If you subscribed directly through the Ars Technica website, this is the most straightforward way to cancel. It can get a little confusing because they use an external service to manage payments.
How to Cancel Ars Technica on Desktop or Laptop
1 Visit the Ars Technica Website
Open your web browser and navigate to the Ars Technica website. Make sure you're using a desktop or laptop, as the mobile site can sometimes be tricky to navigate for account settings.
2 Log In to Your Account
Click the Sign In button, usually located in the top-right corner of the homepage. Enter the email address and password associated with your Ars Technica+ subscription.
3 Access Your Account Settings
Once logged in, click on your username or profile icon in the top-right corner. From the dropdown menu, select My Account or a similar option like Subscription.
4 Manage Your Subscription
You should be redirected to a subscription management page, which is often handled by a third-party service called Piano. Look for a button or link that says Manage Subscription, Cancel Subscription, or Turn Off Auto-Renew.
5 Confirm Cancellation
Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm that you want to end your subscription. They might ask for a reason or offer you a discount to stay. Persist with the cancellation until you receive a confirmation message on the screen and, ideally, an email.
How to Cancel Ars Technica on iPhone (iOS)
If you paid for your subscription through the App Store, you must cancel it through Apple. Ars Technica's website won't have any record of it.
1 Open the Settings App
Find and tap the gray Settings icon on your iPhone or iPad's home screen.
2 Access Your Apple ID
Tap on your name and profile picture at the very top of the Settings menu. This will take you to your Apple ID, iCloud, and media settings.
3 Navigate to Subscriptions
On the Apple ID screen, tap on the Subscriptions option. You'll see a list of all your active and expired subscriptions linked to your Apple account.
4 Find and Cancel Ars Technica
Scroll through the list to find your Ars Technica subscription. Tap on it to open the details page, then tap the Cancel Subscription button. You'll need to confirm your choice.
How to Cancel Ars Technica on Android
For subscriptions made through the Google Play Store, you have to cancel it there. Trying to cancel on the Ars Technica website won't work.
1 Open the Google Play Store
Launch the Google Play Store app on your Android device. It's the icon that looks like a colorful sideways triangle.
2 Go to Your Profile
Tap on your profile icon or initial in the top-right corner of the screen.
3 Manage Payments & Subscriptions
In the menu that appears, select Payments & subscriptions. Then, on the next screen, tap Subscriptions.
4 Locate and Cancel Ars Technica
You'll see a list of all your subscriptions managed by Google Play. Find Ars Technica in the list and tap on it.
5 Confirm the Cancellation
At the bottom of the screen, tap Cancel subscription. Google will ask you to confirm your decision. Follow the prompts to finalize the cancellation.
Cancel by Email
If you're struggling with the online process, you can try emailing customer support directly. It's not the fastest method, but it's an option.
- Email Address:
[email protected]
When you write the email, be sure to include your full name, the email address associated with your account, and a clear request to cancel your subscription. Expect a response to take a few business days.
Before You Cancel: What You Should Know
Before you go, here are a couple of things to keep in mind:
- Refunds: Ars Technica's terms of service state that subscriptions are non-refundable. If you cancel, you'll retain access until the end of your current paid billing period, but you won't get any money back for the remaining time.
- Data: Cancelling your subscription does not delete your Ars Technica account or your comment history. Your free account will remain active.
- Pausing: Currently, there is no option to pause your Ars Technica+ subscription. You can only cancel it and resubscribe later if you choose.
Having Trouble Cancelling Your Ars Technica Subscription?
It can be frustrating when you can't find the cancel button. Here are a few common issues and how to solve them:
- Can't Find Your Subscription? This is the most common problem. If you don't see the subscription in your Ars Technica account, you almost certainly subscribed through a third party. Check your Apple Subscriptions (on iPhone) or Google Play Subscriptions (on Android).
- Website Glitches: Sometimes the account page just doesn't load correctly. Try logging in from a different browser or using an incognito/private window. Clearing your browser's cache can also help.
- Login Problems: If you can't remember your password, use the 'Forgot Password' link on the sign-in page to reset it.
- Contact Support Directly: When all else fails, email their support team at
[email protected]
. It might take a bit, but a human can manually process the cancellation for you.
Subscription Plans and Pricing (2025)
Plan Name | Price (USD) | Details |
---|---|---|
Ars Pro | $5.00 / month | Ad-free reading, exclusive long-form content, multi-page articles on a single page, and access to the Ars Pro forum. |
Ars Pro++ | $50.00 / year | All the benefits of Ars Pro, but at a discounted annual rate (effectively giving you two months free). |
How Pine AI Can Help You Cancel Your Ars Technica Subscription
Tired of navigating confusing menus and dealing with customer support? Let Pine AI handle it. We can cancel your Ars Technica subscription for you, quickly and securely. Just connect your account, and we'll take care of the rest, saving you time and preventing any future unwanted charges. It's the easiest way to manage your subscriptions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ars Technica
Chloe Anne-Bennett
Streaming & Entertainment Editor
Chloe Anne-Bennett is the Streaming & Entertainment Editor at Pine AI. Chloe is a leading voice on the business of streaming, entertainment and the evolving landscape of digital media. Before contributing to Pine AI, Chloe was an entertainment correspondent for a major news outlet, where she reported on everything from box office trends to the impact of streaming services on traditional media. At Pine AI, Chloe leverages her deep industry knowledge to provide our readers with insightful analysis of the latest trends, helping them make sense of their subscriptions and where to hit the sweet spots in how to handle customer service reps.