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To stop a monthly payment through PayPal, open Settings > Payments, find the merchant under Subscriptions and saved businesses or Automatic Payments, and cancel the payment agreement.
Cancel the subscription with the service provider too if you want to end the service. Removing its PayPal payment permission does not automatically end your contract or clear an unpaid bill.
Stop a monthly or automatic PayPal payment on the website
- Open the PayPal website and sign in to the account used for the subscription.
- Open Settings, then Payments.
- Choose Subscriptions and saved businesses or Automatic Payments. PayPal may show either label.
- Select the company that takes the payment.
- Choose the option to cancel its automatic payment and confirm.
- Check the cancellation confirmation and keep a copy for your records.
You can also open the PayPal website in your phone’s browser. PayPal describes these menus in its automatic payments help page.
Can I cancel it in the PayPal app?
In the app, look under Menu > Subscriptions or Linked Businesses. Select the merchant, then look for Account > Unlink and confirm. App labels and available options can vary. If you cannot find them, use the website steps above.
Which action do you need?
| Your goal | What to do |
|---|---|
| Stop a merchant’s automatic PayPal payments | Cancel that merchant’s payment agreement in PayPal. |
| End the subscription or membership | Cancel with the service provider and check the service end date. |
| Ask for money back from a completed payment | Contact the seller about a refund. Cancelling automatic payments does not refund earlier charges. |
For example, if you want to leave a streaming service, complete its own cancellation process and keep its confirmation as well. PayPal explains the distinction between payment permission and the service contract in its guide to recurring payments.
If the company or cancellation option is missing
- Check the receipt. Confirm that the subscription uses this PayPal account. A charge made directly to a card or through another billing service needs to be managed with that provider.
- Try the website. Use the browser instructions if the app does not show the agreement.
- Contact the merchant. Its contact details may be listed in the payment agreement. Ask it to confirm the subscription’s status.
Cancel before the next renewal rather than waiting until a charge is due. Check any payment already underway separately; cancelling an agreement does not automatically reverse an existing transaction.
Prefer Dutch? Read our Dutch guide to stopping a PayPal subscription payment.
Frequently asked questions
How do I stop a monthly subscription paid through PayPal?
Cancel the merchant’s automatic payment in PayPal, then cancel the subscription with the provider if you want to stop using the service.
Does cancelling PayPal payments cancel my subscription?
It removes the payment permission. Check with the provider that the subscription itself has ended and whether anything remains payable.
Will PayPal refund previous subscription payments?
Not as a result of this cancellation. Contact the seller if you want to request a refund for a completed payment.
Do I need to close my PayPal account?
No. You can manage the agreement for one merchant without closing your whole PayPal account.