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How to cancel your readly subscription in canada (and protect your wallet)

What is readly and why you might want to cancel

Readly is a digital magazine subscription service that unlocks unlimited access to thousands of magazines and newspapers through a web platform and mobile apps. You can read titles online instantly or download them for offline reading on your device. Subscribers in Canada typically pay between $9.99 and $15.49 per month depending on where they signed up (website, App Store, or Google Play).

You might be considering cancellation for several reasons: the free trial is ending, you're not reading enough to justify the monthly cost, you've found a cheaper alternative, or you simply want to pause your digital magazine habit. Whatever your reason, Stopee is here to walk you through the exact steps to cancel without traps or confusion.

Why readly cancellations matter

Readly relies on automatic renewal, which means your subscription will charge you every month unless you actively cancel. Many subscribers forget to cancel after the free trial ends or simply lose track of the subscription. That's why understanding your cancellation options upfront is critical. You deserve control over your money.

Readly pricing in canada

Here's what Readly costs across different platforms in Canada, so you can see exactly what you're paying and whether cancellation makes sense for your budget.

Pro tip: The cheapest way to subscribe to Readly is through the main website at $9.99/month. App Store subscriptions cost up to $5.50 more per month because Apple and Google take a commission. If you're currently paying $15.49 on iOS, you could save $67.20 annually by switching to the website subscription.

Hidden costs and automatic renewal traps

Readly's auto-renewal happens silently every 30 days. You won't receive a payment reminder before each charge, so it's easy to lose track. Additionally, if you subscribed during a promotional offer (like one month free), the full price kicks in once the offer ends. Write down your renewal date or set a phone reminder 3 days before it arrives so you have time to cancel without paying the next month.

How to cancel readly across all platforms

Your cancellation method depends on where you subscribed. Stopee recommends using the website method whenever possible because it's fastest and leaves you with the clearest confirmation email for your records. Below are all five methods, ranked by ease.

Method 1: cancel via the readly website (fastest and recommended)

This is the best way to cancel because you get an instant on-screen confirmation and an email receipt that you can save as proof. Most people can complete this in under 2 minutes.

1. Open your web browser and navigate to ca.readly.com
2. Click the login button and enter your email address and password
   • If you've forgotten your password, click "Forgot password" and reset it before proceeding
3. Once logged in, look for your profile menu (usually a gear icon or "Account" button in the top-right corner)
4. Select "Subscriptions" or "Manage subscription" from the menu
5. Find your active Readly subscription in the list
6. Click the "Cancel subscription" button next to it
7. You'll see a confirmation screen asking why you're cancelling (optional feedback)
   • You can fill this out or skip it
8. Click the final confirmation button to complete the cancellation
9. You'll see a message confirming your cancellation is complete
   • Warning: Take a screenshot of this screen or note the confirmation code shown
10. Check your email inbox (and spam folder) for a confirmation email from Readly within 5 minutes
    • Save this email permanently as proof of cancellation

What happens next: Your access continues until the end of your current billing cycle. You will not be charged again.

Method 2: cancel via apple app store (iOS)

If you subscribed through the iOS app, Apple manages your billing. You must cancel through your Apple account, not through Readly directly.

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app
2. Tap your name at the top of the screen
3. Select "Subscriptions"
4. Find "Readly" in the list of active subscriptions
5. Tap on it
6. Tap the "Cancel Subscription" button
   • Apple will ask you to confirm why you're cancelling (feedback only)
7. Confirm the cancellation when prompted

Alternatively, you can cancel via the App Store app itself:

1. Open the App Store app on your device
2. Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner
3. Select "Subscriptions"
4. Find Readly and tap "Manage"
5. Tap "Cancel Subscription"

Pro tip: Apple will email you a cancellation confirmation. Check your email (including spam) and save it.

Method 3: cancel via google play (Android)

Google Play handles billing for Android subscriptions. You cancel through your Google account.

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device
2. Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner
3. Select "Manage subscriptions" or "Payments and subscriptions"
4. Look for "Readly" in your active subscriptions
5. Tap on it
6. Select "Cancel subscription"
7. Follow any on-screen prompts to confirm

Warning: Google Play may ask if you want to keep the subscription (this is a dark pattern to discourage cancellation). Stay firm and select "Cancel" again.

Method 4: cancel via amazon appstore

If you access Readly through Amazon, cancel through your Amazon account.

1. Open the Amazon Appstore app on your device or visit Amazon.com
2. Navigate to "Your Account" or "Your Apps and Games"
3. Find "Subscriptions" or "Manage Subscriptions"
4. Locate Readly in your active subscriptions
5. Select "Cancel" or "Manage"
6. Confirm the cancellation

Method 5: cancel if you subscribed through a partner (telecom, corporate, bundle)

If Readly came as part of a package deal with your phone plan, internet provider, or employer, you must cancel through that partner, not through Readly directly.

