Manage Obsidian

How to cancel obsidian sync and publish: a step-by-step guide for UAE users

What is obsidian and its paid services

Obsidian is a Markdown-based note-taking app that keeps your knowledge graph entirely under your control. Your notes live locally on your device, linked together in ways that reflect how your mind works. The free version gives you full access to the core editor and unlimited vaults, but Obsidian also offers two optional paid services: Obsidian Sync for encrypted cloud backup across devices, and Obsidian Publish to share selected notes publicly on the web.

The free tier versus paid subscriptions

Obsidian's free Personal plan includes the complete desktop and mobile app, local vault creation, plugin ecosystem, and all fundamental note-linking features. You pay nothing upfront. Paid services unlock remote synchronisation (Sync) and web publishing (Publish), each billed separately. If you signed up for either service, you can cancel whenever you want, and Stopee is here to walk you through the exact process.

Why people cancel obsidian subscriptions

Users typically cancel Sync because they prefer local-only storage, switched to a different sync method, or found the cost no longer justified their workflow. Publish cancellations often follow when a user stops maintaining their published site or decides to migrate to a different publishing platform. Understanding your reason helps you decide whether cancellation is truly what you need.

Your consumer rights in the united arab emirates

The UAE Federal Law No. 24 of 2006 on Consumer Protection guarantees your right to cancel subscriptions and receive refunds under specific circumstances. Obsidian's internal refund policy (7 days for web purchases) does not override your statutory consumer protections.

What UAE law says about refunds and cancellation

Under UAE consumer law, you have the right to cancel services within 14 calendar days of purchase if you acted at a distance (online). Digital services like Obsidian Sync and Publish fall squarely into this category. The law entitles you to a full refund if you exercise this right before the service has been fully delivered. Obsidian's 7-day refund window is actually shorter than your legal entitlement, so you have grounds to escalate if you exceed 7 days but remain within 14.

Escalation authority for unresolved disputes

If Obsidian refuses a refund you believe you are entitled to under UAE law, contact the General Authority for Consumer Protection (GACP) in Abu Dhabi. You can file a complaint at their official portal or via their consumer hotline. Document everything: your purchase date, cancellation request date, and any communication denying your refund. Stopee recommends keeping screenshots of your Obsidian account billing page and email confirmations as evidence.

Methods to cancel obsidian sync or publish

You have three straightforward ways to end your subscription: through your Obsidian web account, through the iOS App Store, or through Google Play on Android. Each route takes under 5 minutes.

Cancel online via your obsidian account (fastest method)

The web portal is the recommended route because you can request a refund at the same time, see your full invoice history, and confirm cancellation instantly. This is the method Stopee advises for most users in the UAE.

1. Go to https://obsidian.md/account and sign in with your email and password.
   • If you have forgotten your password, click "Forgot password?" and follow the recovery email link.
2. Navigate to the Billing section in your account menu.
   • You will see all your active subscriptions listed (Sync, Publish, or both).
3. Under Invoices and refunds, find the subscription you want to cancel.
   • Look for the most recent invoice row for that service.
4. Click View next to the invoice.
   • A detailed invoice page will open showing the charge date, amount in AED, and billing period.
5. If you are within the refund window (7 days for web purchases, or up to 14 days under UAE law), click Get refund.
   • A dialog will appear asking you to confirm the refund request.
6. Click Request refund and confirm.
   • You will see a confirmation message. Refunds typically process within 5 to 10 business days back to your original payment method.
7. Return to Billing and verify the subscription now shows as Cancelled or Inactive.
   • Your service will remain active until the end of the current billing period, then stop.

Pro tip: Screenshot the cancellation confirmation page. If you do not receive a refund within 10 business days, you have proof of when you requested it.

Cancel via iOS (App store)

If you subscribed through Apple's App Store on iPhone or iPad, you must cancel through Apple's own subscription management system. Apple handles the refund separately from Obsidian.

