Can I unsubscribe from Substack anytime?

Yep. You can cancel your subscription to any Substack publication at any time. You'll keep your access to the paid content until the end of the current billing cycle you've already paid for.

Can I get a refund from Substack if I forgot to cancel?

Probably not. Refunds are handled by the individual writers, not Substack, and their official policy is that payments are non-refundable. You can try contacting the writer directly, but don't count on it.

How do I know my Substack subscription is cancelled?

You should receive a confirmation email right after you cancel. You can also go back to your 'Settings' and look under 'Subscriptions'. The one you canceled should be marked as 'Canceled' or 'Expired'.

How long does it take for Substack to cancel?

The cancellation itself is instant. Your access to paid content will continue until your current subscription period runs out, but the auto-renewal is stopped immediately.

What else should I know before I cancel my Substack subscription?

Remember that you are canceling a subscription to one specific newsletter, not your entire Substack account. If you pay for multiple writers, you have to cancel each one individually. It's a bit of a chore.

How do I raise a complaint to Substack?

For any issues, especially with billing, your first step is to contact the publication's owner directly. If you get no response, you can submit a ticket to Substack's main support center, but they often act as a middleman.

How to Cancel Your Substack Subscription (2025)

How to Cancel Substack on iPhone (iOS)

Canceling on an iPhone is done directly through the Substack app, not through your Apple Subscriptions. It's a common point of confusion, so don't go looking for it in your iPhone's settings.

1 Open the Substack App

Find and tap the Substack app icon on your home screen. Make sure you're logged into the account with the active subscription.

2 Navigate to Your Library

Tap the Library icon, which is usually located in the bottom navigation bar. This shows all the publications you're subscribed to.

3 Access Settings for the Publication

Find the paid publication you want to cancel and tap on it. Once you're on the publication's main page, tap the three dots (...) in the top-right corner to open the menu.

4 Manage Your Subscription

From the menu that appears, select Manage subscription. This will take you to the specific settings for that newsletter.

5 Cancel and Confirm

You should see an option to Cancel subscription. Tap it and follow any final confirmation prompts. Your subscription will remain active until the end of the current billing cycle.

How to Cancel Substack on Android

Just like with iOS, you manage Substack subscriptions inside the app itself, not through the Google Play Store. This means you have to deal with Substack's interface directly.

1 Launch the Substack App

Open the Substack app on your Android device. Ensure you are signed into the correct account.

2 Go to Your Profile

Tap on your profile icon, typically found in the top right corner of the screen.

3 Find Your Subscriptions

In your profile menu, tap on Settings. From there, you should see a list of your active subscriptions under a 'Manage Subscriptions' or similar heading.

4 Select the Publication to Cancel

Tap on the specific paid newsletter you wish to cancel. This will open the management page for that individual subscription.

5 Proceed with Cancellation

Look for the Cancel subscription link or button. Tap it and confirm your decision. You won't be charged again, but you'll retain access until your current paid period expires.

How to Cancel Substack on Desktop or Laptop

Honestly, this is the easiest way to do it. The website interface is much clearer than the app, and I've had fewer issues with buttons not working or pages failing to load.

1 Log in to the Substack Website

Navigate to substack.com in your web browser and log in to your account. This method is often the most reliable.

2 Go to Your Account Settings

Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner of the page. A dropdown menu will appear. Select Settings.

3 Navigate to Subscriptions

Once you're in the Settings page, look at the left-hand navigation menu. Click on Subscriptions. This will display all your current free and paid subscriptions.

4 Find the Subscription to Cancel

Scroll through the list to find the paid publication you want to cancel. To the right of it, you'll see three dots (...). Click on them to open a small menu.

5 Cancel Your Subscription

From the menu, select Cancel subscription. A confirmation pop-up will appear. Confirm your choice, and you're all set. The subscription will be marked as 'Canceled' and will expire at the end of the billing period.

Having Trouble Cancelling Your Substack Subscription?

It can be frustrating when you can't find the cancel button. Here are a few things to try:

Are you logged into the right account? Many people have multiple email addresses. Double-check that you're signed in with the one you used to purchase the subscription.
Try the desktop website. The mobile app can sometimes be buggy. The website version at substack.com is generally more stable for account management.
Remember, you cancel per publication. You are not canceling a single 'Substack' subscription. You must cancel each paid newsletter individually.
Contact the writer directly. Since writers manage their own payments, they are your primary point of contact for billing issues. Substack support will likely direct you to them anyway.
Clear your browser cache. Sometimes old website data can cause display issues. Try clearing your cache or using an incognito/private browsing window to log in and cancel.

Subscription Plans and Pricing (2025)

Substack's pricing is set by individual creators, not by Substack itself. The platform simply provides the tools for writers to offer different tiers.

Plan	Price (USD)	Details
Free Subscriber	$0	Access to all public posts from a writer. You can subscribe to as many free newsletters as you like.
Paid Subscriber	Varies (Min. $5/month or $30/year)	Access to all public and paywalled posts, community features like comments, and other benefits defined by the writer.
Founding Member	Varies (Custom higher tier)	Includes all paid subscriber benefits plus potential extras like direct contact with the writer, special content, or acknowledgments. This is set by the creator.

How Pine AI Can Help You Cancel Your Substack Subscription

Tired of digging through settings for each newsletter? Pine AI simplifies the process. We securely identify your Substack subscriptions and handle the cancellation for you. Save time, avoid future charges, and manage all your subscriptions in one place, stress-free.

Frequently Asked Questions about Substack

Rachel Adams

Technology & Software Editor

Rachel Adams is the Lead Tech & App writer at Pine AI, where she decodes the complexities of the digital software landscape. With over eight years of experience as a software reviewer and tech journalist, her work focuses on the security, usability, and subscription models of popular apps and SaaS platforms. Rachel's insights empower consumers to make informed decisions, avoid predatory billing, and select software that genuinely adds value.