How to cancel Xbox Game Pass or Xbox Live Gold
You can cancel Xbox Game Pass or Xbox Live Gold through your Microsoft account settings on any device with internet access. The cancellation takes effect immediately, though you keep access until the end of your current billing period. If you cancel mid-cycle, you are not refunded the unused portion — the subscription simply stops renewing.
The fastest route is through the Xbox app on a computer or the web version of your Microsoft account. On console, the process takes a few more steps but works the same way. You do not need to call anyone or contact support unless something goes wrong during cancellation.
Key Takeaways
- Cancel through your Microsoft account settings, not through the Xbox console itself, because the console menu does not always show all subscription options.
- Cancellation takes effect immediately, but you keep access until your current billing cycle ends — you are not charged again.
- If you cancel mid-cycle, Microsoft does not issue refunds for the unused time remaining on your subscription.
- You can pause your subscription for up to three months instead of cancelling, which keeps your Game Pass saves and settings intact.
- If you subscribed through a third party like Amazon Prime Gaming or a mobile carrier, you must cancel through that service, not through Microsoft.
Cancel through the web version of your Microsoft account
Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with the email and password you use for Xbox. Click "Subscriptions" in the left menu, then find the subscription you want to cancel — either Xbox Game Pass or Xbox Live Gold. Click on it to open the subscription details.
Look for the button that says "Manage" or "Cancel subscription." Click it, then confirm the cancellation when prompted. Microsoft will show you the date your access ends. After you confirm, the subscription stops renewing and you will not be charged again.
Cancel through the Xbox app on Windows or Mac
Open the Xbox app and sign in. Click your profile icon in the top right corner, then select "Settings." Go to "Account" and then "Subscriptions." Find the subscription you want to cancel and click "Manage."
Select "Cancel subscription" and confirm. The app will show you the date your current access ends. You will see a confirmation message once the cancellation is complete.
Cancel through your Xbox console
On Xbox Series X, Series S, or Xbox One, press the Xbox button to open the guide. Go to "Profile & system" and select "Settings." Choose "Account" and then "Subscriptions." Find the subscription and select it.
Select "Manage subscription" and then "Cancel subscription." Confirm the cancellation. Note that the console menu sometimes does not show all subscription options, so if you do not see what you are looking for, use the web method instead.
Pause instead of cancel if you might return
Xbox Game Pass lets you pause your subscription for up to three months without cancelling it. When you pause, you stop being charged, but your Game Pass saves, achievements, and settings stay in place. When you unpause, everything is exactly as you left it.
To pause, go to your Microsoft account subscriptions page, select Game Pass, and choose "Pause subscription" instead of "Cancel subscription." You can unpause at any time during the three-month window. After three months, the subscription resumes automatically unless you cancel it.
What happens after you cancel
You keep access to Xbox Game Pass or Xbox Live Gold until the end of your current billing cycle. If you paid monthly, that is one month from today. If you paid for three months or a year, you keep access until that period ends. After that date, your access stops and you cannot play Game Pass games or use online multiplayer.
Your profile, achievements, and game saves remain on your console and in the cloud. You can still play games you own outright, but you cannot play games that came with Game Pass. If you resubscribe later, your saves and settings are still there.
If you subscribed through a third party
Some people subscribe to Game Pass through Amazon Prime Gaming, a mobile carrier, or another service bundled with their account. If that is how you subscribed, you must cancel through that service, not through Microsoft. Cancelling through Microsoft will not work because Microsoft is not your billing source.
Check your email receipts to see where your subscription charges come from. If they come from Amazon, your carrier, or another company, log into that account and cancel the subscription there. If you cancel in the wrong place, you may still be charged by the third party.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?
No. Microsoft does not refund unused time on subscriptions. If you cancel on the 15th of a 30-day cycle, you keep access until day 30 but receive no refund for the 15 days remaining. You are simply not charged again after that date.
Can I cancel on my phone?
Yes, through the web version of your Microsoft account. Go to account.microsoft.com in your phone browser, sign in, and follow the same steps as on a computer. The Xbox mobile app does not have a subscription cancellation option, so use the web version instead.
What if I cannot find my subscription in the settings?
Check your email receipts to confirm which service you subscribed through. If you subscribed through a third party like Amazon or your phone carrier, you must cancel there. If you subscribed directly through Microsoft but cannot find it, try the web version of your account instead of the console or app.
Do my game saves disappear after I cancel?
No. Your saves stay in the cloud and on your console. If you resubscribe later, you can pick up where you left off. You cannot play Game Pass games while unsubscribed, but the saves themselves do not go anywhere.
Can I cancel and resubscribe the same day?
Yes. You can cancel immediately and resubscribe at any time. There is no waiting period. However, you will be charged for a new subscription cycle, so you will not save money by cancelling and resubscribing on the same day.