How To Cancel SiriusXM Without Trouble
Founded in 2008, SiriusXM is a New York-based radio broadcasting company offering various audio content on multiple platforms. While the service is popular and offers many useful features, some users may decide to opt out of it.
If you want to cancel SiriusXM, read this guide to find out how to complete the cancellation process successfully and prevent unwarranted charges from the company.
Note that the information in this article is current as of November 2023. Please visit the official SiriusXM website for updates.
Canceling SiriusXM—What You Need To Know
Before you take any steps to cancel your SiriusXM subscription, you should be aware of the following:
- You should cancel at least 24 hours before the subscription renews for the next month, as you may incur charges otherwise.
- Uninstalling the SiriusXM app won’t affect the subscription. You must take the appropriate steps to cancel the service effectively.
- If you’ve received or purchased a radio or another device at a discounted price with your SiriusXM subscription, you may be subject to a cancellation fee.
- Unless you specify that you want your subscription terminated at a later date, the cancellation will take effect on the day SiriusXM receives your request.
- If you’re billed by a third party, such as Google Play or the App Store, you’ll have to cancel your SiriusXM via that platform.
How To Cancel a Directly-Billed SiriusXM Subscription
If you’re billed directly by SiriusXM, you can stop your subscription online by taking these steps:
- Log into your Online Account Center.
- Navigate to the Manage Your Account section.
- Select the Change Billing Info option.
- Click on Cancel Service.
You can also cancel SiriusXM online via Live Chat support, available Mondays to Fridays from 8 AM to 11 PM ET and Saturdays and Sundays from 8 AM to 8 PM ET. It’s recommended to have your account number or radio ID on hand. You can find your account number in your account center in the upper-right corner and your radio ID by tuning in to Ch.0 on your car radio.
The SiriusXM call center was closed at the time of writing this article, and it’s unclear when phone cancellations will be available again.
How To Cancel a SiriusXM Subscription You Purchased Externally
Follow the steps in the table below if you purchased SiriusXM via Google Play:
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Android Devices
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Computers
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If you’ve bought the service via the App Store or iTunes, you can find out how to cancel SiriusXM on an iPhone, iPad, or computer in the table below:
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iPhones or iPads
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Computers
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How Virtual Cards Can Make It Easier To Cancel SiriusXM and Other Subscription Services
According to some recent Trustpilot user reviews, the SiriusXM cancellation process may not always be straightforward. Some users claimed that they weren’t able to cancel online—instead, they had to go back and forth with the chat representative for 30 minutes or more or even go through the entire process multiple times to get SiriusXM to end the subscription. Some had to go as far as canceling their credit card to get the payments stopped.
Although these may have been edge cases, unfortunately, many businesses resort to this kind of behavior. It’s common for consumers to report issues with canceling all kinds of subscription services. Some companies may use various tactics, called “dark patterns,” to convince you to remain a customer for as long as possible. While the government works toward implementing more stringent regulations to make service cancellations simpler, you can consider an alternative solution for managing your subscriptions—virtual cards.
If you’re worried a subscription service will keep charging you even if you’ve adhered to all the cancellation requirements and covered all the fees, use virtual cards to sign up. These cards are connected to a real funding source but mask your financial information with random card numbers upon registration with a subscription service—such as Spotify Premium, HBO Max, or Verizon. In case of data breaches on the merchant’s server, hackers can only access your virtual card numbers, not your actual financial details.
By opting for an independent virtual card provider like Privacy, you’ll also have access to features that let you control when and how much merchants can charge you.
Secure Your Funds With Privacy Virtual Cards
Turn to Privacy Virtual Cards to get protection from potential hackers and subscription-based companies that may attempt to wrongfully charge you. Link your debit card or bank account and create one of these two types of Privacy Virtual Cards:
- Single-Use Card—This card becomes invalid shortly after you complete the first transaction. It’s a suitable choice for merchants you’re buying from the first time and whose credibility you’re still unsure of.
- Merchant-Locked Card—This card locks to the first vendor you transact with. It’s especially useful for merchants you frequently shop at and automatic payments, such as subscription services.
Merchant-Locked cards can be paused or closed with only a few clicks and without impacting your funding source. This feature makes virtual cards ideal for canceling subscriptions as it allows you to prevent unwarranted charges from merchants during the cancellation process. You can also set spending limits on your Merchant-Locked Cards to prevent sneaky merchants and subscription services from charging you more than you initially agreed. Privacy will decline all transactions on the paused or closed cards and those that surpass the preset limit.
Set Up Privacy in Four Steps
To give Privacy a try, follow these steps:
- Register
- Fill out the information required to verify your identity
- Link a bank account or debit card
- Request your virtual cards
Privacy Virtual Cards are issued by either Mastercard® or Visa®, so they can be used at most merchants and websites that accept these payment methods, including widely used subscription services such as DashPass, Walmart, Peloton, and Audible.
The Privacy Personal plan is free for domestic services and includes 12 virtual cards monthly and all the above-mentioned card controls. It also comes with the:
- Browser extension—Available for Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge, the extension auto-populates virtual card details at checkout, saving you from reaching for your wallet every time you shop. The Safari extension is also available on mobile, bringing fast and seamless checkouts to iPhone and iPad users.
- Mobile app—The Privacy app for Android and iOS enables virtual card creation and management on the go.
Consider one of the other two plans, Pro ($10/month) and Premium ($25/month), if you need additional cards and benefits, such as no foreign transaction fees and priority support.
