How to cancel an app depends on what you mean by cancel
If you want to stop paying for an app subscription, you cancel the subscription through your device's settings or account page — the app itself stays on your phone. If you want to remove the app entirely, you uninstall it. These are two separate actions, and doing one does not do the other. Many people uninstall an app thinking they have stopped the charges, then get surprised by a bill weeks later.
This guide covers both: how to cancel a subscription so the charges stop, and how to uninstall the app so it no longer takes up space on your device. The steps differ depending on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, Windows computer, or Mac.
Key Takeaways
- Uninstalling an app does not cancel its subscription — you must cancel the subscription separately through your device settings or account page, or the charges will continue.
- On iPhone, cancel subscriptions in Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions, then uninstall the app by pressing and holding its icon and selecting Remove App.
- On Android, cancel subscriptions in Google Play Store > Account > Subscriptions, then uninstall by pressing and holding the app icon and selecting Uninstall.
- On Windows and Mac computers, uninstall apps through Settings or Applications folder, but cancel subscriptions through the app's own account settings or website.
- Check your email for confirmation after cancelling a subscription — if you do not receive one within a few minutes, the cancellation may not have gone through.
Cancel a subscription on iPhone
Open Settings and tap your name at the top. Tap Subscriptions. You will see a list of every subscription tied to your Apple ID, including apps you may have forgotten about. Tap the subscription you want to cancel. Tap Cancel Subscription, then confirm by tapping Cancel Subscription again in the popup. Apple will ask if you want to keep the subscription — tap Cancel to proceed.
The subscription stops immediately, though you may keep access until the current billing period ends (Apple will tell you the exact date). You will receive a cancellation email within a few minutes. If you do not see it, go back to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions and check whether the subscription still appears — if it does, the cancellation did not go through.
After cancelling the subscription, uninstall the app if you no longer want it. Press and hold the app icon on your home screen, tap Remove App, then tap Delete App. The app and all its data will be removed from your phone.
Cancel a subscription on Android
Open Google Play Store and tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Tap Manage your Google Play account, then tap the Subscriptions tab. You will see every subscription linked to your Google account. Tap the subscription you want to cancel, then tap Cancel subscription. Google will ask you to confirm — tap Cancel subscription again.
Your subscription ends on the date Google shows you, which is usually the end of your current billing period. You will get a cancellation email. If the subscription still appears in your Subscriptions list after a few minutes, the cancellation did not process — try again or contact the app developer.
To uninstall the app, press and hold its icon on your home screen or in your app drawer. Tap Uninstall, then tap OK. The app will be removed. On some Android phones, you can also open Google Play Store, search for the app, tap it, and tap Uninstall.
Cancel a subscription on Windows
If you subscribed through the Microsoft Store, open Settings and go to Apps > Apps & features. Scroll down and tap the app you want to cancel. Tap Advanced options, then tap Manage. This opens the app's settings page — look for a Subscriptions or Billing section. Tap Cancel subscription and follow the prompts.
If you subscribed directly through the app's website or account page (not the Microsoft Store), you will need to cancel through that website instead. Open a web browser, go to the app company's website, sign in to your account, and look for a Subscriptions, Billing, or Account Settings page. The exact location varies by company.
To uninstall the app from Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find the app, tap it, and tap Uninstall. Confirm when Windows asks. The app will be removed from your computer.
Cancel a subscription on Mac
If you subscribed through the App Store, click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings. Click your name, then click Media & Purchases. Click Account Settings. You will see your subscriptions listed. Find the one you want to cancel, click the Edit button next to it, and click Cancel Subscription. Confirm when prompted.
If you subscribed directly through the app's website, you will need to cancel through that website. Open a web browser, go to the app company's website, sign in, and look for Account, Subscriptions, or Billing settings. Every company organizes this differently, so you may need to search the site or contact their support.
To uninstall the app, open Finder and click Applications in the sidebar. Find the app, drag it to the Trash, and empty the Trash. Alternatively, you can right-click the app and select Move to Trash.
What happens after you cancel
After you cancel a subscription, you usually keep access to the app's paid features until your current billing period ends. For example, if you paid on the 15th and cancel on the 20th, you keep access until the 15th of next month. After that date, the app either stops working or reverts to a free version with limited features.
You will receive a cancellation confirmation email from Apple, Google, Microsoft, or the app company itself. Save this email in case you need proof of cancellation later. If you are charged again after the cancellation date, forward this email to the company's support team as evidence that you cancelled.
Uninstalling the app does not affect the cancellation — the subscription stays cancelled whether the app is on your device or not. However, if you reinstall the app later, you will need to cancel the subscription again if you do not want to be charged.
If you cannot find where to cancel
Some apps hide their subscription settings or make cancellation deliberately difficult. If you cannot find a cancel button in the app's settings, check the app company's website for an Account or Subscriptions page. Many companies require you to cancel through their website rather than through the app itself.
If the app company's website does not have a cancellation option, contact their support team directly. Look for a Contact Us or Support link on their website, or search for "[App Name] cancel subscription" to find instructions specific to that app. Keep records of any emails you send — you may need them if a dispute arises.
As a last resort, you can contact Apple, Google, or your payment method (credit card company or bank) to dispute the charge. However, this should only be done after you have made a good-faith effort to cancel through the normal channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will uninstalling an app stop the charges?
No. Uninstalling removes the app from your device but does not cancel the subscription. You must cancel the subscription separately through your device settings or the app company's website, or the charges will continue even after you delete the app.
Can I get a refund after I cancel?
Refunds depend on how long you have had the subscription and the app company's policy. Most companies do not refund if you cancel mid-billing period, but some offer refunds if you cancel within a few days of being charged. Contact the app company's support team with your cancellation confirmation email and ask about a refund.
What if I see a charge after I cancelled?
Check your cancellation confirmation email to see when the subscription was supposed to end. If you were charged after that date, contact the app company with your confirmation email. If they do not respond or refuse to refund, contact your credit card company or bank to dispute the charge.
Do I lose my data if I uninstall an app?
Usually yes. Uninstalling removes the app and its stored data from your device. Some apps back up your data to the cloud, so you may recover it if you reinstall. Check the app's settings for a backup or cloud sync option before uninstalling if your data matters to you.
Can I cancel a free app?
Free apps do not have subscriptions to cancel, but you can uninstall them anytime. If a free app is asking you to pay, that is a subscription — cancel it through your device settings as described above, then uninstall the app.