How to cancel your ChatGPT subscription
To cancel your ChatGPT Plus subscription, log into your account on OpenAI's website, go to your account settings, find the "Billing" or "Plan" section, and select the option to cancel your subscription. The cancellation takes effect immediately, though you keep access to ChatGPT Plus features through the end of your current billing cycle. After that date, your account reverts to the free version of ChatGPT.
The exact steps depend on whether you subscribed through OpenAI's website directly or through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store on a mobile device. Each route has a different cancellation process, and canceling in one place does not cancel it in another if you have subscriptions on multiple platforms.
Key Takeaways
- Canceling through OpenAI's website happens in your account settings under Billing, and takes effect at the end of your current billing period.
- If you subscribed through Apple App Store or Google Play Store, you must cancel through that app store, not through OpenAI's website.
- You retain ChatGPT Plus access until your billing cycle ends, even after you cancel.
- OpenAI does not issue refunds for partial months, so canceling mid-cycle means you lose the unused portion of that payment.
Canceling a subscription on OpenAI's website
Log into your ChatGPT account at chat.openai.com. Click on your account name or profile icon in the bottom left corner of the screen, then select "Settings" from the menu that appears. Look for a "Billing" or "Plan" section in the settings menu.
In the Billing section, you will see your current subscription status and your next billing date. Click the button labeled "Manage my subscription" or "Cancel subscription" — the exact wording varies. OpenAI will ask you to confirm the cancellation and may offer you a discount to stay subscribed. If you proceed, your subscription cancels at the end of your current billing cycle, and you will receive a confirmation email.
Canceling through Apple App Store
If you subscribed to ChatGPT Plus through the Apple App Store on an iPhone or iPad, you must cancel through Apple's system, not through OpenAI's website. Open the Settings app on your device, tap your name at the top, then select "Subscriptions." Find ChatGPT in the list and tap it.
Tap "Cancel Subscription" and confirm your choice. Apple will ask why you are canceling and may offer you a discount. Your subscription ends at the end of your current billing period. Canceling here does not affect any ChatGPT subscription you may have on OpenAI's website or through Google Play Store.
Canceling through Google Play Store
If you subscribed through Google Play Store on an Android device, open the Google Play app and tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Select "Payments and subscriptions," then "Subscriptions." Find ChatGPT and tap it, then tap "Cancel subscription."
Google will ask you to confirm and may offer you a discount to keep the subscription. Your access continues through the end of your current billing cycle. Like Apple, canceling through Google Play does not cancel any separate subscription you have on OpenAI's website or through another platform.
What happens after you cancel
Once you cancel, you keep full access to ChatGPT Plus until your current billing cycle ends. On the day after your billing cycle ends, your account automatically downgrades to the free version of ChatGPT. You lose access to GPT-4, priority response times, and the ability to use custom GPT features.
Your chat history remains in your account, and you can still view past conversations. You can resubscribe to ChatGPT Plus at any time by going back to your account settings and selecting "Upgrade to Plus" or by visiting the pricing page on OpenAI's website.
Refunds and billing after cancellation
OpenAI does not issue refunds for unused portions of your subscription. If you cancel on the 15th of a month but your billing cycle runs through the 30th, you lose the payment for those 15 days. Plan your cancellation date accordingly if you want to avoid wasting money.
After cancellation, you will not be charged again. If you see a charge after your cancellation date, contact OpenAI's support team through the help section on their website. Keep your cancellation confirmation email as proof of when you canceled.
If you cannot find the cancellation option
If you are logged into OpenAI's website but cannot find a Billing or Plan section in your settings, you may not have a paid subscription. The free version of ChatGPT has no subscription to cancel. Check your email for any receipts from OpenAI or Apple or Google to confirm whether you actually have an active subscription.
If you have a subscription but still cannot locate the cancellation button, try logging out and logging back in, or try a different web browser. If the problem persists, use the help or support option on OpenAI's website to contact their support team directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my chat history if I cancel?
No. Your chat history stays in your account after you cancel. You can still view and search past conversations when you log in, even after you downgrade to the free version. If you delete a conversation manually, it is gone, but canceling the subscription itself does not erase anything.
Can I cancel and resubscribe later?
Yes. You can cancel at any time and resubscribe whenever you want. There is no penalty for canceling and coming back. When you resubscribe, you start a new billing cycle from that date.
What if I subscribed through multiple platforms?
You must cancel each subscription separately through the platform where you created it. Canceling on OpenAI's website does not cancel your Apple or Google subscription, and vice versa. Check all three places if you are unsure where you subscribed.
Do I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?
No. OpenAI does not refund unused portions of your subscription. Your access continues until the end of your billing cycle, but you will not receive money back for the days you do not use after canceling.
How do I know if my cancellation went through?
You should receive a confirmation email from OpenAI, Apple, or Google depending on where you subscribed. Check your email inbox and spam folder. You can also log into your account and check your Billing section to confirm your subscription status shows as canceled or inactive.