Microsoft offers a cohesive ecosystem of services for their PC and Xbox users. You may not be into it, though, so perhaps you want to know how to cancel Xbox Game Pass.
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Is Xbox Game Pass Worth It?
Microsoft started with Xbox Game Pass for Xbox One users. Then, it extended to the Xbox Series family, and finally, for Windows PC.
The service delivers a rotating roster of games for a monthly fee. On top of that, it offers online access, special discounts, and game streaming. It has a list of benefits that keeps growing, and it looks like the best gaming service out there.
All in all, it’s a hefty subscription, but it may be something you don’t want to pay. For example, paying for a gaming service is not ideal if you don’t have much time to play. Similarly, if you don’t have a good internet connection or a reliable way to pay for the service, it could also become a hassle.
How To Cancel Xbox Game Pass?

You can cancel Xbox Game Pass at any time without any hidden fees.
Users have the option to end the subscription right on the expiration date. Depending on your membership status, you may also have a chance to finish it immediately and get a refund.
Moreover, Microsoft has tweaked the process over the years to make it easier. Currently, you can cancel Xbox Game Pass through any web browser or via the Xbox console family.
Microsoft tweaked the settings in recent years. In particular, they added a direct option to cancel the subscription from the Xbox’s UI. Previously, the console opened a web browser to finish the process.
Cancelling Xbox Game Pass on PC
Xbox Game Pass PC users can cancel and manage the subscription via a web browser. You can do this on a PC, a smartphone, or a tablet.
- Open your web browser
We recommend following the steps on your PC, as it would be easier. So, just open your favorite browser to continue. - Go to Microsoft’s services page
- Sign in to your account
Click on the profile icon at the top right and log in to your Microsoft / Xbox account.- Enter your account
Click on “My Microsoft account” next. - Go to Xbox Game Pass
Click on the Services & subscriptions tab at the top. It accesses a menu where you can manage and buy Microsoft services. - Manage Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Then, scroll down to the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate section, and click on Manage. You could also see a Payment & billing option instead of Manage. If that’s the case, click on Payment & billing.
You could see Turn on recurring billing instead of a Manage link. This means your subscription is about to expire, and Microsoft won’t charge you automatically after the date. If this is the case, there’s nothing else you need to do; simply enjoy the service until it ends. - Cancel the subscription
Inside the Manage menu, you’ll see the option to cancel the service. Click on “Cancel” and then confirm your decision.
If you’re eligible for a refund, Microsoft will show you to options:- Don’t charge me (it won’t charge you the monthly fee on the next payment date)
- Cancel immediately and get a refund
Turning Off Recurring Billing of Xbox Game Pass

You can choose to pay for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate manually or automatically. If you turn on recurring billing, it means the service will charge the fee to your credit card immediately on the due date.
Therefore, if you turn it off, the service will stop when it finishes the period you paid for.
- Go back to your Services & Subscriptions
Let’s rewind: go to your browser and visit Microsoft’s page. Then, log in to your account, and click on the services tab. - Change the recurrent billing option
Scroll down to the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tab. Here, you’ll see a Change link to tweak your recurring billing options. - Turn off recurring billing
Lastly, turn off the recurrent billing, and confirm your decision. It will cancel your subscription once the period ends.
Cancel Xbox Game Pass on Xbox One / Xbox Series
There’s an option on the UI to cancel Xbox Game Pass. Moreover, the interface allows you to manage payments, billing, and similar features.
It’s a very straightforward method, so we recommend Xbox users do this process. If your firmware is not up to date, though, the console may open its built-in web browser to complete the process.
- Open the Xbox guide
Turn on your console and press the Xbox button on your controller to open its guide. - Go to Profile & System
On the drop-down menu, press “X” in your profile icon. The icon is at the top right. - Go to Settings
On the Profile & system menu, press “X” on Settings. - Select Account
Then, press “X” on the Account option. - Go to the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions
On the right panel, select Subscriptions. - Select the service you want to cancel
The new screen showcases all of your active services. If you want to cancel Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, simply select the service and continue by pressing “X.” - Cancel the service
The last step is fairly easy. There’s an option to cancel the subscription straight away, so you only need to press it and confirm your choice.
Otherwise, you can turn off recurring billing, so the service ends automatically once it reaches its expiration date.