1. Open Settings on your iOS device.
   • Look for the grey gear icon on your home screen.
2. Tap Your Name at the top of the Settings screen.
   • You may need to scroll up to see this option.
3. Select Subscriptions.
   • You will see all active app subscriptions tied to your Apple ID.
4. Find and tap Obsidian in the list.
   • It will show your current plan (Sync or Publish) and renewal date.
5. Tap Cancel Subscription at the bottom.
   • Apple will ask for confirmation and show you the cancellation date.
6. Confirm cancellation.
   • Your subscription will end at the renewal date; you keep access until then.
7. For refunds, visit https://reportaproblem.apple.com and select Request a refund for the Obsidian charge.
   • Explain that you cancelled within the refund period. Apple reviews refund requests within 48 hours.

Warning: Apple's refund window is also 14 days, aligned with consumer law. If you are beyond 7 days but within 14, your request will likely succeed.

Cancel via android (Google play)

Android subscriptions are managed through Google Play. Google handles billing and refunds independently of Obsidian.

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
   • Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
2. Tap Manage your Google Account or navigate to Payments and subscriptions.
   • You may see a screen showing your payment methods and transaction history.
3. Select Subscriptions.
   • All active subscriptions will appear here.
4. Tap Obsidian - Connected Notes.
   • You will see your current plan and renewal date.
5. Tap Cancel Subscription at the bottom of the screen.
   • Google will display a confirmation screen with your cancellation details.
6. Confirm the cancellation.
   • Your access continues until the end of the current billing cycle.
7. For refunds, go to https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/2479637 and submit a refund request.
   • Select the Obsidian charge and explain that you cancelled within the eligible period.

Pro tip: Google allows refunds up to 48 hours after purchase, but you can still contest charges beyond that window if you cancelled within the statutory 14-day period.

Understanding obsidian pricing and billing cycles

Knowing what you are paying for helps you decide whether cancellation makes sense. Below is the current pricing in AED (UAE currency) for all Obsidian plans.

Obsidian subscription plans in AED

Prices are converted from USD using approximately AED 3.67 per USD. Official App Store and Google Play pricing may vary slightly by region and include local taxes.

Why annual plans save you money

If you choose the annual billing option for Sync, you pay AED 14.67 per month (AED 176 annually), compared to AED 18.35 per month on a monthly plan. That is AED 44 in annual savings. However, if you cancel mid-cycle, you are typically refunded on a prorated basis for unused time, so do not let this deter you from cancelling if the service no longer serves you.

Refund eligibility and obsidian's refund policy

Obsidian offers refunds under specific conditions. Understanding these limits helps you act quickly if you change your mind.

When you can get a full refund

Obsidian grants a full, no-questions-asked refund if you request it within 7 days of purchase via the web billing portal. This applies to Sync and Publish subscriptions bought directly through obsidian.md/account. After 7 days, refunds are not guaranteed, but your UAE consumer rights extend the window to 14 days, giving you additional leverage if Obsidian initially refuses.

Non-refundable items and exceptions

• Catalyst licenses: The supporter tier (one-time purchase) is explicitly non-refundable.
• Commercial licenses: Business use of Obsidian requires a separate license and is not refundable.
• Obsidian Credit: Account credit purchased for app store add-ons cannot be refunded.
• After 7 days: You may still qualify for a refund under UAE law if you act within 14 days of purchase, especially if the service did not meet your expectations or you were not fully informed of its scope.

Data deletion when you cancel

This is crucial: your local vault files (notes saved on your device) are never deleted when you cancel a subscription. They remain entirely yours and accessible offline. However, if you subscribed to Sync, cancelling will eventually stop synchronization across your devices. Remote vault copies may be deleted after a retention period (usually 30 days), so download a backup of any remote data you want to keep before requesting a refund. Similarly, if you cancel Publish, your published website will go offline.

Warning: Requesting a refund for a Sync or Publish subscription will trigger deletion of remote data once the refund processes. Back up anything you need beforehand.

What happens immediately after you cancel

Cancellation does not cut off access instantly. Here is the timeline and what to expect.

Access during the remaining billing period

When you cancel, Obsidian keeps your subscription active until the current billing period ends. For example, if you are on a monthly plan and cancel on the 15th, you retain full access to Sync or Publish until the end of that month. You will not be charged again after the current period closes. This grace period gives you time to migrate your data or decide if you want to reactivate before losing access.