1. Identify which partner provides your Readly access (check your original signup email or invoice)
2. Log into that company's website or customer portal
   • For telecom providers, this is usually your account management page
   • For corporate plans, contact your HR or benefits administrator
3. Look for "Subscriptions," "Add-ons," "Services," or "Manage add-ons"
4. Find Readly in the list
5. Select "Remove," "Cancel," or "Downgrade"
6. Confirm the change
7. Save your confirmation

Pro tip: Write down the name of the partner company and the date you cancel. If you're charged again, you'll have this information ready to dispute the charge.

What happens immediately after you cancel

Cancellation can feel uncertain, so here's exactly what occurs in the hours and days following your request. Your access remains active until your paid billing period ends, and you can still read your full library of magazines without interruption. The moment your billing cycle ends, your access terminates, and you'll see a prompt to subscribe again if you try to open the app.

Readly keeps your account data and reading history in its systems according to its privacy policy. If you want your personal data deleted after cancellation, you can request account deletion by contacting Readly support directly through the website. This request is separate from subscription cancellation.

Your access timeline after cancelling

Understanding your exact access window prevents the frustration of losing access unexpectedly.

• Day of cancellation: Your subscription is cancelled, but you retain full access for the remainder of the billing period
• Days 1-30 (or to end of cycle): You can read and download any magazine without restriction
• Last day of billing cycle: You lose access at midnight. The Readly app may display an error or subscription prompt
• After expiration: You cannot access content unless you resubscribe

If you want to resubscribe later, you can sign back in at any time. Readly may offer you a discount or free trial to win you back.

Will you get a refund after cancelling

This is the question every subscriber asks, and the answer requires honesty: Readly's refund policy is restrictive. The company states clearly that there are no refunds for unused portions of a subscription once you cancel. This means if you cancel on day 5 of a 30-day billing cycle, you forfeit the remaining 25 days of access. You keep your access until the end of the period, but you receive no money back.

Readly justifies this by citing a "no right of withdrawal" clause for immediately delivered digital services. Under this logic, once you've accessed even one article, the service has been delivered, and no refund applies. This is a standard industry practice for digital subscriptions, but it doesn't mean you're without options.

When you might be able to get a refund

There are specific circumstances where refunds are possible, and knowing these protects your consumer rights.

• Subscription through Apple App Store: Apple allows refund requests for in-app purchases within 14 days. Open the App Store app, go to "Purchase History," find Readly, and select "Report a Problem." Explain your situation, and Apple will review your request. Success is not guaranteed but is more likely if you cancel early in your billing cycle.
• Subscription through Google Play: Google Play offers a similar 48-hour refund window for app subscriptions. Go to "Manage Subscriptions," tap Readly, and select "Request refund." Google reviews the request, but approval depends on your account history.
• Subscription through Amazon Appstore: Amazon has its own refund policies. Contact Amazon customer service directly if you believe you deserve a refund.
• Unauthorized or fraudulent charge: If your payment method was used without permission, contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to dispute the charge. They can freeze or reverse it regardless of Readly's refund policy.
• Billing error or duplicate charge: If Readly charged you twice in one month or charged you after you cancelled, contact Readly support with your cancellation confirmation email and payment receipts. They may issue a one-time courtesy refund.

Pro tip: If you cancel and later regret it, you have a small window (usually 14 days) to ask for a refund depending on your platform. Request it immediately while your claim is fresh.

Your consumer rights under canadian law

Canada's federal and provincial consumer protection laws give you rights that sometimes override Readly's terms and conditions. Understanding these rights empowers you to push back if the company tries to overcharge or mislead you.

Federal consumer protection requirements

The Competition Act (federal) and provincial consumer protection statutes require that:

• All auto-renewal terms must be disclosed clearly before you subscribe
• You must give explicit, informed consent to auto-renewal
• Cancellation must be as easy as the subscription process itself (if you subscribe in one click, you must be able to cancel in one click)
• You must receive confirmation of cancellation
• The company must not use dark patterns (confusing layouts, hidden buttons, or unclear language) to trap you into continuing

If Readly fails to meet these standards, you have grounds to dispute charges or escalate to your provincial consumer protection authority.

Provincial cooling-off periods and withdrawal rights

Some Canadian provinces offer a "cooling-off" period (typically 14 days) for purchases made remotely. However, this right is often limited for digital services that are immediately delivered. That said, if Readly's terms failed to clearly disclose the auto-renewal policy or the difficulty of cancellation, you may argue that the cooling-off period applies. Contact your provincial consumer protection office if Readly refuses to refund a recent charge.

