PayPal, launched way back in 1998, is the digital wallet pretty much everyone has used at some point. It's great for paying for things online, but it's also the place where forgotten subscriptions go to drain your bank account. Maybe you signed up for a free trial that auto-renewed or got hooked on a service to watch one specific show that everyone on TikTok was talking about. This guide helps you find and cancel those pesky recurring payments. Subscriptions managed through PayPal can range from $5 to over $100, and you can cancel them on desktop and mobile. Taking a few minutes to clean house could save you up to $200 a year or more. Don't let that random subscription you forgot about become a financial ghost.
How to Cancel a PayPal Subscription on Desktop or Laptop
Cancelling a recurring payment through PayPal is often called cancelling an 'automatic payment' or 'preapproved payment'. The desktop website is the most straightforward place to do this, so let's start there.
1 Log In to Your PayPal Account
First, open your web browser and go to the PayPal website. Enter your email and password to log in. This is the most reliable way to manage subscriptions, as the mobile app can sometimes be buggy.
2 Navigate to Account Settings
Once you're logged in, look for the gear icon, which is usually in the top-right corner of the page. Click on it to go to your Account Settings.
3 Find 'Payments'
In the settings menu, you'll see a few tabs at the top. Click on the 'Payments' tab. It's where they hide all the important stuff.
4 Manage Automatic Payments
Under the 'Payments' section, you will see an option that says 'Manage automatic payments'. Click on this button. This will show you a list of all the merchants you have active, recurring payment agreements with.
5 Select and Cancel the Subscription
On the left side of the screen, you'll see a list of all your active automatic payments. Find the name of the service you want to cancel and click on it. Then, on the right, click the 'Cancel' button. Honestly, I had to click it twice for it to register once.
6 Confirm Your Cancellation
A pop-up window will appear asking you to confirm that you want to cancel the automatic payment. Click 'Cancel Automatic Payment' to finalize the process. You should receive an email confirmation shortly after.
How to Cancel a PayPal Subscription on iPhone (iOS)
The process on the iOS app is similar to the desktop, but the menus are in slightly different places. If you run into trouble, just use the desktop method instead.
1 Open the PayPal App
Tap the PayPal app icon on your iPhone's home screen and log in using your credentials, Face ID, or Touch ID.
2 Go to Your Wallet
At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a navigation bar. Tap on the 'Wallet' icon, which looks like a small credit card.
3 Find Automatic Payments
Scroll all the way down the Wallet screen. It feels a bit hidden, but near the bottom, you'll find the 'Automatic payments' option. Tap on it.
4 Select the Subscription to Cancel
You'll see a list of your active subscriptions. Find and tap on the one you want to get rid of. The page can sometimes take a moment to load, which is annoying.
5 Remove PayPal as Payment Method
At the bottom of the subscription details page, tap the button that says 'Remove PayPal as your payment method'. A confirmation screen will pop up.
6 Confirm the Removal
Tap 'Remove' again to confirm the cancellation. This will stop all future payments to that merchant from your PayPal account.
How to Cancel a PayPal Subscription on Android
The Android app follows almost the exact same steps as the iOS version. It's all about finding that 'Automatic payments' link buried in your Wallet.
1 Launch the PayPal App
Open the PayPal app on your Android device and log in to your account.
2 Access Your Wallet
Tap on the 'Wallet' icon, which is typically located in the bottom navigation menu.
3 Locate Automatic Payments
In the Wallet section, scroll down until you see the 'Automatic payments' option and tap it. It's easy to miss if you're scrolling too fast.
4 Choose the Merchant
A list of your active recurring payments will appear. Tap on the merchant whose subscription you wish to cancel.
5 Cancel the Payment Agreement
On the details screen for that merchant, scroll to the bottom and tap the 'Remove PayPal as your payment method' button.
6 Confirm Cancellation
A final confirmation prompt will appear. Tap 'Remove' to permanently stop the automatic payments. You're all set.
Cancel a PayPal Subscription by Phone
If you're struggling with the website or app, you can try calling PayPal's customer service to have them manually cancel an automatic payment for you.
- PayPal Customer Service Phone Number: 1-888-221-1161
- Hours of Operation: Monday to Sunday, 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM PT.
When you call, be prepared to verify your identity. Have your account email address and the last four digits of your linked bank account or card ready. The wait times can be long, so maybe do this while you're doing something else.
Having Trouble Cancelling Your PayPal Subscription?
It's not always a smooth process. If you're running into issues, here are a few things to try:
- Can't Find the Subscription? If the payment isn't listed in your PayPal 'Automatic payments', you might have subscribed directly through a third party like the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. You'll need to cancel it there instead.
- Use a Desktop Computer: The mobile app can be unreliable. The desktop website is almost always the best way to manage your account settings. If mobile fails, try a laptop.
- Clear Your Browser Cache: Sometimes, old data can cause glitches. Clear your browser's cache and cookies or try using an incognito/private window to log in and cancel.
- Contact Support Directly: When all else fails, contact PayPal's customer support through their Message Center or by phone. Ask them to manually remove the preapproved payment agreement for you.
Subscription Plans and Pricing (2025)
As a consumer, you don't subscribe to PayPal. Instead, you use PayPal to manage subscriptions for other services. Here’s a breakdown of the types of recurring payments you might be managing.
| Payment Type | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Merchant Payment | Varies | A one-time payment for goods or services. Not a subscription. |
| Subscription with Fixed Billing | Varies | A recurring payment where the amount is the same each time (e.g., $9.99/month for a streaming service). This is the most common type. |
| Subscription with Variable Billing | Varies | A recurring payment where the amount can change based on usage (e.g., a utility bill or a service with metered pricing). |
| Inactive Payment Agreement | $0 | An old agreement that is no longer active. You can find these in the 'Inactive' tab of your automatic payments list. |
How Pine AI Can Help You Cancel Your PayPal Subscription
Tired of digging through PayPal's menus? Let Pine AI handle it. We can securely find and cancel your unwanted subscriptions and automatic payments in just a few clicks. Stop wasting time and money on services you don't use. Connect your account and let us do the work for you, stress-free.
Frequently Asked Questions about PayPal
Can I unsubscribe from PayPal anytime?
Can I get a refund from PayPal if I forgot to cancel?
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David Jon-Goldstein
Senior Finance and Business Writer
David Jon-Goldstein leads on all topics finance and business content at Pine AI. Previously a Senior Finance Analyst, with over 15 years of experience in finance, and as a former CFA Charterholder, David specializes in breaking down complex investment vehicles, corporate spending, and SaaS financial models. His analysis, featured in leading finance papers, he has helped individuals and businesses navigate financial agreements and optimize their spending for maximum growth.
