McAfee is a popular antivirus software that provides protection against viruses, malware, and other online threats to over 18 million subscribers, according to 2021 stats. It offers features such as 24/7 identity monitoring and alerts, password manager, and virtual Private Network (VPN) to ensure the security and privacy of its users.

If you are no longer satisfied with the services or wish to switch to a different antivirus software, this guide can teach you how to cancel your McAfee subscription. It will provide cancellation instructions for different devices and tips to avoid any unwelcome charges during and after the cancellation process.

The content in this guide is valid as of January 2024. Head to the official McAfee website or contact a customer support representative directly for the most recent information.

How To Cancel a McAfee Subscription—An Overview

If you want to cancel a McAfee subscription, you can do so by turning off auto-renewal on your McAfee account. This will protect your account against any future charges. The steps to follow will depend on the method you use to access your McAfee account:

1. Via Windows and macOS
2. On iOS devices
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The following sections explain the steps to take on each device.

How To Cancel McAfee Auto Renewal on Windows and macOS

To cancel a McAfee subscription on your Windows or macOS device, follow these steps:

1. Go to the McAfee website on your computer browser.
2. Sign in with your registered email address and password.
3. Click the Subscriptions tile.
4. Select Manage subscription on the right side of the McAfee subscription you want to cancel.
5. Click Turn Off.
6. Click Turn Off again on the next screen to confirm the cancellation.

How to Cancel a McAfee Subscription on iOS

You can cancel a McAfee subscription you purchased through the Apple App Store for your iPhone or iPad by taking these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your Apple device.
2. Tap your Apple ID at the top of the screen.
3. Select Subscriptions under your name.
4. Tap the McAfee subscription you want to cancel under Active Subscriptions.
5. Tap Cancel Subscription, and confirm the cancellation.

How To Remove Your Credit Card Details From McAfee

After canceling your McAfee subscription, you can delete your credit card information from your account by following these steps:

1. Log in to your McAfee account using a computer browser.
2. Click Account at the top right corner of the screen.
3. Navigate to My Profile.
4. Click Update under Payment Methods.
5. Click Delete next to the credit card you want to remove.
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If you can't remove your linked credit card, your computer or browser may be using an outdated version of Transport Layer Security (TLS). McAfee requires TLS 1.2 or later for financial transactions on its website. You can update your TLS version or use a different device to access your account.

How To Terminate Your McAfee Account

If you want to close your McAfee account entirely and delete your email address and all account information, contact Customer Support. You can reach out to them via X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook 24/7 for help, as it's not possible to delete your account directly from your account settings.

Why Virtual Cards Are the Preferred Payment Method for Subscriptions

Canceling a subscription may not always be straightforward. Some companies might intentionally complicate the cancellation process to keep you subscribed for longer. These companies may resort to specific cancellation requirements, including:

• Requiring you to contact customer support, who may keep you on hold for a long time
• Asking you to mail in a handwritten cancellation request
• Making you visit their physical location in person to cancel your subscription

While some companies allow you to cancel online, the process can be prolonged due to inconspicuous cancellation buttons, manipulative designs that might trick you into continuing your payments, and various sales pitches that are supposed to make you reconsider your decision. Even if you take all the required steps, there is no guarantee that you won’t incur accidental charges after the cancellation.

The best way to avoid such inconveniences is to use virtual cards from Privacy to pay for subscriptions. Virtual cards are connected to a real funding source but act as a buffer against potential misuse by substituting your financial information with temporary card numbers at checkout. When you opt for a comprehensive virtual card provider like Privacy, you also get advanced card settings that give you more control over your finances. 

Privacy Virtual Cards—Manage Your Subscription Expenses Confidently

You can connect your debit card or bank account to Privacy and create virtual cards to use at most websites and businesses that accept U.S. Mastercard^® or Visa^® payments, including:

• Other software subscriptions such as NordVPN, Dropbox, and ExpressVPN
• Magazine services like the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal
• Nice-to-have memberships such as Philo, Xbox Game Pass, and PlayStation Plus

You can learn about Privacy’s two card types and what you can use them for in the table below:

You can also use the following settings on your Privacy Cards for greater financial control without impacting the connected funding source:

• Card pausing/closing—You can pause or close the said card when stopping a subscription to limit unwanted charges. While you still have to follow the company’s cancellation instructions, Privacy will decline all transaction requests on the card. 
• Spending limits—If you set a spending limit on your Privacy Card, Privacy will block all charges that go over. This helps you avoid intentional and accidental double charges and undisclosed fee hikes.

Privacy’s Setup Process, Additional Features, and Pricing Plans

Setting up Privacy is easy—you only need to:

1. Create an account
2. Fill out the information required to verify your identity
3. Provide your bank account or debit card details
4. Request your virtual cards
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Privacy also offers a browser extension and mobile app to streamline your online payments. The Privacy Browser Extension autofills your virtual card details at checkout, enabling fast and seamless transactions. It’s available for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari, but iPhone and iPad users can also enjoy efficient payments with the Safari iOS extension. You can install the Privacy mobile app on your Android or iOS device to generate and manage virtual cards from wherever you are. 

Privacy offers three plans to cater to different budgets and user needs, as outlined in the table below: