What to Do When a Subscription Raises Its Price

Read the notice carefully

Look for the new price, the date it starts, and whether you need to do anything. Some notices only inform you. Others ask you to agree. Make sure the notice is real by opening the app or logging in to your account directly, instead of clicking links in an unexpected message.

• What is the new price, and how much more per year is that?
• When is the first charge at the new price?
• Do you need to agree, or will it happen automatically?
• Are there cheaper plans you could switch to?

If you subscribed through Apple

Apple says it notifies subscribers before a scheduled price increase by email, by push notification if turned on, and by a message in the app. Developers can raise prices without asking you to agree only within certain limits, and only where local law allows. Apple describes the limits as roughly 5 US dollars and 50 percent for most plans, or 50 dollars and 50 percent for yearly plans, and no more than once a year.

Larger increases need your OK. If you do not agree, Apple says the subscription will not renew at the next billing period.

If you subscribed through Google Play

Google Play's developer help explains two types of increases. With an opt-in increase, you must agree to the new price, or the subscription is canceled before the first charge at the higher price. With an opt-out increase, which is only allowed in some places and with limits, you are charged the new price after a notice period unless you cancel or change plans.

Check the Play Store's Subscriptions screen for any message asking you to accept a new price.

If the company bills you directly

Rules depend on your agreement and where you live. Some state auto-renewal laws require notice before a price change. Read the email, check your account page, and look at the terms you agreed to so you know the exact date.

Decide: keep, downgrade, or cancel

Think about how often you use the service and whether the new price still feels fair. Many services offer a lower tier, an ad-supported plan, or a yearly plan that costs less per month. If you decide to leave, cancel before the new price takes effect and save the confirmation.

• Keep it if you use it often and the new price still fits your budget.
• Downgrade if a cheaper plan covers what you need.
• Cancel if you rarely use it, and set a reminder to check your next statement.
• Ask the company whether it has a discount for current customers.

Don't ignore it

Doing nothing has different results depending on the type of increase. Sometimes it means paying more. Sometimes it means your subscription ends. Either way, making a choice on purpose is better than being surprised.