Where to cancel depends on which device you bought it on

Minecraft Realms is a subscription that lets you run a private multiplayer world. You cancel it through the same place you bought it — not through Minecraft itself. If you bought Realms on Windows, you cancel through Microsoft. If you bought it on Nintendo Switch, you cancel through Nintendo. If you bought it on PlayStation, you cancel through PlayStation. If you bought it on Xbox, you cancel through Xbox. The steps are different for each one, and cancelling on one device does not cancel it on another.

The subscription will keep charging you until you cancel it. Realms does not send a warning email before the next charge. If you stop playing but forget to cancel, you will be charged again on your renewal date.

Key Takeaways

  • Cancel Realms through the store where you bought it — Microsoft, Nintendo, PlayStation, or Xbox — not through the Minecraft game itself.
  • Stopping the game or deleting it does not cancel the subscription; you must manually cancel through your account settings.
  • Your world stays on Minecraft's servers for 18 months after cancellation, so you can resubscribe and get it back without losing progress.
  • If you bought Realms on multiple devices, you need to cancel each subscription separately.

Cancel on Windows or PC through Microsoft

Open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com. Sign in with the Microsoft account you use for Minecraft. Click Subscriptions in the left menu, then find Minecraft Realms in the list. Click on it, then click Manage.

Click Cancel subscription. Microsoft will ask why you are cancelling — you can skip this or answer it. Confirm the cancellation. Your subscription ends on the date shown; you will not be charged again after that date. If you have an active Realm running, it will shut down when the subscription ends.

Cancel on Nintendo Switch through Nintendo

On your Switch, go to System Settings and select Users. Choose the user account that has the Realms subscription. Select Subscriptions. Find Minecraft Realms and select it. Choose Cancel Subscription. Confirm the cancellation.

If you are using a family group account, the parent or administrator account may need to cancel it instead. Check your Nintendo account settings online at accounts.nintendo.com if you cannot see the subscription on the Switch itself.

Cancel on PlayStation through Sony

On your PlayStation 4 or 5, go to Settings and select Users and Accounts. Choose Account, then Payment and Subscriptions. Select Subscriptions. Find Minecraft Realms and select it. Choose Cancel Subscription. Confirm the cancellation.

You can also cancel through the PlayStation website at store.playstation.com. Sign in, go to your profile, select Subscriptions, find Minecraft Realms, and click Cancel.

Cancel on Xbox through Microsoft

On your Xbox, press the Xbox button to open the guide. Go to Profile & System and select Settings. Choose Account, then Subscriptions. Find Minecraft Realms and select it. Choose Manage, then Cancel Subscription. Confirm the cancellation.

You can also cancel through the Xbox website at account.xbox.com. Sign in, go to Subscriptions, find Minecraft Realms, and click Manage, then Cancel.

What happens to your world after you cancel

When your subscription ends, your Realm shuts down and other players cannot join it. Your world data stays on Minecraft's servers for 18 months. If you resubscribe within that time, you can restore your world and all your progress will be there. After 18 months, Minecraft deletes the world permanently.

If you want to keep your world permanently, read it before your subscription ends. On Java Edition, open the Realm, click the pencil icon, and select read Latest. On Bedrock Edition, open the Realm, click the three dots, and select read World. You can then play it as a local world or upload it to a new Realm later.

If you are charged after cancelling

Check the cancellation date. If you cancelled on the 15th but were charged on the 20th, the charge was likely for a subscription period that started before you cancelled. Subscriptions charge on a set day each month, and cancelling does not refund charges that already went through.

If you were charged after your cancellation date, contact the store where you bought it. Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, and Xbox all have refund policies for accidental charges. You will need to provide your account details and the date of the charge. Refunds usually take 5 to 10 business days to appear in your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does deleting Minecraft cancel my Realms subscription?

No. Deleting the game does not cancel the subscription. You must cancel through your account settings on Microsoft, Nintendo, PlayStation, or Xbox. The subscription will keep charging you even if you never open the game again.

Can I pause my Realms subscription instead of cancelling?

No. Realms does not have a pause feature. You can only cancel or let it keep running. If you want to stop paying but keep your world, cancel the subscription and read your world before the 18-month window closes.

If I cancel on one device, does it cancel on all my devices?

No. Each device has its own subscription. If you bought Realms on Switch and also on PlayStation, you have two separate subscriptions and must cancel each one separately through Nintendo and Sony.

Will I lose my world if I cancel?

Your world stays on Minecraft's servers for 18 months after cancellation. You can resubscribe anytime within that period and restore it with all your progress intact. After 18 months, Minecraft deletes it permanently.

How do I get a refund if I just cancelled?

Contact the store where you bought the subscription — Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, or Xbox. Explain that you cancelled and ask for a refund. They will review your account and may refund the charge if it was recent. Refunds typically take 5 to 10 business days.