Where to find and cancel subscriptions in Settings
Open Settings on your iPhone, then tap your name at the top of the screen. Select Subscriptions from the menu. You will see a list of all active subscriptions tied to your Apple ID. Tap the subscription you want to cancel, then tap Cancel Subscription. Confirm the cancellation when prompted.
The cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period. You will keep access to the service until that date arrives. If you cancel partway through a month, you are not refunded for the unused portion — the subscription simply stops renewing.
Some subscriptions appear in Settings but were actually purchased through the app itself rather than through Apple. In those cases, Settings will show the subscription but direct you to contact the app developer or service provider to cancel. Check the cancellation screen carefully to see which path applies.
Key Takeaways
- Subscriptions are cancelled through Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions, not through the app itself.
- Cancellation stops future charges but does not refund money already paid for the current billing period.
- Some apps handle subscriptions outside Apple's system and require you to cancel directly with the provider.
- You can see your cancellation history and restore a cancelled subscription within a short window if you change your mind.
- Turning off auto-renewal is different from cancelling — it stops future charges but may leave you with active access until the current period ends.
The difference between cancelling and turning off auto-renewal
When you cancel a subscription, it stops renewing and you lose access at the end of the current billing cycle. When you turn off auto-renewal, the subscription continues through the end of the current period, then stops renewing — but you keep using it until that date. Both actions prevent future charges, but they affect when your access ends.
To turn off auto-renewal without cancelling, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions, tap the subscription, and toggle off Auto-Renewal. This is useful if you want to finish a month of service without paying for the next one, but you do not want to lose access immediately.
Cancelling subscriptions purchased through an app
If you bought a subscription directly inside an app — rather than through Apple's system — Settings will show it but may not let you cancel it there. The cancellation screen will tell you to contact the app developer or visit their website. Look for a "Manage Subscription" or "Account Settings" link within the app itself, or visit the service provider's website and log in with your account.
Apps that handle their own subscriptions include some streaming services, news apps, and fitness platforms. They do this to keep your subscription data on their own servers rather than through Apple. Cancelling through the app or the provider's website is the only way to stop these subscriptions.
What happens after you cancel
You will receive a confirmation email from Apple or the service provider. Your access continues until the end of the current billing period. After that date, you will no longer be able to use the service, and you will not be charged again.
If you change your mind within a short window — usually a few days — you can restore the subscription by going back to Settings > Subscriptions and tapping Restore on the cancelled subscription. After that window closes, you will need to start a new subscription if you want to use the service again.
Checking your subscription history and past charges
To see what you have been charged for subscriptions, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > Purchase History. Scroll through to find subscription charges. You can also see refund requests and disputed charges here.
If you see a charge you do not recognize, tap it to see details about which subscription it came from. If the charge is wrong or you were billed after cancelling, you can request a refund through the same screen by tapping the charge and selecting Report a Problem.
Preventing unwanted subscription charges
Before you download an app, check whether it offers a free trial. Free trials auto-renew to a paid subscription unless you cancel before the trial ends. Set a phone reminder for a few days before the trial ends so you do not forget to cancel if you do not want to pay.
Some apps make the cancel button hard to find or bury it in account settings. If you are unsure whether an app has a subscription, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions and search for it. This is the fastest way to see everything you are paying for each month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund after I cancel a subscription?
You are not refunded for the current billing period after you cancel. If you were charged by mistake or after you already cancelled, you can request a refund by going to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > Purchase History, tapping the charge, and selecting Report a Problem. Apple reviews these requests and may refund you.
What if I cancel but still see charges on my credit card?
Check your bank statement to see the exact date of the charge. If it was charged before you cancelled, it is the final payment for the current billing period and will not be refunded. If it was charged after you cancelled, go to Purchase History and report the problem. Provide the date and amount so Apple can investigate.
Can I cancel a subscription from a computer instead of my iPhone?
Yes. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, select Subscriptions, and click the subscription you want to cancel. Click Cancel Subscription. The process is the same as on your iPhone, and the cancellation applies to all your devices.
Why does an app say I need to cancel through their website?
Some apps manage subscriptions on their own servers rather than through Apple. These subscriptions appear in your iPhone Settings but can only be cancelled through the app or the provider's website. Check inside the app for an Account or Subscription Settings section, or visit the provider's website and log in to cancel.
What if I cannot find a subscription I think I am paying for?
Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > Purchase History and look at recent charges. Subscriptions appear as recurring charges. If you see a charge but cannot find the subscription in Settings, it may be managed outside Apple's system — search your email for receipts from the provider to find out how to cancel it.