How to Cancel Xbox Game Pass Core in 2026

Game Pass Core (replaced Xbox Live Gold) costs $9.99/month or $59.99/year. It's required for Xbox online multiplayer — but if you mostly play single-player games or have moved to PC/PlayStation, you're paying for nothing.

Cancel on Xbox Console

1. Press the Xbox button to open the guide
2. Go to Profile & system > Settings
3. Select Account > Subscriptions
4. Find Game Pass Core
5. Select "Cancel subscription"
6. Confirm cancellation

Cancel Online (Faster)

1. Go to account.microsoft.com/services
2. Sign in with your Xbox/Microsoft account
3. Find Game Pass Core
4. Click "Manage" > "Cancel"
5. Choose "Turn off recurring billing" to keep access until expiry, or "Cancel immediately"

What Happens After Cancellation

• Online multiplayer: Immediately locked after subscription ends
• Games with Gold (claimed before Oct 2023): Xbox 360 titles are yours forever; Xbox One titles require active subscription
• Game Pass Core catalog (25+ games): Access revoked immediately
• Free-to-play games: Fortnite, Apex Legends, Warzone work without any subscription
• Purchased games: All games you bought digitally still work — including online if free-to-play

Game Pass Tier Comparison

Alternatives to Paying $120/Year

• Free-to-play games: Fortnite, Warzone, Apex, Rocket League — no subscription needed for online play
• PC gaming: Most PC games have free online multiplayer (Steam, Epic)
• PlayStation Plus Essential ($60/yr): Same tier — online multiplayer + monthly games
• Nintendo Switch Online ($20/yr): Cheapest console online service
• Single-player focus: If you don't play online, you don't need this at all

Refund Policy

• Microsoft may offer a prorated refund if you contact support early
• Go to support.xbox.com and request a refund through chat
• Best chance: within the first few days of a renewal you didn't expect