Definition: What is Netflix Subscription Cancellation?
Canceling your Netflix subscription is the process of ending your monthly or annual Netflix membership, which stops automatic billing and streaming access. When you cancel, Netflix preserves your account data, including watch history, ratings, recommendations, My List, and profile settings for 10 months, allowing you to reactivate anytime and restore all your data.
Unlike some services that delete account data immediately upon cancellation, Netflix maintains your account information for an extended period. This means your viewing preferences, watch history, and personalized recommendations remain intact, making it easy to return to Netflix later without losing your personalized experience.
You can cancel your Netflix subscription through the Netflix website (netflix.com) on desktop or mobile browser, or through the Netflix mobile app. The cancellation process is straightforward, and you retain access to Netflix until the end of your current billing period.
Key Point: Netflix keeps your account data (watch history, ratings, My List, profiles) for 10 months after cancellation. You can reactivate anytime within this period and all your data will be restored exactly as you left it.
What: Understanding Netflix Cancellation
When you cancel your Netflix subscription, here's what happens:
Watch History Preserved
Your complete watch history, including all shows and movies you've watched, is preserved for 10 months. This includes viewing progress, ratings, and viewing dates.
Your viewing data helps Netflix provide better recommendations when you return.
My List and Profiles Kept
All items in your My List, all profiles (including kids' profiles), and profile settings are preserved. Your personalized recommendations and preferences remain intact.
Everything is restored when you reactivate your account.
Access Until Billing Period Ends
You retain full access to Netflix streaming until the end of your current billing period. You can continue watching all content until that date, even after canceling.
You get full value for the current billing cycle.
10-Month Account Retention
Netflix keeps your account active for 10 months after cancellation. You can reactivate anytime within this period and all your data will be restored. After 10 months, your account may be permanently deleted.
This gives you flexibility to return without losing your personalized experience.
Important: Your watch history, My List, profiles, and recommendations are all preserved for 10 months. You can reactivate your account anytime within this period and everything will be exactly as you left it.
When: When to Cancel Your Netflix Subscription
You should consider canceling your Netflix subscription in these situations:
Not Watching Regularly
If you're not using Netflix frequently or have finished watching the content you're interested in, canceling can save money. Your watch history and preferences are preserved for 10 months.
Budget Constraints
If you need to reduce monthly expenses, canceling Netflix can free up funds. You can always reactivate later, and your account data remains intact for 10 months.
Switching to Other Services
If you're trying other streaming services or rotating subscriptions, canceling Netflix temporarily makes sense. Your account and data remain available for reactivation within 10 months.
Temporary Break
If you need a break from streaming but want to keep your personalized experience, canceling and reactivating later is perfect. All your data is preserved for easy return.
Best Practice: Cancel Netflix when you're sure you won't use it for a while, but remember you have 10 months to reactivate without losing any data. Your watch history and preferences make it easy to return.
How To: Step-by-Step Guide to Cancel Netflix
Follow these steps to cancel your Netflix subscription on desktop, mobile, or TV:
Method 1: Cancel on Desktop (Recommended)
Go to Netflix Website
Visit netflix.com in your web browser and sign in to your account. Make sure you're signed in to the correct Netflix account.
You can use any web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge).
Click Your Profile Icon
Click on your profile icon in the top right corner of the Netflix homepage. This opens a dropdown menu with account options.
The profile icon shows your profile picture or initial.
Select Account
Click on "Account" from the dropdown menu. This opens your Netflix account settings page in a new tab or window.
You'll see membership, billing, and profile settings.
Find Cancel Membership
Scroll down to the "Membership & Billing" section. Find and click the "Cancel Membership" button or link. Netflix may show you retention offers or ask why you're canceling.
You can skip retention offers if you're sure you want to cancel.
Confirm Cancellation
Review the cancellation information, including when your subscription ends and that your account data will be preserved. Click "Finish Cancellation" or "Yes, cancel" to confirm.
Your subscription remains active until the end of the current billing period.
Method 2: Cancel on Mobile (Android/iOS)
Open Netflix App
Open the Netflix app on your Android or iPhone device. Make sure you're signed in to your account.
The app interface is similar on both platforms.
Go to Profile
Tap on the "More" tab (bottom right) or your profile icon, then select "Account" from the menu. This opens the Netflix account page in your mobile browser.
The mobile app redirects to the website for account management.
Follow Desktop Steps
Once in Account settings, follow the same steps as desktop: Membership & Billing > Cancel Membership > Confirm cancellation.
The mobile website interface is similar to desktop.
Pro Tip: Canceling via the Netflix website on desktop is often easier and more reliable than using the mobile app. If you subscribed through Apple App Store or Google Play, you must cancel through those platforms instead.
Why: Why Cancel Netflix Properly
Canceling your Netflix subscription properly is important for several reasons:
Preserve Watch History
Proper cancellation ensures your watch history, ratings, and viewing preferences are preserved for 10 months. This makes it easy to return and continue where you left off.
Keep My List and Profiles
All items in your My List, all profiles (including kids' profiles), and personalized recommendations are preserved. Everything is restored when you reactivate.
Avoid Unwanted Charges
Proper cancellation stops automatic billing. Your subscription ends at the current billing period, preventing future charges while allowing you to use the service until then.
Easy Reactivation
With your data preserved for 10 months, reactivating is seamless. All your watch history, My List, and preferences are restored exactly as you left them.
Warning: Simply deleting the app or ignoring billing doesn't cancel your subscription. You must actively cancel through Account settings to stop automatic billing. If you subscribed through Apple or Google Play, cancel through those platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Netflix keep my account after cancellation?
Netflix keeps your account active for 10 months after cancellation. During this time, your watch history, My List, profiles, and preferences are preserved. You can reactivate anytime within 10 months and all your data will be restored. After 10 months, your account may be permanently deleted.
Can I download shows before canceling Netflix?
Yes, you can download shows and movies to watch offline before canceling. However, downloaded content requires an active subscription to play. Once you cancel and your subscription ends, downloaded content becomes inaccessible. Use your remaining subscription time to watch downloaded content.
What if I subscribed through Apple or Google Play?
If you subscribed through Apple App Store or Google Play, you must cancel through those platforms. Go to Settings > Subscriptions (iOS) or Google Play Store > Subscriptions (Android) and cancel Netflix from there. Canceling through Netflix directly won't work for app store subscriptions.
Can I pause my Netflix subscription instead of canceling?
Netflix doesn't offer a pause feature. You must cancel and reactivate later if you want to take a break. However, with 10 months of account retention, you have plenty of time to reactivate without losing any data. Your watch history and preferences make it easy to return.
Do I get a refund when I cancel Netflix?
Netflix doesn't offer refunds for subscription fees already paid. However, you retain access to Netflix until the end of your current billing period, even after canceling. If you cancel mid-cycle, you can continue watching all content until the period ends, getting full value for what you've paid.