How to Cancel Waking Up (Sam Harris Meditation App) in 2026

Last updated: February 2026 • Difficulty: Easy • Cost: $14.99/mo or $99.99/yr

Quick answer: Go to app.wakingup.com/account → Manage Subscription → Cancel. If you subscribed through Apple/Google, cancel via your app store subscriptions instead.

Before You Cancel: The Free Option Nobody Talks About

Waking Up has one of the most generous policies in the app world: if you email support@wakingup.com and say you can't afford it, they'll give you a free full-access scholarship for one year. No questions asked, no proof required. Sam Harris has stated publicly that he doesn't want cost to be a barrier. If the price is the issue, try this before canceling entirely.

Cancel on the Waking Up Website

Go to app.wakingup.com and log in
Click Account
Click Manage Subscription
Click Cancel Subscription
Confirm cancellation

You'll keep access until the end of your current billing period.

Cancel via Apple (iPhone/iPad)

If you subscribed through the App Store:

Open Settings → tap your name at the top
Tap Subscriptions
Find Waking Up
Tap Cancel Subscription

Cancel via Google Play (Android)

Open Google Play Store
Tap your profile → Payments & subscriptions → Subscriptions
Find Waking Up
Tap Cancel subscription

Is Waking Up Worth $14.99/Month?

Waking Up is different from most meditation apps. Where Headspace and Calm focus on guided relaxation, Waking Up leans into the philosophical and neuroscience side of consciousness — more "understand your mind" than "calm your mind." The daily meditations, conversations with philosophers, and the Theory section are genuinely unique content you won't find elsewhere.

That said, at $14.99/month it's pricier than Headspace ($12.99) and significantly more than free options like Insight Timer. The annual plan at $99.99/year ($8.33/mo) is better value if you use it regularly.

Free Meditation Alternatives

Insight Timer — 100,000+ free guided meditations, timers, courses
YouTube meditation channels — unlimited free content from experienced teachers
UCLA Mindful App — free research-backed meditation from UCLA's MARC program
Smiling Mind — completely free, nonprofit, excellent guided programs
Apple Fitness+ Meditation — if you already have an Apple Watch

What Happens After Canceling

Access continues until the end of your billing period
The introductory course remains free forever
Your meditation history and streaks are preserved if you resubscribe
Downloaded sessions become inaccessible offline

💡 Pro tip: Upload your bank statement to JustCancel to find all your meditation app charges and other forgotten subscriptions hiding in your transactions.