How To Cancel Netflix On Your Phone: A Streaming Sage’s Guide

So, you’re ready to ditch the red “N” on your phone? Perhaps you’ve binged everything you can stomach, found a cheaper alternative, or just need to trim those monthly expenses. No sweat! Cancelling Netflix via your phone is usually straightforward, but the exact process depends on how you initially subscribed. Let’s break down the ways you can kick Netflix to the curb, then dive into some frequently asked questions to smooth out any bumps along the way.

The most crucial thing to understand upfront is this: you can’t directly cancel your Netflix subscription within the Netflix app on your iPhone or Android phone. This is because most in-app purchases are managed through Apple’s App Store or Google Play Store, not Netflix directly. Instead, you must cancel through your mobile browser or through the app store.

Here’s the step-by-step guide:

1. Cancel Via Your Mobile Browser

This method works if you subscribed to Netflix directly through their website, regardless of whether you initially signed up on your phone, computer, or smart TV.

• Open your mobile browser (Safari on iPhone, Chrome on Android, or whichever browser you prefer).
• Go to the Netflix website: Type in “Netflix.com” in the address bar and hit enter.
• Log in to your account: Use the email address and password associated with your Netflix account.
• Tap the Menu icon: This is typically represented by three horizontal lines (often called a “hamburger menu”) in the upper left or right corner of the screen.
• Select “Account”: In the menu, look for the “Account” option and tap on it.
• Find “Cancel Membership”: Scroll down the account page until you see the “Membership & Billing” section. There, you’ll find a prominent “Cancel Membership” button.
• Confirm Cancellation: Netflix will likely try to dissuade you with tempting offers. Resist! Click through the prompts to confirm your cancellation. You might need to click “Finish Cancellation” on a final confirmation screen.
• Check your email: Netflix should send you a confirmation email stating that your membership has been cancelled. Keep this for your records.

2. Cancel Via The App Store (iPhone/iPad)

If you initially subscribed to Netflix through your Apple ID (in-app purchase), you need to manage the subscription through the App Store.

• Open the Settings app: This is the gray gear icon on your iPhone or iPad home screen.
• Tap your name: At the very top of the Settings app, tap on your name. This will take you to your Apple ID settings.
• Tap “Subscriptions”: Look for the “Subscriptions” option. If you don’t see it, tap “iTunes & App Store”, then tap your Apple ID at the top, tap “View Apple ID”, and sign in if prompted. The “Subscriptions” option should then be available.
• Select Netflix: You should see a list of your active and expired subscriptions. Find “Netflix” and tap on it.
• Tap “Cancel Subscription”: At the bottom of the Netflix subscription details page, you’ll find the “Cancel Subscription” button.
• Confirm Cancellation: A pop-up window will appear asking you to confirm your cancellation. Tap “Confirm.”
• Check Expiration Date: After cancelling, you should see the date your subscription will expire. You can still watch Netflix until that date.

3. Cancel Via Google Play Store (Android)

If you subscribed to Netflix through Google Play (in-app purchase), here’s how to cancel:

• Open the Google Play Store app: This is the colorful triangle icon on your Android phone.
• Tap your profile icon: In the upper right corner of the screen, you’ll see your Google account profile picture or initials. Tap on it.
• Select “Payments & subscriptions”: A menu will pop up. Choose “Payments & subscriptions.”
• Tap “Subscriptions”: This will show you a list of your active and past subscriptions.
• Select Netflix: Find “Netflix” in the list and tap on it.
• Tap “Cancel subscription”: On the subscription details page, you’ll see a “Cancel subscription” button.
• Follow the prompts: Google Play may ask you to provide a reason for cancelling. Select an option and tap “Continue.”
• Confirm Cancellation: A final confirmation screen will appear. Tap “Cancel subscription” to finalize the process.
• Check Expiration Date: You’ll see the date your subscription will end. You can still access Netflix until that date.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions people have when cancelling Netflix on their phones:

1. What happens to my profiles when I cancel Netflix?

When you cancel your Netflix subscription, all your profiles are saved for 10 months. If you resubscribe within that time frame, your profiles, viewing history, recommendations, and settings will be restored. After 10 months, this data is typically deleted.

2. Can I get a refund for the unused portion of my billing cycle?

Unfortunately, Netflix typically does not offer refunds for partial months. Your access to Netflix will continue until the end of your current billing cycle, even after you cancel.

3. I can’t find the “Cancel Membership” button. What should I do?

If you can’t find the “Cancel Membership” button, it’s likely you’re not logged in with the correct account, or you subscribed through a third party (like Apple or Google). Double-check that you’re logged in with the email address associated with your Netflix account. If you subscribed through a third party, refer to the appropriate App Store instructions above. If you’re still having trouble, contact Netflix customer support directly.

4. I cancelled my subscription, but I’m still being charged. What’s going on?

First, verify that the charge is actually from Netflix. It’s possible it’s a fraudulent charge or a subscription to a different service. If it is Netflix, double-check the cancellation confirmation email. Did you cancel the correct account? If you’re certain you cancelled correctly, contact Netflix support immediately with your account details and the billing information. There might be a processing delay or an error in their system.

5. How do I restart my Netflix subscription after cancelling?

Restarting is easy! Simply log back into your Netflix account through your mobile browser or the Netflix app. You’ll be prompted to restart your membership and enter your payment information. Your profiles and viewing history should be restored (as long as it’s within the 10-month grace period).

6. Can I pause my Netflix subscription instead of cancelling?

Netflix doesn’t offer a direct “pause” feature like some other streaming services. Your only options are to keep your subscription active or cancel it. If you plan to return soon, cancelling and resubscribing might be the best approach.

7. Will cancelling Netflix affect my other streaming services?

No, cancelling Netflix will not affect your other streaming services like Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or Disney+. Each service is independent of the others.

8. I forgot my Netflix password. How can I cancel?

You’ll need to reset your password before you can cancel. On the Netflix login page, click “Forgot email or password?”. Follow the instructions to reset your password via email or phone number. Once you’ve regained access, you can proceed with the cancellation process.

9. Can I cancel Netflix on my phone if I pay through a third party (like my cable provider)?

If you pay for Netflix through a third party (like your cable provider or mobile carrier), you’ll need to cancel your subscription through them. Contact your provider’s customer service to learn their specific cancellation process. Netflix won’t be able to cancel it directly in this case.

10. Is there a fee to cancel Netflix?

No, there are no cancellation fees associated with ending your Netflix subscription. You only pay for the month (or part of a month) that you actually use the service.

11. How can I confirm my Netflix subscription has been successfully cancelled?

The best way to confirm your cancellation is to check your email for a confirmation message from Netflix. You can also log into your Netflix account on your mobile browser and look for a message stating that your membership is cancelled and when your access will expire. The “Cancel Membership” button should no longer be visible.

12. I’m sharing my Netflix account. Will cancelling affect other users?

Yes, cancelling the subscription will affect all users sharing your account. They will lose access to Netflix once your billing cycle ends. It’s a good idea to let them know you’re cancelling so they aren’t surprised.