Trying to cancel

The Guardian

? Avoid the runaround.

You can cancel The Guardian subscriptions and recurring support payments. The exact outcome depends on what you’re paying for (digital subscription, Guardian Weekly, or recurring contribution) and when you cancel.

What you can cancel

• The Guardian digital subscription (including app-based subscriptions)
• Guardian Weekly (print magazine subscription)
• Recurring contributions / memberships (regular payments to support The Guardian)

Key eligibility rules to know

• 14-day cooling-off period (new subscriptions): If you cancel within the first 14 days of starting a new subscription, you can usually end it immediately and request a full refund (processed back to the original payment method).
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• Cancel anytime after 14 days: You can still cancel at any time, but your cancellation typically takes effect at the end of your current billing period (monthly or annual). In most cases, you won’t receive a pro-rata refund for unused time after the first 14 days.
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• Auto-renewal: Most Guardian subscriptions renew automatically. If you don’t cancel before your next billing date, you may be charged again.
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• Annual plans: If you’re on an annual subscription, you’re generally cancelling the next renewal (you keep access until the end of the paid year unless you’re within the 14-day window or another refund exception applies).
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• Price or terms changes: If The Guardian notifies you of a price increase or material change to subscription terms, you may have the right to cancel before the change takes effect. In some situations, that can mean a refund for the unused portion (especially if the change is Guardian-initiated and you cancel because of it).
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• Subscribed via Apple / Google: If you started your subscription through the Apple App Store or Google Play, cancellation is often controlled by Apple/Google. You’ll usually need to cancel inside your Apple/Google subscription settings to stop renewal.

How to Cancel a Service or Subscription (Rich Text)
To cancel smoothly, your goal is simple: submit a clear cancellation request, get confirmation, and stop the next renewal charge.

Step 1: Identify how you signed up

Before you cancel, quickly check:

• Did you subscribe through The Guardian website (Manage My Account)?
• Or through Apple App Store / Google Play?
• Is it Guardian Weekly (print), a digital subscription, or a recurring contribution?

Step 2: Try Manage My Account first (website subscriptions & contributions)

1. Log in to The Guardian “Manage My Account” portal.
2. Go to your subscription/contribution/membership area.
3. Look for a cancellation option such as “Cancel Support” or cancellation instructions.

If you can’t find a cancel button, don’t stress. Proceed to Step 3.

Step 3: Cancel via Customer Service (fastest if you don’t see a cancel button)

If you’re being directed to contact support, use one of these:

• Live chat (often quickest during business hours)
• Email (best if you want a written record)
• Phone (quick if you prefer real-time confirmation)

Step 4: If you subscribed via Apple or Google, cancel in the app store

• Apple App Store: Cancel inside your Apple ID subscriptions.
• Google Play: Cancel inside your Google Play subscriptions.

This is important because even if you contact The Guardian, Apple/Google may still renew the payment unless you cancel through the platform.

Step 5: Get confirmation (don’t skip this)

Whether you cancel online, by email, chat, or phone:

• Ask for written confirmation
• Save it (email screenshot is fine)
• Check your bank statement after your next expected billing date to make sure the renewal stopped

Cancellation timing is where most accidental charges happen. Here’s how to avoid that.

The main deadline: cancel before your next billing date

• If you’re on a monthly plan, cancel at least 24–48 hours before your renewal date to avoid an automated charge.
• If you’re on an annual plan, cancel before the renewal date (ideally a few days early) so it doesn’t roll over for another year.

The 14-day window (refund + immediate stop)

If you’re within 14 days of starting, this is your best-case scenario:

• You can cancel immediately
• You can request a full refund (usually processed within around 14 days)

End-of-billing-period cancellations (most common)

If you cancel after the first 14 days:

• You typically keep access until the end of the current paid period
• The cancellation stops the next renewal
• You generally won’t receive a refund for unused days/months

Changes to pricing or terms

If The Guardian notifies you of:

• a price increase, or
• a change to subscription benefits/terms

That notice period is your decision window. If you cancel before the change takes effect, you can avoid the new pricing and may be eligible for an unused-portion refund depending on the scenario and subscription type.

The Guardian generally does not charge a “cancellation fee” for ending subscriptions, Guardian Weekly, or recurring contributions.

What you should expect instead is one of these outcomes:

Digital subscription (monthly)

• No cancellation fee
• If you cancel mid-month, you’ll usually keep access until the end of that billing period
• You won’t be charged again if you cancelled before renewal

Digital subscription (annual)

• No cancellation fee
• You typically won’t get a pro-rata refund after the first 14 days
• Your access continues until the annual period ends, and renewal stops

Guardian Weekly (print)

• No cancellation fee
• If you cancel after the 14-day window, you’ll usually receive the remaining issues in your paid term (or access until term end), rather than a cash refund

Recurring contribution (donation/support)

• No cancellation fee
• Cancelling stops the next scheduled payment (as long as you cancel before the next charge)

Watch-out: The most common “extra charge” isn’t a fee, it’s an auto-renewal that processed before cancellation was applied. If that happens, contact support immediately and reference your cancellation request/confirmation.