How to Cancel Ancestry (2026 guide)
There are a few different ways to cancel Ancestry, and the right one depends on how you signed up. This guide covers cancellation through the Ancestry website, app stores, and third-party billing.
Software
Software
Software
Lifestyle
Lifestyle
Lifestyle
Consumer
Consumer
Consumer
Ancestry Cancellation at a Glance
Cancel Online
Yes
Main Cancel methods
Website
Mobile App
App Store
Time to Cancel
2-3 mins
Plus survey time
Where to Cancel
Account Settings
Subscription section
Ancestry subscriptions often auto-renew at 6-month intervals, even if you pay monthly. Check your renewal date before cancelling to avoid being charged for the next billing period.
Time for a subscription cleanout?
Search or upload a statement. Cancel everything you don't need in minutes.
Time for a subscription cleanout?
Search or upload a statement. Cancel everything you don't need in minutes.
Time for a subscription cleanout?
Search or upload a statement. Cancel everything you don't need in minutes.
Cancel Your Ancestry Subscription
Follow these steps to cancel your Ancestry subscription directly. If you're billed through a third party, see the alternative methods section.
Cancel Your Ancestry Subscription
Follow these steps to cancel your Ancestry subscription directly. If you're billed through a third party, see the alternative methods section.
Cancel Your Ancestry Subscription
Follow these steps to cancel your Ancestry subscription directly. If you're billed through a third party, see the alternative methods section.
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01
01
Sign in to your Ancestry account
Go to ancestry.com and log in with your email and password. Click on your name in the top right corner to access your account menu.
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02
Navigate to your account settings
From the dropdown menu, select Account Settings. This will take you to your account management page.
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Find your subscription details
Look for the Subscription section on your account page. You'll see your current plan and renewal date here.
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Click cancel subscription
Click Cancel subscription or Cancel my subscription. Ancestry will likely ask you to complete a brief survey about why you're cancelling.
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Confirm your cancellation
After completing the survey, confirm your cancellation. You should see confirmation on screen and receive an email confirming your cancellation within 24 hours.
That's one. Got more to cancel?
Use our tool to bulk cancel everything else you don't need.
That's one. Got more to cancel?
Use our tool to bulk cancel everything else you don't need.
That's one. Got more to cancel?
Use our tool to bulk cancel everything else you don't need.
Ancestry-specific things to know
Ancestry subscriptions can work differently depending on your plan or how you signed up. These tips cover common edge cases.
Ancestry-specific things to know
Ancestry subscriptions can work differently depending on your plan or how you signed up. These tips cover common edge cases.
Ancestry-specific things to know
Ancestry subscriptions can work differently depending on your plan or how you signed up. These tips cover common edge cases.
Your tree stays active after cancelling
Your family tree and uploaded photos remain saved in your free account. You just lose access to premium records and features.
DNA results are permanent
Check your renewal cycle carefully
Your tree stays active after cancelling
Your family tree and uploaded photos remain saved in your free account. You just lose access to premium records and features.
DNA results are permanent
Check your renewal cycle carefully
Your tree stays active after cancelling
Your family tree and uploaded photos remain saved in your free account. You just lose access to premium records and features.
DNA results are permanent
Check your renewal cycle carefully
Before you cancel, keep this in mind
These details can affect your cancellation timing or whether it goes through properly.
Before you cancel, keep this in mind
These details can affect your cancellation timing or whether it goes through properly.
Before you cancel, keep this in mind
These details can affect your cancellation timing or whether it goes through properly.
1. Check who's billing you
If you signed up through the iOS app, Google Play, or another platform, you'll need to cancel through them instead of Ancestry directly.
2. Note your access period
3. Download what you need
1. Check who's billing you
If you signed up through the iOS app, Google Play, or another platform, you'll need to cancel through them instead of Ancestry directly.
2. Note your access period
3. Download what you need
1. Check who's billing you
If you signed up through the iOS app, Google Play, or another platform, you'll need to cancel through them instead of Ancestry directly.
2. Note your access period
3. Download what you need
Alternative ways to cancel Ancestry
If you can't cancel through your Ancestry account, you may need to go through app stores. The right option depends on how you're being billed.
Alternative ways to cancel Ancestry
If you can't cancel through your Ancestry account, you may need to go through app stores. The right option depends on how you're being billed.
Alternative ways to cancel Ancestry
If you can't cancel through your Ancestry account, you may need to go through app stores. The right option depends on how you're being billed.
Google Play Store
Cancel through Google Play if you subscribed via the Android Ancestry app.
Use the Direct link Below or
Open Google Play Store > Profile icon > Payments & subscriptions > Subscriptions
Google Play Store
Cancel through Google Play if you subscribed via the Android Ancestry app.
Use the Direct link Below or
Open Google Play Store > Profile icon > Payments & subscriptions > Subscriptions
Live Chat Cancel
Ancestry offers live chat support for cancellation assistance if you're having trouble with the website process.
Go to ancestry.com and log into your account
Click Help in the top menu
Select Contact Us and choose Live Chat
Tell the agent you want to cancel your subscription
Live Chat Cancel
Ancestry offers live chat support for cancellation assistance if you're having trouble with the website process.
Go to ancestry.com and log into your account
Click Help in the top menu
Select Contact Us and choose Live Chat
Tell the agent you want to cancel your subscription
Apple App Store
Cancel through your iPhone if you subscribed via the iOS Ancestry app.
