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Many people sign up for app free trials, perhaps for an exercise program or a streaming platform, and think they’ll remember to cancel in a week, before they get billed…but don’t. Then, a charge appears on a statement, and they realize it’s time to take action and cancel that unwanted subscription.
Or perhaps you’re the type who signed up for a meditation app but haven’t used it in a while and think it’s time to exit.
In these situations, you may need a little help figuring out the most direct way to cancel a subscription on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Here’s help: a guide to canceling those money-draining sign-ups.
Key Points
• To cancel an unwanted iPhone, iPad, or Mac subscription, open Settings or App Store.
• Access the Subscriptions section on an iPhone or iPad by tapping your name or signing in. Visit the App Store on a Mac.
• Select and cancel the specific subscription you no longer need.
• Set reminders to cancel before trial ends using mobile apps or calendar.
• Track monthly expenses and budget to avoid unwanted charges.
How to Cancel App Subscriptions on an iPhone or iPad
Here are the steps for canceling a subscription on your mobile iOS device.
Step 1. Open the Settings app.
Step 2. Tap your name at the top of the page.
Step 3. Tap Subscriptions.
Step 4: Tap the subscription that you want to cancel.
Step 5. Tap Cancel Subscription. If you don’t see Cancel as an option, the subscription has already been cancelled and won’t renew. You should be free of this charge and on track to be saving money daily.
There’s another option you might use:
Step 1. Go to the App Store.
Step 2. Tap your profile image.
Step 3. Scroll down to Subscriptions and tap. You will then see any active subscriptions.
Step 4. Tap the subscription you want to cancel.
Step 5. Confirm by tapping Cancel Subscription. That can help keep more money in your checking account, to be used as you see fit.
How to Cancel Subscriptions on a Mac
Follow these instructions to cancel app subscriptions on a Mac laptop or desktop computer.
Step 1. Open the App Store (you can locate this in Finder under Applications, or at the bottom of your home screen).
Step 2. Click the sign-in button or your name at the bottom of the sidebar.
Step 3. Click View Information at the top right of the window. You may be prompted to sign in.
Step 4. On the page that appears, scroll until you see Subscriptions, then click Manage.
Step 5. Click Cancel Subscription. If you don’t see Cancel Subscription, then the subscription is already cancelled and will not renew.
Accidentally Cancelled a Subscription? Here’s How to Restart
If you got a little trigger-happy and canceled the wrong subscription. Or perhaps you have a change of heart after canceling an app and want to get it back, realizing that you were just momentarily feeling guilty about spending money.
Step 1. Open the Settings app.
Step 2. Tap your name at the top of the page.
Step 3. Tap Subscriptions.
Step 4. Look for the list of expired subscriptions at the bottom of the screen. Tap the one you would like to reactivate.
Step 5. On the subscription page, tap the subscription option you want and then confirm your choice. You’ll now be resubscribed.
Recommended: Budgeting for Basic Living Expenses
How-to Tip: Setting Reminders to Avoid Unwanted Subscriptions
The next time you sign up for a new app that has a trial period promotion going on, you may want to set a reminder on your mobile device to cancel your app subscription. Say, you want to cut back and save on streaming services after having signed up for half a dozen different channels on a boring rainy weekend.
This could help you avoid unexpected monthly expenses and manage your money better to reach your short-term financial goals.
You could use your phone to ask Siri to set a reminder to cancel a subscription a few days before fees will kick in. Or, you could use the Reminders app on your phone or iPad.
Another option is to use Calendar to create a New Event for the date and time you want to cancel an app. To get a notification on that day, you’ll want to make sure the Alert section is set to “at time of event.” This move can help you reduce your spending.
Recommended: How to Make a Budget in 5 Steps
The Takeaway
Most subscriptions automatically renew unless you cancel them. If you sign up for a free trial and don’t cancel in time, you will end up paying a monthly fee that you likely won’t be able to get refunded.
A good way to make sure you aren’t paying for subscriptions you don’t want is to track your monthly spending and then set up a basic budget. Having a budget can help ensure that your spending is in line with your priorities and short-term financial goals. Your bank may offer tools to help you with expense tracking and overall budgeting.
Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.
FAQ
How do I cancel an active subscription on my iPhone?
To cancel an active subscription on your iPhone, navigate to Settings, click on your name, and then scroll to Subscriptions. Then, select the subscription that you want to cancel and tap Cancel Subscription. Confirm your choice to finalize the cancellation.
How do I cancel an unwanted subscription?
To cancel a subscription you no longer want, check where you originally purchased it (for example, via the company’s website, app store, etc.). Then, navigate to the platform’s subscription management section (account settings or Google Play, perhaps) and follow the cancellation instructions. If you can’t find the option to cancel there, contact the company directly.
Where do I find my subscriptions on my phone?
To find your subscriptions on your Android phone or iPhone, navigate to the platform’s respective app store or account settings. On Android, this is typically done through the Google Play Store app, while on iPhone, it’s within the App Store or Apple ID settings.
Photo credit: iStock/Suwaree Tangbovornpichet
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