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ApsaraDB RDS:Switch from pay-as-you-go to subscription

Last Updated:Mar 01, 2026

You can change the billing method of an ApsaraDB RDS for SQL Server instance from pay-as-you-go to subscription based on your business requirements.

This billing method change does not affect the workloads on your RDS instance. The instance runs as expected during the switch.

Prerequisites

  • The RDS instance uses the Pay-As-You-Go billing method. You cannot change the billing method of serverless RDS instances from pay-as-you-go to subscription. Serverless RDS instances are billed based on RDS Capacity Units (RCUs). For more information, see Overview.

  • The RDS instance is in the Running state.

  • The RDS instance does not have an unpaid subscription order.

  • The RDS instance does not use a phased-out instance type. If it does, you must change the instance type before you change the billing method.

Impact

This operation does not affect the running instance.

Usage notes

If the RDS instance has an unpaid subscription order, the order becomes invalid when you change the instance type. You must cancel the order on the Billing Management page and then change the billing method of the instance to subscription.

Procedure

  1. Log on to the RDS console. In the navigation pane on the left, click Instances. In the top navigation bar, select a region.

  2. Find the target instance and go to the Convert to Subscription page in one of the following ways:

    • In the Billing Method column, click Convert to Subscription.

    • Click the instance ID. In the Running Status section, click Convert to Subscription next to Billing Method.

  3. Select a Subscription Duration and click Confirm Order.

    Note

    The system generates an order for the conversion. If this order remains unpaid or is canceled, you cannot purchase new instances or convert the billing method of other instances. Go to the Order Management page to pay for or cancel the order.

Related API operations

You can call the TransformDBInstancePayType API operation to change the billing method of an RDS instance programmatically.