Sideline is a popular virtual phone number app that provides enhanced privacy by letting users create disposable numbers. However, some users may eventually wish to cancel their paid Sideline subscription.
The good news is canceling a Sideline subscription is straightforward on both iPhone and Android devices—you just need to know the proper steps. In this detailed guide, we’ll walk through how to cancel your subscription via the app or app store. We’ll also cover requesting refunds if applicable.
Overview of Sideline’s Subscription Options
Sideline offers both free and paid plans:
- Free plan – Includes 1 free phone number and basic features at no cost.
- Standard plan – $9.99/month for up to 5 numbers and added capabilities like SMS forwarding.
- Pro plan – $19.99/month for up to 10 numbers and priority support access.
New users can start with a free account to try Sideline’s core features. Paid subscriptions unlock additional numbers and premium functionality.
You can cancel a paid plan at any time to revert back to the free option. Now let’s look at the cancellation process on each platform.
How to Cancel Sideline on iPhone
To cancel your paid Sideline subscription on an iPhone, you’ll need to do it through the Apple App Store:
Via iPhone Settings
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap your name at the top of the screen, then select Subscriptions.
- Tap Sideline in your list of subscriptions.
- Tap Cancel Subscription and confirm.
If Subscriptions isn’t visible:
- In Settings, tap iTunes & App Store.
- Tap your Apple ID profile icon.
- Tap View Apple ID > Subscriptions.
- Select Sideline and Cancel Subscription.
Once canceled, your Sideline subscription remains active until the current billing period ends before reverting to the free plan.
Requesting a Refund for iPhone
To request a refund for a Sideline iPhone subscription:
- Visit Apple’s subscription refund page.
- Sign in with your Apple ID credentials.
- Click “Report a Problem” next to the Sideline subscription.
- Choose the reason you want a refund and submit the request.
Refund eligibility follows Apple’s App Store terms and conditions.
How to Cancel Sideline Subscription on Android
For Android users, you can cancel via the Sideline app or the Google Play Store:
Through the Sideline App
- Open Sideline and tap Settings.
- Tap Sideline Subscription > Manage Subscription.
- You’ll be redirected to cancel in the Play Store.
Via the Google Play Store
- Open the Play Store and tap Menu > Subscriptions.
- Select the Sideline subscription.
- Tap Cancel Subscription and confirm.
On Android, cancellation is immediate rather than waiting for the renewal date.
Getting a Refund on Android
To request a refund for an Android Sideline subscription:
- Go to Google Play’s refund page.
- Follow the instructions to submit a refund request.
- Provide the order number, transaction ID, and reason.
- You can also contact Sideline support for refund assistance.
Refund eligibility follows Google Play’s documented refund policies. If you have any furthur issues cancelling Sideline, you can simply contact sideline help center.
What to Expect When Canceling Sideline
Here’s what happens when you cancel your paid Sideline subscription:
- You’ll revert to the free plan rather than lose access entirely.
- Any extra numbers beyond the 1 free number will be removed.
- Premium features like call forwarding will be disabled after the billing period.
- Your data and usage history remain intact.
- You can resubscribe anytime if you change your mind.
Downgrading to the free option lets you keep using Sideline with limited capacity. Your account data is unaffected.
Avoiding Unwanted Renewals
To prevent accidental recharges on iPhone or Android:
- Cancel at least 24 hours before the renewal date.
- On iPhone, disable Auto-Renew in App Store settings.
- On Android, turn off Play Store renewal notifications.
- Routinely review transaction histories for unwanted charges.
These best practices ensure you don’t get renewed against your wishes.
Key Considerations Before Cancelling
Before canceling your paid Sideline subscription, weigh these factors:
- Do you still need the extra numbers that the free plan won’t provide?
- Will losing premium features like SMS forwarding impact your usage?
- Does Sideline integrate with other business apps you rely on?
- Could a temporary break help you evaluate if you want to resubscribe later?
Take time to determine if dropping to the free version truly fits your needs or if a paid plan still makes sense.
Alternative Options to Sideline
If permanently canceling Sideline, here are some top alternative virtual phone apps:
- Google Voice – Free app with similar capabilities.
- Burner – Short-term temporary numbers for privacy.
- Hushed – Masks your cell number starting under $5/month.
- TextNow – Provides free US numbers via VoIP.
While Sideline is highly rated, exploring competitors could reveal an even better fit for your needs.
Final Thoughts
We hope this guide provides a clear, step-by-step overview on how to cancel your Sideline subscription on iPhone or Android devices. Following the proper app store cancellation process is key to avoiding unwanted recharges.
Take time to evaluate if you still need paid features before immediately downgrading to the free version. But if you do cancel, switching back to the basic Sideline plan retains your data and is quick.
Knowing how to easily manage your Sideline subscription gives you full control over customizing the right plan for your usage and budget. Please reach out to support@sideline.com with any feedback based on your experience!
