Hey there! If you‘re looking to cancel your Amazon Prime membership, you‘ve come to the right place. I know you‘re probably on the fence about whether Prime is still worth it for you. And that‘s totally understandable – it‘s a big financial commitment each year!
In this short guide, I‘ll walk you through how to cancel in just a few minutes using either the website or mobile app. I‘ll also discuss what happens after you cancel, tips to make it go smoothly, and answers to frequently asked questions. Sound good? Let‘s get started!
What is Amazon Prime? A Quick Recap
For anyone new to the world of Prime, it‘s Amazon‘s membership program that gives you perks like:
- Free 2-day shipping on over 100 million products
- Access to Prime Video streaming
- Ad-free Amazon Music listening
- Free books and magazines with Prime Reading
- Unlimited photo storage with Amazon Photos
A Prime membership currently costs $139 per year or $14.99 per month. And Amazon keeps adding more benefits like grocery delivery from Whole Foods.
Prime is popular for good reason – estimates show over 200 million members globally, up from 100 million in 2018. However, about 13% of U.S. members canceled their subscription in 2021 according to Consumer Intelligence Research Partners.
So why are people canceling? Here are some of the top reasons:
- It‘s expensive – especially for low-income families or light Amazon shoppers
- Want to save money by cutting unused subscriptions
- Use free shipping alternatives like Walmart+ or free no-rush shipping
- Experience delays in Prime shipping and delivery
- Amazon‘s business practices related to workers, privacy, marketplace sellers, etc.
Basically, the value depends on your individual circumstances. But if Prime no longer fits your needs, cancelling is super easy.
Step-by-Step: How to Cancel Amazon Prime on Desktop
If you prefer using a laptop or desktop, here‘s how to cancel Prime through the Amazon website:
1. Visit and Sign in at Amazon.com
Go to www.amazon.com and make sure you‘re signed into your account. Look for your name in the top right corner.
If you aren‘t already signed in, you can click the "Sign In" link to enter your email and password.
2. Hover over "Account & Lists" and Select "Your Account"
Move your mouse over the "Account & Lists" link in the top right and wait for the menu to appear. Then select "Your Account" to go to your account dashboard.
This is where all your Prime and account settings live. Think of it like Mission Control for your Amazon universe!
3. Under Prime Membership, Choose "Manage Membership"
On the left side, click "Prime membership" under the "Ordering and shopping preferences" section. This will take you to your main Prime page.
Next, under Membership Details, click the yellow "Manage membership" button near the center.
4. Select "End membership"
Now comes the big moment! Under the "Manage membership" section, click the "End membership" link in red text.
Amazon will show you a confirmation page with details like when your benefits expire.
5. Confirm your Cancellation
To complete the process, click the yellow "End my Benefits" box. Then on the final page, click "Close my Account".
And that‘s it – your Prime membership is now canceled! The whole thing only takes about a minute.
Here‘s a 90 second video walkthrough of canceling Prime on desktop:
[insert video walkthrough]Now let‘s look at how to cancel from your iPhone or Android.
Step-by-Step: How to Cancel Amazon Prime on Mobile
Canceling on your smartphone just takes a few taps:
- Open the Amazon App and Tap the Hamburger Menu
Launch the latest version of the Amazon app on your iPhone, Android, or other mobile device. Tap the hamburger menu icon on the bottom right (it has 3 horizontal lines).
- Select "Your Prime Membership"
This opens the side menu. Tap "Your Prime Membership" under "Programs & Features".
- Tap the Three Dots Menu in the Top Right
On your Prime membership page, tap the 3 dot menu icon in the top right corner.
- Choose "Manage Membership"
This opens the drop-down menu. Tap "Manage Membership".
- Select "End Membership"
Finally, on the manage screen tap the big red "End Membership" button. Confirm your choice!
Once you complete the confirmation, you‘re all set. Your Prime access will terminate right away.
Here‘s a 1 minute video showing the mobile cancellation process:
[insert video walkthrough]What Happens After You Cancel Prime
So you‘ve canceled…now what? Here are the key things you‘ll notice:
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Lose benefits immediately – No more free shipping, videos, music, etc. But you‘ll have access until your membership expires.
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No refunds – Canceling won‘t get your membership fees refunded, sorry!
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Auto-renew stops – You card won‘t be charged again once the current period ends.
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Prime-only content vanishes – Any "Prime-only" movies, books, etc you didn‘t download will be gone.
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History remains – Amazon keeps your Prime data for 10 years. You can restart anytime.
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Rejoin anytime – No waiting period to resubscribe if you change your mind!
Basically, enjoy your Prime benefits to the fullest until they run out. And don‘t worry – you can always rejoin Prime down the road if you want to. No bridges burned!
Tips to Cancel Smoothly
To ensure everything goes off without a hitch, keep these tips in mind:
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Check your Prime won‘t auto-renew before canceling to avoid surprise charges.
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If you used a free trial, cancel at least 48 hours before it ends to be safe.
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Finish watching or downloading any Prime Video movies, shows, etc. you want to keep access to.
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Change your Amazon password if someone else used your Prime without your OK.
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Monitor bank statements to make sure Amazon doesn‘t mistakenly charge you after canceling. Dispute any improper charges.
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Remember you can restart your old Prime subscription anytime if you change your mind.
Answers to Common Prime Cancellation Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about canceling Prime:
Can I get a refund if I cancel Prime mid-year?
Unfortunately no. Canceling does not entitle you to any refunds for the remainder of your paid membership period. However, you continue enjoying benefits until it expires.
What happens to my Prime shipping perks after cancellation?
Your free two-day, one-day, and same-day shipping benefits will terminate immediately after cancellation. Delivery times and costs will return to standard rates.
Will my Prime Video library still be available if I cancel?
Only Prime Video movies, shows, etc. that you previously downloaded to your device will remain available. Any streaming content will become inaccessible after canceling until you restart Prime.
Can I restart my old Prime subscription later on?
Yes! Your account history and membership data stays on file for 10 years after canceling Prime. You can reactive the same subscription anytime without waits or penalties.
What if my free Prime trial auto-renews accidentally?
Contact Amazon customer support ASAP if your trial renews without permission. If they cannot stop the charges, request a full refund of the improper Prime membership fee.
Do I need to close my Amazon account if I cancel Prime?
Nope! Canceling Prime does not require you to delete your full Amazon account. You can keep your order history, payment methods, recommendations and more without Prime.
Hope this helped explain exactly how to cancel your Prime hassle-free! Let me know if any other questions come up. Canceling can save you money without losing access to Amazon entirely. But ultimately the choice is yours – no pressure either way!