How to Cancel Your Proton VPN Subscription and Reclaim Your Privacy (and Your Wallet!)

So, you’re thinking about parting ways with Proton VPN? Maybe you found a service that fits your needs better, or perhaps you just want to take a break from subscriptions. Whatever your reason, canceling your Proton VPN subscription is pretty straightforward, but it can feel a little confusing with different platforms and refund policies. Don’t worry, I’ve got your back! I’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from stopping auto-renewals to getting your money back. We’ll also touch on what happens if you want to completely wipe your Proton account, which is a bigger step since it includes services like Proton Mail and Proton Drive.

One of the cool things about Proton VPN is its commitment to privacy, and they generally make the cancellation process fair. They even offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is a nice safety net if you just signed up and realized it wasn’t quite what you were looking for. So, let’s get into it and make sure you know exactly how to manage your Proton VPN subscription.

Quick Guide: How to Cancel Your Proton VPN Subscription

Struggling to find the “cancel” button? It’s a common point of confusion. Here’s how to quickly cancel your Proton VPN subscription if you purchased it directly from their website, which is the most common scenario:

1. Log In to Your Proton Account: Head over to the official Proton account website, which is account.proton.me. Make sure you sign in with your usual credentials, not directly through the VPN app.
2. Go to Subscriptions: Once you’re logged in, look for the “Subscriptions” tab in your account dashboard. You might also find this under “Settings” and then “Dashboard” on the left-hand menu.
3. Find “Cancel subscription” or “Downgrade account”: Scroll down the page. Instead of a big “Cancel” button, you’ll usually see an option like “Cancel subscription” or “Downgrade account.” Proton often frames it as switching to their free plan. Click on it.
4. Confirm Cancellation/Downgrade: You’ll likely see a pop-up asking you to confirm your decision and maybe even provide a reason for leaving. Just follow the prompts until you get a final confirmation that your plan has been downgraded or canceled.

Remember, canceling your subscription typically just stops the auto-renewal. Your VPN service will usually continue until the end of your current billing cycle. If you’re looking for a refund, especially within the first 30 days, there’s an extra step!

Canceling Proton VPN on Different Platforms

The way you cancel can vary slightly depending on where you originally purchased your subscription.

Canceling Proton VPN via the Official Website

This is the most common and direct method if you subscribed through Proton’s website. How to Cancel Your Fi Membership: A Straightforward Guide

1. Access Your Proton Account: Open your web browser and go to account.proton.me. Log in with your username and password.
2. Navigate to Subscriptions: On the left-side menu, click on “Settings,” then select “Dashboard.” Your subscription information will be there. Alternatively, look for a “Subscriptions” tab directly.
3. Initiate Cancellation Downgrade: Scroll down to the bottom of the “Subscriptions” or “Dashboard” page. You’ll usually see a section labeled “Cancel subscription” or a button that says “Downgrade account.” Click on it.
4. Confirm Your Choice: Proton will likely ask you to confirm your decision and might even ask for feedback on why you’re canceling. Go through these steps until you receive a final confirmation that your subscription is set to cancel or downgrade.

Important Note for Plus, Essentials, Business, and Enterprise Accounts: If you have a Proton VPN Plus account, the cancellation downgrade is applied at the end of your current cycle. If you have an Essentials, Business, or Enterprise account, you might need to send a termination notice to your account representative or use their Customer Support Form at least 30 days before your renewal. If you notify them later than that, your plan might renew for another term and then be canceled at the end of that new cycle.

Canceling Proton VPN on iOS Apple App Store

If you paid for Proton VPN through your iPhone or iPad, Apple handles your subscription, not Proton directly.

1. Open Settings: On your iOS device, go to the “Settings” app.
2. Tap Your Apple ID: At the very top of the Settings screen, tap on your name your Apple ID profile icon.
3. Go to Subscriptions: Select “Subscriptions” from the menu.
4. Find Proton VPN: In your list of active and expired subscriptions, find “Proton VPN” and tap on it.
5. Cancel Subscription: Tap the “Cancel Subscription” button at the bottom of the screen and confirm your choice.

