How to Cancel Your Proton VPN Subscription (and What You Need to Know)

Struggling to cancel your Proton VPN subscription? You’re not alone! Sometimes, you sign up for a service, and it just doesn’t quite hit the mark, or your needs change. Good news: ending your Proton VPN subscription is pretty straightforward, whether you signed up directly through their website or via an app store. We’ll walk you through everything, including how to get your money back if you’re within the refund window, and what to expect after you say goodbye. This guide will make sure you cancel correctly and understand all your options, so you don’t end up paying for something you’re not using.

Before You Cancel: What to Consider

Before you hit that cancel button, it’s a good idea to quickly think about a few things. First, why are you cancelling? Are you not satisfied with the speed, features, or maybe you just don’t need a VPN anymore? Proton VPN is known for its strong privacy stance and robust security features, which is why many folks choose it. If you’re having technical issues, sometimes a quick chat with their support team might resolve things. They do offer a free plan, so even if you cancel your paid subscription, you might still be able to use a basic version of their service. Keep in mind that paid subscriptions often come with perks like faster speeds, more server locations 13,000+ servers in 120+ countries, according to some sources, and the ability to connect multiple devices. Taking a moment to cancel could save you up to $156 a year on annual subscriptions, which is a significant chunk of change.

How to Cancel Proton VPN on Your PC Web Browser

If you signed up for Proton VPN directly through their website, cancelling is a breeze from your web browser. This is generally the most common way to manage your subscription.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Log Into Your Proton Account: First things first, head over to the official Proton account website. You’ll need to sign in with your usual Proton credentials. Make sure you’re logging into account.proton.me or protonvpn.com, not just the VPN app itself.
2. Navigate to the Dashboard: Once you’re logged in, look for the “Subscriptions” or “Dashboard” section. Sometimes it’s on the left-hand menu, or you might find it under “Settings” and then “Dashboard”. This is where all your subscription info lives.
3. Find the “Downgrade Account” Option: Now, here’s a little trick that sometimes throws people off: you might not see a big “Cancel Subscription” button right away. Instead, Proton VPN usually frames it as “Downgrade account” or “Cancel subscription” under the “Subscriptions” tab. Scroll down on the subscription page until you see a section that allows you to manage or downgrade your plan.
4. Confirm the Downgrade: Click on that “Downgrade account” button. You’ll likely see a pop-up message asking you to confirm your decision or provide a reason for leaving. You can choose to skip this or give them your feedback. it’s totally optional. Just follow the prompts until you get a final confirmation that your plan has been set to downgrade. You’re not officially cancelled until you see that confirmation screen. This action will stop automatic billing at the end of your current plan.
5. Contact Support for a Refund if applicable: If you’re within the 30-day money-back guarantee period more on that in a bit!, you’ll need to contact Proton VPN’s customer support after you cancel. You can do this via their support form or by emailing them directly at [email protected].

What to Expect

Once you’ve successfully downgraded, your premium Proton VPN service will continue until the end of your current billing cycle. For example, if you paid for a year and cancel four months in, you’ll still have access to the premium features for the remaining eight months. After that, your account will typically revert to the free Proton VPN plan. This means you’ll lose access to premium features like faster speeds, more server locations, and advanced security options, but you can still enjoy basic VPN protection.

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Cancelling Proton VPN on iPhone iOS

If you subscribed to Proton VPN through the Apple App Store, then Apple handles your subscription, not Proton directly. This means you’ll need to go through your iPhone or iPad settings to cancel. It’s a pretty standard process for any app subscription on iOS.

Through Apple Subscriptions

1. Open Settings: On your iPhone or iPad, go to the main “Settings” app.
2. Tap Your Apple ID Profile: At the very top of the Settings screen, tap on your name or Apple ID profile icon. This will open your Apple ID settings.
3. Choose “Subscriptions”: From your Apple ID settings, you’ll see an option for “Subscriptions.” Tap on that.
4. Find Proton VPN: You’ll see a list of all your active and expired subscriptions. Scroll through and find “Proton VPN” in the list, then tap on it.
5. Tap “Cancel Subscription”: At the bottom of the screen, you should see a “Cancel Subscription” button. Tap it and confirm your choice. That’s it for the cancellation part!