Automatic renewal stops immediately

Even though your service remains active, your subscription will not renew. Automatic payments cease the moment you confirm cancellation, so you will not wake up to an unexpected charge next month.

Refund processing time

If you requested a refund during cancellation, expect the refund to appear in your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days. Credit card refunds typically show as a credit on your next statement. Bank transfer refunds may take slightly longer. Stopee recommends checking your payment method's transaction history rather than your email, as refund notifications are sometimes delayed.

Common mistakes when cancelling obsidian

Cancelling a digital service can feel overwhelming, especially when you want to ensure you do not lose data or miss a refund opportunity. Here are the pitfalls we see most often.

Confusing mobile and web cancellations

Many users forget that if they subscribed via the App Store or Google Play, they must cancel through those platforms, not the Obsidian website. Cancelling through the web while your App Store subscription remains active means you will still be charged by Apple or Google. Always verify where you originally subscribed by checking your payment history.

Missing the refund window

The 7-day refund window starts from your purchase date, not the activation date. If you buy Sync on a Monday, you have until the following Sunday to request a refund through the web billing portal. After that, your refund request may be denied-unless you invoke your 14-day UAE consumer right, which resets the clock.

Not backing up before cancelling sync

Forgetting to export or back up your synced vault before cancelling Sync can result in permanent data loss if you later delete local copies. Always download a backup of any important notes from your remote vaults before you hit the refund button.

Cancelling publish without saving your published notes

If you cancel Publish, your published website disappears. Before cancelling, save or archive any published content locally or to an alternative platform so you do not lose the work you shared publicly.

Delaying cancellation hoping for a better deal

Obsidian rarely offers discounts or extended refund windows for hesitant subscribers. If you know you want to cancel, do it within the refund window rather than waiting. Stopee has seen too many users miss refund deadlines by procrastinating.

Checklist before you submit your cancellation

Use this checklist to ensure you do not overlook anything important.

• Identify where you subscribed: Obsidian.md website, iOS App Store, or Google Play.
• Check your current billing cycle end date and remaining balance.
• If cancelling Sync, export or back up any synced vault data to your device or cloud storage.
• If cancelling Publish, download copies of any published notes or articles.
• Note your purchase date to confirm you are within the 7-day (or 14-day UAE) refund window.
• Log in to your account and navigate to the correct cancellation portal for your subscription method.
• Take a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation for your records.
• Confirm that automatic renewal is disabled and no future charges will occur.
• If requesting a refund, note the date you requested it and allow 10 business days for processing.

Obsidian plans comparison: should you cancel, downgrade, or stay

Sometimes cancellation is not the answer. Here is a quick comparison to help you decide if staying, downgrading, or cancelling truly makes sense for your workflow.

Your next step: cancellation address and support contact

If you have followed the steps above and successfully cancelled your Obsidian subscription, congratulations-you have taken control of your digital spending. If you encounter any issues, here is where to reach out.

Direct contact for cancellation support

Obsidian official support: Visit https://obsidian.md/account and use the help or support link in the account settings menu. Email support is available for complex refund disputes.

Apple App Store refund support: https://reportaproblem.apple.com (for iOS subscriptions)

Google Play refund support: https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/2479637 (for Android subscriptions)

UAE consumer protection authority: General Authority for Consumer Protection (GACP), Abu Dhabi. File a complaint at their official portal if Obsidian refuses a refund you are entitled to under UAE law.

Keep records of everything

Save your cancellation confirmation email, screenshots of the refund request, and a copy of your last invoice. If a dispute arises, these documents prove your entitlement and timing.

Cancelling a subscription should be as easy as signing up for one. Unfortunately, many companies make the process deliberately opaque. That is where Stopee comes in. Our guides exist because consumers deserve clarity and control. Whether you cancelled Obsidian because your workflow evolved, your budget shifted, or you simply found a better fit, Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel their subscriptions with confidence and reclaim refunds they did not know they were entitled to. If you need help cancelling any other service, visit stopee.com and let us guide you through the process. Your digital life is yours to manage.