How Can I Get a Refund for an Unexpected Annual App Subscription?
Asked by
MellowCactus42
I started a free trial of Duolingo and was later charged for a full year of Super Duolingo. I didn't realize the trial would automatically convert into an annual subscription, and I hadn't intentionally agreed to pay for the yearly plan. I requested a refund through Apple twice, but both requests were denied. Apple Support then submitted another request for me, which was also initially rejected. I had barely used the app during the previous two weeks, and the charge is difficult for me to afford right now. Has anyone managed to get Apple to reconsider a refund after several denials?
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Update: After the third denial, I called Apple again, and they ultimately approved the refund. So it may still be worth trying once more, even if earlier requests were rejected.
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The annual plan being the default can definitely make the charge feel especially harsh, but the subscription still renews according to the terms shown during signup. It’s worth checking whether the subscription was canceled and confirming the charge details, though a refund isn’t guaranteed if the trial wasn’t canceled in time.
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Apple’s refund system usually treats a free trial as an agreement to the paid subscription unless it’s canceled before the trial ends. The charge date and price are shown when you sign up, in your subscriptions settings, and often in reminder notifications. After multiple denials, there may not be much of an escalation path, so Apple could consider the decision final.
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QuietMaple88: For future trials, you can usually cancel immediately after signing up and still use the app until the trial period ends. That prevents the automatic renewal.