First, check the dates. A service can stay usable until the end of a paid period after you cancel, and a card charge may have been authorised before the cancellation finished. That does not settle every case, but it stops you from arguing with the wrong timeline.
The charge came after access ended. Contact whoever bills you, with the cancellation date and confirmation.
A rule of thumb for sorting your notes, not legal or refund advice.
Why a charge can still appear
| What happened | How to tell | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| The charge pays for the period before the cancellation took effect | It is dated on or before the access-end date | Usually nothing: it is the last paid period |
| The renewal ran before you cancelled | The charge is earlier than your cancellation time | Ask the party that bills you whether it can be refunded |
| The cancellation did not finish | No confirmation, or the plan still shows as active | Cancel again where it bills, and save the confirmation |
| It bills through a different route | The statement name differs from the app, or there is a second account | Check Apple, the provider’s site, and any wallet or carrier bill |
| A card hold, not a charge | It shows as pending and has not posted | Wait for it to post or drop off; ask your bank if it stays |
| A genuine error | None of the above fits | Contact the party that bills you, with your record |
For Apple-billed plans, Apple’s own test is simple: in Settings, tap your name, then Subscriptions. If the plan has no Cancel button, or shows an expiry message in red, it is already cancelled (Apple’s steps).
Make one evidence note
- Provider, plan, and account email.
- Billing path: Apple, provider, payment wallet, or another route.
- Cancellation date and timestamp.
- Confirmation email, number, or screenshot.
- Expected access-end date.
- Later charge date, amount, and statement description.
Contact the party that actually bills you
Deleting an app does not change a billing agreement. If Apple billed it, use Apple’s subscription screen, and request a refund at reportaproblem.apple.com. If the provider billed directly, contact the provider. If a wallet handled the agreement, check its automatic-payment record.
A short message that works
I cancelled my [plan] on [date] and received confirmation [number, attached]. My access was due to end on [date]. On [date] I was charged [amount], shown on my statement as [description]. Please refund this charge and confirm the subscription is cancelled.
Keep to the facts in your note and attach the confirmation. A message built from dates is easier to act on than a long account of the problem.
If that does not resolve it
Your card issuer or bank can explain its dispute process and its time limits. Issuers often ask whether you contacted the merchant first, so keep a copy of your message and any reply.
Do not discard the boring parts
Save the original terms, cancellation confirmation, and the later statement line. The FTC advises consumers to keep cancellation records and monitor for further charges. If you believe a charge is unauthorised or unresolved, use official provider and payment-issuer channels promptly; this page is not legal or refund advice.
Cadora keeps cancelled items on your list instead of deleting them, so you can see what you stopped and when it was due to renew.
FAQ
Will deleting the app stop the charges?
No. Deleting an app leaves the subscription in place. Cancel where it bills: Apple’s Subscriptions screen for Apple-billed plans, or the provider’s account page.
Why was I charged the day after I cancelled?
Usually because the renewal had already run, or because the charge pays for a period that started before the cancellation took effect. Compare the charge date with your cancellation time and access-end date, then contact the party that bills you if the dates do not explain it.
Khai Do is an independent iOS developer in Vietnam who builds and supports Cadora under Aquifer.