Netflix: cancel, pause or downgrade?
Cancelling isn't always the only choice. Here is what each option does to your account, from Netflix's own help pages. Applies in: All countries the help pages cover.
Official sources reviewed . How we review sources
| Topic | Cancel Available | Pause Depends on your plan | Downgrade Depends on your plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Cancel your membership from your account. You can keep watching until the end of the billing period you already paid for. | Pause your membership for 1 month instead of cancelling, from the Cancel Membership page. You can extend one month at a time, up to 3 months in total. Pausing is not available on the Basic plan or with some payment methods, such as Direct Debit, gift cards and some partner payments. | Choose a lower-priced plan on the Change Plan page. If you pay through a partner or get Netflix as part of a package, you may not be able to change your plan. |
| What you keep |
|
|
|
| What stops or goes |
|
| Not stated |
| Billing | You can use Netflix until the end of the billing period. You won't be charged again unless you restart. | You can keep watching until your next billing date. On that date you are not charged and the pause starts. After 1 month you are charged your current plan price. | A change to a lower-priced plan takes effect on your next billing date. |
| Coming back | You can restart your account at any time. Your viewing activity and other saved details are kept for 24 months after the account closes. | Unpause or cancel any time from your Account page. If you unpause early, you are charged right away, your billing date is updated, and you can watch immediately. | Not stated |
| Source | How to cancel NetflixNetflix. Reviewed | How to cancel NetflixNetflix. Reviewed | How to change your planNetflix. Reviewed |
Cancel
Available- What it does
- Cancel your membership from your account. You can keep watching until the end of the billing period you already paid for.
- What you keep
- Viewing activity, for 24 months after the account closes
- Recommendations, ratings, account details, gameplay history and game saves, for 24 months
- What stops or goes
- If there is a hold on your account, it closes immediately when you cancel
- Billing
- You can use Netflix until the end of the billing period. You won't be charged again unless you restart.
- Coming back
- You can restart your account at any time. Your viewing activity and other saved details are kept for 24 months after the account closes.
How to cancel NetflixNetflix. Reviewed
Pause
Depends on your plan- What it does
- Pause your membership for 1 month instead of cancelling, from the Cancel Membership page. You can extend one month at a time, up to 3 months in total. Pausing is not available on the Basic plan or with some payment methods, such as Direct Debit, gift cards and some partner payments.
- What you keep
- You can still browse Netflix and add to My List
- What stops or goes
- You can't stream or download while paused
- Billing
- You can keep watching until your next billing date. On that date you are not charged and the pause starts. After 1 month you are charged your current plan price.
- Coming back
- Unpause or cancel any time from your Account page. If you unpause early, you are charged right away, your billing date is updated, and you can watch immediately.
How to cancel NetflixNetflix. Reviewed
Downgrade
Depends on your plan- What it does
- Choose a lower-priced plan on the Change Plan page. If you pay through a partner or get Netflix as part of a package, you may not be able to change your plan.
- What you keep
- Features of your higher-priced plan, until your next billing date
- What stops or goes
- Not stated
- Billing
- A change to a lower-priced plan takes effect on your next billing date.
- Coming back
- Not stated
How to change your planNetflix. Reviewed
Cancelling? Check what depends on it first
Exports, sign-ins, linked services and billing through app stores: your cancellation checklist is built from your answers, in your browser.
Plans, prices and options differ by country and by how you pay (for example through Apple or Google). If you pay through an app store, cancel there. Names are trademarks of their owners; we aren't affiliated with Netflix. Other services