Subscribing to media and streaming TV services on your iPhone is as convenient as ever. What’s less convenient is when you need to unsubscribe. Whether it’s Spotify, Netflix or the New York Times, many subscription services make you jump through hoops when you’re ready to cancel. But paying for a subscription you don’t need can add up fast, making a dent in your wallet and leading to hundreds of wasted dollars per month. That’s why learning how to cancel subscriptions on iPhones comes in handy.
With one iPhone feature, you’ll be able to cancel subscriptions from your couch, car or commute—and save money, to boot. Once you’ve followed our tips to offload services you no longer need and cancel those unused subscriptions, you can get discounts on big-ticket electronics by learning the best time to buy Apple products and save a buck with these free streaming services instead.
Which subscriptions can you cancel on your iPhone?
You can only cancel subscriptions on iPhones if the subscription was purchased through Apple’s App Store and is linked to your Apple ID account. That means you can cancel online newspaper memberships, Apple’s own services (like Apple Music) and other streaming or media subscriptions, such as the Washington Post or HBO. Luckily, there’s an easy shortcut to cancel subscriptions on iPhones, and we’ve added step-by-step instructions below.
Which subscriptions can’t be canceled on your iPhone?
Unfortunately, subscriptions not purchased through the App Store can’t be canceled on your iPhone, no matter how many iPhone tricks you try. Instead of using the iPhone shortcut below to unsubscribe, you might need to sign in to your account online or email or call the company’s customer service representatives.
Another option: Find a service to do the work for you, such as the Rocket Money app, which tracks unused or unwanted subscriptions and cancels them for premium members.
How to cancel subscriptions on your iPhone
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Your iPhone is packed with features that make your life easier, including this iPhone hack to help you unsubscribe from certain companies. Follow the step-by-step instructions below for an easy way to cancel subscriptions on iPhones:
Open your Settings app.
Tap your name.
Select the “Subscriptions” option in the menu.
Choose the subscription you want to cancel.
Tap the “Cancel Subscription” button.
That was simple! Managing your subscriptions through Apple—and making sure to unsubscribe from services you don’t use—is a great start when you’re wondering how to save money. You can keep your spending in check and stretch your dollars further. And now that you know how to cancel subscriptions on iPhones, you’re ready to opt out of basically anything else to protect your data and privacy too.
Sources:
Apple: “If you want to cancel a subscription from Apple”
Brooke is a tech and consumer products writer covering the latest in digital trends, product reviews, security and privacy, and other news and features for Reader's Digest. She's a two-time Emmy-nominated reporter with nearly 10 years of publishing experience, and her work has been recognized by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.
One solution is to send letters revoking your authorization to the subscription company and your bank. Some banks offer ready-made online forms to help you do so. Another way is to give your bank a stop payment order in person, over the phone, or in writing.
Expired subscriptions delete automatically in one year.
There's no way to manually delete expired subscriptions from your subscription list, but fortunately, they won't stick around forever. Any subscriptions you've canceled or let lapse will automatically disappear one year after their expiration dates.
If you subscribed to a service through the Play Store, open Google Play and tap your profile picture. Open Payments & subscriptions > Subscriptions and select the service. You can then choose Cancel subscription or Manage > Pause payments to put it on hold for a specific time.
To see a list of the apps you're currently paying for through Apple Pay, open the App Store on your smartphone and click on “Account,” then “Subscriptions.” From there, you can click “cancel” on those you no longer want. (The steps are similar for the Google Play store.)
There are two ways to find your Apple subscriptions. The first way is by opening up the Settings app. Once there, click your name at the top above “Apple ID, iCloud+, Media & Purchases.” Next, click the Subscriptions tab and all of your subscriptions will appear. The second way is by going to the App Store.
If you find yourself looking at your bank statement and wondering, 'why does Apple keep charging me? ', there are several possible answers. The most likely answer is that you have a subscription to iCloud+, Apple Music, or another Apple service that you didn't realize you or a family member had signed up to.
Go to your settings on each app store and review what you've signed up for, including free trials that you forgot are coming to an end. On an iOS device, go to settings, tap on your profile on top, then tap “subscriptions” to see what you are paying for through Apple.
no, they shouldn't have access to your subscriptions tied with your Apple ID, however if you explicit share one of your subscriptions with other Family Share members they will see it.
Introduction: My name is Clemencia Bogisich Ret, I am a super, outstanding, graceful, friendly, vast, comfortable, agreeable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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Brooke Nelson AlexanderUpdated: Jan. 25, 2024
RD.com, Getty Images
RD.com, Getty Images
