To stop a free offer from turning into a paid subscription, first find out who bills it, then cancel through that company or platform before the offer’s stated deadline. Save the confirmation and check your next card or bank statement to make sure renewal charges stop.
Before you cancel, check who bills you and when the offer ends
A “free” offer may be a time-limited trial that renews into paid billing unless you cancel. Check the offer terms and your account for the trial length, renewal date, cancellation route, and any conditions. The FTC’s guide to stopping a subscription recommends identifying the company running it, following its cancellation instructions, and keeping an eye on statements.
To identify the biller, check your signup email, the payment descriptor on your bank or card statement, and the subscriptions section of any relevant account. The company whose service you use may not be the one that processes payment: a subscription can be billed directly by the merchant or through an app marketplace. Cancel with the provider that manages the billing.
Cancel through the provider that bills the subscription
| Who bills you | Where to cancel | Timing and access |
|---|---|---|
| Google Play | Use the Google account that started the subscription and cancel it in Google Play’s subscription settings, following Google Play’s cancellation instructions. | Google advises canceling before the trial ends to avoid charges. After cancellation, access generally continues through the current billing period; check your plan for the specific end date. |
| Apple | Follow Apple’s instructions for canceling a subscription using the Apple account associated with it. | Apple advises canceling a free or discounted trial at least 24 hours before it ends to avoid renewal. Check your account for the subscription’s current status and renewal date. |
| Direct merchant billing | Follow the merchant’s published cancellation instructions. The FTC recommends looking up the company running the subscription and using its cancellation process. | Check the offer and account terms for the cancellation deadline, access end date, and refund rules; these can vary by provider. |
Do not assume that deleting an app, removing a payment card, or closing an account cancels a subscription. Use the billing provider’s cancellation process and look for an explicit confirmation that renewal has been stopped.
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Keep proof that you canceled
Save the confirmation email or message, and take a screenshot of the cancellation status if it is shown in your account. If you cancel by phone or chat, note the date, the representative’s name if available, and what was agreed. The FTC recommends keeping a copy of the cancellation request and notes about conversations.
Cancellation and a refund are separate issues. For example, Google says access generally continues until the current billing period ends after cancellation. Check the provider’s terms for your own access end date and whether a refund applies; do not treat continued access as proof that cancellation failed.
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Check your next statement and respond to continued charges
Review the next bank or card statement for a renewal charge. If billing continues after you have canceled, keep your confirmation and related messages, follow up with the company in writing where appropriate, and contact your credit or debit card issuer promptly to ask about disputing the charge. Keep records of each contact.
You can report unwanted subscription enrollment or a cancellation problem to ReportFraud.ftc.gov or your state attorney general. The FTC’s Amazon Prime consumer alert offers a specific example of checking order confirmations and payment statements for unwanted enrollment and keeping written confirmation when canceling or requesting a refund; use the provider’s current instructions for any other subscription.
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Rules can depend on the provider and your location. The FTC’s current Negative Option Rule page, updated with March 2026 rulemaking information, says the FTC’s 2024 rule was vacated and describes a new request for public comment about possible rule changes. Do not rely on that vacated rule as a currently effective nationwide requirement. State laws and other applicable consumer-protection rules may differ.
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