With a market cap of $213.04 billion as of January 2024, Netflix is undeniably one of the biggest streaming platforms in the world. The company has over 247.15 million subscribers as of Q3 2023, providing access to binge-worthy TV shows, movies, documentaries, and more. However, some users may want to move on from the platform due to different reasons, such as the cost of the subscription or a desire to try out a different streaming service.
If you are also looking to cancel your Netflix subscription, read this comprehensive guide. It will detail the exact steps you need to complete whether you signed up through the website or mobile device. You will also learn how to prevent unexpected charges from subscription companies.
Note that the information in this article is current as of November 2023. Visit the official Netflix website or contact its customer support team for any updates.
How To Cancel Your Netflix Subscription on the Website
You can cancel your Netflix account on the company's official website by completing these steps:
- Log in to your Netflix account.
- Navigate to the top-right corner of the page and click the down-pointing arrow.
- Select Account from the menu and click the Cancel Membership button under the Membership & Billing section.
- Select Finish Cancellation to confirm.
Once you complete the above steps, you will receive a confirmation email from Netflix. Note that you can still access your Netflix account and its content until your current billing period ends.
How To Cancel a Netflix Account On Mobile Devices
Canceling Netflix on mobile devices depends on the operating system of your device. The following section provides the steps you need to follow to cancel Netflix on both iOS and Android devices.
How To Cancel Your Netflix Subscription On iPhone and iPad
If you have bought the subscription via the Netflix app on your iOS device, your account is linked to your Apple ID, so you will need to end your subscription through the Apple ID settings. Below are the steps to follow:
- Open the Settings app on your iOS device.
- Tap your name at the top of the screen.
- Select Subscriptions in the Apple ID menu that appears.
- Tap on Netflix and select Cancel Subscription.
- Follow the prompts to confirm your cancellation.
You can keep enjoying Netflix’s content until the end of your billing cycle, and automatic payments will stop after your current billing cycle ends. Make sure to check your email for a confirmation of the cancellation.
How To Cancel Netflix On Android
To end your Netflix subscription on an Android device, you will need to cancel it through the Google Play Store by following these steps:
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
- Tap on your profile icon at the top-right corner of the screen.
- Select Payments & Subscriptions from the menu, then choose Subscriptions.
- Find Netflix from the list of subscriptions and tap on it.
- Select Cancel Subscription and confirm.
How Do I Cancel Netflix On My TV?
You can also discontinue your Netflix subscription directly from your TV if you have signed up using a smart TV, Roku, or Amazon Fire TV. The following steps will guide you through the process:
- Navigate to the Netflix app on your TV and log in.
- Click the drop-down menu in the top corner of the screen next to your profile name.
- Select Account from the menu and click Membership & Billing.
- Click Cancel Membership and Finish Cancellation to confirm.
What You Should Do if You're Having Trouble Canceling Your Netflix Account
If you encounter any difficulties during the cancellation process, you should contact Netflix customer support for assistance. You can do so via:
- A phone call at 800-585-8131 (calling the Netflix support team through the app is free, but data rates may apply if using cellular data)
- Live chat through the Netflix app or website
Note that some Trustpilot user reviews claim that the Netflix cancellation process isn't always straightforward. One user claimed that they got charged for ten months without their knowledge even after canceling their subscription. Another Netflix subscriber allegedly had their account reactivated without their knowledge and then got charged for it. Some users claim that they had to go as far as canceling their credit cards to stop Netflix from charging them.
While mistakes are to be expected, some subscription merchants may deliberately use specific tactics to keep you as a paying customer for as long as possible. Their techniques include prolonging the cancellation process or guilt-tripping you into keeping your subscription. If you aren't careful, you might miss an essential step and end up paying another month's fee for a service you don't want.
The most efficient way to protect yourself against overcharges from subscription services is to sign up with a Privacy virtual card—be it for another streaming platform like ESPN Plus, YouTube TV, and Hulu or a gym membership service like Planet Fitness. Virtual cards mask your actual financial details with random card numbers at checkout, protecting them from unauthorized charges. Independent virtual card providers like Privacy also provide advanced card controls to help you manage your online spending.
How Privacy Virtual Cards Protect You From Unwanted Subscription Charges
You can link a debit card or bank account to Privacy and generate virtual cards for various purposes. Privacy Cards can be used at most merchants and subscription services that accept U.S Visa® and Mastercard® payments, including Amazon Prime, Peaco*ck, and FuboTV.
You have two types of Privacy Virtual Cards at your disposal, as explained in the following table:
| Single-Use Cards | They close shortly after the first purchase is completed, which makes them ideal for one-time transactions on unfamiliar websites. |
|---|---|
| Merchant-Locked Cards | These cards “lock” to the first merchant they are used at. They are perfect for websites you frequently shop on and recurring payments, such as bills and subscriptions. |
Merchant-Locked Cards can be paused or closed without affecting your linked debit card or bank account. This feature is useful when you want to cancel a subscription—it helps you prevent unexpected charges while the merchant processes your cancellation request. Privacy will decline all charge attempts on paused or closed cards.
You can also set spending limits on your Merchant-Locked Card to prevent subscription merchants from charging you more than the initially agreed amount. Privacy will decline all charges that exceed the preset limit.
Additional Privacy Features That Streamline Online Transactions
As a Privacy user, you will enjoy the following additional features when shopping online:
- Browser extension—Available for Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge, the extension autofills your virtual card details at checkout, sparing you from memorizing and typing them every time you need to complete a transaction. iPhone and iPad users can enjoy seamless transactions with the Safari iOS browser extension.
- Mobile app—The Privacy mobile app for iOS and Android lets you create and manage your virtual cards on the go. Set up push notifications to receive real-time alerts on your card activity.
Choose Privacy Virtual Cards for More Convenience and Control
You can start using Privacy Virtual Cards by completing the following steps:
- Create an account
- Fill in the required Know-Your-Customer (KYC) information to verify your identity
- Link a funding source such as your debit card or bank account
- Request and generate virtual cards
Privacy has three pricing plans—Personal, Pro, and Premium. The table below details the cost of each plan, the number of cards you can generate, and the benefits you can enjoy:
| Plan | Cost per Month | Number of Virtual Cards per Month | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal | Free for domestic transactions | 12 |
|
| Pro | $10 | 36 |
|
| Premium | $25 | 60 |
|
Privacy Virtual Cards
Spending Limits
Set a spending limit and Privacy will decline any transactions that go over the limit
Merchant-Locked Cards
Lock Privacy Cards to the first merchant they’re used at to prevent misuse if stolen
Single-Use Cards
Create Privacy Cards that close automatically after the first purchase is made on them
Pause/Close Cards
Pause or close your Privacy Cards at any time to block future transaction attempts
