How to Cancel Subscriptions on iPhone: Cancellation Steps and Refund Requests

Quick answer

Cancel through your Apple Account

To cancel a subscription on iPhone, open Settings → your name at the top → Subscriptions, choose the subscription, then tap Cancel Subscription and complete any prompts.

This works for subscriptions billed by Apple, including App Store subscriptions. If you pay a service directly, cancel through that service instead.

Cancel an Apple-billed subscription on iPhone

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

2. Tap your name at the top to open your Apple Account settings.

3. Tap Subscriptions.

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4. Select the subscription you want to cancel.

5. Tap Cancel Subscription. You may need to scroll to find it.

6. Complete any confirmation prompts.

The same Settings steps apply on iPad. See Apple's cancellation instructions.

If the subscription is missing, go to the account and billing checks below.

Cancel through the App Store instead

You can also start from the App Store:

1. Open the App Store.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
3. Tap your name in the top account row.
4. Tap Subscriptions.
5. Select the subscription you want to cancel.
6. Tap Cancel Subscription and complete any confirmation prompts.

Check that your subscription is canceled

Open the subscription's details again. Apple says it is already canceled if there is no Cancel button or you see a red expiration message. Apple's status guidance.

Your subscription may stay in the list after you cancel, but that does not mean it will renew. Check its expiration date to see when access ends. For a free trial, also check the cancellation message, as access may end earlier.

Cancel a free trial before it renews

Cancel an unwanted Apple-billed trial at least 24 hours before it ends. Apple's trial cancellation guidance.

Check the trial terms and cancellation message to see how long you can keep using it. Don't assume every trial stays available after cancellation.

If you were already charged, you can request a refund separately.

What to check if you can't cancel

Your subscription isn't listed

Find the receipt to check which account owns the subscription:

1. Search your email for the matching Apple receipt or invoice.
2. Check which Apple Account appears on it.
3. If it is another account you own, use that account to cancel.
4. If it belongs to a family member, ask that person to cancel through their account.

If you can't find an Apple receipt, check your bank or card statement for the billing company. A subscription billed directly by a service or mobile carrier needs to be canceled with that provider. Apple's missing-subscription help.

You can't tap your name in Settings

A grayed-out account name may be caused by Screen Time restrictions. To check:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Screen Time.
3. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
4. If All Restrictions is on, open Privacy Restrictions.
5. Under Allow Changes to Settings, tap Accounts.
6. Select Allow. Enter the Screen Time passcode if asked.

For a child's account, a parent or guardian may need to allow the change. See Apple's instructions for a grayed-out Apple Account.

The cancellation button doesn't work

Contact Apple Support and explain which subscription you're trying to cancel and what happens when you tap the button. Include any error message.

If you're unsure whether cancellation went through, check the subscription's status.

You canceled, but still see a charge or billing error

Compare the charge's receipt with the account and subscription you canceled. It may relate to another account or an earlier purchase. For a charge you want reviewed, follow the refund steps below.

If Apple shows “billing problem with a previous purchase” or “verification required,” you may have an unpaid charge. This can prevent you from downloading apps. Canceling your subscription won’t clear that charge. Follow Apple’s instructions to resolve it.

Cancel without an iPhone

You can use Apple's web cancellation route:

1. Open account.apple.com.
2. Sign in with the Apple Account used for the subscription.
3. Follow the subscription cancellation prompts.

Apple links to this option in its cancellation guide. If another company bills you, use that company's cancellation route.

Already charged? Request a refund from Apple

Canceling a subscription does not automatically refund an existing charge. You can ask Apple to review it, but approval isn't guaranteed.

1. Open reportaproblem.apple.com.
2. Sign in with the Apple Account used for the purchase.
3. Open I'd like to.
4. Select Request a refund.
5. Choose the reason that matches what happened.
6. Select Next.
7. Select the subscription or charge.
8. Select Submit.

If you can’t find the charge:

• Pending charge: Wait for the receipt before requesting a refund.
• Missing purchase: Check your other Apple Accounts.
• Unpaid order: Apple requires payment before you can request a refund for that order.

See Apple’s refund instructions.

A Family Sharing organizer can also review qualifying shared-payment purchases by selecting Apple Account → All on the refund site. The family member still needs to cancel their own subscription. Apple’s refund guidance.

Check your refund request

Apple says to allow 24–48 hours for an update. An update on the request does not mean the money has reached your account.

1. Sign in to reportaproblem.apple.com.
2. Select Check Status of Claims.
3. Select Pending to see the request's status.

If Check Status of Claims is missing, Apple says there is no pending request. If your refund is approved, the time for money to arrive depends on the payment method. See Apple's refund status and processing guidance.

Frequently asked questions

Keep a copy of your cancellation status or expiration date. If a later charge appears, you can compare it with the subscription and account you canceled.