Last verified April 2026

How to cancel ADT monitoring (2026 guide).

ADT's monitoring rate jumps from $28.99 in year one to $55.99 in year two. The trap is the contract structure: a 24 to 36-month commitment with a 75% early-termination fee for unfinished months. Cancel timing and the loyalty-line script are the levers.

ADT Safewatch monitoring at a glance

Year 1 promo	$28.99/mo
Year 2+ rack	$55.99/mo
Multiplier	1.9x
Typical contract length	24 to 36 months
ETF formula	75% of remaining months

Sources: ADT.com promotional plan listing; ADT.com standard monitoring rate; ADT residential customer agreement, verified April 2026.

Step one: calculate the early-termination fee

Before you call ADT, work out what cancellation costs. The formula is in your contract under the early-termination clause and is consistently 75% of the remaining monthly fees on the unfinished term.

ETF = monthly_rate × months_remaining × 0.75

Example: 36-month contract at $28.99/mo, cancel at month 24
ETF = $28.99 × 12 × 0.75 = $260.91

Compare the ETF against the savings from switching. Ring Alarm Pro at $20 per month vs ADT at $55.99 saves $35.99 per month, so the $260.91 ETF break-even is about 7.3 months. After that, switching is net cheaper.

The loyalty-line phone script

Call 1-800-521-1734 at least 60 days before the renewal anniversary, before the auto-renewal notice arrives. The conversation route changes depending on whether you are mid-contract or at the renewal boundary.

Opening (at renewal boundary):
"Hi, I'm a current customer at $28.99 a month. I'm calling because my monitoring rate is set to jump to $55.99 and I'm comparing alternatives. What's the current new-customer rate you can offer me to stay?"

If mid-contract:
"I'd like to discuss either the cancellation terms or whether we can adjust the monthly rate ahead of my anniversary."

Expected outcome:
- Renewal boundary: ADT will typically extend the promotional $28.99 rate for another 12 months in exchange for a contract extension. Decide whether the new commitment is worth it.
- Mid-contract: ADT rarely reduces the rate mid-term but will note the file. The real lever is the contract anniversary.

Confirmation: ask for any rate change in writing, by email, with the new contract terms.

Written cancellation notice

Most ADT contracts require written cancellation notice 30 to 60 days before the renewal anniversary. Phone cancellation alone is often not sufficient under the contract terms. Send certified mail with return receipt to the customer service address on your contract.

Use template B (certified letter cancellation) on our cancel-and-resign page. Cite the contract section that requires written notice. Keep the certified-mail return receipt as proof.

Equipment return

Some ADT contracts require return of the monitoring hardware (control panel, sensors, keypads); others let you keep it as customer-owned equipment. The provision is in the equipment-ownership clause of your specific contract. Confirm during the cancellation call. If return is required, ADT typically provides a prepaid shipping label and a deadline of approximately 30 days from the cancellation date. Failure to return triggers an equipment-charge invoice.

No-contract alternatives

Ring Alarm Pro offers professional monitoring at approximately $20 per month with no multi-year contract. Hardware is one-time purchase (typical kit $250 to $400). Cellular and battery backup are included with Ring Alarm Pro.

SimpliSafe offers interactive monitoring at $29.99 per month, also no contract. Hardware is one-time purchase. Self-monitoring (just SMS alerts, no dispatch) is $9.99 per month.

Total cost of ownership over 36 months: ADT Safewatch at average $42.49 per month (year 1 promo plus year 2-3 rack) = $1,529.64. Ring Alarm Pro hardware ($300) plus 36 x $20 = $1,020. Net savings: approximately $510 over three years, plus no contract lock-in.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ADT cancellation phone number?

1-800-521-1734. Open the conversation before the renewal anniversary, ideally with 60 days notice. Most contracts also require written notice; phone alone may not satisfy the cancellation clause.

How much is the ADT early-termination fee?

75% of remaining monthly fees on the unfinished contract. Example: 12 months remaining at $28.99 = $260.91 ETF. Calculate this before deciding whether to switch.

Do I need to return the ADT equipment?

Depends on the contract. Some require return (with a prepaid label and approximately 30-day deadline); some permit you to keep the hardware. Confirm during the cancellation call.

What are the no-contract alternatives to ADT?

Ring Alarm Pro ($20 per month professional monitoring) and SimpliSafe ($29.99 per month interactive monitoring). Both use customer-owned hardware with one-time purchase and no multi-year commitment.