How to Cancel Your
OneDrive Storage Plan
OneDrive paid storage is tied to Microsoft 365. Here is exactly how to cancel your subscription and what happens to your files afterward.
Quick Overview
Difficulty
EasyTime
~5 minutes
Method
Microsoft Account
Refund
Possible (prorated)
Cancel OneDrive via Microsoft Account
Go to your Microsoft Account
Open account.microsoft.com in your web browser and sign in with the Microsoft account that holds your OneDrive subscription. This is the same account you use for Outlook, Office, or OneDrive.
Click Services & subscriptions
In the top navigation menu, click Services & subscriptions. This shows all your active Microsoft subscriptions, including Microsoft 365 Personal, Microsoft 365 Family, or a standalone OneDrive plan.
Find your subscription and click Manage
Locate your Microsoft 365 subscription (which includes your OneDrive storage) and click Manage. If you have a standalone OneDrive 100 GB plan, it will appear separately.
Turn off recurring billing or cancel
Click Turn off recurring billing to stop auto-renewal, or click Cancel to cancel immediately. Microsoft may offer you a discounted rate or extended trial to keep you. You can decline these offers.
Confirm and download your files
Confirm the cancellation. Microsoft will send a confirmation email. Before your subscription expires, download any files from OneDrive that exceed the free 5 GB limit to ensure you do not lose access to them.
Subscribed Through Apple or Google?
If you subscribed to Microsoft 365 or a OneDrive plan through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, you need to cancel through those platforms instead.
Cancel via iPhone / iPad
- 1. Open Settings on your iPhone
- 2. Tap your name at the top (Apple Account)
- 3. Tap Subscriptions
- 4. Tap Microsoft 365 in the list
- 5. Tap Cancel Subscription and confirm
Cancel via Android
- 1. Open the Google Play Store app
- 2. Tap your profile icon (top right)
- 3. Tap Payments & subscriptions
- 4. Tap Subscriptions then Microsoft 365
- 5. Tap Cancel subscription and confirm
What Happens After You Cancel OneDrive?
You keep access until the billing period ends
After canceling, your Microsoft 365 subscription and full OneDrive storage remain active until the end of your current billing period. Use this time to download files you want to keep locally.
Storage drops to 5 GB (free tier)
Once your subscription expires, your OneDrive storage reverts to the free 5 GB tier. If you are using more than 5 GB, your account becomes read-only. You can view and download files but cannot upload new ones until you reduce usage below the limit.
Files are not immediately deleted
Microsoft does not delete your files when you cancel. However, if your account stays over the storage limit for an extended period (typically 12 months), Microsoft reserves the right to lock or delete files. Download your important files before canceling.
You lose Office desktop apps
Canceling Microsoft 365 also removes access to desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Office apps. You can still use the free web-based versions at office.com with limited features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel just OneDrive storage without canceling Microsoft 365?
No. OneDrive's 1 TB storage is bundled with Microsoft 365. You cannot cancel the storage alone while keeping the Office apps. If you cancel Microsoft 365, both the storage and app access end. The standalone OneDrive 100 GB plan can be canceled separately.
What happens to my files if I go over the free 5 GB limit?
Your OneDrive account becomes read-only. You can still view and download all your files, but you cannot upload, edit, or sync new files until you delete enough content to fall below 5 GB or resubscribe to a paid plan.
Will Microsoft delete my files if I cancel?
Not immediately. Microsoft retains your files even after cancellation. However, accounts that remain significantly over the storage limit for 12 months or more may have files flagged for deletion. It is best to download important files promptly.
Can I get a refund for Microsoft 365?
Microsoft may offer a prorated refund if you cancel soon after purchase or renewal. Refund eligibility depends on your region and how recently you were charged. You can request a refund through the Microsoft account Services & subscriptions page.
Is there a cheaper way to get OneDrive storage?
Microsoft offers a standalone OneDrive 100 GB plan that is cheaper than Microsoft 365. This gives you extra storage without the Office desktop apps. You can also look into the Microsoft 365 Basic plan, which includes 100 GB of OneDrive storage at a lower price.
Related Cancellation Guides
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