Canceling Proton VPN on Android Google Play Store

Similar to Apple, if you subscribed via the Google Play Store, you’ll manage your subscription through Google.

1. Open Google Play Store: Launch the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
2. Tap Your Profile Icon: Tap on your profile icon, usually located in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Navigate to Payments & Subscriptions: Go to “Payments & Subscriptions,” and then select “Subscriptions.”
4. Select Proton VPN: Find “Proton VPN” in your list of subscriptions and tap on it.
5. Cancel Subscription: Tap “Cancel subscription” at the bottom. You might be asked to choose a reason for canceling. Follow the prompts to confirm.

Getting Your Money Back: Proton VPN’s Refund Policy

Proton VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all direct purchases. This is pretty standard in the VPN world and gives you a good window to try out the service risk-free. If you decide to cancel within these 30 days, you’re generally eligible for a refund. Mastering Your Facebook Login with a VPN: A Complete Guide

How to Request a Refund Direct Purchases

After you’ve canceled your auto-renewal through the website, you’ll need to explicitly request a refund if you’re within the 30-day window.

1. Contact Customer Support: This is the crucial step for a refund. You can reach out to Proton VPN’s customer support team.
   • Email: Send an email to [email protected].
   • Support Form: Fill out their online support form. You can usually find a link to this on their support page.
   • Live Chat: Some users have reported being able to request a refund via live chat when canceling their subscription.
2. Clearly State Your Request: In your email or support form, clearly state that you are requesting a refund according to their 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. Await Response: You should get a response, often within 12 to 24 hours, though sometimes it might take a few business days. Refunds are typically processed within 3 to 5 business days, depending on your payment method.

Things to Keep in Mind about Refunds:

• Prorated vs. Full Refunds: While often prorated for unused time, in some cases, Proton might approve a full refund. If you cancel within the 30-day period, you’re usually looking at a full refund.
• Payment Method: Refunds are typically issued using the original payment method and currency. Payments made by cash or bank transfers are generally not refundable.
• One-Time Refund: You can usually only request a refund once per user.
• After 30 Days: If you cancel after the initial 30 days, refunds are generally not available. Any refund or credit beyond this period is at the sole discretion of Proton. However, for some Proton products other than Proton VPN Plus, they might offer prorated refunds in the form of account credits for the unused portion of your subscription.

Requesting a Refund from Google Play Store or Apple App Store

If you subscribed through a third-party like Google Play or Apple, their refund policies apply, and you’ll need to request the refund directly from them.

For Google Play Store:

1. Visit Google Play Refund Page: Open a browser and go to the Google Play Refund webpage.
2. Follow Prompts: Read the return policies, confirm the account linked to your subscription, select Proton VPN, choose a reason for your request, and provide a detailed explanation. Then, click “Request refund.”
3. Response Time: Most refund decisions are made within one business day, but it can sometimes take up to four days.

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1. Visit Apple’s Problem Report Page: On your preferred browser, go to reportaproblem.apple.com.
2. Sign In: Sign in with the Apple ID linked to your Proton VPN subscription.
3. Request a Refund: In the help options, choose “Request a Refund” and select the reason. Click “Next.”
4. Select Proton VPN: Choose “Proton VPN” from the list and click “Submit.”
5. Response Time: You should get a response within one business day, though it might take up to five business days for the refund to process.

What Happens When You Cancel Proton VPN?

When you cancel your Proton VPN subscription, it usually means you’re turning off the auto-renewal. Your paid service will continue until the end of your current billing cycle. After that, you’ll lose access to all the premium features and be automatically downgraded to the free Proton VPN plan.

If you have an Unlimited or Duo plan, you might receive credits for unused days that can be used for future subscriptions. However, if you cancel a Proton VPN Plus plan, the service just runs until its expiration date, and no credits are applied to your account.

Canceling your subscription doesn’t automatically delete your entire Proton account. Your login credentials will still work, and you’ll still have access to other Proton services if you use them, like Proton Mail or Proton Drive, under a free plan.

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Deleting Your Entire Proton Account

If you want to completely remove yourself from all Proton services – Proton VPN, Proton Mail, Proton Drive, and Proton Calendar – you’ll need to delete your entire Proton account. This is a more permanent action.

