Subscription Statuses Explained: Trial, Active, Non-Renewing and Expired
Understand trial, active, non-renewing, and expired as local record states based on provider evidence, renewal dates, paid-through access, and cancellation requests.
Status is a local record label, not the provider's account state
A subscription tracker needs a status so you can sort reminders and review upcoming charges. Treat trial, active, non-renewing, and expired as local record states based on evidence you can see in Apple, Google Play, the provider account, a receipt, or a renewal notice. The label helps you remember what to check next; it is not a universal provider label.
Use the same evidence fields each time
Before changing a record, save the provider, purchasing account, biller, current plan, amount, currency, billing cycle, trial end, next renewal, cancellation request, paid-through date, access-end date, and the source you used. If Apple or Google Play shows that cancellation has already been requested, keep the paid-through date visible because access may continue until the current period ends.
Trial or introductory means the provider shows that phase
Use trial or introductory when current provider or biller evidence identifies a trial or introductory phase and shows its trial or introductory end. The phase may be free, discounted, or paid; do not assume it must happen before the first paid charge. Record any later renewal date, amount, and evidence separately, and follow the provider-specific terms and cancellation deadline.
Active means renewal is still expected
Use active when the provider evidence shows an ongoing subscription with an automatic renewal, repeating charge, or next billing date. Active does not mean the service is good value or that the next amount is final; price changes, failed payments, regional rules, and provider terms can still affect what happens.
Non-renewing means cancellation was requested but access may remain
Use non-renewing when the biller shows the renewal is off, the subscription has been cancelled, or a cancellation request has been accepted, but the user still has paid-through access. Apple and Google Play both describe cases where access can continue until the end of the paid period after cancellation.
Expired means the paid or trial access period has ended
Use expired only after the trial or paid-through access-end date has passed, or after the provider shows the subscription is no longer available. If the app cannot verify the provider account, leave the item unknown or review it instead of assuming that it expired from an old receipt.
Keep status, cancellation, and refund separate
A record state is not a provider account action: changing it does not cancel the provider account, does not submit a cancellation request, does not request a refund, and does not guarantee the charge will stop. Cancel directly with the biller and request refunds through the platform or provider that handled the purchase.
SubsCraft tip: Keep the status, the evidence source, and the next date together so the reminder tells you what to verify, not just what the row is called.