Important Notes for iOS

• Refunds from Apple: If you want a refund, you’ll need to request it directly from Apple. Apple has its own refund policies, and while refunds aren’t always guaranteed, they’re often approved if you apply quickly and give a clear reason, especially within the first 48 hours. You can usually request a refund by visiting reportaproblem.apple.com, signing in with your Apple ID, selecting “Request a Refund,” and choosing Proton VPN.
• Your service will typically remain active until the end of your current billing period, even after cancellation.

Cancelling Proton VPN on Android Devices

Just like with iOS, if you got your Proton VPN subscription through the Google Play Store, then Google manages the billing, and you’ll cancel through their platform.

Through Google Play Store

1. Open Google Play Store: Launch the Google Play Store app on your Android phone or tablet. Make sure you’re logged into the correct Google account you used to subscribe.
2. Tap Your Profile Icon: In the top-right corner of the screen, tap on your profile icon.
3. Go to “Payments & Subscriptions”: From the menu that pops up, select “Payments & Subscriptions,” and then tap “Subscriptions”.
4. Find Proton VPN and Cancel: You’ll see a list of your subscriptions. Find “Proton VPN” in the list, tap on it, then select the “Cancel Subscription” option at the bottom. You might be asked to choose a reason for cancelling and then confirm.

Important Notes for Android

• Refunds from Google: Similar to Apple, if you’re seeking a refund, it has to go through Google. Google Play doesn’t always offer refunds for purchases, but they might be approved within the first 48 hours. You can typically request a refund by returning to “Payments & Subscriptions,” then heading to the “Budget & History” tab, selecting Proton VPN, and clicking “Request a Refund”.
• Your subscription will usually remain active until the end of your billing cycle.

Understanding Proton VPN’s Refund Policy

Proton VPN offers a pretty standard 30-day money-back guarantee, which is something many top VPNs provide. However, there are some important details you should know to ensure you’re eligible. How to Unsubscribe from a VPN (Your Complete Guide!)

Eligibility and Timeframes

• 30-Day Window: You can get a full refund if you cancel and request it within 30 days of your initial purchase. The clock starts ticking from the day you first bought the subscription.
• Direct Purchases Only: This guarantee primarily applies if you bought your subscription directly through the Proton VPN website using a credit/debit card, PayPal, or Bitcoin. If you subscribed through a third-party like the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, you’ll need to refer to their refund policies and request the refund directly from them.
• Payment Method Matters: Payments made by cash or bank transfer are generally not refundable. Refunds are typically issued using the original payment method and currency.
• One Refund Per User: Proton’s terms state that refunds can usually only be requested once per user.
• Prorated vs. Full: While they aim for a full refund within the 30 days, in some cases, particularly if you’ve used the service for a portion of that time, the refund might be prorated. However, sources indicate that a full refund is often issued if you cancel within the 30-day period.

How to Request a Refund

1. Cancel Your Subscription First: Follow the cancellation steps for your specific platform website, iOS, or Android as outlined above.
2. Contact Proton Support for direct purchases: If you purchased directly from Proton, you must contact their customer support to request the refund. You can do this via their support form on their website or by emailing [email protected]. Be clear that you are requesting a refund as per their money-back guarantee.
3. For App Store Purchases: If you bought through Apple or Google, you’ll need to go through their respective refund processes, as mentioned in the iOS and Android sections.
4. Expect a Response: For direct purchases, you can typically expect a response to your refund request within 12 to 24 hours, and the refund itself usually processes within three to five business days, depending on your payment method.

What Happens After You Cancel?

So, you’ve cancelled your Proton VPN subscription. What happens next?

