Canceling ADT can be a frustrating process, known for long hold times and aggressive retention tactics. To cancel, you must call their customer retention department at 1-800-238-2727.
To cancel your ADT contract without paying the Early Termination Fee (ETF), use the following strategies:
Canceling ADT is notoriously difficult because the company enforces strict, multi-year contracts, charges steep early termination fees, and requires you to navigate a persistent customer retention team by phone.
You can cancel your ADT contract at any time, but if you are still within your 36-month (or 24-month in California) initial agreement, you may be charged an early termination fee of roughly 75% of your remaining balance.
If you break your ADT service agreement early, you will be required to pay an Early Termination Fee (ETF) equal to 75% of your total remaining monthly charges, due immediately. Typical ADT residential contracts last 36 months (or 24 months in California).
ADT is currently facing multiple lawsuits and investigations, including a recent May 2026 proposed class action alleging a massive cyberattack compromised the personal data of over 10 million individuals. Several other prominent, ongoing, and past actions span consumer protection, privacy, and billing issues:
The standard ADT professionally installed system requires a 36-month monitoring contract (24 months in California). ADT Self-Setup options, however, usually operate on a month-to-month basis.
When you cancel your ADT subscription, you won't lose your physical hardware, but you will lose access to professional monitoring and most smart app features. What exactly happens depends on your hardware, your contract, and how you decide to proceed.
Do I have to cancel my existing contract when I move? In most cases, yes. ADT monitoring contracts are typically tied to the location of the home being monitored. However, there are certain exceptions.
Fees for Early Termination With ADT
You won't be on the hook for the balance of your contract, but you will have to pay 75 percent of what the remainder would be, due in full upon the termination date. That includes monitoring and equipment fees, which adds up quickly.
Call ADT at 800-238-2727 during standard business hours. Most cancellations take 10–15 minutes by phone. Have your account details ready — account number, address, and the name on the contract. Ask about your early termination fee before confirming anything.
Yes, ADT calls the police, but not always immediately. To prevent false alarm fines, ADT follows a verification process before dispatching local authorities:
You can unplug your ADT system, but simply pulling the plug won't instantly shut it off. Because of built-in security features, the system has a backup battery that will keep running, and it will likely trigger beeping alerts.
If you're canceling ADT because of high monthly fees or long contracts, you're not alone. Many people switch to home security systems with no contracts, lower monthly costs, and easier setup. Fortunately, it's easy to find top-rated home security systems that don't require long-term commitments.
Pro install starts at $45.99 per month. †Requires system purchase and pro monitoring plan (one month minimum) w/ADT Self Setup starting at $34.99 OR pro install w/36-month monitoring contract starting at $56.99/mo.
Yes, there are several class action lawsuits pending against ADT, most notably a major proposed class action filed in May 2026 (James v. ADT Inc.) regarding a massive cyberattack that exposed the personal information of over 10 million individuals.
To get out of an ADT contract early, you can take advantage of their 6-month money-back guarantee, pay the early termination fee (which is up to 75% of your remaining balance), or have a competing provider like Vivint pay off your contract.
6-Month Service Guarantee - Refunds the installation price and pays all monitoring fees if, after we have attempted to resolve your concerns, you are not satisfied within six months of installation.
Luckily, there are some solid alternatives out there if ADT isn't the system for you. Check out our picks: SimpliSafe, Cove, and Vivint. All let you arm and disarm your system remotely, with great customer service and few false alarms.
Yes, your ADT alarm equipment will generally still function as a local alarm and sound the siren if tripped. However, it will no longer contact the monitoring center or police, and smart features (such as the mobile app) will cease to work.
You cannot directly integrate Blink cameras into the ADT app or security panel. However, you can use both systems simultaneously in the same home, operating them as two separate systems, or connect them using third-party automation platforms like IFTTT.
ADT charges an early termination fee (ETF) equal to 75% of your total remaining monthly contract charges if you cancel before your initial 24-month (California) or 36-month (most other states) commitment ends. Once your initial agreement is fulfilled, the service rolls over to a month-to-month basis with no cancellation fee.
Extra fees, taxes, and surcharges
Fees and taxes are the most common hidden fees in your ADT bill. Every month there are mandatory taxes and fees based on federal law, the state in which you live, and any local ordinance. The amount will depend on your service location.
On average, burglar alarm servicing costs can range from £80 to £500 per year, depending on the type of service contract and additional features chosen.