So, you’re done. Maybe the price hike finally pushed you over the edge, or you're just tired of scrolling for twenty minutes only to realize the movie you want requires another rental fee. Whatever the reason, you want out. But here’s the thing: trying to handle a prime video subscription cancel request used to be like trying to win a wrestling match with an octopus.
It was messy. It was confusing. And honestly, it was designed to make you give up and keep paying that monthly fee.
Fortunately, things have changed. Thanks to a massive $2.5 billion settlement between Amazon and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently, the "dark patterns" that used to trap you—like the infamous "Iliad Flow" that forced users through six different pages of "Are you sure?"—are being dismantled. But even with the legal heat, the interface can still be a bit of a maze if you don't know exactly where to click.
The "Which One Am I Canceling?" Problem
First, we have to clear up the confusion that trips up almost everyone. Are you canceling Amazon Prime or just Prime Video?
🔗 Read more: Why YouTube Playback FPS Choppy Glitches Happen and How to Actually Fix Them
Most people have the full Amazon Prime membership ($14.99/month or $139/year). This gets you the shipping, the music, the storage, and the video. If you cancel this, you lose everything. However, there is a standalone Prime Video subscription that costs about $8.99 a month.
I’ve seen dozens of people on forums complaining that they "canceled" but were still getting charged. Usually, it’s because they had both a student account and a personal account, or they canceled a "Channel" (like Max or Paramount+) thinking it was the whole service.
How to actually kill the subscription
If you’re on a desktop, don’t just search "cancel" in the search bar—it won't help you much.
- Hover over "Account & Lists" in the top right.
- Click on "Memberships & Subscriptions."
- You’ll see a list. Find Prime Video.
- Click "Manage Subscription."
- Look for the link that says "End Membership."
If you're using the app, it’s hidden under the "Profile" icon (the little person silhouette). You have to tap "Your Account," then scroll all the way down to "Manage Prime Membership." It feels like they tucked it behind a digital velvet curtain, but it’s there.
What happens to your movies?
This is the big one. "If I cancel, do I lose the movies I actually paid $20 for?"
Nope.
Anything you purchased (not rented, but bought) stays in your "My Stuff" library forever. You don't need an active Prime subscription to watch them. You just need a standard, free Amazon account. Rentals are different—if you cancel while a rental window is active, you can usually still finish it, but don't expect it to hang around.
Downloads are the real casualty here. If you’ve downloaded a bunch of shows for a flight and then your subscription expires, those files become digital bricks. They won't play. The app checks your "license" every time you hit play, and if the subscription is dead, the video won't start.
The FTC Settlement: Are you owed money?
Since we're in 2026, you might actually be eligible for a refund. As part of that historic settlement I mentioned, Amazon had to set aside $1.5 billion for customers.
If you signed up for Prime between June 2019 and June 2025 and struggled to cancel, or if you were "tricked" into a subscription you didn't want, check your email. Automatic refunds of up to $51 were sent out late last year, but there is a secondary claims process running right now through late 2026.
If you used fewer than three Prime benefits in a year (like you never watched a video or used the free shipping), you’re a prime candidate for getting some of that cash back.
The "Channel" Trap
One thing that really bugs me is how easy it is to cancel the main Prime Video sub but leave "Channels" running. You might successfully cancel your prime video subscription cancel task, but if you signed up for Discovery+ or Starz through the Prime interface, those might keep billing you separately.
You have to go to "Manage Your Prime Video Channels" specifically to kill those off. It’s a separate list from the main membership. I’ve talked to people who thought they were done with Amazon, only to see $10.99 leaving their bank account every month for a horror movie channel they forgot they subscribed to three years ago.
Important things to remember before you go
- The "Remind Me Later" Button: Amazon loves this. It’s a classic stall tactic. If you click it, they’ll email you three days before the renewal, but they won't actually cancel the service. Don't fall for it if you're truly done.
- Instant vs. End of Cycle: Usually, when you cancel, you keep access until the end of your billing month. However, if you've never used the benefits, you can sometimes get an "instant" cancellation with a partial refund. The system usually offers this automatically if you qualify.
- Check the "Digital Orders" tab: If you see weird charges, check this tab in your account. It breaks down exactly what is a subscription, what’s a rental, and what’s a purchase.
Honestly, the best way to handle this is to do it on a web browser, not the app. The mobile interface is still designed to be slightly more "friction-heavy" than the website.
📖 Related: Why How Do You Change Drum Brakes to Disc Brakes Is Still the Best Weekend Upgrade
Final Steps to Take
Verify your cancellation by checking for the confirmation email immediately. If you don't see an email within ten minutes, the cancellation probably didn't "stick" through the final confirmation page. Go back and make sure you clicked through every single prompt until you see a message that says "Your membership will end on [Date]."
Once that’s done, go into your mobile app and sign out. It prevents accidental "one-click" re-subscriptions, which—let's be real—happen way more often than they should. If you think you're part of the settlement class, keep an eye on your physical mail for claim notices from the FTC-appointed administrator through the end of this year.