Hi there! Like over 220 million others, you may have subscribed to Netflix at some point for convenient access to movies, TV shows, and viral original hits on all your devices.^* But monthly costs add up, your viewing habits can change, and competing services now offer plenty of streaming entertainment.
If you‘ve decided it‘s time to cancel your Netflix membership, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the quick process in just three foolproof steps. I‘ll also provide helpful advice in case you ever want to reactive your account down the road.
Let‘s get started!
Why You Might Want to Cancel Netflix
Before jumping right into cancellation instructions, understanding common reasons people quit Netflix provides useful context:
Cost savings – At $10-20 per month, Netflix constitutes another subscription you may rather cut from your budget. Surveys show saving money drives most people‘s decision to cancel streaming services.^*
Changing preferences – Maybe you simply don‘t have time for Netflix anymore or want to limit recreational screen time. Priorities shift!
Missing content – As studios withdraw shows and movies for proprietary streaming platforms, Netflix‘s catalog has shrunk by 37% since 2017.^* Your favorite series may have disappeared.
Competition – Alternative streamers like Hulu, Prime Video, and Disney+ have flooded the market with tempting options.
| Streamer | Monthly Cost | Ads? | Top Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | $10 – $20 | No | Stranger Things, Wednesday, documentaries |
| Hulu | $7 – $13 | Yes at lower tiers | TV shows, FX content |
| Prime Video | N/A (w/ Prime) | No | The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Thursday Night Football |
| Disney+ | $8 | No | Star Wars, Marvel films, animation |
^"Number of Netflix paying streaming subscribers worldwide from 3rd quarter 2011 to 3rd quarter 2022." Statista*
As the table shows, today‘s streaming landscape provides many avenues to get your entertainment fix potentially cheaper than sticking with Netflix out of habit or inertia.
Rest assured canceling Netflix remains straightforward – just follow the steps below!
Step 1: Log Into Your Netflix Account
First up, access your Netflix account on either the website or mobile app:
On the website:
Go to netflix.com and click Sign In in the top right.
Enter your login email and password credentials.
Move your cursor over the profile icon by your name to open a dropdown menu.
Select Account.
In the mobile app:
Launch the Netflix app on your iPhone, Android device, tablet, or streaming device.
Tap the profile icon on the bottom right of the screen. A sidebar should then open.
Choose Account to access your membership details and settings.
^*Liedtke, Michael. "Netflix‘s subscriber growth slowing as competition looms." Associated Press, 16 October 2019.
Step 2: Navigate to Cancellation Settings
With access to your account tools, let‘s navigate specifically to the cancellation page:
On the website:
- Under Membership & Billing, click the Cancel Membership button.
In the mobile app:
- Scroll down and tap Cancel Membership.
See the screenshots below for visual guidance:
^*Ramachandran, Naman. "Netflix Subscribers Drop Hints at Exodus From Streaming Service." The Wall Street Journal, 14 June 2022.
Step 3: Confirm Cancellation
You‘ve made it to the final step of the process! Now it‘s time seal the deal:
On the website / In the app:
Select Finish Cancellation
Enter your Netflix account password when prompted. This helps protect your account security.
Finally, select Complete Cancellation to confirm your intention close your membership.
And voila! Your Netflix subscription stands officially canceled.
Now Netflix will immediately stop billing you for subsequent payment cycles. Of course you can continue streaming your favorite shows and movies until your current billing period runs out.
Canceling Netflix: Key Takeaways
Congratulations, you‘ve successfully cut ties with Netflix in three quick steps! Here are the major points to remember:
Access Account Settings – Whether on the website or in the mobile apps, your account tools allow you manage or cancel membership
Locate Cancellation – Inside Account, click "Cancel Membership" and follow the straightforward prompts
Confirm Cancellation – Finalize your decision by entering your password again and completing cancellation
Keep Watching – Although billing stops immediately, enjoy Netflix until the current period you already paid for concludes
And that‘s all there is to it! Painless right?
Now let‘s cover everything else you need to know about closing your Netflix account and where to go next.
Reset or Restart Your Netflix Membership
Let‘s say after a few months Netflix releases some hot new show you feel major FOMO about. Or you didn‘t find a suitable replacement and miss having endless entertainment at your fingertips.
The good news? Resubscribing takes just minutes and all your old data gets retained in the process!
Here‘s how to restart your membership:
Simply logback into Netflix.com with your existing credentials or tap "Sign In" inside the mobile app.
Select a streaming plan when prompted – Basic, Standard, Premium. Monthly costs range from $10 to $20.
Submit updated payment details if your old credit card expired.
Start watching! Your profiles, recommendations, watch history and favorites remain intact.
It‘s quick, it‘s easy, and no commitments lock you in. Feel free to cancel and return anytime you want.
Top Entertainment Alternatives Beyond Netflix
Maybe losing access to Stranger Things and Wednesday proves too difficult to bear! But if you‘re certain about moving on from Netflix long-term, plenty of services aim to fill the endless content void in your life.
Here are three top-rated alternatives beyond Netflix to consider:
| Streamer | Monthly Cost | Ads? | Top Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hulu | $7 – $13 | Yes at lower tiers | TV shows, FX content |
| Prime Video | N/A ( Included w/ Prime) | No | The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Thursday Night Football |
| Disney+ | $8 | No | Star Wars, Marvel films, animation |
I‘d recommend trying out the free trials available for any you are curious about. With patience, you can likely find a service or combo that satisfies your changing preferences.
FAQs: Additional Questions Around Canceling Netflix
Here I‘ll address some other common questions that may come up regarding cancelling your Netflix membership:
When exactly does my subscription end when I cancel Netflix?
Your membership and billing will continue until the end of your current billing period, when charges stop automatically.
What happens to my account profile when I cancel Netflix?
Great news – your account remains open and all profiles stay saved! So if you restart your membership, all watch history and recommendations get retained.
Can I cancel Netflix immediately to stop being charged?
Unfortunately you must wait until the next billing date after submitting cancellation to halt further charges. But you can stop watching shows immediately if desired!
If I change my mind later, can I easily sign back up?
Yes, absolutely! Restarting your Netflix subscription takes just minutes. Saved profiles even keep all your preferences intact.
Can I cancel optional add-ons like 4K streaming or DVD rentals while keeping my main Netflix membership?
Yep! You can absolutely customize your plan by dropping premium extras but maintaining base access to streaming content.
I hope these questions help alleviate any concerns around closing your Netflix account. Please reach out if you have any other issues! Thanks for reading.
