Charged after a free trial: what to do
Many free trials ask for a card up front and start billing on the last day unless you cancel. If you see a charge you did not expect after a trial, there are three steps: find out exactly who charged you, cancel in the place you signed up, and then ask for a refund.
Last updated: October 26, 2026
Last checked: Oct 2026
Step 1: Find the charge on your statement
Trial charges are easy to miss because the name on your statement often is not the app's name.
App Store purchases usually show as APPLE.COM/BILL. See Apple.com/bill on your statement.
Google Play purchases usually start with GOOGLE. See Google charges on your statement.
Web sign ups often bill through a payment company, so the line may show a processor code instead of the brand. See statement codes.
A small charge first, then a bigger one, can be a temporary card check followed by the real bill. See temporary authorization holds.
Look back over the last few statements, not only this month. A trial you forgot about can turn into a monthly or yearly plan that has been charging for a while. Upload a PDF statement to Expenvo and every subscription is listed in one place, so you can see each recurring charge next to its date and amount.
Step 2: Cancel in the right place
Cancel where you signed up. Deleting the app does not cancel a subscription.
iPhone or iPad (App Store billing): Settings, your name, Subscriptions, choose the app, Cancel Subscription.
Android (Google Play billing): Google Play Store, profile picture, Payments and subscriptions, Subscriptions, choose the app, Cancel subscription.
Signed up on a website: log in to that website and look for Billing, Subscription, or Plan in account settings.
Our cancel a subscription guide has more detail for common services.
Step 3: Ask for a refund
Refunds after a trial are not guaranteed. Ask anyway, and ask soon.
Apple. Apple says you can sign in to reportaproblem.apple.com, choose "I'd like to", then "Request a refund", pick a reason, choose the subscription, and submit. Apple says to wait 24 to 48 hours for an update. If you cannot find the charge, check for a different Apple Account or a Family Sharing purchase.
Google Play. Google says refund policies depend on what you bought, when, how you paid, and where you live. For apps, games, and in-app purchases (including subscriptions), Google says you may be able to request a refund within 48 hours of the purchase. After 48 hours, Google says to contact the app developer, who can process refunds under their policies and applicable law. Google also says that for most apps, contacting the developer directly is often the quickest way to resolve a purchase issue. If you did not make the purchase and no one you know did, Google says to report it as unauthorized within 120 days.
A website or merchant. Contact the company's support and give the charge date, amount, and the name exactly as it appears on your statement. Ask them to cancel and refund the trial charge.
Your bank or card issuer. If the merchant will not help and you believe the charge was not authorized, you can ask your bank about a dispute. See dispute a charge in the US or in Canada.
How to avoid the next trial charge
When you start a trial, put a reminder in your calendar a couple of days before it ends.
Check your statement once a month for any new recurring charge.
Watch for annual plans. A trial that rolls into a yearly plan can be a much larger single charge.
A repeating line across several months is on find subscriptions from a statement and spot subscriptions. A line that keeps coming back is on recurring payment on a statement. A name you do not recognize is on unknown charge on a statement.
Questions
- Can I get my money back after a free trial charged me?
- Sometimes. Apple and Google Play both have refund request processes, and many merchants will refund if you ask quickly. It is not guaranteed.
- Why does the charge not show the app's name?
- App Store and Google Play charges often appear under Apple or Google. Web purchases may show the payment company's name.
- Does Expenvo cancel subscriptions for me?
- No. Expenvo lists the subscriptions on your statement. It does not tell you to cancel, and it does not cancel anything. You decide.
- Do I have to link my bank?
- No. Expenvo reads a PDF statement you download from your bank or card. No bank login. The PDF stays on your device.