---
id: licensing-payments.how-do-i-switch-plans
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/licensing-payments/how-do-i-switch-plans
category: "Licensing & payments"
subcategory: "Managing your subscription"
question: "How do I switch from Monthly to Annual or Lifetime?"
alt_questions:
  - "change storage studio plan"
  - "upgrade to lifetime"
  - "switch to annual billing"
  - "move from monthly to yearly"
  - "downgrade plan"
short_answer: "Cancel in the billing portal, let the current period run out, then buy and activate the new plan. Unused time isn't prorated, so switching at period end is best."
tags: ["plans", "subscription", "upgrade"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/licensing-payments/how-do-i-cancel-my-subscription", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/licensing-payments/which-plan-should-i-choose"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# How do I switch from Monthly to Annual or Lifetime?

Plan changes happen at the end of your current billing period. Cancel your current subscription in the billing portal (**Manage Subscription**), let the paid period run out, then buy the new plan and activate it.

The unused part of a cancelled period isn't prorated or refunded, which is why waiting for the period to end gets you full value.