Cancel Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 2026: Save $204/Year Without Losing Much

How to Cancel Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

On Xbox Console

1. Press the Xbox button on your controller
2. Go to Profile & system → Settings
3. Select Account → Subscriptions
4. Find Game Pass Ultimate and select it
5. Choose Cancel subscription
6. Select whether to cancel immediately or at end of billing period

On PC/Web (Faster)

1. Go to account.microsoft.com/services
2. Sign in with your Microsoft account
3. Find Game Pass Ultimate
4. Click Manage → Cancel
5. Follow the prompts — they'll offer retention deals

The Downgrade Path: Ultimate → Core

You don't have to go cold turkey. Xbox has three tiers:

• Game Pass Ultimate: $16.99/mo — console + PC game library, EA Play, online multiplayer, cloud gaming
• Game Pass Standard: $14.99/mo — console game library + online multiplayer (no PC, no day-one games)
• Game Pass Core: $9.99/mo or $59.99/year — online multiplayer only, small rotating game selection

If you mainly play online multiplayer (Call of Duty, Fortnite, etc.), Core at $59.99/year saves you $144/year compared to Ultimate. Note: most free-to-play games like Fortnite no longer require any Xbox subscription for online play.

Before You Cancel: Checklist

• ✅ Finish current games: Any Game Pass game you're mid-playthrough on — finish or accept you're done
• ✅ Check for Game Pass Quests: Redeem any accumulated Microsoft Rewards points
• ✅ Download your saves: Cloud saves persist after canceling, but verify they're synced
• ✅ Note games to buy: If there's a Game Pass game you want permanently, buy it at the member discount (up to 20% off) before canceling
• ✅ Check EA Play access: If you use EA Play games (FIFA, Madden, Battlefield), those also go away

The Math: Is Game Pass Worth It?

Game Pass Ultimate costs $203.88/year. A new game costs $69.99. So:

• If you play 3+ new games/year that are on Game Pass → worth it
• If you mainly play 1-2 games for months (like sports games or shooters) → buying is cheaper
• If you play free-to-play games (Fortnite, Warzone, Apex) → you don't need Game Pass at all
• If you only game on PC → many Game Pass games are on Steam sales for $5-15

What Happens After Canceling

• Game Pass games become unplayable (grayed out in library)
• Games you purchased normally still work
• Online multiplayer requires at least Game Pass Core
• Cloud saves are preserved indefinitely
• Microsoft Rewards points are not affected
• Free-to-play games continue working without any subscription