How to cancel depends on how you signed up

The method you use to cancel depends on where you set up the subscription. If you signed up through a website directly, you cancel on that website. If you signed up through an app on your phone, you may need to cancel through your phone's app store instead — the company that runs the app store (Apple, Google, Amazon) handles the billing, not the subscription company itself. If you signed up by phone or mail, you typically cancel the same way.

Most subscriptions can be cancelled immediately, though some require you to wait until your current billing period ends. A few charge an early termination fee if you cancel before a contract period is over. The cancellation page or your confirmation email should tell you whether there are any restrictions on your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Cancellations made through a website take effect immediately or at the end of your current billing cycle, depending on the company's policy.
  • If you subscribed through an app store (Apple App Store, Google Play, Amazon Appstore), you must cancel through that app store, not through the company's website.
  • Keep your cancellation confirmation email as proof in case you are charged again by mistake.
  • If a company continues to charge you after cancellation, contact your bank or credit card company to dispute the charge.
  • Some subscriptions require you to cancel before a specific date to avoid being charged for the next billing period.

Cancelling a subscription you signed up for on a website

Log into your account on the company's website. Look for a section called "Account," "Settings," "Billing," "Subscriptions," or "My Membership." The exact name varies by company. Once you find it, you should see a button or link that says "Cancel Subscription," "Cancel Membership," or "Manage Subscription."

Click that button. The company may ask you why you are cancelling or offer you a discount to stay. You can skip these questions or answer them — your choice does not affect whether the cancellation goes through. After you confirm, you should see a message saying the cancellation was successful. Take a screenshot or save the confirmation email.

Check your email for a confirmation message from the company. This email is your proof that you cancelled. Keep it until you see that you were not charged on your next billing date.

Cancelling a subscription through an app store

If you subscribed through the Apple App Store, open the App Store app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap the account icon in the top right corner, then tap "Subscriptions." Find the subscription you want to cancel and tap it. Tap "Cancel Subscription" or "Remove."

If you subscribed through Google Play, open the Google Play app on your Android phone. Tap your profile icon in the top right, then tap "Payments and subscriptions," then "Subscriptions." Find the subscription and tap it. Tap "Cancel subscription."

If you subscribed through Amazon Appstore, open the Amazon Appstore app. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), then tap "Subscriptions." Find the subscription and tap "Cancel subscription."

The app store will ask you to confirm. After you do, you should receive a confirmation email from the app store (Apple, Google, or Amazon), not from the subscription company itself. This email is your proof of cancellation.

What happens after you cancel

Most subscriptions stop immediately after you cancel. You lose access to the service right away. Some companies let you use the service until the end of your current billing period — for example, if you are charged monthly on the 15th and you cancel on the 20th, you might keep access until the 15th of next month. The cancellation page should tell you which applies to your subscription.

You should not be charged again after the cancellation takes effect. If you see a charge after your cancellation date, contact your bank or credit card company and ask them to dispute the charge. Provide them with your cancellation confirmation email as proof.

If you cannot find the cancel button

Some companies make the cancel button hard to find. If you cannot locate it on the website or app, look for a "Contact Us" or "Help" section. Many companies have a phone number, email address, or chat option where you can request cancellation. When you contact them, have your account number or email address ready.

If the company does not respond or refuses to cancel, contact your bank or credit card company. You can ask them to block future charges from that company or to dispute charges that occurred after you requested cancellation. This is called a chargeback, and it is a legal right you have as a cardholder.

Subscriptions with early termination fees or contract periods

Some subscriptions — particularly phone plans, internet service, or gym memberships — require you to pay a fee if you cancel before a set contract period ends. This fee is usually listed in your contract or in the terms and conditions you agreed to when you signed up. The cancellation page should also tell you whether a fee applies.

If you want to cancel but want to avoid the fee, check when your contract period ends. You can cancel without a fee once that date passes. If you need to cancel before then, you will owe the fee, but you still have the right to cancel — the company cannot force you to keep paying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I cancel but still get charged?

Contact your bank or credit card company immediately and tell them you cancelled the subscription but were charged anyway. Provide your cancellation confirmation email. Ask them to dispute the charge and block future charges from that company. Most banks will refund the charge within 5 to 10 business days.

Can I cancel a subscription in the middle of a billing cycle?

Yes. You can cancel anytime. Some companies stop charging you immediately; others let you keep the service until the end of your current billing period. Either way, you will not be charged for the next period. The cancellation page will tell you which applies to your account.

Do I need to contact the company before I cancel online?

No. Cancelling online is the fastest way. You only need to contact the company if you cannot find the cancel button or if the online cancellation does not go through. Keep your confirmation email as proof that you cancelled.

What if the company says I owe money before they will cancel?

You still have the right to cancel. If you owe money for past charges, that is a separate issue from cancellation. Cancel the subscription, then work with the company to settle any outstanding balance. Do not let them use a balance as a reason to keep charging you going forward.

How long does it take for a cancellation to show up on my bank statement?

Cancellations are immediate, but it can take 1 to 3 billing cycles for the charge to stop appearing on your statement. This is normal. If you are still being charged 2 billing cycles after you cancelled, contact your bank to dispute the charge.