So, it's time to cancel Apple Music. Launched in 2015, Apple Music is a huge player in music streaming, but maybe it's just not for you. Honestly, the main reason people seem to cancel is that they get a free trial with a new iPhone, forget about it completely, and then get hit with a $10.99 charge three months later for a service they never even opened. Or maybe you're just tired of hearing about Taylor Swift's new album everywhere. It happens. This guide covers canceling on iOS, Android, and desktop. With plans ranging from $5.99 to $16.99, you can save up to $203 a year by cutting it loose. Just cancel it.
How to Cancel Apple Music Subscription on iOS (iPhone & iPad)
Canceling on your iPhone is straightforward, but Apple tucks the button away in the Settings app instead of the Music app. I had to dig through my iPhone settings for what felt like forever just to find the subscriptions page. Why isn't it in the Music app itself?
1 Open the Settings App
This is the most common way to cancel. It's not in the Music app itself, which is kind of annoying. You have to go through your main iPhone or iPad settings.
2 Tap Your Name / Apple ID
It's right at the top with your picture. Give it a tap.
3 Select 'Subscriptions'
You'll see a list of all your active and expired subscriptions tied to your Apple ID here.
4 Find and Tap 'Apple Music Subscription'
Find Apple Music in the list and tap on it to see the management options.
5 Tap 'Cancel Subscription' and Confirm
This is the final step. A pop-up will ask you to confirm. Once you do, it's done. The button might say 'Cancel Free Trial' if that's what you're on.
How to Cancel Apple Music Subscription on Desktop (Mac & PC)
Whether you're on a Mac or a PC, the process happens through the App Store or the old iTunes app. It can feel a bit clunky, but it gets the job done.
1 Open the App Store or iTunes
On newer Macs (macOS Catalina or later), you'll use the App Store. On a Windows PC or older Mac, you'll need to open the iTunes app.
2 Go to Your Account Settings
In the App Store, click your name in the bottom-left corner, then 'Account Settings'. In iTunes, go to the menu bar and click Account > View My Account.
3 Find the Subscriptions Section
You might need to enter your Apple ID password again. Scroll down until you see the 'Settings' section.
4 Click 'Manage'
Next to the 'Subscriptions' label, you'll see a 'Manage' link. Click it to see all your subscriptions.
5 Find Apple Music and Click 'Edit'
Find Apple Music in the list and click the 'Edit' button next to it. Weirdly, when I tried this, the button was grayed out. I had to sign out and sign back into the App Store to get it to work. Super annoying.
6 Click 'Cancel Subscription'
Finally, click the 'Cancel Subscription' button. You'll be asked to confirm, and that's it. Your subscription is set to expire.
How to Cancel Apple Music Subscription on Android
Yes, you can cancel directly from the Apple Music app on Android. It's probably the most logical place for the cancel button to be, unlike on the iPhone.
1 Open the Apple Music App
Open the app on your Android phone or tablet.
2 Go to Your Account
Look for the three-dot menu icon, usually in the top-right corner. Tap it, then tap 'Account' from the menu that appears.
3 Tap 'Manage Subscription'
This will take you to your account settings within the app.
4 Tap 'Cancel Subscription'
You'll see the option to cancel here. Tap it and follow the final confirmation prompt to stop your recurring payments.
Cancel Apple Music Subscription with phone
You can call Apple Support at 1-800-MY-APPLE (1-800-692-7753). Be prepared for wait times and have your Apple ID information ready. This is often a last resort if online methods fail.
Cancel Apple Music Subscription with live chat
Apple pushes users towards its support chat. Go to the official Apple Support website, select 'Music', then 'Apple Music'. From there, you can navigate the topics to find an option to start a chat session with a support agent. A user on Reddit mentioned, 'I cancelled, but they still charged me. Had to go through their support chat, which took 30 minutes, to get it sorted. Check your bank statement.'
Before you cancel, know this: Apple generally does not offer refunds for partial months. If you cancel, your access continues until the end of your current billing cycle. Also, your downloaded songs from the streaming library will become unplayable. Your playlists and library data usually stay linked to your Apple ID, so if you resubscribe later, they might reappear. No promises, though.
Apple Music Plans and Pricing 2025
| Plan | Price (per month) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Student | $5.99 | Access to the full Apple Music catalog, ad-free listening, lossless audio, and includes Apple TV+ for a limited time. Requires verification of student status. |
| Individual | $10.99 | All the standard features for one person. Includes the full catalog, offline listening, and spatial audio with Dolby Atmos. |
| Family | $16.99 | All the features of the Individual plan, but for up to six people. Each person gets their own personal library and recommendations. Great value if you have multiple users. |
Frequently Asked Questions about Apple Music
Can I unsubscribe from Apple Music anytime?
Can I get a refund from Apple Music if I forgot to cancel?
How do I know my Apple Music subscription is cancelled?
How long does it take for Apple Music to cancel?
What else should I know before I cancel my Apple Music subscription?
How do I raise a complaint to Apple Music?
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.
