How to Cancel McAfee (2026)
Quick answer
McAfee subscriptions auto-renew by default, so the key step is turning OFF auto-renewal in your account at service.mcafee.com (My Account > Auto-Renewal Settings > End my membership). That alone stops future charges. If you were already charged by an auto-renewal you didn't want, McAfee offers a refund — typically within 60 days of an auto-renewal charge (and a 30-day money-back guarantee on new purchases). Refunds aren't self-service: you must contact McAfee Customer Service by phone or chat to request one.
Ways to cancel McAfee at a glance
| Method | Available? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Online — turn off auto-renewal | ✓ Yes | 4 steps |
| Phone — cancel + request a refund | ✓ Yes | 3 steps |
| Live chat — request a refund | ✓ Yes | 2 steps |
How to cancel McAfee, step by step
Online — turn off auto-renewal
- 1Sign in to your accountGo to service.mcafee.com (or home.mcafee.com) and log in with the email address you used to buy McAfee.
- 2Open My AccountClick the grid / menu icon in the top right, then click My Account.
- 3Go to Auto-Renewal SettingsIn the dashboard, open Auto-Renewal (Account > Auto-Renewal Settings).
- 4End your membershipNext to the renewal you want to stop, click Update settings, then End my membership / turn auto-renew off. Confirm. This stops future automatic charges.
Phone — cancel + request a refund
- 1Gather your details firstPull up your bank/card statement so you have the exact charge amount and date, and make sure you can log in to your McAfee account with the purchase email.
- 2Call McAfee Customer ServicePhone the McAfee Customer Service line shown in your account / on McAfee's support site, and ask the agent to cancel the subscription and process a refund.
- 3Verify identity and confirmThe agent verifies your account, then cancels the renewal and issues the refund if you're within the eligible window.
Live chat — request a refund
- 1Open McAfee support chatFrom McAfee's official support site, start a live chat with an agent (refunds are not available through a self-service form).
- 2Request cancellation and refundTell the agent you want to cancel and request a refund of the auto-renewal charge; provide the charge date and amount.
⏰ Deadline
Turn off auto-renewal before your renewal date to avoid the next charge. For a refund: McAfee generally allows up to 60 days from an auto-renewal charge to request a full refund, and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on new annual purchases. Request promptly — windows are firm.
💵 Fees
No cancellation fee for turning off auto-renewal. The only 'cost' is that a renewal charge already taken is only recoverable within the refund window.
↩️ Refunds
If an auto-renewal charged you, McAfee typically refunds it if you request within 60 days of that charge. New annual subscriptions carry a 30-day money-back guarantee. Refunds must be requested by contacting McAfee Customer Service (phone or chat) — there is no self-service refund button. If you bought through a reseller (e.g., Dell) or an app store, request the refund from that seller instead.
McAfee cancellation — FAQ
Does turning off auto-renewal cancel my subscription right away?
Turning off auto-renewal stops future charges but your current protection usually keeps running until the paid period ends. To get money back on a charge that already happened, you must also request a refund from Customer Service.
I just got auto-renewed and didn't want it — can I get a refund?
Usually yes, if you act quickly. McAfee generally allows a full refund within 60 days of an auto-renewal charge. Contact McAfee Customer Service by phone or chat with your charge date and amount ready.
Why does McAfee keep charging me every year?
McAfee enables auto-renewal by default so your protection never lapses. It will keep billing the card on file each term until you explicitly turn auto-renewal off in My Account, so disabling it is the step that actually stops the charges.
Sources
This guide is independently written and not affiliated with McAfee. Cancellation terms can change at any time — always confirm the current policy on the official website before cancelling.