The Ultimate Step by Step Guide to Cancelling an iStock Subscription or Membership (istockphoto.com)
By
Bella K.
|
Published
July 17, 2025
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Updated
July 1, 2025
iStock is a website where you can get royalty-free photos, videos, and illustrations. They offer subscriptions where you pay a flat fee each month to download a set number of images or videos. You can use what you download anytime, even after your subscription ends, as long as you downloaded the files during your subscription period. So if you see charges from iStock, it's probably for one of these monthly plans to get creative content regularly.
Based on multiple customer reviews and user experiences, canceling an iStock subscription is mostly difficult due to lack of online cancellation options, unhelpful and rude customer service, and the potential for unexpected fees. Customers report being trapped in annual subscriptions, no refunds on cancellation, and poor communication which complicate and prolong the cancellation process.
Estimated Time
On average, it takes 10 minutes0010 minutes to cancel a iStock subscription.
How to Cancel iStock: Step by Step
If you purchased through iStock:
Log In: Start by logging into your iStockphoto account using your credentials.
Account Settings: Go to your account settings. This is usually found by clicking on your profile icon in the upper right corner.
Subscription Management: Look for a section labeled “Subscription” or “Manage Subscription.” Here, you can view your current plan.
Cancel Subscription: Find the option to cancel your subscription. You may be asked to provide a reason for your cancellation.
Confirm Cancellation: Follow the prompts to confirm your cancellation. Make sure you receive a confirmation email to verify that the process is complete.
If you purchased through Apple:
Open Settings: Go to the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
Your Name: Tap your name at the top of the screen.
Subscriptions: Tap on "Subscriptions" to view your active subscriptions.
Select iStock: Find iStock in your list of subscriptions.
Cancel Subscription: Tap "Cancel Subscription" and confirm your choice.
If you purchased through Google Play:
Open Google Play Store: Go to the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
Account: Tap on your profile icon in the top right corner.
Check the trial period carefully and cancel before it expires to avoid automatic conversion to paid subscription.
Turn off auto-renewal in account settings but be aware it may not fully cancel the subscription.
Contact customer support immediately if charged unexpectedly; emphasize minimal or no usage of the service.
Use firm but polite language stating you want to cancel and do not agree to pay beyond the trial or minimal usage.
Be prepared for cancellation fees—some users report fees required to stop the subscription.
Escalate by requesting to speak with supervisors or higher management if initial support is unhelpful.
Document all communications including dates, times, and representatives' names for evidence if disputing charges later.
Consider timing your cancellation request shortly after charge posts or trial end to increase the chance of a refund or waiver.
Avoid canceling by stopping payment unilaterally (e.g. credit card cancellation) without prior communication to avoid further collections actions.
Seek advice from forums or legal advice communities if encountering aggressive or unfair retention tactics from iStock.
Why Do People Request Refunds from iStock
Cost Concerns: Monthly fees can accumulate, especially if the service is underutilized.
Changing Needs: Evolving business or personal project requirements may demand different image types or qualities.
Limited Usage: Users may not download enough assets to justify the subscription expense.
Exploring Alternatives: Users might find better deals or image styles on other stock photo websites.
Unexpected Charges: Customers report being charged even after canceling during free trials.
Lack of Reminder Emails: No notification before subscription charges leading to surprise billing.
High Cancellation Fees: Charges up to $70 for cancellation even after requesting to cancel.
Poor Customer Service: Staff described as rude, dismissive, and unhelpful during cancellation and refund processes.
Difficulty Canceling: Cancellation is cumbersome, often requiring calls with long wait times and no online cancellation option.
No Refund of Credits: Users lose prepaid credits after cancellation without compensation.
Subscription Traps: Unclear messaging and trap-like policies leading to unintentional subscriptions and no refunds.
Disputes Over Charges: Customers resort to bank or PayPal disputes due to refusal of refunds by iStock.
iStock Refund Script
Script
Copy
Dear iStock, Support, I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to request a refund due to a billing issue that arose recently. I noticed an accidental charge on my account that I do not recognize, and I believe it may have been a mistake. I would greatly appreciate your assistance in processing this refund at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response. Best regards,
iStock Refund Policy
iStock's annual subscriptions cannot be canceled or refunded before the end of the contracted term. If the subscription is set to auto-renew, users can turn off the auto-renewal to avoid being charged for the next term. Refunds are generally not provided for any downloaded content during a paid subscription.
