How to cancel subscriptions on iPhone, Android, PayPal, and more

Updated November 2, 2026 · By the 15DayTrial team

To cancel a subscription, you need to cancel through whoever bills you. If an app store bills you, cancel in Apple or Google Play subscription settings. If PayPal bills you, cancel the automatic payment and the service account. If the company charges your card directly, cancel on its website or app. Deleting an app never cancels a subscription.

First: figure out who is billing you

Look at your bank or card statement. The description usually reveals the billing channel:

If you have several Apple IDs or Google accounts, check each one — a subscription only appears under the account that bought it.

Cancel on iPhone or iPad

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap your name at the top.
3. Tap Subscriptions.
4. Tap the subscription you want to cancel.
5. Tap Cancel Subscription (or Cancel Free Trial) and confirm.

You can also open the App Store app, tap your profile picture, and tap Subscriptions. If you do not see a cancel button, the subscription is already canceled, and the screen shows the date it ends.

Cancel on a Mac

Open the App Store, click your name in the sidebar, click Account Settings, scroll to Subscriptions, click Manage, then click Edit next to the subscription and choose Cancel Subscription.

Apple timing rules

Apple says subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. If you cancel during a free trial, you might lose access immediately. If you were charged for something you did not intend to buy, Apple lets you request a refund at reportaproblem.apple.com; approval is at Apple's discretion.

Official instructions: Apple Support — cancel a subscription.

Cancel on Android (Google Play)

1. Open the Google Play Store app.
2. Make sure you are signed in to the right Google account.
3. Tap your profile icon in the top right.
4. Tap Payments & subscriptions, then Subscriptions.
5. Select the subscription and tap Cancel subscription, then follow the prompts.

You can also manage subscriptions from a computer at play.google.com under your account's Payments & subscriptions section. Uninstalling the app does not cancel the subscription. Google's subscription help page has current steps and refund information.

Cancel a PayPal automatic payment

When you subscribe using PayPal, you usually create a billing agreement that lets the merchant charge your PayPal account.

1. Log in to PayPal on the website or app.
2. Go to Settings (the gear icon), then Payments.
3. Select Manage automatic payments.
4. Choose the merchant and select Cancel (or Stop paying with PayPal), then confirm.

This stops PayPal from paying that merchant, but it may not cancel your account with the company. Also cancel the subscription on the merchant's website so you do not end up with an unpaid balance or a collections notice. Menu names can change; check PayPal's help center if yours differ.

Cancel directly with a company

For services billed directly, such as many streaming services, software plans, meal kits, and memberships:

1. Log in to the company's website, since mobile apps sometimes hide or omit cancellation options.
2. Look under Account, Membership, Billing, or Plan.
3. Click Cancel and work through any retention offers — you can decline them.
4. Save the confirmation email or a screenshot showing the cancellation and end date.

If the website has no cancel button, use chat or email so you have a written record. If you must call, note the date, time, the representative's name, and any confirmation number.

Stop recurring charges through your bank or card issuer

If a company will not cancel or keeps charging you, your bank or card issuer can often help.

Credit cards

Call the number on the back of your card and ask the issuer to stop recurring charges from that merchant. Many issuers can block a specific merchant. If a charge already went through after you canceled, you can dispute it.

Getting a new card number does not always stop charges. Card networks run account updater services that can pass your new card details to merchants you have authorized.

Debit cards and bank accounts

Federal rules (Regulation E) let you stop a preauthorized recurring electronic payment from your bank account by notifying your bank at least three business days before the scheduled transfer. The bank may ask you to confirm in writing within 14 days. You should also tell the company you have revoked authorization. The CFPB has sample letters for revoking authorization and stopping automatic payments.

Special cases

• Gym memberships sometimes require cancellation in person or by mail. Some states have specific health club laws; check your state attorney general's website.
• Carrier billing (charged to your phone bill) is canceled through the service, the app store, or your mobile carrier.
• Family sharing: only the person who bought a subscription can cancel it.
• Kids' purchases: on Apple and Google, the family organizer or parent account can review purchases and request refunds for unintended charges.

After canceling, add the end date to your renewal tracker and confirm no further charges appear.