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Home › Pay › Common problems › Sleep and meditation apps
Apps

Sleep and meditation apps

Sleep and meditation apps can be helpful, but many start with a free trial that rolls into a yearly charge you might not notice for months. Before paying, it helps to know that phones already include calming sounds and bedtime tools, and that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers a free mindfulness app. This page covers the common tricks, free options, and how to cancel.

Common problems to watch for

  • A free trial that turns into a full year's charge all at once
  • Only a few sessions free, with the rest locked behind a paywall
  • Renewal reminders that are easy to miss or never sent
  • Sounds like rain or white noise sold as premium when your phone has them
  • Claims that the app will cure insomnia or anxiety

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Free and low-cost alternatives

Background Sounds on iPhoneiPhone has built-in Background Sounds, such as rain, ocean and balanced noise, found in Accessibility settings. They can mask noise and help with focus or sleep at no cost.
Bedtime and sleep tools on your phoneiPhone's Health app can set a sleep schedule, and many Android phones have a Bedtime mode that silences and dims the phone at night.
Mindfulness Coach from the VAThe U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers the free Mindfulness Coach app, with guided mindfulness exercises. It is available on the App Store and Google Play to anyone.
Apple Watch Mindfulness appIf you already own an Apple Watch, its built-in Mindfulness app offers short breathing and reflection sessions with no extra charge.

Availability depends on your device and model. AblePro has no relationship with any company named here.

What fair pricing looks like

Basic calming sounds, bedtime reminders and simple breathing exercises are available free. A paid plan can be worth it for a large library of guided programs you use often, but check whether it bills yearly.

Before you pay

  • Try your phone's built-in sounds and bedtime settings for a week first.
  • Check whether the plan bills weekly, monthly or a full year at once.
  • Note the trial end date and set a reminder two days before.
  • Be skeptical of promises to cure sleep problems or anxiety.
  • If sleep trouble lasts, talk with a doctor instead of relying only on an app.

How to cancel

  1. On iPhone, open Settings, tap your name, tap Subscriptions, pick the app and tap Cancel Subscription.
  2. On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile icon, choose Payments & subscriptions, then Subscriptions, and cancel there.
  3. Deleting or uninstalling the app does not cancel the subscription. You must cancel in the store settings.
  4. If you signed up on the company's website, cancel there in your account settings. App store settings will not show it.
  5. After cancelling, check the expiration date shown so you know when access ends.

Step-by-step cancel guide for iPhone, Android and PayPal →

Common questions

Does my phone already have sleep sounds?

iPhones include Background Sounds, such as rain, ocean and balanced noise, in the Accessibility settings. Many Android phones include a Bedtime mode that quiets and dims the phone at night. Try these free features before paying for an app, especially if you mainly want simple background noise to help you fall asleep.

I was charged for a full year. Can I get my money back?

Possibly. If you subscribed through the App Store or Google Play, you can request a refund through Apple or Google, which decide each case. If you paid on the company's website, contact the company directly. Ask soon after the charge, explain you did not mean to renew, and cancel the plan right away.

Is the VA's mindfulness app only for veterans?

No. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs designed Mindfulness Coach with veterans in mind, but anyone can download it free from the App Store or Google Play. It teaches basic mindfulness through guided audio exercises. It is not a replacement for medical care if you have ongoing sleep or mental health concerns.

General consumer information, not legal or financial advice. Reports reflect the experiences and opinions of their writers, not AblePro, Inc. We check reports against our posting rules but do not verify them.