The Easiest Way to Get a iStock Refund
If you’re frustrated trying to cancel your subscription, membership, or bill from iStock—or if you didn’t even realize you were being charged—Chargeback can help. Chargeback is a personal subscription manager that automatically detects hidden, recurring charges like Netflix, Hulu, and hundreds of others. With one click, we can cancel unwanted subscriptions, flag suspicious billing, and even initiate refund requests on your behalf. No more waiting on hold or navigating confusing help pages. Just connect your bank or email account, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
iStock has a significant restriction for annual subscription plans: you cannot cancel the subscription before the end of your contracted term, and no refunds are provided unless local law requires it. While you can turn off auto-renewal at any time to prevent being charged for another term, if you are on an annual plan, you're effectively locked in for the full year with no early cancellation or refunds. This lock-in is the main landmine to watch out for when subscribing.
Cost Concerns: Monthly fees can accumulate, especially if the service is underutilized.
Changing Needs: Evolving business or personal project requirements may demand different image types or qualities.
Limited Usage: Users may not download enough assets to justify the subscription expense.
Exploring Alternatives: Users might find better deals or image styles on other stock photo websites.
Unexpected Charges: Customers report being charged even after canceling during free trials.
Lack of Reminder Emails: No notification before subscription charges leading to surprise billing.
High Cancellation Fees: Charges up to $70 for cancellation even after requesting to cancel.
Poor Customer Service: Staff described as rude, dismissive, and unhelpful during cancellation and refund processes.
Difficulty Canceling: Cancellation is cumbersome, often requiring calls with long wait times and no online cancellation option.
No Refund of Credits: Users lose prepaid credits after cancellation without compensation.
Subscription Traps: Unclear messaging and trap-like policies leading to unintentional subscriptions and no refunds.
Disputes Over Charges: Customers resort to bank or PayPal disputes due to refusal of refunds by iStock.
Account username and password (for logging in)
First and last name associated with the account
Email address linked to the account
Phone number (if requested by customer support)
Billing address (including city, state/province/region, ZIP/postal code, and country)
Last 4 digits of card used for payment
Date of last charge
Amount of last charge
Reason for cancellation (may be requested during process)
Access to your account’s subscription management page for initiating cancellation
Confirmation email or code (as proof of cancellation)
Before cancelling your iStock subscription, know that you will lose any unused credits or licenses once the membership is cancelled. You can use your available licenses only while your subscription is active, and any prepaid or unused downloads will be forfeited upon cancellation. However, any assets you have already licensed remain permanently yours to use even after your subscription ends. It is recommended to download all your licensed content and use any remaining credits before cancelling to avoid losing access to your prepaid content.
iStock's annual subscriptions cannot be canceled or refunded before the end of the contracted term. If the subscription is set to auto-renew, users can turn off the auto-renewal to avoid being charged for the next term. Refunds are generally not provided for any downloaded content during a paid subscription.
To cancel your iStock subscription, you generally need to be logged into your account, which requires your password. There doesn't appear to be a phone or unauthenticated chat support option that allows cancellation without signing in first. If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it at this URL: https://www.istockphoto.com/forgot-password. This will allow you to regain access and manage or cancel your subscription easily.
We've actually written a step by step guide on how to get a refund from iStock. Check it out!
The cancellation process typically takes about 15 minutes to complete. However, the actual time may vary depending on your account settings and whether you need to contact customer service. Most cancellations are processed immediately, but some may take up to 24 hours to take effect.
After canceling your iStock subscription, you'll typically have access to the service until the end of your current billing period. You won't be charged for the next billing cycle, and your account will be deactivated once the current period ends. Make sure to download any important data before cancellation.
Yes, you can usually reactivate your iStock account by logging back into your account and resubscribing. However, you may need to go through the sign-up process again and provide payment information. Some services may offer special reactivation deals for returning customers.
If you're unable to cancel iStock online, contact their customer service directly using the phone number, email, or website provided above. You can also use our refund script to help you communicate effectively with their support team. In some cases, you may need to provide additional verification or documentation.
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