You canceled your free trial on the service’s official website and assumed everything was done. There were no errors and no warnings. Yet later, a charge appeared from the app store.
This is not a system bug. It happens because the website and the app store handle subscriptions as separate billing systems.
Canceling on the website does not cancel an app store–managed subscription.
Why Website Cancellation Didn’t Stop the Charge
- The free trial was originally started through an app store
- The app store retains full control over billing
- Website cancellation only affects web access, not billing
- No automatic sync exists between website and app store systems
- The app store subscription remained active
How to Identify Where Billing Is Actually Managed
- Check the original signup or download source
- Review active subscriptions inside the app store account
- Compare the merchant name on your bank statement
- Look for platform-specific confirmation emails
How to Prevent Another Charge
- Cancel directly inside the app store subscription settings
- Confirm the status shows expired or inactive
- Keep proof of cancellation from the correct platform
- Verify the next billing date is removed
Many unexpected trial charges happen because cancellation was done in the wrong place. Knowing which platform controls billing prevents repeat charges.