How to track and cancel subscriptions on iPhone
Most people do not lose money to one big mistake. They lose it to small forgotten charges: a trial that renewed, a streaming plan nobody uses, a yearly renewal that arrived by surprise.
Step 1: list what Apple is billing you for
On iPhone, open Settings, tap your name, then Subscriptions. That list shows active and expired subscriptions billed through your Apple account, with renewal dates and prices. Tapping one lets you change the plan or cancel it.
Step 2: find the ones Apple does not bill
Subscriptions you started on a company's own website, through a phone carrier or through another app store will not appear in that list. Search your email for words like "receipt", "renewal" and "trial", and scan the last three months of bank and card statements for repeat charges of the same amount.
Step 3: decide what to cancel first
- Anything you have not used in the last month.
- Anything whose price recently went up.
- Trials that are about to turn into paid plans.
- Yearly renewals coming soon, because they are the biggest single charges.
Apple advises cancelling at least 24 hours before a renewal date to avoid the next charge, so do not leave it to the last minute.
What to look for in a subscription tracker
- A view of cost per year, not just per month.
- A clear "charging next" order.
- Help finding the official cancellation route, whether you subscribed through Apple or directly.
- Privacy: a tracker should not need your bank login.
- A place to keep confirmation numbers and paid-through dates.
How MoneyShield approaches it
MoneyShield: Sub Tracker is a free iPhone app from Honest Little Apps. Everything below comes from its App Store description.
- A Cancel First list ranks subscriptions worth cancelling and gives the reason for each: usage, cost, renewal timing, price increases or trials ending.
- You can mark each one Keep, Review Later, or start cancelling.
- A What If planner shows the estimated difference to your next 30 days, monthly spend and yearly spend.
- A Cancellation Assistant points you to the official cancellation route and offers a step-by-step checklist and copy-ready request templates.
- You can keep a private record of confirmation number and paid-through date.
See MoneyShield on the App Store Read the full MoneyShield page
Questions
How do I see all my subscriptions on iPhone?
Open Settings, tap your name, then Subscriptions. This shows subscriptions billed through your Apple account. Others, such as ones bought on a company website, will not appear there.
When should I cancel a free trial?
Apple advises cancelling at least 24 hours before the trial or renewal ends. Set a reminder as soon as you start a trial.
Is MoneyShield free?
MoneyShield: Sub Tracker is listed free on the App Store. Check the listing for optional in-app purchases.
