Introduction
Cancelling subscriptions on an iPhone is a straightforward process, but it can be confusing if you don’t know where to look. Subscriptions allow you to access apps, services, and digital content on a recurring basis, often with a free trial period. However, when it’s time to cancel, the option isn’t always easy to find. In this article, I’ll walk you through the steps to cancel subscriptions from your iPhone. Whether it’s a fitness app, music streaming service, or news subscription, cancelling is essentially the same across all apps.
Finding the Manage Subscriptions menu
The key to cancelling any iPhone subscription is finding the Manage Subscriptions menu. Here’s how to get there:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap your Apple ID banner at the top of the screen (it will show your name and profile picture).
- Tap Subscriptions.
This will open the Manage Subscriptions page that lists all your active subscriptions. Now you can view details, change plans, or cancel any subscription right from this menu.
How to cancel subscriptions
Once you’re in the Manage Subscriptions menu, cancelling a subscription is simple:
- Locate the subscription you want to cancel.
- Tap on the subscription line to expand the details.
- Tap Cancel Subscription.
- Confirm you want to cancel when prompted.
The subscription should now show as cancelled with the date it will remain active until. Most subscriptions have a grace period before they fully cancel. For example, you may have access until the end of the billing cycle before it cancels completely.
What happens when you cancel
When you cancel a subscription on an iPhone, you’re opting out of continued billing for that service. However, you may still have access to the subscription during an active billing period:
- If billed monthly, you’ll likely have access until the end of the current billing month.
- If billed annually, you may have access until the end of the 12 month term.
- Some subscriptions fully cancel as soon as you tap Cancel Subscription.
You will no longer be charged once the active billing period ends after cancellation. The subscription line item will disappear from your Subscriptions menu when you no longer have access.
How to reactivate a cancelled subscription
Did you change your mind? Reactivating a cancelled iPhone subscription is easy:
- Go back to the Manage Subscriptions menu.
- Tap the subscription you want to reactivate.
- Tap Reactivate Subscription and confirm.
As long as the current billing period hasn’t ended, you can usually reactivate cancelled iPhone subscriptions with no issues. This returns you to active status and renews billing on the next cycle.
Unsubscribing from a subscription
Unsubscribing is different from cancelling. When you unsubscribe, you’re opting out of renewing but retain access until the billing term ends. Follow these steps to unsubscribe:
- Go to Manage Subscriptions and tap the subscription.
- Tap Turn Off Renewal.
- Confirm you want to unsubscribe when prompted.
This prevents the subscription from auto-renewing when the current billing term expires. You’ll continue to have full access until then.
How to cancel App Store subscriptions
Subscriptions made through the App Store follow the same cancellation process:
- Open the App Store app.
- Tap your profile icon in the top right.
- View your subscriptions and tap the one you want to cancel.
- Tap Cancel Subscription.
App Store apps may also provide cancellation options within the app itself. But you can always cancel via your App Store subscription management screen.
Canceling other subscription types
Beyond digital subscriptions, you may also want to cancel physical subscription services that bill your Apple ID, like meal kits or beauty boxes. The process is the same:
- Go to the Manage Subscriptions menu.
- Select the subscription you want to cancel.
- Tap Cancel Subscription and confirm.
Be aware that physical subscriptions require processing lead time. Check the company’s website for specifics on how many days before your next delivery you need to cancel.
Cancel auto-renew on a family subscription
If you manage a family subscription that others are on, cancelling will impact their access as well. To only cancel auto-renewal for yourself:
- Go to Manage Subscriptions and tap the family subscription.
- Tap your name under Family Members.
- Toggle OFF the Renewal switch.
This prevents auto-renewal for your part of the plan without impacting other family members. Others can then take over management of the family subscription.
Turn off Renewal Status
Another option is turning off the Renewal Status toggle for a subscription. When toggled off, the subscription won’t renew at the end of the billing term. To do this:
- Go to Manage Subscriptions.
- Tap the subscription.
- Toggle OFF Renewal Status.
This cancels the subscription at the end of the billing period. You retain access until then. Toggle Renewal Status back ON to reactivate auto-renewal.
Contact subscription support
If you’re having issues canceling a subscription from your iPhone, contact the company’s support team:
- Check for a Contact Us option in the iPhone app.
- Visit the company website and look for subscription support.
- Call their customer service line.
Most reputable companies have teams dedicated to helping cancel or manage subscriptions. Reach out for personalized help deactivating your account.
Conclusion
Canceling iPhone subscriptions takes just a few taps once you know where to look. Open Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions and you’ll see a manageable list of all your active subscriptions. Tap into each one to cancel or unsubscribe and prevent continued billing. You retain access to the services until the billing term expires. And you can just as easily reactivate canceled subscriptions if you change your mind. With a streamlined subscriptions management menu on iPhone, you’re never locked into payments you don’t want.