Your escalation path if readly refuses to cooperate

If you cancel and Readly continues to charge you, or if the company refuses to acknowledge your cancellation, take these steps:

1. Send a formal email to Readly support with your cancellation confirmation and a screenshot of your current billing status
   • Keep a copy for your records
2. If Readly doesn't respond within 10 business days, file a complaint with your provincial consumer protection authority
   • In Ontario: Ontario Ministry of Public and Business Services (Dispute Resolution Helpline)
   • In British Columbia: Consumer Protection BC
   • In Alberta: Fair Trading Act enforcement
   • Other provinces have similar offices
3. Report the charge to your bank or credit card company as an unauthorized recurring charge

You can also contact Stopee, where our consumer advocates help subscribers document disputes and escalate complaints to the right authorities. We've helped thousands of Canadians recover illegitimate charges from subscription services.

Common cancellation mistakes to avoid

Cancellation feels straightforward, but small errors can leave you paying for months after you think you've quit. Here's what trips up most people, and how to sidestep every trap.

Mistake 1: cancelling the app instead of the subscription

Many subscribers delete the Readly app from their phone and assume they've cancelled. They haven't. Deleting an app stops you from reading but does not stop the company from charging you. The subscription continues silently on your payment method. Your billing cycle only ends if you cancel through Readly, your app store, or your payment provider.

Mistake 2: not saving your cancellation confirmation

You must keep proof that you cancelled. Screenshot the on-screen confirmation, save the email, or note the confirmation number. If Readly claims you never cancelled and charges you again, this proof is your leverage to recover the money. Many disputes are resolved in the customer's favour simply because they have documented evidence.

Mistake 3: confusing multiple subscriptions

If you signed up for Readly on your iPhone, then later subscribed again on the website, you now have two active subscriptions. You must cancel both independently. Log into both accounts and check your billing to confirm you've cancelled everywhere. Stopee recommends checking all three places: your credit card statement, your Readly account, and your app store accounts (Apple, Google, Amazon) to confirm zero active subscriptions.

Mistake 4: cancelling a few days before your renewal and assuming you're safe

Some renewal systems have a small delay. If you cancel on day 28 of a 30-day cycle, Readly might still charge you on day 30 before processing your cancellation. The charge will likely be reversed, but it's stressful. Cancel earlier in your cycle when possible, and monitor your payment method for 3 days after cancellation to confirm no charge appears.

Mistake 5: trusting a "pause" button that isn't real

Some subscription apps offer a "pause for 3 months" feature. This is not the same as cancellation. The subscription remains active and will resume automatically unless you cancel it. If you want to pause Readly, you should cancel instead.

After cancellation: your follow-up checklist

Use this checklist to confirm your cancellation is complete and to protect yourself from unwanted future charges.

• Day of cancellation:
  • Take a screenshot of the on-screen confirmation
  • Save the confirmation email from Readly
  • Write down the date and time you cancelled
• 24 hours after cancellation:
  • Try logging back into your Readly account to confirm access is still active (it should be)
  • Verify that your payment method (credit card, PayPal) shows no pending charges from Readly
• 7 days after cancellation:
  • Check your credit card statement or payment provider to confirm the last charge was from your billing date, not a new charge
• On your renewal date (end of billing cycle):
  • Try opening the Readly app to confirm you no longer have access (you should see a login prompt or subscription request)
  • Verify no new charge appears on your payment method
• 30 days after cancellation:
  • Check your email for any unexpected Readly communications about reactivation
  • If you are charged after your cancellation date, contact Readly support immediately with your cancellation confirmation

Should you cancel readly

Not every subscriber should cancel. Here's an honest comparison to help you decide.

Reasons to keep your readly subscription

• You read more than 4-5 magazines per month (the breakeven point for value)
• Your subscription is bundled with a telecom or media package and adds no extra cost
• You travel frequently and enjoy offline magazine access
• You love a specific magazine category and Readly has the best selection (e.g., tech, home design)
• You prefer digital reading and have eliminated print magazine subscriptions

Reasons to cancel readly

• You rarely open the app (fewer than 2 magazines per month)
• Your free trial is ending and the full price doesn't fit your budget
• You've found a cheaper alternative (library apps, single magazine subscriptions, or free news outlets)
• You have too many streaming and subscription services and want to cut costs
• You prefer print magazines or reading on specific platforms (Kindle, Flipboard)
• You're testing the service and realized it's not for you

Getting help after you cancel

Stopee has helped thousands of Canadian consumers cancel subscriptions and recover wrongful charges. If Readly continues to charge you after cancellation, or if you believe your refund request was unjustly denied, we can guide you through dispute resolution and escalation to consumer protection authorities.

You can also contact Readly support directly through the website if you have questions about your cancellation or need to request account deletion. They typically respond within 48 hours.

The bottom line: you have the right to cancel, the right to clear confirmation, and the right to challenge any charges that follow. Stopee (stopee.com) is your trusted partner in taking back control of your subscriptions.

Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions, recover wrongful charges, and navigate the dark patterns that companies use to trap you. If you need support, our resource centre and specialist guides are always available to walk you through every step of cancellation and dispute resolution.