How to Cancel Your Ancestry Subscription (Website, Apple, & Google Play)

Q: Will I get a refund if I cancel?

Generally, no . Ancestry subscriptions are non-refundable. When you cancel, your access continues until the end of your current billing cycle, and then it stops. Exception: If you are within the very first few days of a new subscription (policies vary by region, often 14 days in the UK/EU), you may be eligible. You must call support to request this.

Q: How do I cancel a Free Trial without being charged?

You must cancel at least 2 days (48 hours) before your trial expiration date. If you wait until the last day, the system may have already processed the renewal charge.

Need to pause or end your Ancestry membership? Whether you want to stop a free trial before being charged or cancel a long-term subscription, the process depends entirely on where you signed up.

(Note: If you are actually looking to get started and need to set up a new kit, please read our guide on How to Activate Your AncestryDNA Kit Here instead.)

This guide covers how to cancel via the official website, the iPhone App (Apple), and the Android App (Google Play). We also explain the refund policies and what happens to your family tree after you downgrade.

Table of Contents

Method 1: How to Cancel on the Website (Desktop/Mobile Web)

Use this method if you signed up directly at Ancestry.com.

Log In: Go to Ancestry.com and sign in.
Go to Account Settings: Click your Profile Icon/Name in the top-right corner and select Account Settings (or “Your Account”).
Manage Membership: Look for the Membership section. You will see your current plan details. Click “Cancel Membership” (or “Cancel Free Trial”).
- Note: If you do not see a cancel link here, you likely subscribed via the App Store (see Method 2 below).
Follow the Prompts: Ancestry will ask for a reason. Select any reason and click Continue.
Confirm: You may be offered a discount to stay. If you are sure, click “Continue to Cancel” until you see a final confirmation screen.

Warning for “Commitment” Plans: If you signed up for a 6-month or 12-month plan that is billed monthly, you are in a contract. Canceling before the term ends may trigger an Early Termination Fee(usually $25–$50).

Method 2: How to Cancel via the App (Apple & Android)

If you subscribed using the Ancestry App on your phone, you cannot cancel on the website. You must use your phone’s subscription manager.

For iPhone / iPad Users (Apple ID):

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap your Name at the very top.
Tap Subscriptions.
Find Ancestry in the list and tap it.
Tap Cancel Subscription (or “Cancel Free Trial”).

For Android Users (Google Play):

Open the Google Play Store app.
Tap your Profile Icon in the top right.
Tap Payments & subscriptions > Subscriptions.
Select Ancestry.
Tap Cancel subscription.

Paid Membership vs. Free Guest Account

Many users worry they will lose everything if they cancel. This is not true. Below is a breakdown of exactly what features remain active on a free account.

Feature	Paid Membership	Free Guest Account
Keep Family Tree Data	Yes	Yes
View DNA Results	Yes	Yes
Upload Photos/Files	Yes	Yes
View Paid Records	Yes	No
View Other Public Trees	Yes	No
See Common Ancestors	Yes	No

What Happens to My Family Tree?

This is the most common concern. When you cancel, your account reverts to a Free Registered Guest account.

What you KEEP: Your family tree, all people you added manually, and any photos you personally uploaded remain safe. You will not lose your work.
What you LOSE: You will lose access to paid records (census, birth certs) you viewed previously, and you will not see new hints.

Frequently Asked Questions & Refunds

Will I get a refund if I cancel?

Generally, no. Ancestry subscriptions are non-refundable. When you cancel, your access continues until the end of your current billing cycle, and then it stops.

Exception: If you are within the very first few days of a new subscription (policies vary by region, often 14 days in the UK/EU), you may be eligible. You must call support to request this.

How do I cancel a Free Trial without being charged?

You must cancel at least 2 days (48 hours) before your trial expiration date. If you wait until the last day, the system may have already processed the renewal charge.

Why was I charged a cancellation fee?

If you chose a “Monthly” payment option for a “6-Month Membership,” you received a discount in exchange for a commitment. Canceling early breaks this contract, triggering the fee.

How do I contact Ancestry for a refund dispute?

If you believe you were charged in error, contact Member Services directly:
US Support: 1-800-262-3787
Support Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-11pm EST.

Conclusion

Canceling your Ancestry subscription is straightforward once you know which platform manages your billing. Remember, even after you cancel, your family tree data remains safe on their servers forever, allowing you to resubscribe at any time in the future to pick up where you left off.