Quick answer: On iPhone, go to Settings, tap your name, then Subscriptions. On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile picture, then Payments and subscriptions. Pick the service and tap Cancel. Deleting the app does not cancel anything, and you keep access until the period you’ve paid for ends.
Where you cancel depends on where you signed up. A subscription bought through Apple is cancelled with Apple, one bought through Google Play is cancelled there, and one bought on the company’s own website has to be cancelled on that website.
With streaming and music prices rising (see our look at Disney+, Hulu and Peacock price increases), it’s a good moment to review what you pay for. This guide, part of our Apps and Software coverage, was checked against official Apple and Google help pages in October 2026.
How do you cancel a subscription on iPhone, iPad or Mac?
Apple’s support page lists several routes. The quickest on a phone:
- Open Settings and tap your name at the top.
- Tap Subscriptions.
- Select the subscription you want to stop.
- Tap Cancel Subscription and confirm.
On a Mac, open the App Store, click your name in the sidebar, choose Account Settings, then Subscriptions. You can also manage everything in a browser at account.apple.com. On Windows, use the Apple Music or Apple TV app.
If you can’t find the subscription, you may be signed in with the wrong Apple Account. Apple suggests searching your email for “receipt from Apple” to find which account was charged.
How do you cancel on Android and Google Play?
Google’s help page says you can open the subscription in Google Play and tap Cancel subscription. In practice:
- Open the Google Play Store and tap your profile picture.
- Choose Payments and subscriptions, then Subscriptions.
- Tap the subscription and select Cancel subscription.
- Follow the prompts to confirm.
Menu names shift between Android versions, so if yours looks different, search for “subscriptions” inside the Play Store. Google says you can keep using the service for the time you’ve already paid for. Some apps also let you pause for anywhere from one week to three months, which beats cancelling if you only need a break.
What if you subscribed on the company’s website?
Then neither Apple nor Google can cancel it. Sign in on the service’s website, find Account, Membership or Billing, and look for Cancel. If you signed up through Amazon, a TV provider or a mobile carrier, the cancel option lives in that account instead.
Our rule of thumb is to check your bank or card statement. The name on the charge, such as APPLE.COM/BILL or GOOGLE *, tells you which route to use.
Why do some subscriptions keep charging after you cancel?
A few common reasons explain most cases:
- You deleted the app, not the subscription. Google is explicit that uninstalling doesn’t cancel it.
- You have it on two accounts. A family member’s Apple Account or a second Google account may hold a duplicate.
- You started a free trial. Apple advises cancelling at least 24 hours before a trial ends.
- It’s a 12-month commitment plan. Apple has introduced monthly subscriptions that require a 12-month commitment. 9to5Mac reports you can stop it from renewing, but you still owe the remaining payments. As of its report, this wasn’t available in the US or Singapore.
What are your rights if cancelling is hard?
It depends where you live, and the rules are in flux.
United States: The FTC’s “click-to-cancel” rule was vacated by the Eighth Circuit on 8 July 2025, so it isn’t in force. The FTC says it continues to regulate subscription practices, and state laws such as California’s updated automatic renewal law (effective 1 July 2025) still require clear disclosures and straightforward cancellation. The rules vary by state.
United Kingdom: The government confirmed on 2 April 2026 that new subscription contract rules under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act will start in spring 2027, according to law firm Bristows. They include a 14-day cooling-off period in some cases and a ban on making exit unreasonably difficult. They aren’t live yet.
We didn’t verify current rules for Canada, Australia or individual EU countries for this guide, so check your national consumer agency if a company refuses to cancel.
What about carrier, Amazon and TV-provider billing?
If the charge shows up on a phone bill or an Amazon account, the cancel button is in that account, not in the app. Look for Memberships and Subscriptions in Amazon, or the add-ons section of your carrier’s app or website.
It also helps to keep a backup payment method in mind. Google notes that if a payment method fails, a subscription can be cancelled, and that a temporary authorization hold may appear on your card up to 48 hours before renewal. That hold isn’t a second charge, but it can confuse you into thinking you were billed twice.
Should you cancel or pause?
Cancel if you won’t use the service for months, since most services let you rejoin later. Pause if the app offers it and you only need a short break, because your settings and history are more likely to stay put. Either way, note the date your access ends so you know exactly when to expect the last charge.
How do you keep track of what you pay for?
- Check both subscription lists (Apple and Google) once a quarter.
- Scan one month of card statements for repeat charges.
- Set a calendar reminder two days before any free trial ends.
- Keep the cancellation confirmation email or a screenshot.
Frequently asked questions
Does deleting an app cancel the subscription?
No. Google’s help page says uninstalling an app doesn’t cancel it, and the same is true on iPhone. You have to cancel in your subscription settings.
Will I get a refund if I cancel?
Not automatically. Cancelling usually stops the next renewal, and you keep access until the paid period ends. Refund rules depend on the store or company.
Can I pause instead of cancelling?
On Google Play, some apps offer a pause from one week to three months. It’s up to each developer, so you won’t see the option everywhere.
How do I find a subscription I forgot about?
Check your Apple and Google subscription lists, then search your inbox for receipts and your card statement for recurring charges.
Sources
- Apple Support: Cancel a subscription from Apple
- Google Play Help: Cancel, pause, or change a subscription on Google Play
- 9to5Mac: Apple introduces monthly subscriptions with a 12-month commitment
- Fenwick: Eighth Circuit vacates FTC’s click-to-cancel rule
- Bristows: UK government confirms new subscription contracts rules for spring 2027