Is there a way to stop auto-renewal of subscriptions

By John Gurd, 27 December, 2021

Forum
iOS and iPadOS

I've just subscribed to an app on a yearly basis. However, I don't want it to automatically renew as I might have found an alternative by then. The only option seems to be to cancel the subscription. I am concerned if I do this I will lose access to the pro features of the app not to mention waste my cash. I am sure there used to be way to prevent auto-renewal. Advice welcome. Thanks.

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Comments

By Clare Page on Friday, December 24, 2021 - 23:46

Hi! As far as I know, the only way to stop auto-renewal of a subscription is to cancel it, if I remember right that should be done at least 24 hours before the next auto-renewal. In your case, as you're looking for an alternative to the app you are subscribed to, I would suggest keeping your subscription going till you find an alternative, then you can cancel the subscription to the original app if the alternative suits you better and you decide to stop using the app you are currently subscribed to.

By Kevan on Friday, December 24, 2021 - 23:46

I think it depends on the app.
Look at the cancellation page before cancelling it.
Just the other day, I tried to cancel a 3 month subscription of Apple TV Plus I got for free with the purchase of a new phone. However I looked at the page, and think I'll wait until it's about to renew in March. The page said I wouldn't be given the subscription and it would cancel right away.
An opposite example, Uber has their Uber One subscription to actually last for what you paid for, so if you cancel it 2 minutes after starting it you'll still get the subscription you bought. This is a more fair approach.

So as Apple doesn't send out a reminder email beforehand (like say, Microsoft does for Office 365) I will have to create some kind of reminder myself. And as it's the 26th December and I will have a lot on my plate (hopefully, not to mention my glass) there's a good chance I could miss it. And of course the more subscriptions you have the harder it is to manage without auto-reminders. I'd prefer to turn renewal off because that way Apple would be bound to nag me and I'd let it lapse if I find something better or just decide it's not worth the money. Thanks for the reply. I'll make a reminder. :)

By Mark Carter on Friday, December 24, 2021 - 23:46

On an iPhone or an iPad click on settings the first option in the list should have your name on it which stands for your Apple account. Double tap on it with voiceover the fourth option should say subscriptions if you click on subscriptions you’ll see a list of all your current active subscriptions and you can tap on any of them to discontinue automatic renewal. Once you confirm it will show when the subscription will expire. Hope this helps