Access to Paid Features

When you cancel, your paid subscription doesn’t usually stop immediately. Instead, it remains active until the end of your current billing period. So, if you paid for a year and cancel halfway through, you’ll still get to enjoy the premium features for the remaining six months. Once that period ends, your account will typically revert to the free Proton VPN plan. This means you’ll lose access to things like their faster speeds, Secure Core servers, Tor over VPN, and a wider range of server locations.

Data Retention and Account Status

• Account Remains Active Free Plan: Cancelling your subscription does not delete your entire Proton account. Your login credentials will still work, and your account will simply switch over to the Proton VPN Free plan. This plan comes with limitations, such as fewer servers and potentially slower speeds, but it still offers basic VPN protection with no data limits.
• Credits for Unused Days: For certain plans like Unlimited and Duo, Proton might offer credits for any unused days in your subscription, which can be used for future Proton services. However, if you’re on a Proton VPN Plus plan, you might not receive these credits.
• Other Proton Services: If you have a Proton Unlimited plan, which bundles Proton VPN, Mail, Drive, and Pass, downgrading might affect your access and features across these other services. For example, if you downgrade from Proton Unlimited to just Proton VPN Plus, you might need to deactivate some email addresses or reduce your storage usage to match the new plan’s allowances.
• Deleting Your Account vs. Cancelling: If your goal is to completely remove your presence from Proton and delete all associated data including Proton Mail, Drive, Calendar, and Pass data, that’s a separate process from just cancelling your VPN subscription. Deleting your full Proton account is irreversible and removes all your data across all Proton services. To do this, you’d typically log into account.proton.me, go to “Settings,” then “Account and password,” and find the “Delete account” option. This is a much more drastic step than simply stopping payments for your VPN.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I stop my Proton VPN subscription from auto-renewing?

To stop auto-renewal, you simply need to cancel your subscription. If you subscribed directly through the Proton VPN website, log into your Proton account, go to the “Subscriptions” or “Dashboard” section, and look for the “Downgrade account” or “Cancel subscription” option. For app store purchases, you’ll manage auto-renewal through your Apple ID settings iOS or Google Play Store subscriptions Android. This action will prevent future charges, but your current plan will usually remain active until its billing cycle naturally ends. How to Cancel Your NM MVD Appointment Without a Headache

Can I get a refund if I cancel my Proton VPN subscription?

Yes, you can often get a refund, especially if you act quickly! Proton VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for all direct purchases. You need to cancel your subscription and then contact their customer support via their support form or email [email protected] within 30 days of your initial purchase to request the refund. If you subscribed through Apple or Google, you’ll need to request the refund directly from them, as their own policies apply. Keep in mind that payments made by cash or bank transfer are typically non-refundable.

What’s the difference between cancelling a subscription and deleting my Proton account?

Cancelling your Proton VPN subscription means you stop paying for the premium service, and your account will eventually revert to the free Proton VPN plan. Your Proton account itself remains active, along with any other Proton services like Mail, Drive, or Pass you might be using. Deleting your Proton account, on the other hand, is a permanent and irreversible action that removes your entire account and all associated data across all Proton services, including Mail, VPN, Drive, and Calendar. You cannot recover the data once the account is deleted.

Will my data be deleted if I cancel my subscription?

No, simply cancelling your Proton VPN subscription won’t delete your data or your Proton account. Your account will continue to exist, but it will be downgraded to the free Proton VPN plan once your current paid term ends. This means your login credentials and any data associated with your Proton Mail, Drive, or other services will remain intact. If you want your data to be deleted, you would need to go through the separate, irreversible process of deleting your entire Proton account.

Can I still use the free version of Proton VPN after cancelling a paid plan?

Absolutely! After you cancel your paid Proton VPN subscription, your account will typically revert to the free Proton VPN plan once your current billing cycle finishes. Proton VPN offers a Free plan with no data limits, no artificial speed limits, and a strong commitment to privacy and security, although it comes with fewer server locations and might not be as fast as the paid options. So, you can definitely keep using their basic VPN service if you choose to.

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