Short answer: Most free trials automatically turn into paid subscriptions unless you cancel. To avoid the charge, write down the trial end date the day you sign up, set a reminder two days before it ends and cancel through the App Store, Google Play or the service’s own account at least 24 hours before the trial ends.
Free trials are a good way to try a product. The catch is how easy it is to forget the end date. These tips help you enjoy the trial without an unwanted charge.
1. Read the terms before you start
Check three things on the store screen: how long the trial lasts, what it costs afterwards and how often you will be billed. Some trials convert straight to an annual plan, which means one large charge.
2. Write down the end date immediately
Note the end date the moment you start. The store’s confirmation email usually includes it.
3. Set a reminder two days early
Set the reminder for two days before the trial ends, not the last day. That leaves room for time zones and for renewals that are processed a few hours early. Apple recommends cancelling a trial you don’t want to renew at least 24 hours before it ends.
4. Cancel right away if you want
In many cases you can cancel immediately after starting a trial and keep using it until the trial ends. Some apps, however, end access as soon as you cancel. The cancellation screen tells you when access ends, so check it.
5. Cancel in the right place
- iPhone: Settings → your name → Subscriptions
- Android: Play Store → profile → Payments & subscriptions
- Trials started on a website: the service’s account settings
6. Deleting the app isn’t cancelling
Uninstalling an app you didn’t like is the classic mistake. Deleting an app doesn’t cancel the subscription, and the trial keeps running.
7. Don’t stack too many trials
Starting three or four trials in the same week is the easiest way to mix up end dates. Space them out, or track them all in one list.
Track trials in one place
In the Leakpin subscription tracker app you can add a trial end date to any subscription record and set an optional reminder. Notifications depend on your phone’s permissions and settings, so don’t rely on a single reminder for a critical date. To see what the post-trial price adds up to over a year, use the free subscription cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Does a free trial end immediately when I cancel?
It depends on the app. Most stores let you keep access until the trial ends, but some apps end access as soon as you cancel.
Is it safe to cancel on the last day of a trial?
It’s risky, because renewals can be processed before the exact end time. Apple recommends cancelling at least 24 hours before; two days is safer.
I was charged after a trial. Can I get a refund?
Refunds are up to the store or the service. For the App Store you can use reportaproblem.apple.com; Google Play has its own refund request process.