Unexpected charge for inactive app on iPhone

I am so upset! I cancelled the app a LONG TIME AGO and yesterday, I was so shocked that I got charged without my consent! The app is already inactive and then I got an email saying it renewed. I never use the app either that is why I cancelled it and then I got charged without knowing. This is so frustrating!


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Charge

iPhone 13

Posted on Sep 15, 2025 10:12 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 16, 2025 6:55 AM

If you mean you canceled a subscription (you cannot "cancel" an app), see:


Review the information in this support article by clicking on the link to learn how to cancel a subscription from Apple. ➔ If you want to cancel a subscription from Apple - Apple Support

If you subscribed to this directly with a third party, see: About purchases not billed through the App Store or the App Store’s In-App Purchase system - Apple Support instead. You need to work directly with the vendor, not Apple.


Notes:

• "If you signed up [which involves very intentional steps by you or a user of your device] for a free or discounted trial subscription and you don't want to renew it, cancel it at least 24 hours before the trial ends." Note that by using an app like this you are automatically agreeing (always read the fine print) to this happening, are responsible for reading if this will happen, and canceling the subscription before the trial ends.

Deleting an app does not cancel a subscription.

• An existing subscription will normally continue until the end of its term and may then renew automatically. Stopping automatic renewal is effectively canceling it. "If you don’t see Cancel Subscription, then the subscription is already canceled and won't renew." The "Expires" date means the current subscription will just run until then. Note special conditions for some countries: About canceling subscriptions in Germany, Israel, South Africa, or Türkiye - Apple Support

• Read the article to see what to do about subscriptions that do not appear in your list. If you still can't find a subscription, contact Apple Support using the link at the end of the support article.

• Canceling a subscription does not automatically start a refund.

• If you had a free trial previously, you do not get a second one and a subscription will start immediately.


If you wish to pursue a refund, follow the directions in this support article about how to request a refund for apps or content that you bought from Apple ➔ Request a refund for apps or content that you bought from Apple - Apple Support


Read this support article for information about how long it takes to receive a refund (if one is granted), and how to check the status of a refund for apps or content that you bought from Apple --> Check the status of a refund for apps or content that you bought from Apple - Apple Support


2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 16, 2025 6:55 AM in response to Hela16

If you mean you canceled a subscription (you cannot "cancel" an app), see:


Review the information in this support article by clicking on the link to learn how to cancel a subscription from Apple. ➔ If you want to cancel a subscription from Apple - Apple Support

If you subscribed to this directly with a third party, see: About purchases not billed through the App Store or the App Store’s In-App Purchase system - Apple Support instead. You need to work directly with the vendor, not Apple.


Notes:

• "If you signed up [which involves very intentional steps by you or a user of your device] for a free or discounted trial subscription and you don't want to renew it, cancel it at least 24 hours before the trial ends." Note that by using an app like this you are automatically agreeing (always read the fine print) to this happening, are responsible for reading if this will happen, and canceling the subscription before the trial ends.

Deleting an app does not cancel a subscription.

• An existing subscription will normally continue until the end of its term and may then renew automatically. Stopping automatic renewal is effectively canceling it. "If you don’t see Cancel Subscription, then the subscription is already canceled and won't renew." The "Expires" date means the current subscription will just run until then. Note special conditions for some countries: About canceling subscriptions in Germany, Israel, South Africa, or Türkiye - Apple Support

• Read the article to see what to do about subscriptions that do not appear in your list. If you still can't find a subscription, contact Apple Support using the link at the end of the support article.

• Canceling a subscription does not automatically start a refund.

• If you had a free trial previously, you do not get a second one and a subscription will start immediately.


If you wish to pursue a refund, follow the directions in this support article about how to request a refund for apps or content that you bought from Apple ➔ Request a refund for apps or content that you bought from Apple - Apple Support


Read this support article for information about how long it takes to receive a refund (if one is granted), and how to check the status of a refund for apps or content that you bought from Apple --> Check the status of a refund for apps or content that you bought from Apple - Apple Support


Sep 16, 2025 1:41 AM in response to Hela16

First see if you can recognize the charge


How to see what you were charged for

  1. To see your purchase history, go to reportaproblem.apple.com.
  2. Sign in with your Apple Account to see a list of purchases.
  3. If you want to see family members' purchases, select the Apple Account button and choose a family member.
  4. To see the full receipt, including tax, tap or click the date. Multiple purchases, including subscriptions, might be grouped onto one charge.

If the charge is for a subscription that you no longer want, you can cancel the subscription. You can also view your Purchase History on your device.


If you still can't identify the charge

If you checked reportaproblem.apple.com and your emailed receipts and you're still not sure why you were charged, contact Apple Support.


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Unexpected charge for inactive app on iPhone

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