancel on my phone if I signed up on a console?

Yes. The subscription is tied to your Microsoft account, not to a specific device. You can cancel through the Xbox app or Microsoft account settings on your phone regardless of where you signed up. Just make sure you are signed into the same Microsoft account.

How long does it take for the cancellation to go through?

Cancellation is immediate. You lose access to Game Pass games the same day you cancel. You will receive a confirmation email within a few minutes. If you do not see the confirmation email, check your spam folder or sign into your Microsoft account to verify the subscription is gone.