You can change when Apple charges you, but the method depends on which subscription and device you use
Apple lets you move your subscription renewal date forward or backward, but you cannot pick an arbitrary date—you can only shift it by a set number of days or months. The process lives inside the Settings app on iPhone, iPad, or Mac, or in Account Settings on the web. What you can and cannot change depends on whether the subscription is through Apple (like Apple Music or iCloud+) or through an app developer who uses Apple's payment system.
The timing matters because changing your date does not refund or credit you for the current period. If you shift your renewal date earlier, you will be charged sooner. If you shift it later, you extend the current period without paying extra. Neither option gives you money back.
Key Takeaways
- You change subscription dates in Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions on iPhone and iPad, or System Settings on Mac, by selecting the subscription and choosing "Change Renewal Date."
- Apple subscriptions (Music, TV+, iCloud+, Fitness+) let you move the date freely, but app developer subscriptions may not offer this option at all.
- Changing your date does not refund the current billing period or give you a credit—it only shifts when the next charge occurs.
- If you cannot find a "Change Renewal Date" option, the app developer controls the subscription and may not allow date changes through Apple's system.
How to change the date on iPhone or iPad
Open Settings and tap your name at the top. Select Subscriptions, then tap the subscription you want to change. Tap "Change Renewal Date" if that option appears. You will see a calendar or date picker showing your current renewal date. Tap the new date you want, then confirm. The change takes effect when ready, but you will not be charged until the new date arrives.
If you do not see "Change Renewal Date," the subscription is managed by the app developer, not Apple, and they have not built this feature into their setup. In that case, you will need to contact the developer directly or cancel and re-subscribe on a different schedule.
How to change the date on Mac
On a Mac running macOS Ventura or later, open System Settings and click your name in the sidebar. Click Subscriptions, then select the subscription you want to change. Click "Change Renewal Date," then select the new date from the calendar. Confirm the change. On older versions of macOS, the path is System Preferences > [Your Name] > Subscriptions, and the steps are the same.
If you use a Mac with an Intel processor running an older system, you may not see the subscription management screen at all. In that case, use iCloud.com on a web browser instead.
How to change the date on the web
Go to appleid.apple.com and sign in. Click Subscriptions, then select the subscription you want to change. Look for "Change Renewal Date" or an edit option. Not all subscriptions show this option on the web version—if you do not see it, try the Settings app on your device instead.
The web interface sometimes lags behind the app, so if you are having trouble, the iPhone or Mac app is usually more reliable.
What happens when you change your date
Your current billing period does not change. If you move your renewal date earlier, you will be charged sooner, but you will not lose any time on your current subscription. If you move it later, your current subscription extends to cover the gap, and you will not be charged until the new date. You do not receive a refund or credit either way.
For example, if your subscription renews on the 15th and you move it to the 1st, you will be charged on the 1st of next month instead. The time between now and the 1st is still covered by your current subscription. If you move it to the 30th, your current subscription covers you until the 30th, when you are charged again.
When the option is not available
Some subscriptions do not offer date changes. This usually means the app developer controls the subscription terms, not Apple. Developers can choose whether to allow customers to change renewal dates. If the option is missing, you have two choices: contact the developer and ask them to change it manually, or cancel the subscription and sign up again on a date that works better for you.
Canceling and re-subscribing means you lose any remaining time on your current period, so only do this if the timing is worth the cost. Some developers offer a grace period or will refund a partial month if you ask, but this is not may provide.
Changing dates for family subscriptions
If you are the family organizer on an Apple One or family plan, you can change the renewal date for the whole family. The change applies to everyone on the plan. If you are a family member but not the organizer, you cannot change the date—only the organizer can. Ask the organizer to make the change in their Subscriptions settings.
If a family member has their own individual subscription (not part of the family plan), they can change their own date in their own account settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my subscription date to any day I want?
No. You can only move your renewal date forward or backward by a certain number of days or months. Apple shows you available dates in a calendar picker. You cannot set an arbitrary date like the 7th if that is not an option the system offers.
Will I get a refund if I move my renewal date earlier?
No. Moving your date earlier means you will be charged sooner, but you will not receive a refund or credit for the current period. You will straightforward pay the next charge on the new date instead of the old one.
What if the subscription is through an app, not Apple directly?
App developer subscriptions may not offer date changes at all. If you do not see "Change Renewal Date," contact the app developer's support team. They may be able to change it manually, or they may require you to cancel and re-subscribe.
Can I change the date on a subscription I am about to cancel?
Yes, but there is no point. If you are canceling, the subscription will end on your current renewal date and will not renew. Changing the date does not affect a cancellation that is already in progress.
Does changing my date affect my billing address or payment method?
No. Changing the renewal date only moves when you are charged, not how you are charged or where the bill is sent. Your payment method and billing address stay the same.