As usual, if you see the option “Turn on recurring billing,” there won’t be a button to cancel the service. You wouldn’t need to do anything else to cancel the service. But if this is the case and you want a refund, you’d have to turn on recurring billing and then press on Cancel.
What if My Xbox Does not Have the Built-in Cancel Option?
If you don’t see the options I shared above, here’re the alternative steps.
- Go to Subscriptions in the Accounts menu
As before, press the Xbox button on your controller, go to Profile & system, then Settings, then Account, and finally Subscriptions on the right panel. - Select your service
Then, select Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or the subscription you want to cancel. Press “X” on its large box to manage it. - Manage the subscription
On the right panel, go to View and Manage subscription. - Let the browser load
The Xbox will open the Microsoft website from its web browser. The browser will log into your Microsoft account automatically. Wait until everything loads. - Cancel the subscription
After it loads, you’ll see the option to Manage your subscription. Alternatively, you’ll see the option to change the recurring billing.
For now, press “X” on Manage.
(You can use your thumbsticks to move the cursor). - Cancel your subscription
Lastly, select “Cancel” to cancel Xbox Game Pass . Alternatively, you can turn off recurring billing, so the service stops once it reaches the payment date.
Related Questions
How Do I Get an Xbox Game Pass Refund?
Microsoft will offer a refund if you cancel the service during the first 30 days of your first payment. You’d get a refund within 72 hours.
Why Would I Want to Cancel My Subscription?
Although the service is very compelling, there’re various reasons why you would want to cancel:
- You don’t have enough time to play
- The access to the games ends once the subscription ends
- You already have many of the titles the service offers
- You don’t like many of the titles in the service
- You’re playing on other platforms like Steam because that’s where your friends are
- You want to save some money
- Paying for the service is difficult in your region. Here’re the countries where Xbox Game Pass is available.
- You’re playing on PC
What is Xbox Game Pass?
Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service. Mostly, it gives players access to a library of games (indies and AAA titles) for the opportunity to try them out without buying them.
The Xbox Game Pass service includes:
- Xbox Live Gold gives access to the multiplayer feature of non-free-to-play titles. So, for example, Fortnite is free-to-play on Xbox, as users don’t require paying a monthly service to access the online game. Also, Gold gives you 4 free games every month (two newer games, and two Xbox 360 / Xbox games with backward compatibility).
- Xbox Game Pass : offers over 100 console and PC games available to download, play, or stream.
- EA Play: offers access to the entire library of EA games, like the Dragon Age series, or the Battlefield series. The latest title in the FPS saga (Battlefield 2042) is not available on EA Play, though.
- Games on release day: Xbox exclusive games become a part of the service on release day.
- Special discounts: users also have special deals to buy games and DLCs in the Xbox store.
- Perks: perks include free in-game content and partner offers.
- Cross-play: you can use the same account on both your console and your PC
What Do I Lose by Canceling the Xbox Game Pass Subscription?
Canceling your Xbox Game Pass subscription revokes access to any game you got from its library, including the ones you already installed.
Additionally, you’ll lose extra benefits like Xbox Live Gold, which is the online membership you require to play paid multiplayer games.
Similarly, you’ll lose access to the discounts and perks the service offers.
Lastly, you lose the cloud gaming feature, which means you won’t be able to stream Xbox games on other consoles while using an Xbox controller.
Will the Free Games from Xbox Gold be Canceled?
The free games you got with Gold will be yours after you cancel. You can play them offline and free of charge.
Even if you don’t have a subscription, you can re-download these games at any time.
What’s Xbox Game Pass?
Xbox Game Pass is the vanilla version. It gives access to the library of games but doesn’t offer discounts or Gold membership.
How Do I Buy Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Upgrade to Xbox Game Pass?
Directly from the console, go to Store > Memberships. Here, you can buy memberships and upgrade your subscriptions.
Does Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Include EA Play?
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members get EA Play on Xbox One, Xbox Series, and Windows 10/11 (via the Xbox app or EA Desktop).
PC Game Pass gets EA Play as well.
How Do I Cancel Any Other Microsoft Services?
The steps for canceling other Microsoft services are the same. You go to the website, access the Subscription tab, and manage the service you want to cancel or tweak.