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How to Cancel Your Apple Music Subscription: A Definitive Guide

So, you’re ready to part ways with Apple Music? Perhaps you’ve found another streaming service that better suits your needs, or maybe you’re just looking to trim down on your monthly subscriptions. Whatever the reason, cancelling your Apple Music subscription is a relatively straightforward process. Here’s the bottom line: You can cancel your Apple Music subscription directly through the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad, through the Apple Music app on your Android device, or through iTunes on your Mac or PC. The exact steps differ slightly depending on the device you’re using, but we’ll break it all down in detail below. Let’s get started and make this as painless as possible.

Cancelling Your Apple Music Subscription: Step-by-Step

The key to a smooth cancellation is knowing exactly where to find the subscription settings within your Apple ecosystem. Follow these device-specific instructions to avoid any confusion:

Cancelling on iPhone or iPad

This is the most common method for Apple users, as most manage their subscriptions directly through their iOS devices.

Open the Settings App: This is the grey gear icon on your home screen.
Tap on Your Name: At the very top of the Settings menu, you’ll see your name and Apple ID. Tap it.
Select “Subscriptions”: Scroll down a bit until you find the “Subscriptions” option. Tap it. Note: If you don’t see “Subscriptions,” tap “iTunes & App Store” instead. Tap your Apple ID, tap “View Apple ID,” sign in if prompted, scroll down to “Subscriptions,” and tap it.
Choose Apple Music: You should see a list of your active subscriptions. Find “Apple Music” and tap it.
Tap “Cancel Subscription”: At the bottom of the screen, you’ll find a red “Cancel Subscription” button. Tap it.
Confirm Cancellation: You’ll be prompted to confirm your decision. Tap “Confirm” to finalize the cancellation. Your subscription will remain active until the end of your current billing cycle.

Cancelling on an Android Device

If you’re using Apple Music on an Android device, the process is slightly different:

Open the Apple Music App: Launch the Apple Music app on your Android device.
Tap the Menu Icon: Look for the three horizontal lines (the “hamburger” menu) in the top left corner of the screen. Tap it.
Tap “Account”: Scroll down in the menu and tap on “Account”.
Tap “Manage Subscription”: You will be redirected to the Google Play Store.
Tap “Cancel Subscription”: Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the cancellation process through the Google Play Store.

Cancelling on a Mac or PC via iTunes (or the Music App on newer macOS versions)

Even though iTunes is becoming increasingly outdated, it’s still a viable option for managing your Apple Music subscription.

Open iTunes (or the Music App): Launch the iTunes app on your PC or the Music app on your Mac.
Sign In: If you’re not already signed in, sign in with the Apple ID you use for Apple Music.
Go to Account Settings: In the menu bar at the top of the screen, click “Account” and then select “View My Account.” You may be prompted to enter your password.
Manage Subscriptions: Scroll down to the “Settings” section and click “Manage” next to “Subscriptions.”
Choose Apple Music: Find “Apple Music” in the list of subscriptions and click “Edit” next to it.
Cancel Subscription: Click the “Cancel Subscription” button and confirm your decision.

A Few Important Things to Remember

Cancellation is Not Immediate: When you cancel, your access to Apple Music will continue until the end of your current billing period. You won’t receive a refund for any unused portion of your subscription.
Renewals: Make sure to cancel at least 24 hours before your renewal date to avoid being charged for the next month.
Resubscribing: You can resubscribe to Apple Music at any time. Your library and playlists should remain intact, assuming you’re using the same Apple ID.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Cancelling Apple Music

Here are some common questions people have when cancelling their Apple Music subscription:

1. What happens to my downloaded music when I cancel?

Once your Apple Music subscription ends, you will no longer be able to access any music you downloaded through the service. This includes songs, albums, and playlists. They are protected by DRM (Digital Rights Management) and require an active subscription for playback.

2. Will I lose my playlists if I cancel Apple Music?

Not necessarily. Your playlists should remain associated with your Apple ID, even after you cancel your subscription. If you decide to resubscribe later, your playlists should reappear. However, if you’re concerned about losing them, you can export your playlists as XML files for backup using iTunes (File > Library > Export Playlist).

3. Can I get a refund if I cancel Apple Music early?

Generally, Apple does not offer refunds for the unused portion of your subscription if you cancel before the end of the billing cycle. However, if you have a legitimate reason for requesting a refund (e.g., accidental purchase, technical issues), you can contact Apple Support and explain your situation. They may consider granting a refund on a case-by-case basis.

4. How do I know if my Apple Music subscription is really cancelled?

After cancelling, you should receive an email confirmation from Apple. You can also verify the cancellation by going back to the subscription settings on your device (following the steps outlined above). The Apple Music subscription should no longer appear as an active subscription. Instead, it may show an expiration date.

5. I’m on a family plan. Does cancelling my subscription cancel it for everyone?

If you are the organizer of the family sharing plan and you cancel your Apple Music subscription, it will cancel the subscription for the entire family group. If you are not the organizer and you cancel your individual subscription, it will only affect your access to Apple Music. The rest of the family will continue to have access.

6. I can’t find the “Subscriptions” option in my Settings app. What should I do?

If you can’t find the “Subscriptions” option directly in your Settings app, try this alternative route: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iTunes & App Store. Tap your Apple ID at the top, then tap “View Apple ID.” You may need to sign in. Scroll down to “Subscriptions” and tap it.

7. Can I pause my Apple Music subscription instead of cancelling?

Unfortunately, Apple Music does not offer a pause feature. If you want to stop being charged, you’ll need to cancel your subscription. You can always resubscribe later when you’re ready to start listening again.

8. I’m still being charged after I cancelled Apple Music. What’s going on?

First, double-check that you actually cancelled your subscription by following the steps outlined above. If you confirmed that you cancelled and you’re still being charged, contact Apple Support immediately. There may be a billing error or another issue that needs to be resolved. Provide them with proof of your cancellation and your billing information.

9. What happens to my Apple One subscription if I cancel Apple Music?

If you are subscribed to Apple One and cancel Apple Music, your Apple One subscription will adjust accordingly. You’ll continue to have access to the other services included in your Apple One plan (like iCloud storage, Apple TV+, and Apple Arcade), but the price may be reduced depending on the plan you have.

10. Can I cancel my Apple Music subscription from the Apple Watch?

While you can manage some aspects of your Apple account from your Apple Watch, you cannot directly cancel your Apple Music subscription from the watch itself. You’ll need to use one of the other methods described above (iPhone, iPad, Mac, PC, or Android device).

11. I signed up for Apple Music through a third-party promotion (e.g., a mobile carrier). How do I cancel?

If you signed up for Apple Music through a promotion with a third-party provider (like a mobile carrier), you’ll typically need to cancel your subscription through that provider, not directly through Apple. Contact your mobile carrier or the company that provided the promotion for instructions on how to cancel.

12. Will I get notifications from Apple Music after I cancel?

You may still receive some promotional emails from Apple even after you cancel your Apple Music subscription. To stop receiving these emails, you can unsubscribe from the Apple Music mailing list. You can usually find an “Unsubscribe” link at the bottom of the emails. You can also manage your email preferences in your Apple ID settings.

Cancelling your Apple Music subscription shouldn’t be a headache. By following these steps and keeping these FAQs in mind, you can ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience. Remember to always double-check your cancellation confirmation and reach out to Apple Support if you encounter any unexpected issues. Happy streaming (or non-streaming, as the case may be)!