Detect Subscriptions
Unexpected subscription charges are more common than you'd think. Here's how to detect every recurring payment tied to your accounts.
How to Detect Subscriptions on Your Bank Account
Your bank statement is the most reliable source of truth. Look for small recurring charges — often monthly amounts between £1 and £20.
- Filter transactions by "recurring" if your bank supports it
- Search transaction descriptions for common service names
- Look for charges from Stripe, PayPal, or payment processors — often indicating subscription services
How to Detect Subscriptions on the App Store
On iPhone: go to Settings → [your name] → Subscriptions. This shows every active and recently expired subscription linked to your Apple ID.
How to Detect Subscriptions on Google Play
Open the Google Play app → tap your profile → Payments & subscriptions → Subscriptions. All active Android app subscriptions are listed here.
How to Detect Subscriptions via Email
Search your inbox for terms like "receipt", "invoice", "billing", "your subscription", or "renewal". Sort by sender to group recurring emails together.
How to Detect Subscriptions via PayPal
Log in to PayPal → Settings → Payments → Manage automatic payments. This lists all active billing agreements authorized through your PayPal account.
Use a Subscription Detection App
Dedicated apps can automate the detection process by scanning your bank transactions or email for subscription patterns — saving you hours of manual searching.