How to cancel an Amazon subscription
You can cancel most Amazon subscriptions directly from your account settings in a few clicks. The exact steps depend on which subscription you have — Prime, a magazine or newspaper, a streaming channel, or something else — but the process is similar across all of them. Amazon does not lock you into a contract, and cancellation takes effect immediately or at the end of your current billing period, depending on the subscription type.
The fastest route is to go to Your Account on Amazon.com, select Memberships and Subscriptions, find the subscription you want to cancel, and click Cancel Subscription. You will see the cancellation date before you confirm. If you cannot find the subscription there, it may be billed through a different service — like Apple, Google, or a third-party app — and you will need to cancel it through that platform instead.
Key Takeaways
- Most Amazon subscriptions can be cancelled from the Memberships and Subscriptions page in Your Account, and the cancellation takes effect immediately or at your next billing date.
- If you subscribed through Apple, Google Play, or another app, you must cancel through that platform, not through Amazon itself.
- Prime members can cancel anytime and receive a refund for the unused portion of their membership if they cancel within a certain window after purchase.
- Magazine and newspaper subscriptions typically end at the end of your current billing period, while streaming channels usually stop access right away.
Cancelling Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime is the most common subscription to cancel. Go to Your Account, select Memberships and Subscriptions, then click Edit Prime Membership. You will see options to pause your membership for up to three months or cancel it outright. If you choose to cancel, Amazon will tell you when your access ends — usually at the end of your current billing period.
If you cancel within a few weeks of your renewal date, you may be refunded for the unused portion. Amazon does not advertise this as a may provide, but it happens often enough that it is worth asking if you cancel shortly after being charged. You can also pause Prime for up to three months instead of cancelling, which keeps your membership active but stops the charges temporarily.
Cancelling magazine, newspaper, and digital subscriptions
Subscriptions to magazines, newspapers, and other digital content through Amazon work the same way as Prime. Go to Memberships and Subscriptions, find the publication, and click Cancel Subscription. Most of these subscriptions end at the end of your current billing period, so you will keep access until then.
Some publications offer refunds if you cancel within a short window after purchase — usually a few days. Check the cancellation screen to see if a refund is available. If you want to pause instead of cancel, some subscriptions allow you to skip issues or pause for a set number of months.
Cancelling Prime Video channels and add-ons
If you subscribe to channels like HBO Max, Paramount+, or Starz through Prime Video, you cancel them separately from Prime itself. Go to Your Account, select Memberships and Subscriptions, find the channel, and click Cancel Channel. Access usually stops right away, though you may keep access through the end of the current day depending on when you cancel.
Some channels offer a free trial period. If you cancel during the trial, you will not be charged. If you cancel after the trial ends, your next charge will not occur, but you lose access immediately.
Subscriptions billed through Apple, Google, or other platforms
If you signed up for an Amazon subscription through Apple's App Store, Google Play, or another third-party platform, you cannot cancel it through Amazon. You must cancel through the platform where you subscribed. Go to your account settings on that platform, find the subscription, and cancel there.
This matters because Amazon's cancellation page will not show subscriptions billed this way. If you cannot find a subscription you know you have, check your email for a receipt from Apple, Google, or another company. That receipt will tell you where to cancel. You can also check your credit card or bank statement to see which company is charging you each month.
What happens after you cancel
After you cancel, you will receive a confirmation email from Amazon. Keep this email in case you need to reference the cancellation date later. Your access ends on the date shown in the confirmation — either immediately or at the end of your billing period.
If you cancel Prime and later want to rejoin, you can reactivate it anytime. Amazon will not charge you again until you choose to restart it. If you cancel a magazine or channel subscription and want it back, you can resubscribe the same way you did originally.
Refunds and billing disputes
Most Amazon subscriptions do not offer refunds after the initial purchase window closes. Prime is the exception — if you cancel within a few weeks of being charged, you may receive a refund for the unused time. For other subscriptions, check the cancellation screen to see if a refund is available.
If you were charged after cancelling, or if you see a charge you do not recognize, contact Amazon Customer Service. Go to Your Account, select Contact Us, and describe the issue. Amazon can review the charge and issue a refund if it was made in error. Keep your cancellation confirmation email handy when you contact them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I get a refund if I cancel Prime mid-month?
You may receive a refund for the unused portion if you cancel within a few weeks of your renewal date, but this is not may provide. The cancellation screen will tell you whether a refund is available. If you think you should have received one and did not, contact Amazon Customer Service with your cancellation confirmation.
Can I cancel a subscription if I signed up through an app?
No. If you subscribed through Apple, Google Play, or another app, you must cancel through that app or platform. Amazon cannot cancel subscriptions billed by third parties. Check your email receipt to see which company charged you, then go to that company's account settings to cancel.
What if I cancel but still see a charge on my card?
If you see a charge after cancelling, the subscription may have renewed before your cancellation took effect. Contact Amazon Customer Service with your cancellation confirmation email and the charge date. They can review it and issue a refund if the charge should not have happened.
Can I pause a subscription instead of cancelling it?
Prime allows you to pause for up to three months instead of cancelling. Some magazine and newspaper subscriptions also offer the option to skip issues or pause. Check the cancellation screen to see if pause is available for your subscription.
Do I lose access immediately after cancelling?
It depends on the subscription type. Prime and most channels stop access at the end of your billing period or immediately, depending on when you cancel. Magazines and newspapers usually let you keep access through the end of your current billing period. The cancellation screen will show you the exact date you lose access.