Cancel Xbox Game Pass or Xbox Live Gold through your account settings

You can stop your Xbox subscription by going into your Microsoft account settings and turning off the automatic renewal. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're using a console, computer, or phone, but the destination is the same: your Microsoft account's subscription management page.

On an Xbox console, press the Xbox button to open the guide, go to Profile & System, then Settings. Select Account, then Subscriptions. Find the subscription you want to cancel and select Manage. Choose Turn Off Recurring Billing. On a computer or phone, sign into your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com, select Subscriptions, find Xbox Game Pass or Xbox Live Gold, and select Manage. Then select Turn Off Recurring Billing.

Turning off recurring billing stops future charges but does not end your current subscription immediately. You keep access until your current billing period ends. If you want to stop using the service right now rather than wait, you can request a refund through the same Manage screen, though Microsoft typically only refunds subscriptions cancelled within 30 days of purchase.

Key Takeaways

  • Turning off recurring billing in your Microsoft account settings stops future charges but lets you keep the service through the end of your current billing period.
  • You can manage subscriptions from an Xbox console, computer, or phone by signing into your Microsoft account and navigating to Subscriptions.
  • Refunds are usually available only if you cancel within 30 days of your purchase date.
  • If you used a gift card or prepaid code to pay, cancelling the subscription does not refund the card balance.
  • Game Pass for PC and Game Pass for console are separate subscriptions and must be cancelled individually if you have both.

What happens to your games and saves after cancellation

When your subscription ends, you lose access to Game Pass titles but keep any games you own outright. If you purchased a game through the Xbox Store, you can still play it. Games you installed only because they were on Game Pass will no longer launch unless you buy them separately.

Your game saves and achievements stay tied to your account. If you resubscribe later, your saves are still there. However, cloud saves only stay on Microsoft's servers for a limited time after your subscription ends, so if you plan to return to a game, resubscribe before that window closes.

Cancelling a subscription paid with a gift card or prepaid code

If you used an Xbox gift card or prepaid code to pay for your subscription, cancelling does not refund the remaining balance on that card. The balance stays in your Microsoft account and you can use it toward future purchases. You can check your remaining balance by going to your account settings and selecting Payment & Billing, then View Balance.

If you want to stop using the prepaid balance entirely, you cannot delete it from your account. The balance remains available for future purchases as long as your Microsoft account exists. If you no longer want to use Xbox services, you can simply let the subscription expire without renewing it.

Cancelling through Xbox support if you cannot access your account

If you cannot sign into your Microsoft account or your account has been compromised, you can contact Xbox Support to cancel on your behalf. You will need to provide proof of identity and ownership of the account, such as the email address associated with it or the payment method used.

Xbox Support is available through the Xbox website's support section. Response times vary, but you should expect to wait several business days for a resolution. If your account was hacked, report it to Microsoft immediately so they can secure it and review any unauthorized charges.

Stopping recurring billing for Game Pass Ultimate

Game Pass Ultimate bundles Game Pass for console, Game Pass for PC, and Xbox Live Gold into one subscription. Cancelling Game Pass Ultimate stops all three services at the end of your current billing period. You cannot cancel just one component—it is all or nothing.

If you want to keep Xbox Live Gold but drop Game Pass, you will need to cancel Game Pass Ultimate and then buy Xbox Live Gold separately. Conversely, if you want Game Pass but not Live Gold, you can cancel Ultimate and subscribe to Game Pass alone. The pricing and features of each service are different when purchased separately, so check the current rates before making the switch.

What to do if you are charged after cancelling

If you see a charge after you turned off recurring billing, it usually means the cancellation did not process before the billing date. Contact Xbox Support with your receipt or bank statement showing the charge. They can review whether the cancellation was submitted in time and issue a refund if the charge should not have gone through.

Keep records of when you cancelled and take a screenshot of the confirmation screen showing recurring billing is off. This documentation helps if you need to dispute a charge with your bank or credit card company. If Xbox Support does not resolve it within a reasonable time, you can file a dispute with your payment provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pause my subscription instead of cancelling it?

Xbox does not offer a pause feature. You can only turn off recurring billing, which ends the subscription at the end of your current period. If you want to use the service again later, you will need to resubscribe and pay the full price.

Will I lose my achievements and game progress if I cancel?

Your achievements and game saves stay with your account. If you resubscribe to Game Pass, you can pick up where you left off. Cloud saves are kept for a limited time after cancellation, so resubscribe before that window closes if you plan to return to a game.

Do I have to cancel before my billing date to avoid the next charge?

You should cancel before your next billing date to prevent the charge. Once the charge goes through, you can request a refund if you cancelled within 30 days of purchase. Check your account settings to see when your next billing date is.

What if I used a family member's payment method to pay for the subscription?

You can still cancel through your own account settings. The payment method owner will not be charged again once recurring billing is off. If there is a dispute about the cancellation, the account holder and payment method owner may need to contact support together.

Can I get a refund for the full subscription if I only used it for one month?

Refunds are typically available only within 30 days of purchase. If you cancel within that window, you can request a refund through your account's Manage Subscription page. After 30 days, refunds are not standard, though Xbox Support may make exceptions in certain situations.