When a subscription shows as active in Apple settings but the app still treats you like you’re not subscribed, it’s usually a receipt sync problem, the wrong Apple ID, or a stuck App Store session.
Start on your iPhone first (fastest), then use the desktop checks if it still won’t unlock.
Before you begin: avoid re-subscribing unless you’re sure you won’t be charged again. Most of the time, “restore” fixes it.
1. Confirm you’re signed into the right Apple ID (on iPhone)
This is the most common cause: the subscription is active under one Apple ID, but the device/app is using another.
- Go to Settings > [your name].
- Check the Apple ID email at the top.
- Then go to Settings > [your name] > Subscriptions and confirm the subscription is listed there.
- If you use Family Sharing, confirm whether the subscription is personal or shared (some apps don’t support sharing).
If the subscription isn’t listed there, the app can’t restore it from that Apple ID.
2. Force a “Restore Purchases” inside the app (mobile-first)
Most subscription apps have a button like Restore Purchases, Restore, or Already purchased? It triggers Apple’s receipt check again.
- Open the app and find Settings, Account, or the paywall screen.
- Tap Restore Purchases.
- Wait 30–60 seconds after the confirmation (some apps unlock after a short server sync).
If you don’t see a restore option, check the app’s help section—some hide it behind “Manage subscription.”
3. Restart the App Store session (sign out/in, then reboot)
Sometimes your App Store authentication gets “stale,” especially after password changes or device restores.
- Go to Settings > [your name] > Media & Purchases.
- Tap Sign Out.
- Restart your iPhone.
- Return to Media & Purchases and Sign In.
- Open the app and try Restore Purchases again.
This doesn’t cancel anything—it just refreshes the purchase/account token.
4. Check for pending billing or a subscription “grace period” mismatch
An “active” badge can be misleading if payment is pending, recently refunded, or in a billing retry/grace state.
- In Settings > [your name] > Subscriptions, open the subscription and check the status details.
- Also check Settings > [your name] > Media & Purchases > View Account for any billing prompts.
- If you recently changed payment methods, update it and then retry restore.
If you requested a refund, some apps lock immediately even if iOS still shows a period remaining.
5. Update the app and iOS, then fully relaunch the app
Subscription unlock logic often depends on app updates (and Apple receipt formats can change over time).
- Update the app in the App Store.
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Force-close the app (open the app switcher and swipe it away), then reopen.
If the app uses an internal account (email login), sign out of the app account and sign back in after the update.
6. Try the desktop checks: verify purchase history and Apple ID details
If the iPhone steps don’t fix it, use a desktop browser to rule out account mix-ups and confirm the charge.
- On a Mac or PC, sign in to your Apple ID account page and confirm you’re using the same Apple ID as on the iPhone.
- Check your purchase history for the subscription charge and date (this helps confirm it’s not on another Apple ID).
- If you have multiple Apple IDs, repeat the check for the other one(s) you might have used in the past.
If purchase history shows the subscription on a different Apple ID, the fix is to use that Apple ID on the iPhone for Media & Purchases (or contact the app’s support if the subscription is meant to be shared via an app account).
7. When to stop troubleshooting and contact support (what to include)
If the subscription is clearly active under the correct Apple ID and restore still fails, it’s likely the app’s server isn’t accepting your receipt.
- Contact the app’s support first for “subscription not recognized” or “receipt validation” issues.
- Include: your iPhone model, iOS version, app version, the Apple ID email (or a masked version), and the exact subscription name shown in Settings.
- If billing looks wrong or you can’t access the subscription entry at all, contact Apple Support for App Store billing.
Final thoughts
Most “active but locked” subscription problems resolve after restoring purchases and refreshing the App Store sign-in on the iPhone.
If it still won’t unlock, desktop purchase history usually reveals an Apple ID mismatch or a billing state that the app is enforcing.