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 online, on your console, or through the Xbox app. The cancellation takes effect immediately, though you keep access to the service until your current billing period ends. Microsoft does not charge you again after you cancel, even if you have days left in your subscription.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use a console, computer, or phone, but all routes lead to the same result: your subscription stops renewing. You do not need to contact Xbox support to cancel — the option is built into your account dashboard.

Key Takeaways

  • You can cancel through your Microsoft account online, on your Xbox console, or in the Xbox app without calling support.
  • Cancellation takes effect immediately, but you keep access until your current billing period ends.
  • If you cancel and then change your mind, you can resubscribe at any time, though you will not get a refund for the time you already paid.
  • Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold are separate subscriptions — cancelling one does not cancel the other.
  • If you subscribed through a third party like Amazon or Apple, you must cancel through that service instead of Microsoft.

Cancel through your Microsoft account online

Log into your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com. Go to "Subscriptions" in the left menu, then find the Xbox subscription you want to cancel. Click on it, then select "Manage" or "Cancel subscription." Confirm the cancellation when prompted.

This method works from any computer or phone with a web browser. If you have multiple subscriptions (for example, Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold), you will see them listed separately, and you can cancel just one or both.

Cancel on your Xbox console

Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide. Go to "Profile & system" > "Settings" > "Account" > "Subscriptions." Find the subscription you want to cancel and select it. Choose "Manage subscription," then "Cancel subscription," and confirm.

This route is fastest if you are already using your console. The menu structure is the same on Xbox Series X, Series S, and Xbox One.

Cancel through the Xbox app on Windows or mobile

Open the Xbox app on your computer or phone. Go to your profile (usually in the top right corner), then select "Settings" or "Account." Look for "Subscriptions" or "Manage subscriptions." Select the subscription you want to cancel, then choose the cancellation option and confirm.

The exact menu names vary slightly between the Windows app and the mobile app, but the process is the same. If you cannot find the subscriptions menu, try searching the app's help section for "cancel subscription."

What happens after you cancel

Your subscription stops renewing on the date your current billing period ends. You keep full access to Game Pass games, online multiplayer, and other benefits until that date arrives. After the billing period ends, you lose access to the service.

If you cancel mid-month, Microsoft does not refund the unused portion. However, you can resubscribe at any time — there is no penalty for cancelling and coming back later. If you resubscribe within a certain period, you may see promotional pricing, though this varies.

If you subscribed through a third party

If you bought your Xbox subscription through Amazon Prime Gaming, Apple, Google Play, or another third-party service, you must cancel through that service, not through Microsoft. Cancelling in your Microsoft account will not stop the third party from charging you.

Log into the account where you made the purchase, find the subscription in that service's settings, and cancel there. Check your email receipt if you are unsure which service you used — it will show the name of the company that charged you.

Troubleshooting cancellation problems

If the cancellation option does not appear in your account, your subscription may already be cancelled, or it may be managed by a parent or family account owner. If you are part of a family group, the account owner controls subscriptions for everyone in the group.

If you see an error message or cannot find the subscription menu after following the steps above, try signing out of your Microsoft account and signing back in. If the problem persists, you can contact Xbox Support through the Xbox website — they can cancel the subscription on your behalf and answer questions about billing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?

No. Microsoft does not refund unused time. However, you keep access to your subscription until the end of your current billing period, so you are not losing access immediately after cancelling.

Can I pause my subscription instead of cancelling?

Xbox does not offer a pause feature. Your options are to keep the subscription active or cancel it. If you cancel and want to come back later, you can resubscribe whenever you choose.

Will cancelling Game Pass also cancel Xbox Live Gold?

No. Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold are separate subscriptions. You must cancel each one individually if you want to stop both. Cancelling one does not affect the other.

What if I forgot my Microsoft password?

Go to account.microsoft.com and click "Can't access your account?" Follow the steps to reset your password using your email or phone number. Once you regain access, you can cancel your subscription through your account settings.

Can I cancel an Xbox subscription bought as a gift?

If someone gave you a gift code, that subscription is tied to the account that redeemed it. You can cancel it through that account's settings. If it was a gift subscription (meaning someone paid for a month or year on your behalf), you can also cancel it the same way.