Cancel a subscription directly in the App Store settings

Open the Settings app on your iPhone, tap your name at the top, then select Subscriptions. You will see a list of all active subscriptions tied to your Apple ID. Tap the subscription you want to cancel, then tap Cancel Subscription. Confirm the cancellation. Your subscription will stop renewing on the next billing date, but you keep access until that date passes.

This method works for apps, Apple Music, Apple TV+, iCloud storage, and any other service billed through Apple. The cancellation takes effect immediately in your account settings, though the service itself continues until your current billing period ends.

Key Takeaways

  • Cancel subscriptions through Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions, then tap Cancel Subscription on the service you want to stop.
  • Cancellation stops future charges but does not end your access until the current billing period expires.
  • Request a refund within 90 days of the charge by going to Settings > [Your Name] > Purchase History, finding the charge, and selecting Report a Problem.
  • Apple refunds accidental charges, unwanted auto-renewals, and services you did not use, but not charges older than 90 days or services you actively used.
  • If Apple denies your refund request, you can appeal through your bank or credit card company, or file a complaint with your state's attorney general.

Request a refund for a recent charge

Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Purchase History. Find the charge you want refunded, tap it, and select Report a Problem. Choose the reason — common ones are "I did not authorize this charge," "I did not receive what I paid for," or "I want to cancel this subscription." Describe what happened in the text box and submit.

Apple reviews refund requests within 48 hours in most cases. You will receive an email confirming whether the refund was approved. If approved, the money returns to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days. Apple refunds accidental charges, unwanted auto-renewals, and services you genuinely did not use, but typically denies refunds for services you actively used or charges older than 90 days.

What Apple will and will not refund

Apple refunds charges for subscriptions you cancelled but were still charged for, apps you downloaded by mistake, in-app purchases you did not mean to make, and services you paid for but never accessed. They also refund if a child made unauthorized purchases on a family account.

Apple will not refund charges older than 90 days, services you used significantly, subscriptions you actively used for weeks or months, or charges you authorized and received. If you used a trial period and were charged when it ended, Apple may refund the first charge if you request it quickly, but will not refund subsequent months you were aware of.

Appeal a denied refund through your bank

If Apple denies your refund request, contact your bank or credit card company and file a dispute. Explain that you requested a refund from Apple and were denied, and provide the reason. Include your Apple ID email, the transaction date, the amount, and the service name. Your bank will open an investigation and may reverse the charge even if Apple refused.

This process typically takes 30 to 60 days. Your bank may ask you to provide Apple's denial email or your own documentation of the problem. Keep records of all communication with Apple, including the date you submitted the refund request and any responses you received.

File a complaint if Apple does not respond

If Apple does not respond to your refund request within a week, or if you believe the denial was unfair, you can file a complaint with your state's attorney general office. Most states have a consumer protection division that handles billing disputes with large companies. Go to your state's attorney general website, find the consumer complaint form, and describe the charge, when you requested the refund, and what Apple said.

You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. These complaints do not directly reverse charges, but they create a record and may prompt Apple to review your case again if multiple complaints mention the same issue.

Prevent unwanted charges by managing family sharing

If you share an Apple ID with family members, anyone with access can make purchases and subscribe to services. To prevent unwanted charges, set up Ask to Buy for other family members. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing, tap the person's name, and toggle on Ask to Buy. Now any purchase or subscription they attempt requires your approval.

You can also remove payment methods from your Apple ID if you do not want subscriptions to renew automatically. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Payment & Shipping, tap the payment method, and select Remove. Without a payment method on file, subscriptions cannot auto-renew, though you will be prompted to add one if you try to make a purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a refund from Apple?

Apple typically reviews refund requests within 48 hours and sends an approval or denial email. If approved, the money returns to your original payment method in 5 to 10 business days. Refunds from your bank or credit card company take 30 to 60 days.

Can I get a refund if I used the app or service for a few days?

It depends on how much you used it. Apple refunds short-term accidental charges and unused services, but not services you actively used for days or weeks. If you used it minimally and request a refund quickly, you have a reasonable chance. If you used it regularly, Apple will likely deny the request.

What if my child made a purchase without permission?

Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Purchase History, find the charge, and select Report a Problem. Explain that a child made the purchase without authorization. Apple refunds unauthorized child purchases more readily than other disputes. You can also enable Ask to Buy to prevent future unauthorized purchases.

Can I cancel a subscription and get money back for the full month?

Cancelling a subscription stops future charges but does not refund the current billing period. You keep access until that period ends. To get a refund for the current month, you must request one separately through Report a Problem and explain why you want it refunded.

What if Apple says no but I think the charge was wrong?

Contact your bank or credit card company and file a dispute. Provide the transaction details, Apple's denial, and your explanation. Your bank will investigate independently and may reverse the charge. You can also file a complaint with your state's attorney general or the Federal Trade Commission.