This support article explains how to cancel a subscription from Apple on an Apple mobile device, Mac, PC, and online ➔ If you want to cancel a subscription from Apple - Apple Support
Notes:
• You might need to scroll down to find the Cancel Subscription button.
• If you don’t see Cancel Subscription, then the subscription is already canceled and won't renew. An "Expires" date (instead of "Renews") means the current subscription has been canceled but will work until the expiration date. "Resubscribe" (or Renew) is just in case you change your mind about having it end.
• Deleting an app does not cancel a subscription.
• If you don’t cancel trials more than 24 hours before your renewal date, your subscription might renew.
• Free trials will usually automatically turn into paid subscriptions unless you cancel in time.
• If you don't have an Apple device, see the options near the bottom of the support document.
• Many subscriptions are set to renew automatically until you intentionally cancel them.
If you can’t find the subscription that you want to cancel, use this shortcut to jump to the section about what to do. --> If you want to cancel a subscription from Apple - Apple Support If this is a subscription not made through Apple, “you might have bought the subscription from another company. To find out which company bills you, check your bank or credit card statement. To cancel the subscription, you must contact the company that bills you for the subscription.”
If you still can't find a subscription or still have problems, contact Apple Support using this issue-specific link at the end of the section. --> https://getsupport.apple.com/?caller=kbase&PGF=PGF63006&category_id=SC0060&symptom_id=23208
Scroll down to where you can request a chat session or a phone call.
Alternatively, see a list of Apple phone numbers around the world ➔ Contact Apple Support - Apple Support
Click on this link to see how to cancel Apple Music on the web. ➔ How to cancel Apple Music - Apple Support
If you take the nuclear option and cancel your payments to Apple then you will have a big mess to sort out when you also find Apple stops all your other apps from updating. Nobody on this forum works for Apple so it makes no difference to us if you wish to use that option; we're just trying to save you a lot of trouble.
I have not heard anybody else mention blue smoke and mirrors. Do you mean that literally? If you mean that figuratively then it helps to instead tell us exactly what you do see. ;-) Canceling a subscription is easy but if you are past the refund window then you may have to wait to the end of this subscription period before it actually ends. I think I have seen other posts mention Duolingo and it can be hard to get a refund from them (technically all app charges are final, so any refund from anybody is optional).