How to Cancel OpenAI (ChatGPT Plus, API & Teams) in 2026

Updated February 2026 • 6 min read

Cancel ChatGPT Plus ($20/month)

This is the most common subscription. You get GPT-4o, DALL-E, and Advanced Voice.

1. Go to chatgpt.com and sign in
2. Click your profile icon (bottom-left) → Settings
3. Click Subscription → Manage my subscription
4. Click Cancel plan
5. Confirm cancellation (they'll ask why — pick anything)

Cancel OpenAI API Billing

If you're a developer using the API, canceling ChatGPT Plus does NOT stop API charges. API billing is completely separate.

1. Go to platform.openai.com/settings/organization/billing
2. Set your monthly budget limit to $0
3. Delete all API keys under API Keys (prevents any usage)
4. Optionally remove your payment method

Why $0 budget matters: Even with no active apps, leaked API keys can rack up thousands in charges. Setting the limit to $0 is your safety net.

Cancel ChatGPT Teams ($25/user/month)

1. Only workspace owners can cancel — not members
2. Go to Settings → Workspace → Billing
3. Click Cancel subscription
4. Access continues until the billing period ends

Enterprise users: You can't self-cancel. Contact your account manager or email support@openai.com.

If You Subscribed Through Apple or Google

About 40% of ChatGPT Plus subscribers signed up through the mobile app. These subscriptions are managed by Apple/Google, not OpenAI.

• iPhone: Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions → ChatGPT → Cancel
• Android: Google Play → Profile → Payments & subscriptions → Subscriptions → ChatGPT → Cancel

Deleting the ChatGPT app does NOT cancel your subscription. You'll keep getting charged.

Delete Your Data (Optional)

Canceling your subscription does NOT delete your conversations or account. To actually delete your data:

1. Settings → Data Controls → Turn off Chat History & Training
2. Click Delete all chats (this is permanent)
3. To delete your entire account: Settings → Delete account
4. Submit a GDPR/CCPA data deletion request at privacy.openai.com

What You Lose (and What You Keep)

Honestly? The free tier is generous enough for most people. Unless you're hitting rate limits daily or need Advanced Voice for work, you probably won't miss Plus.

Watch for These Gotchas

• API keys in old projects: If you ever shared an API key with a project, bot, or tool, it could still be generating charges. Delete ALL keys.
• Annual plan lock-in: OpenAI offers a $200/year plan. If you're on it, you can cancel but won't get a prorated refund.
• ChatGPT Pro ($200/month): Same cancellation steps as Plus, but make sure you're canceling the right tier.
• Resubscription dark pattern: After canceling, OpenAI shows "Renew subscription" prominently — don't click it by accident.

Get a Refund

OpenAI doesn't advertise refunds, but you can get one within 14 days of being charged:

1. Email support@openai.com with your billing email and charge date
2. For Apple subscriptions: Request through Apple (Settings → Apple ID → Purchase History → Report a Problem)
3. For Google: Request through Google Play