Important Considerations Before Deleting Your Account:

• Permanent Deletion: Once your account is deleted, there’s no way to recover it, and all your data across all Proton services will be gone.
• Username Availability: Proton does not recycle usernames, so your username will not be available in the future, even to you.
• Linked Services: Your Proton account links to all Proton services. Deleting the account means losing access to all of them.

How to Delete Your Proton Account

The most reliable way to delete your Proton account is through the web app.

1. Log In: Go to account.proton.me and sign in to your account.
2. Navigate to Settings: Click on “Settings,” then “All settings.”
3. Account and Password: Look for “Account and password” in the settings menu.
4. Initiate Deletion: Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the “Delete your account” button.
5. Provide Feedback and Confirm: Proton will ask for a reason for leaving. You’ll also need to confirm your Proton username and password as a security measure. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you’ll need to enter your 2FA code.
6. Final Confirmation: Check the box that says, “Yes, I want to permanently delete this account and all its data,” and then click “Delete.”

Deleting Your Proton Account Using the iOS/iPadOS App

1. Sign In: Open the app and go to “Settings.”
2. Account Settings: Tap on “Account settings” and then your Proton Account name.
3. Delete Account: Tap on “Delete account.”
4. Reason & Contact: Provide a reason for deletion and an email address for contact.
5. Final Confirmation: Confirm your password and 2FA code if applicable, then tap “Delete.”

It’s a big step, so make sure you’ve backed up any important data from Proton Mail, Drive, or Calendar before you go through with it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I cancel my Proton VPN free trial?

If you’re on a free trial for Proton VPN for Business, you can cancel it before the trial ends to avoid being charged. Your free trial will simply conclude, and you won’t be converted to a paid subscription. If you cancel during your free trial and then sign up for a new plan or product, you generally won’t receive another free trial for the new plan. For regular paid plans that offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, canceling within that period will make you eligible for a refund.

Can I get a refund if I cancel Proton VPN after 30 days?

Generally, no, for Proton VPN Plus plans. Proton VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, and refunds are typically only available if you cancel and request one within that initial 30-day period. After 30 days, Proton states that the service is “generally non-refundable,” and any refund or credit is given at their sole discretion. However, for other Proton products not Proton VPN Plus, they might offer prorated credits for any unused subscription days.

How do I turn off auto-renewal for Proton VPN?

To turn off auto-renewal for Proton VPN, log in to your account on the Proton VPN website account.proton.me. Go to the “Subscriptions” tab or “Dashboard,” scroll down, and click “Cancel subscription” or “Downgrade account.” This action will stop future automatic billing, and your current plan will remain active until its expiration date.

Will canceling Proton VPN delete my Proton Mail or Proton Drive account?

No, simply canceling your Proton VPN subscription or downgrading to the free plan will not delete your entire Proton account, which includes services like Proton Mail and Proton Drive. Your login will still work, and you’ll retain access to your other Proton services under their respective free tiers. Deleting your entire Proton account is a separate, more permanent process that removes access to all linked Proton services and their data.

Can I still use Proton VPN after I cancel my subscription?

Yes, you can. When you cancel your paid Proton VPN subscription, it typically stops the auto-renewal, but your access to the premium features continues until the end of your current billing period. Once that period is over, your account will be downgraded to the free Proton VPN plan, and you’ll still be able to use the free service with its limited features. How to Cancel Your ESPN Plus Bundle: A No-Nonsense Guide

What payment methods are eligible for a Proton VPN refund?

Proton VPN’s money-back guarantee applies to subscriptions purchased by credit card, debit card, PayPal, or anonymously with Bitcoin. Payments made by cash or bank transfers are generally not refundable. Also, if you purchased your subscription through a third-party app store like Apple App Store or Google Play, you’ll need to follow their specific refund policies directly with them.

How long does it take to get a refund from Proton VPN?

If you’ve successfully requested a refund from Proton VPN’s customer support, you should generally expect to receive your refund within three to five business days, though sometimes it might take up to 14 days for processing. The exact timing can depend on your original payment method. For refunds requested through Apple or Google, their own processing times will apply, which can range from one to five business days for a decision.