How to cancel an Apple subscription

You cancel most Apple subscriptions through your account settings, not through the app itself. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're on iPhone, Mac, or the web, but the principle is the same: go to your Apple ID, find the subscription, and turn it off. Apple does not charge you again after you cancel, though your access continues until the current billing period ends.

The most common subscriptions people cancel are Apple Music, Apple TV+, iCloud+ storage, and Apple News+. Some subscriptions renew monthly; others renew yearly. Knowing your renewal date matters because you'll lose access the day after it passes if you haven't canceled by then.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone, open Settings, tap your name, select Subscriptions, find the service you want to cancel, and tap Cancel Subscription.
  • On Mac, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click your Apple ID, select Subscriptions, and click Edit next to the service you want to remove.
  • On the web, sign in at appleid.apple.com, go to Subscriptions, and click Edit next to the subscription you want to cancel.
  • Your access continues through the end of your current billing period even after you cancel, so you won't lose service immediately.
  • If you cancel by mistake, you can resubscribe to the same service within 30 days and your settings may be restored.

Canceling on iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app and tap your name at the top of the screen. This takes you to your Apple ID page. From there, tap Subscriptions — you'll see a list of every active subscription tied to your Apple ID.

Find the subscription you want to cancel and tap it. A details screen appears showing your renewal date, the price you pay, and what you get. Tap Cancel Subscription at the bottom. Apple asks you to confirm; tap Confirm Cancellation. That's the end of it — you'll receive a cancellation confirmation email within a few minutes.

If you don't see Subscriptions as an option, you're likely on an older version of iOS. Try this path instead: Settings > [Your Name] > iTunes & App Store > Apple ID > View Apple ID > Subscriptions.

Canceling on Mac

On a Mac running macOS Ventura or newer, open System Settings and click your name in the sidebar (or at the top if you don't see a sidebar). Click Subscriptions. You'll see all your active subscriptions listed.

Find the one you want to cancel and click Edit. A menu appears with options; click Cancel Subscription. Confirm your choice when prompted. On older Macs running macOS Monterey or earlier, the path is System Preferences > [Your Name] > Subscriptions, and the steps are the same from there.

Canceling on the web

Go to appleid.apple.com in any web browser and sign in with your Apple ID and password. Click Subscriptions in the left menu. You'll see all active subscriptions with their renewal dates and prices.

Click Edit next to the subscription you want to cancel. A dropdown menu appears; select Cancel Subscription. Confirm when prompted. This method works from any computer and is useful if you don't have your iPhone or Mac handy.

What happens after you cancel

You keep access to the service through the end of your current billing period. If you pay monthly and cancel on the 15th of the month, you can still use the service until the 15th of the next month. If you pay yearly, you have access for the full year even though you've canceled.

After your access ends, you won't be charged again. If you change your mind, you can resubscribe at any time. Apple sometimes restores your settings and preferences if you resubscribe within 30 days of canceling, though this isn't may provide for every service.

If you can't find a subscription to cancel

Subscriptions sometimes hide in unexpected places. If you subscribed through an app rather than directly through Apple, the subscription may still appear in your Apple ID settings — but some older apps manage their own subscriptions separately. Check the app itself for a Settings or Account menu.

If a subscription appears in your Apple ID but you don't recognize it, it may be a free trial you forgot about or a service you signed up for months ago. Look at the renewal date; if it's coming up soon and you don't want it, cancel it now. If you're being charged for something you didn't authorize, contact Apple Support through appleid.apple.com or call 1-800-MY-APPLE.

Subscriptions that need different cancellation steps

Most Apple subscriptions follow the steps above. However, some services work differently. If you subscribed to a service through an app's own payment system rather than Apple's, you'll need to cancel through that app or its website instead.

For example, if you subscribed to a newspaper or magazine through its own app, you may need to cancel through that publication's website or customer service. The subscription will still show in your Apple ID settings, but the cancel button may not work — that's a sign the app handles its own billing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my data if I cancel a subscription?

It depends on the service. With iCloud+, your stored files remain accessible as long as you stay under your free storage limit. With Apple Music, your playlists stay in your account and you can resubscribe later to access them again. With Apple TV+, your watch history and saved shows are preserved. Check the specific service's policy if you're concerned about losing something important.

Can I cancel a subscription on someone else's device?

No. You can only cancel subscriptions tied to your own Apple ID. If someone else set up a subscription on your device using their Apple ID, they need to cancel it themselves through their own settings. You can remove their Apple ID from your device, but that's different from canceling their subscriptions.

What if I'm charged after I cancel?

Contact Apple Support immediately. Go to appleid.apple.com, click Help, and select a contact method. Explain when you canceled and when you were charged. Apple can review your account and issue a refund if the charge was an error. Keep your cancellation confirmation email as proof.

Can I pause a subscription instead of canceling it?

Apple doesn't offer a pause feature for most subscriptions. Your only options are to keep paying or to cancel. Once you cancel, you can resubscribe whenever you want — there's no penalty for signing up again later.

How do I cancel a free trial before I'm charged?

Follow the same cancellation steps for your device. The key is to cancel before the trial period ends; check your renewal date in the subscription details. Once the trial ends and you're charged, you can still cancel, but you'll need to request a refund separately from Apple Support if you want your money back.