Open Settings and find your subscriptions

To cancel an app subscription on iPhone, start in the Settings app on your home screen. Tap your name at the top of the screen, then select "Subscriptions." This takes you to a list of every subscription you are currently paying for through the App Store.

If you do not see your name at the top of Settings, you may be using an older version of iOS. Tap "iTunes & App Stores" instead, then tap your Apple ID at the top and select "View Apple ID." From there, tap "Subscriptions."

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap your name, then select "Subscriptions" to see all active app subscriptions tied to your Apple ID.
  • Tap the subscription you want to cancel, then tap "Cancel Subscription" — the app will stop charging you on the next billing date.
  • Cancellation takes effect immediately, but you keep access to the app until the current billing period ends.
  • If you cancel within the free trial period, you lose access to the app right away rather than at the end of the trial.
  • Refunds for subscriptions you already paid for are handled through a separate process and depend on how recently you were charged.

Select the subscription and tap Cancel

From your Subscriptions list, tap the subscription you want to stop. The screen will show you the subscription name, the price you pay, and when your next charge date is. Tap "Cancel Subscription" at the bottom of the screen.

A confirmation message will appear asking why you are canceling. You can select a reason or skip this step. After you confirm, the subscription is canceled — you will not be charged again after your current billing period ends.

What happens after you cancel

Once you cancel, you keep full access to the app until the end of your current billing cycle. If you paid for a monthly subscription and cancel on the 15th of the month, you can still use the app until the end of that month. On the next billing date, the charge stops.

If you were in a free trial period when you canceled, access stops immediately. You do not get to use the rest of the trial. The app will still be on your phone, but you will not be able to use features that require an active subscription.

How to request a refund for a recent charge

If you were already charged for a subscription and want your money back, go to Settings, tap your name, then select "Purchase History." Find the charge you want to refund, tap the three dots next to it, and select "Report a Problem." Describe why you want a refund and submit.

Apple reviews refund requests and usually responds within 48 hours. Refunds are most often approved if you request them within a few days of being charged. Requests made weeks or months later are less likely to be approved. If approved, the money goes back to your original payment method.

Canceling subscriptions through the App Store app

On newer iPhones, you can also cancel through the App Store app itself. Open App Store, tap the profile icon in the top right corner, then tap "Subscriptions." This shows the same list as Settings and works the same way — tap the subscription and select "Cancel Subscription."

Both methods reach the same system, so it does not matter which one you use. Some people find the App Store route faster if they are already browsing apps.

Subscriptions you may have forgotten about

When you open your Subscriptions list, look for charges you do not recognize or no longer use. Many people sign up for free trials and forget to cancel before the paid period starts. Checking this list once a month helps you catch unexpected charges before they add up.

If you see a subscription you do not remember starting, you can still cancel it the same way. Tap it and select "Cancel Subscription." If you believe the charge was unauthorized, report it through the "Report a Problem" process instead of simply canceling.

What to do if you cannot find a subscription

Subscriptions tied to your Apple ID show up in Settings under Subscriptions. If you cannot find one there, it may be billed through a different payment method or a different Apple ID. Check whether you have multiple Apple IDs on your phone or whether the subscription was purchased on a different device.

Some apps also offer subscriptions outside the App Store system. If an app charged you directly rather than through Apple, you may need to cancel through the app itself or contact the company's customer service. Check your email for a receipt to see whether the charge came from Apple or the app maker.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a subscription and then resubscribe later?

Yes. Once you cancel, the subscription stops charging you, but you can restart it anytime by opening the app and selecting the subscription option again. You will not lose any saved data or settings in the app just because your subscription ended.

What if I cancel during a free trial?

If you cancel during a free trial, your access to the app stops immediately — you do not get to use the rest of the trial period. You will not be charged, but the trial ends right away.

Do I have to cancel through Settings, or can I cancel in the app itself?

You must cancel through Settings, the App Store app, or Apple's website. Most apps do not have a cancel button inside the app itself. If an app claims you can cancel within the app, it is usually directing you to Settings anyway.

How long does it take for a refund to show up?

Refunds usually appear in your account within 5 to 10 business days after Apple approves your request. The exact timing depends on your bank or payment method. Check your bank's transaction history to confirm when the money arrived.

Can I cancel a subscription on my iPhone if I started it on a different device?

Yes. As long as you use the same Apple ID on both devices, all your subscriptions appear in Settings on any iPhone, iPad, or Mac. You can cancel from whichever device is easiest for you.