"Settings > Click [Your Name] > Subscriptions"
Read In-depth Guide on Cancelling IPhone Subscriptions:
Apple App Store
Cancel through your iPhone if you subscribed via the iOS Ancestry app.
"Settings > Click [Your Name] > Subscriptions"
Read In-depth Guide on Cancelling IPhone Subscriptions:
Google Play Store
Cancel through Google Play if you subscribed via the Android Ancestry app.
Use the Direct link Below or
Open Google Play Store > Profile icon > Payments & subscriptions > Subscriptions
Apple App Store
Cancel through your iPhone if you subscribed via the iOS Ancestry app.
"Settings > Click [Your Name] > Subscriptions"
Read In-depth Guide on Cancelling IPhone Subscriptions:
Live Chat Cancel
Ancestry offers live chat support for cancellation assistance if you're having trouble with the website process.
Go to ancestry.com and log into your account
Click Help in the top menu
Select Contact Us and choose Live Chat
Tell the agent you want to cancel your subscription
Other options to consider
If cost is the issue, you might be able to downgrade or pause instead of cancelling completely.
Other options to consider
If cost is the issue, you might be able to downgrade or pause instead of cancelling completely.
Other options to consider
If cost is the issue, you might be able to downgrade or pause instead of cancelling completely.
Downgrade your Ancestry plan
Ancestry offers multiple subscription tiers. You might find a cheaper plan that still gives you access to the records you need.
U.S. Discovery - Basic U.S. records only
World Explorer - U.S. plus international records
All Access - Includes newspapers and military records
Switch Your Billing Cycle
Annual subscriptions cost significantly less per month than monthly billing.
Save up to 30% with annual billing
Downgrade your Ancestry plan
Ancestry offers multiple subscription tiers. You might find a cheaper plan that still gives you access to the records you need.
U.S. Discovery - Basic U.S. records only
World Explorer - U.S. plus international records
All Access - Includes newspapers and military records
Switch Your Billing Cycle
Annual subscriptions cost significantly less per month than monthly billing.
Save up to 30% with annual billing
Downgrade your Ancestry plan
Ancestry offers multiple subscription tiers. You might find a cheaper plan that still gives you access to the records you need.
U.S. Discovery - Basic U.S. records only
World Explorer - U.S. plus international records
All Access - Includes newspapers and military records
Switch Your Billing Cycle
Annual subscriptions cost significantly less per month than monthly billing.
Save up to 30% with annual billing
The complete guide to cancelling unused subscriptions
Everything you need to know about finding and cutting what you don't use.
The complete guide to cancelling unused subscriptions
Everything you need to know about finding and cutting what you don't use.
The complete guide to cancelling unused subscriptions
Everything you need to know about finding and cutting what you don't use.
Common Ancestry Cancellation Questions
Quick answers to common questions.
Common Ancestry Cancellation Questions
Quick answers to common questions.
Common Ancestry Cancellation Questions
Quick answers to common questions.
Will I get a refund if I cancel Ancestry?
Will I get a refund if I cancel Ancestry?
Will I get a refund if I cancel Ancestry?
Can I cancel Ancestry online?
Can I cancel Ancestry online?
Can I cancel Ancestry online?
What happens to my family tree after I cancel?
What happens to my family tree after I cancel?
What happens to my family tree after I cancel?
Why can't I find the cancel button in my Ancestry account?
Why can't I find the cancel button in my Ancestry account?
Why can't I find the cancel button in my Ancestry account?
Does deleting the Ancestry app cancel my subscription?
Does deleting the Ancestry app cancel my subscription?
Does deleting the Ancestry app cancel my subscription?
Can I cancel Ancestry from my phone?
Can I cancel Ancestry from my phone?
Can I cancel Ancestry from my phone?
How do I check if my Ancestry subscription is fully cancelled?
How do I check if my Ancestry subscription is fully cancelled?
How do I check if my Ancestry subscription is fully cancelled?
Cancel Similar Software Subscriptions
Step-by-step guides for other genealogy and research services.
Cancel Similar Software Subscriptions
Step-by-step guides for other genealogy and research services.
Cancel Similar Software Subscriptions
Step-by-step guides for other genealogy and research services.
How to Cancel MyHeritage
Step-by-step guide to cancelling your MyHeritage genealogy subscription.
How to Cancel Findmypast
Complete guide to cancelling your Findmypast family history subscription.
Updated on
Jan 21, 2026
Updated on
Jan 21, 2026
Updated on
Jan 21, 2026
About Ancestry
Ancestry is a genealogy platform that helps users research family history and build family trees. The service provides access to billions of historical records, DNA testing, and family tree building tools across multiple subscription tiers.
Why people cancel Ancestry
Completed their family tree research
Found it too expensive for occasional use
Hit research roadblocks or dead ends
Only needed it for a specific project
Subscription auto-renewed unexpectedly
Why people cancel Ancestry
Completed their family tree research
Found it too expensive for occasional use
Hit research roadblocks or dead ends
Only needed it for a specific project
Subscription auto-renewed unexpectedly
Why people cancel Ancestry
Completed their family tree research
Found it too expensive for occasional use
Hit research roadblocks or dead ends
Only needed it for a specific project
Subscription auto-renewed unexpectedly
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