Apple · Apple App Store Review Guidelines

Subscription Auto-Renewal and Cancellation Requirements

Medium severity
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What it is

Apps with subscriptions must clearly show prices, billing periods, and how to cancel, and must provide an in-app cancellation option so users are not trapped in unwanted subscriptions.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Consumers must be clearly shown subscription prices and billing terms before being charged, and must have an accessible in-app way to cancel, reducing the risk of unexpected subscription charges on their credit card or iTunes account.

What you can do

⚠️ These actions may provide transparency or partial mitigation but may not fully address the underlying issue. Effectiveness varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.
  • Cancel Subscription
    On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap your name, then tap Subscriptions to view and cancel any active app subscriptions. You can also cancel directly within the app if it provides an in-app cancellation option.

How other platforms handle this

23andMe Medium

No Refunds. Except as may be required by applicable law, payments are non-refundable and there are no refunds or credits for partially used services. Please refer to 23andMe's Return and Refund Policy.

Ledger Medium

you benefit from a period of two years from delivery of the Product to act against Global-e in the event of a non-conformity with the Product that we have sold you (and the digital elements it contains); you may choose between the Product's repair or replacement. Global-e may not proceed with what y...

Microsoft Medium

Unless otherwise provided by law or by a particular Service offer, all purchases are final and non-refundable. If you believe that Microsoft has charged you in error, you must contact us within 90 days of such charge. No refunds will be given for any charges more than 90 days old.

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Why it matters (compliance & risk perspective)

These requirements protect consumers from hidden subscription charges and make it easier to cancel recurring payments — a common source of consumer complaints across the app industry.

View original clause language
Apps offering auto-renewing subscriptions must clearly describe what the customer will be charged, the duration of the subscription, and the upgrade/downgrade options available. Apps must give customers the ability to manage and cancel their subscriptions from within the app. Apps must not misrepresent the nature or purpose of their subscriptions.

Institutional analysis (Compliance & legal intelligence)

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: This provision implements FTC guidelines on negative option marketing (16 C.F.R. Part 425, updated 2023 Negative Option Rule) which require clear and conspicuous disclosure of subscription terms, easy cancellation, and prohibition on misrepresentation. It also engages California's Automatic Renewal Law (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §17600 et seq.), which requires clear disclosure and affirmative consent for auto-renewals, and the EU Consumer Rights Directive (2011/83/EU) requiring clear pre-contractual information and right of withdrawal.

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC enforces the Negative Option Rule (16 C.F.R. Part 425) and has brought numerous enforcement actions against apps with deceptive subscription practices and difficult cancellation processes.
    File a complaint →
  • State AG
    California's Automatic Renewal Law and similar state statutes are enforced by state attorneys general and provide a basis for class action litigation against non-compliant subscription apps.
    File a complaint →

Provision details

Document information
Document
Apple App Store Review Guidelines
Entity
Apple
Document last updated
March 24, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
March 6, 2026
Last verified
April 9, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-002427
Document ID
CA-D-00025
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
SHA-256
877541265fefdbebabcd1e30fe9651433f6b1dd3064ee4d811f9f9918e043f98
Verified
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Change verified
How to Cite
ConductAtlas Policy Archive
Entity: Apple | Document: Apple App Store Review Guidelines | Record: CA-P-002427
Captured: 2026-03-06 20:15:42 UTC | SHA-256: 877541265fefdbeb…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/apple/apple-app-store-review-guidelines/subscription-auto-renewal-and-cancellation-requirements/
Accessed: April 28, 2026
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

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