How to cancel subscriptions to paid App Store apps

The subscription model is one of the preferred ways for developers to monetize their work by creating apps and different types of services. It is a model that allows them to charge tight prices and ensure that they will have income for as long as the user uses the service.

On the other hand, the user benefits from not having to make a very large initial payment, always has access to the latest version and at any time can unsubscribe and stop paying.

Although it is at this point, to unsubscribe from the App Store , where I want to stand. The process, although simple, is not at all intuitive and the option to view or remove subscriptions to apps and services is quite hidden among the options in the Apple App Store.

Deleting app subscriptions from iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch (iOS)

There are several options to reach the screen where iOS displays app subscriptions and allows you to cancel them . For me the most direct and convenient is the following:

1. Open the App Store and tap on your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen.
2. Tap on your name, the first menu that appears.
3. Identify yourself with Face ID, Touch ID or the device’s security key.
4. Click on the option Subscriptions and you will access the list with all the subscriptions you have active.
5. Finally, tap on the app you want to unsubscribe from and choose the Unsubscribe option.

After these steps the subscription will not be cancelled immediately. What will happen is that you will be able to continue using the service/app until the next billing cycle , at which point you will not be charged again for the renewal.

That is, if you were subscribed to an app with monthly renewal, you will be able to continue using it until the current month ends and then it will not be automatically renewed again.

Removing App Store Subscriptions from iTunes (Mac or Windows)

If you prefer to use a computer to remove a subscription from the App Store, you must do the following:

1. Open iTunes and click on the Account menu – View My Account.
2. Enter the Apple ID and password for the account on which you want to delete a paid subscription.
3. Scroll down to the Settings section and click on the Manage button next to the Subscriptions section.
4. Find the app or service you want to unsubscribe from and click on Unsubscribe (next to it you’ll see the date you can continue to use the app even if you unsubscribe).

And that’s it, in this simple but unintuitive way you can delete all the subscriptions you no longer need and avoid being charged again and again.

How to avoid mistakenly signing up for new subscriptions on the App Store

Most developers clearly indicate the conditions of their subscriptions, but within the App Store it is also possible to find others who use bad practices to get clueless subscribers.

It’s becoming increasingly common to see developers who offer a few days of free access to their apps or games through subscriptions and then automatically start charging for it.

It’s true that you just have to cancel your subscription as I explained to avoid further charges , but it’s possible that you’ve ever signed up for a subscription thinking it’s a free trial and then got a scare.

To prevent this from happening and only be able to take out a subscription with full knowledge, you can do the following:

1. Access Settings – General – Restrictions on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch.
2. Activate the restrictions in case you don’t have them.
3. Disable the Purchasing option within the app.

This way iOS will not allow you to make in-app purchases and that includes regular subscriptions through the App Store.

If at any point you need to sign up for a subscription you will have to repeat the steps above and re-activate the Shopping within the app option in full awareness, so will not scare you when the subscription renewal invoice arrives.