Where to find and cancel subscriptions on your iPhone
Open the Settings app on your iPhone, then tap your name at the top of the screen. Select "Subscriptions" — you'll see a list of every active subscription tied to your Apple ID, whether you signed up through the App Store, Apple Music, iCloud+, or any app that uses Apple's billing system. Tap the subscription you want to cancel, then tap "Cancel Subscription" at the bottom of the screen. Confirm the cancellation when prompted.
The subscription ends on your next billing date. You keep access until that date arrives — Apple doesn't cut you off immediately. If you cancel mid-cycle, you won't get a refund for the time you've already paid, but you won't be charged again.
Some subscriptions, like those managed directly by a company's own app rather than through Apple's system, won't appear in Settings. For those, you'll need to cancel within the app itself or contact the company directly.
Key Takeaways
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions to see all active subscriptions on your Apple ID.
- Cancellation takes effect on your next billing date, and you keep access until then.
- Subscriptions managed outside Apple's system won't show in Settings and must be cancelled in the app or with the company.
- You can resubscribe to a cancelled subscription at any time without penalty.
- Check your subscriptions regularly — many apps auto-renew and charge monthly or yearly without reminders.
How to see your subscription history and past charges
From the same Subscriptions screen in Settings, scroll to the top and tap "See All." This shows both active and expired subscriptions. Tap any subscription to see its billing history, including the date and amount of each charge.
If you want a full record of all App Store and Apple service charges, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases, then tap "Purchase History." This shows every transaction tied to your Apple ID, not just subscriptions. You can filter by date or search for a specific app or service.
Cancelling subscriptions from free trials
Free trials auto-convert to paid subscriptions unless you cancel before the trial ends. The cancellation date matters: if your trial ends on the 15th and you cancel on the 14th, you won't be charged. If you cancel on the 16th, you've already been billed for the first month.
Set a phone reminder a few days before your trial ends if you're unsure whether you want to keep the subscription. Once you cancel a free trial, you lose access immediately — there's no grace period like there is with paid subscriptions.
What happens after you cancel
You can use the service until your billing date passes. For example, if you cancel Apple Music on the 10th and your next charge was scheduled for the 25th, you have music access until the 24th at 11:59 p.m. After that, the app stops working or shows a paywall.
Your data usually stays on Apple's servers for a limited time after cancellation. If you resubscribe within that window, your preferences and history may still be there. However, don't count on this — some services delete your data immediately.
Resubscribing to a cancelled subscription
You can restart any subscription you've cancelled by going back to Settings > Subscriptions and tapping the subscription name. Tap "Resubscribe" and confirm. You'll be charged on the same day each month (or year) going forward, just like before.
Resubscribing doesn't restore a cancelled free trial. If you cancelled a trial, you'll be charged full price if you sign up again. Some services offer a second trial after a gap, but this is rare and depends on the company's policy.
Subscriptions that don't appear in Settings
Apps that handle their own billing — meaning they don't use Apple's payment system — won't show up in your Subscriptions list. These are less common now because Apple requires most apps to use its billing, but some services like Spotify, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video still manage subscriptions independently.
To cancel these, open the app, go to your account settings, and look for a "Manage Subscription" or "Billing" option. If you can't find it in the app, visit the company's website and log in to your account there. You can also contact the company's customer support directly.
If you subscribed through the app's own website rather than through the App Store, the subscription is definitely not in Settings. Check your email for a confirmation message from the company — it usually contains a link to manage your account.
Preventing unwanted charges from subscriptions
Review your subscriptions every few months. Go to Settings > Subscriptions and look for services you no longer use. Many people forget about subscriptions they signed up for during free trials and get charged months later.
Turn off auto-renewal for subscriptions you want to keep but don't want to renew automatically. From the subscription details screen, toggle off "Auto-Renew." You'll keep access until your current billing period ends, then the subscription stops without charging you again. You can turn auto-renewal back on anytime.
Check your App Store purchase history regularly if you suspect unauthorized charges. If you see a charge you didn't make, report it to Apple through Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > Purchase History, then tap the charge and select "Report a Problem."
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I get a refund if I cancel mid-cycle?
No. Apple doesn't refund unused time on a subscription. Your cancellation takes effect on your next billing date. If you need a refund for a specific charge, contact Apple Support through Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases and tap "Purchase History," then report the charge as a problem.
Can I cancel a subscription on my computer instead of my iPhone?
Yes. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, select "Subscriptions," and manage them from there. You can also cancel through iTunes on a Mac or PC. The process is the same regardless of device.
What if I cancel and then change my mind before my access ends?
Resubscribe through Settings > Subscriptions. Your new billing cycle starts immediately, and you'll be charged right away. You won't get a refund for the time you already paid on your old subscription.
Do I lose my data when I cancel a subscription?
It depends on the service. Some apps delete your data immediately; others keep it for 30 to 90 days in case you resubscribe. Check the app's privacy policy or contact the company to know for sure. Don't assume your data will be there if you cancel and come back later.
Why do I see a subscription in Settings that I don't remember signing up for?
You likely signed up during a free trial and forgot to cancel before it converted to a paid subscription. Check the subscription's details to see when it started and how much you're being charged. If you didn't authorize it, report it to Apple as a problem through your purchase history.