How to Cancel PlayStation Now (Step-by-Step Guide)
PlayStation Now, now officially integrated into PlayStation Plus Premium, offered a vast library of games for streaming and download. While this service provides access to hundreds of titles, there might come a time when you need to cancel your subscription. Perhaps you’ve finished all the games you wanted to play, or maybe you’re switching to another gaming service. Whatever the reason, this comprehensive guide provides detailed instructions on how to cancel your PlayStation Now subscription, now bundled within PlayStation Plus Premium. This guide will cover cancellations through the PlayStation console, the PlayStation website, and potential issues you might encounter.
**Please note:** As of June 2022, PlayStation Now is no longer available as a standalone service. It has been integrated into the PlayStation Plus Premium tier. If you previously subscribed to PlayStation Now, your subscription was automatically converted to PlayStation Plus Premium. Therefore, canceling your PlayStation Plus Premium subscription (or downgrading to a lower tier) is the equivalent of canceling your former PlayStation Now access.
## Understanding the Cancellation Process
Before diving into the cancellation steps, it’s crucial to understand how PlayStation Plus Premium subscriptions work:
* **Subscription Renewal:** PlayStation Plus Premium subscriptions are typically set to automatically renew at the end of each billing cycle. This means you’ll be charged unless you manually cancel the subscription before the renewal date.
* **Cancellation Timing:** To avoid being charged for the next billing cycle, it’s essential to cancel your subscription at least 24 hours before the renewal date. Sony recommends canceling at least 48 hours beforehand to be on the safe side. Note that the exact timing might vary depending on your region and payment method, so always check the renewal date and time carefully.
* **Continued Access:** Even after canceling your subscription, you’ll still have access to the PlayStation Plus Premium benefits until the end of your current billing cycle. You will not receive a refund for the unused portion of your subscription.
* **Downgrading:** If you don’t want to completely cancel your access, you can downgrade to a lower tier of PlayStation Plus (Essential or Extra). This will reduce your subscription cost and still allow you to enjoy some of the PlayStation Plus benefits.
## Method 1: Canceling via PlayStation Console (PS4 or PS5)
This is the most common and straightforward method for canceling your PlayStation Plus Premium subscription. The steps are slightly different depending on whether you’re using a PS4 or a PS5.
### Canceling on PS5:
1. **Turn on your PlayStation 5 and log in to your account.** Ensure you’re logged in with the account that has the PlayStation Plus Premium subscription you want to cancel. This is important if you have multiple accounts on your console.
2. **Go to Settings.** From the PS5 home screen, navigate to the top right corner and select the “Settings” icon (it looks like a gear).
3. **Select “Users and Accounts”.** Scroll down in the Settings menu and choose “Users and Accounts”.
4. **Choose “Account”.** In the “Users and Accounts” menu, select the “Account” option.
5. **Select “Payment and Subscriptions”.**
6. **Select “Subscriptions”.** This will display a list of your active subscriptions associated with your account. You should see PlayStation Plus listed here.
7. **Select “PlayStation Plus”.**
8. **Select “Cancel Subscription”.** The exact wording may vary slightly, but look for an option that clearly indicates canceling your subscription. You might be prompted to confirm your choice.
9. **Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm the cancellation.** Sony will likely present you with reasons for canceling and try to entice you to stay subscribed. Read each screen carefully before confirming your cancellation. You may need to enter your password to finalize the process.
10. **Confirmation:** Once you’ve successfully canceled your subscription, you should receive a confirmation message on your screen and possibly an email to your registered email address. Keep this confirmation for your records.
### Canceling on PS4:
1. **Turn on your PlayStation 4 and log in to your account.** Make sure you’re logged in to the account with the PlayStation Plus Premium subscription you want to cancel.
2. **Go to Settings.** From the PS4 home screen, scroll to the top menu and select “Settings”.
3. **Select “Account Management”.** Scroll down in the Settings menu and choose “Account Management”.
4. **Select “Account Information”.**
5. **Select “PlayStation Subscriptions”.** You may be prompted to enter your password at this stage.
6. **Select “PlayStation Plus”.** This will display information about your PlayStation Plus subscription.
7. **Select “Turn Off Auto-Renew”.** This option might also be labelled as “Cancel Subscription” or similar. Choose the option that indicates stopping future payments.
8. **Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm the cancellation.** Similar to the PS5 process, you’ll likely be asked to confirm your cancellation and may be presented with reasons for canceling. Read each screen carefully and confirm your choice.
9. **Confirmation:** After successfully canceling, you should see a confirmation message on your screen. You might also receive a confirmation email.
## Method 2: Canceling via the PlayStation Website
You can also cancel your PlayStation Plus Premium subscription through the PlayStation website using a computer or mobile device.
