Does cancelling Rakuten Mobile early cost anything? Fees and catches as of September 2026

Good morning, this is まさきん.

I always thought Rakuten Mobile had no cancellation fees. But while looking into their campaigns, a question came up: “Wouldn’t I lose out if I cancel after only a short time?” So I sorted out what fees and restrictions apply to early cancellation under the current rules.

*This information is current as of publication. It is based on what I checked on the official pages on September 27, 2026. Please check the official website for the latest terms.

The short answer: no penalty, but a fee if you cancel within 1 year

Rakuten Mobile does not charge a large contract termination fee like the so-called penalties of the past. The basic rule that you can cancel anytime has not changed.

However, the rules changed in April 2025. If you cancel within 1 year of starting service, a cancellation processing fee applies. The amount is small, but it is worth knowing that cancelling is no longer completely free.

How much the cancellation processing fee is, and when it applies

Here is what I confirmed on the official fee list.

For the Rakuten Saikyo Plan, the fee equals one month of the plan’s minimum monthly charge. If you have discounts such as the family discount, the fee goes down by that amount. Data-only lines and Apple Watch family sharing were also covered.

On the other hand, it does not apply when you use initial contract cancellation. Unavoidable situations such as a transfer or succession of the contract are also excluded.

When did this rule start?

The fee for early cancellation has expanded in stages.

At first, only lines that were barely used were covered. Now, whether you use the line or not, it is covered if you cancel within 1 year.

Note that the rule applies to lines that started service on or after April 1, 2025. Lines you have been using since before then are not subject to this fee.

When does the 1 year start?

The official guidance says “1 year from the start of service.” I think it is natural to take the starting point as the day you started using the line, not the day you applied.

If you apply for several family lines together, the activation dates can differ slightly. When thinking about cancelling, it is safer to check the start date of each line. You can find it in the contract details on my Rakuten Mobile.

If you switch to another carrier (MNP port-out)

Porting your number out to another carrier via MNP is free. It used to cost 3,300 yen, but became free in November 2020.

However, from Rakuten Mobile’s point of view, an MNP port-out is a cancellation. If you port out within 1 year, it is safest to assume the cancellation processing fee will apply. It makes sense to compare against the new carrier’s campaign and subtract the fee before deciding.

If you plan to switch in a store, I explain the steps in my article on working backward to get your MNP reservation number.

The bill for the month you cancel is not prorated

The charge for the month you cancel is not prorated by day. You are billed the following month based on how much data you used that month.

The Rakuten Saikyo Plan is tiered, so up to 3GB costs 1,078 yen for that month. Even if you cancel mid-month, you pay the tier for the data you used. In other words, whether you cancel at the start or the end of the month, the charge is the same as long as you stay in the same tier.

Impact on campaign points

With early cancellation, the thing to watch most may be campaign points rather than the fee.

In many campaigns, points are paid out in installments starting a few months after you apply. For example, the referral campaign pays out in 3 installments starting 4 months after the month you logged in via the referral.

Each campaign had conditions like these:

• Switch / new sign-up campaign: not eligible if you have left Rakuten membership or have unpaid charges before the points are granted
• Employee referral campaign: not eligible if judged to be aimed only at the rewards, such as cancelling after a short period or repeatedly cancelling
• iPhone purchase campaign: if you meet the conditions, you still get the points even after cancelling Rakuten Mobile

Even for the same “cancellation,” the treatment differs by campaign. I recommend re-reading the rules of the campaign you applied for before you cancel.

For an overview of the campaigns, see my campaign info summary.

Restrictions when you come back

Early cancellation also affects you if you return to Rakuten Mobile later.

First is the Welcome Back (Tadaima) campaign for past users. If you apply within 2 months of cancelling, you are not eligible. If you plan to come back right away, keep this in mind. I cover the details in my article on the Welcome Back (Tadaima) campaign.

The other is the contract processing fee. It is normally 0 yen, but a condition was added from November 19, 2025. If you sign up for 5 or more lines in total under the same name, each line from the 5th onward costs 3,850 yen.

This “total” includes lines you have already cancelled. If you repeatedly sign up and cancel over short periods, you may be charged a fee later when you add lines.

Device installments and the Upgrade Program

If you bought a device in installments, the payments continue even after you cancel the line. The same goes for the “Rakuten Mobile Upgrade Program”: its payments continue separately from the line cancellation.

Under the program, you can return the device between month 25 and month 47. You cannot return it earlier to wipe out the remaining payments. Returning it costs a 3,300 yen processing fee. Depending on the device’s condition, you may also have to pay repair costs.

If you cancel only the line and keep using the device, there should be few problems. Just don’t forget that you still have payments left.

Within 8 days, you can use initial contract cancellation

If you feel “this isn’t what I expected” right after signing up, there is a system called initial contract cancellation.

It is useful if, for example, the signal doesn’t work well where you are. However, devices could not be returned. If you are porting your number out via MNP, you need to complete the port-out within 14 days of the documents being received.

Summary of costs and effects of early cancellation

Laid out like this, the direct cost is about 1,078 yen at most. On the other hand, the impact on points and re-signing may turn out to be bigger.

Common mistakes

Be especially careful about cancelling before you receive your points. Even if you cancel Rakuten Mobile, it is safest not to leave Rakuten membership.

What to check before you cancel

• Has 1 year passed since the line started service?
• Have all points from the campaigns you applied for arrived?
• Do you meet any condition that makes you ineligible for a campaign?
• Are there remaining device installments or program payments?
• Is this the main line for the family discount? Cancelling it ends the discount for the whole family
• Will you lose access to services such as Rakuten Link or Drive?

FAQ

Q. Does Rakuten Mobile charge an early termination penalty?

There is no hefty penalty like the big carriers. However, if you cancel within 1 year of starting service, a fee applies: a cancellation processing fee of up to 1,078 yen.

Q. Which lines are subject to the cancellation processing fee?

Lines that started service on or after April 1, 2025. Lines in use since before then were not covered.

Q. If I barely used the line, is it free even within 1 year?

Currently, any cancellation within 1 year is covered regardless of usage. Previously only lines with no actual usage were covered, but the rules were unified in April 2025.

Q. Is there a fee for porting out to another carrier via MNP?

The MNP port-out fee itself is free. However, porting out counts as cancelling Rakuten Mobile. Within 1 year, it is safest to assume the cancellation processing fee will apply.

Q. Is the bill for the month I cancel prorated?

No, it is not prorated. You are billed the following month based on the data you used that month.

Q. What happens if I cancel before receiving campaign points?

It depends on the campaign. Many have conditions that make you ineligible, so it is safer not to cancel until all points arrive. Leaving Rakuten membership can also cause your points to disappear.

Q. What if I want to cancel right after signing up?

Within 8 days of starting service, you can use initial contract cancellation. No cancellation processing fee is charged. However, devices bought together cannot be returned.

Official sources I referred to

• Can I cancel anytime? Is there a minimum usage period or cancellation processing fee? (Rakuten Mobile FAQ)
• Fees (Rakuten Mobile)
• Notice on charging a termination fee for lines with no actual usage (with update history)
• About cancellation (Rakuten Mobile)
• About the MNP port-out fee (Rakuten Mobile FAQ)
• About initial contract cancellation (Rakuten Mobile)
• Rakuten Mobile Upgrade Program
• Welcome Back (Tadaima) campaign
• Switch from another carrier / new sign-up campaign
• Employee referral campaign
• K-tai Watch: “Rakuten Mobile to charge a fee for cancellation within 1 year even with actual usage” (March 2025 article)

Wrap-up

Early cancellation of Rakuten Mobile does not come with a hefty penalty. However, cancelling within 1 year costs a fee of up to 1,078 yen.

What is more likely to hit you are the conditions around campaign points and re-signing. If you are thinking of cancelling, first check whether all your points have arrived.

If you choose it with the intention of using it long-term, you should rarely need to worry about these fees. If you are thinking about cutting your phone bill, take a look.

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