1. **Go to the PlayStation Website:** Open your web browser and go to the official PlayStation website: [https://www.playstation.com/](https://www.playstation.com/)
2. **Sign In:** Click on the “Sign In” button in the top right corner of the page. Enter your PlayStation Network (PSN) email address and password. Make sure you’re signing in with the account that has the PlayStation Plus Premium subscription.
3. **Access Account Management:** After signing in, hover over your profile icon (usually in the top right corner) and click on “Account Management”. Alternatively, you might find a direct link to “Subscription Management” in the dropdown menu. If not, you might need to go to ‘My PlayStation’ and then find ‘Subscriptions’.
4. **Navigate to Subscriptions:** On the Account Management page, look for a section labelled “Subscriptions”, “Media”, or similar. Click on it.
5. **Select PlayStation Plus:** You should see a list of your active subscriptions. Find “PlayStation Plus” (or the appropriate PlayStation Plus Premium listing).
6. **Cancel Subscription:** Click on the “Cancel Subscription” button. The exact wording may vary (e.g., “Turn Off Auto-Renew”, “Disable Automatic Renewal”).
7. **Follow the On-Screen Instructions:** The website will guide you through the cancellation process. You’ll likely be asked to confirm your choice and might be presented with reasons for canceling. Read each screen carefully.
8. **Confirmation:** Once you’ve successfully canceled your subscription, you should see a confirmation message on the website. You’ll also likely receive a confirmation email to your registered email address.
## Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, you might encounter issues while trying to cancel your PlayStation Plus Premium subscription. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
* **Missing Cancellation Option:** If you can’t find the “Cancel Subscription” option, it’s possible that automatic renewal is already turned off for your subscription. Double-check your subscription settings to confirm.
* **Incorrect Account:** Make sure you’re logged in with the correct PlayStation Network account that has the PlayStation Plus Premium subscription. If you have multiple accounts, you might be trying to cancel on the wrong one.
* **Payment Method Issues:** If your payment method is invalid or expired, you might not be able to cancel your subscription. Update your payment information and try again.
* **System Errors:** Occasionally, PlayStation’s servers might experience temporary issues. Try canceling again later.
* **Contact PlayStation Support:** If you’ve tried all the above solutions and are still unable to cancel your subscription, contact PlayStation Support for assistance. You can find their contact information on the PlayStation website. Be prepared to provide your account details and subscription information.
## Important Considerations
* **Parental Controls:** If you’re trying to cancel a subscription for a child account, you’ll need to do so through the parent account.
* **Refunds:** As mentioned earlier, you typically won’t receive a refund for the unused portion of your subscription after canceling. You’ll have access to the benefits until the end of the current billing cycle. Be mindful of this when deciding when to cancel.
* **Reactivating the Subscription:** If you change your mind, you can easily reactivate your PlayStation Plus Premium subscription at any time before the end of the current billing cycle. After the cycle ends, you will need to resubscribe.
* **Free Trials:** If you’re on a free trial of PlayStation Plus Premium, canceling the subscription before the trial period ends will prevent you from being charged. If you don’t cancel, you’ll be automatically charged for a full subscription.
* **Email Confirmation:** Always check your email for a confirmation message after canceling your subscription. This is your proof that the cancellation was successful.
## Alternatives to Canceling: Downgrading Your Subscription
If you’re looking to reduce your gaming expenses without completely losing access to online play and other PlayStation Plus benefits, consider downgrading to a lower tier:
* **PlayStation Plus Essential:** This tier offers online multiplayer access, monthly downloadable games, exclusive discounts, and cloud storage for game saves. It’s the most basic and affordable PlayStation Plus option.
* **PlayStation Plus Extra:** This tier includes all the benefits of Essential, plus access to a large library of downloadable PS4 and PS5 games.
To downgrade your subscription, follow these steps:
1. **Access Subscription Management:** Use either the console method or the website method described above to access your PlayStation Plus subscription settings.
2. **Select “Change Plan” or similar:** Look for an option to change your current subscription plan.
3. **Choose a lower tier:** Select either PlayStation Plus Essential or PlayStation Plus Extra, depending on your needs and budget.
4. **Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm the downgrade.**
Downgrading allows you to retain some PlayStation Plus benefits while paying a lower monthly fee.
## Conclusion
Canceling your PlayStation Plus Premium (formerly PlayStation Now) subscription is a straightforward process, whether you choose to do it through your console or the PlayStation website. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily manage your subscription and avoid unwanted charges. Remember to cancel at least 24-48 hours before your renewal date, and always check for a confirmation message to ensure the cancellation was successful. If you encounter any issues, don’t hesitate to contact PlayStation Support for assistance. And remember, downgrading to a lower tier is a great option if you want to retain some benefits without the premium price tag.