Manage Substack

How to cancel your substack subscription and keep your saved content safe

What substack is and why you might want to leave

Substack is a publishing platform that lets writers build newsletters with paid subscription options. Creators set their own prices and manage their publications entirely; Substack handles the billing, email delivery, and discovery tools. You subscribe to individual newsletters written by creators you follow, and you pay the price they set-which ranges widely depending on the publication.

Whether you're cancelling because you've found a cheaper alternative, discovered the content no longer matches your interests, or simply need to trim your subscription costs, Stopee is here to walk you through every step. We know cancellation can feel unnecessarily complicated, so we've built this guide to make sure you understand your options and your rights before you click that final button.

When cancellation makes sense

You might choose to cancel if the creator stops publishing regularly, if you're no longer reading the emails, or if the subscription price has increased beyond what you're willing to pay. Some readers cancel annual subscriptions partway through and want to know whether they can get their money back. Others simply want to test a free subscription instead. Whatever your reason, cancelling should be straightforward-and at Stopee, we'll make sure it is.

Substack pricing in canada and what you're paying for

Substack subscriptions are creator-controlled, which means prices vary widely across publications.

When you subscribe through the Substack website, you pay Substack directly. When you subscribe through the Apple App Store on your iPhone or iPad, Apple handles the payment and takes a commission. This distinction matters when you cancel and chase a refund.

Your consumer rights in canada before you cancel

Canadian consumer protection laws give you rights that Substack's stated refund policy may not fully acknowledge.

Federal and provincial protections

Canada's federal Consumer Protection Act and provincial equivalents (such as Ontario's Consumer Protection Act, British Columbia's Consumer Protection Act, and Quebec's Consumer Protection Law) require that digital services be delivered as advertised and that you have a right to cancel within a reasonable timeframe. Many provinces recognize a 14-day cooling-off period for online digital purchases-which is longer than Substack's stated 7-day refund window.

Additionally, if a creator stops publishing entirely (dormant for 1 month or longer on a monthly subscription, or 6 months on an annual subscription), many provincial laws treat this as a failure to deliver the service as described. You may be entitled to a refund even if you're outside Substack's 7-day window. Stopee recommends keeping detailed records of the publication's activity before you cancel, especially if you plan to request a refund on grounds of non-delivery.

If substack refuses your refund

If Substack denies your refund request and you believe you have a legal right to one, escalate to your provincial consumer protection authority. In Ontario, contact Service Ontario Consumer Protection; in British Columbia, contact the Consumer Protection Office; in Quebec, contact the Office of the Protecteur du Consommateur. These agencies investigate complaints and can compel refunds if the company is breaking consumer law.

How to cancel your substack subscription on the web

Cancelling through Substack's website is the most straightforward method and gives you the clearest cancellation confirmation.

1. Go to www.substack.com and sign in with your email and password.
   • If you use single sign-on (Google, Apple, or another provider), click that option instead.
2. Click your profile icon in the top right corner, then select Settings.
   • You should land on your account page automatically.
3. In the left sidebar, find and click Subscriptions.
   • This shows all paid and free publications you follow.
4. Locate the newsletter you want to cancel and click on it.
   • A card or row appears showing your subscription status and billing date.
5. Under the section labeled Account actions or Manage subscription, click the button that says Cancel subscription (or Downgrade to free if you want to keep reading the free version).
   • Substack will ask you to confirm and may offer a discount to keep you subscribed. You can ignore this.
6. Click Confirm cancellation or the final confirmation button.
   • Substack sends a confirmation email to your registered address within minutes.

Pro tip: Screenshot the confirmation page and save the email Substack sends you. If a dispute arises about your cancellation date or if you need proof for a refund claim, these records are invaluable.

How to cancel your substack subscription on iOS or android

If you subscribed through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, cancellation happens in that app store, not in Substack itself.

Cancelling an iOS app store subscription

1. Open the Substack app on your iPhone or iPad.
   • Do NOT open the App Store first; the Substack app has a link to your subscriptions.
2. Tap the profile icon (usually bottom right or top left, depending on your app version).
   • Select Settings.
3. Tap Payments or Subscriptions.
   • A list of your paid subscriptions appears.
4. Select the publication you want to cancel.
   • Details of your next billing date appear.
5. Tap Cancel subscription.
   • Confirm the cancellation.

Alternatively: Open the Settings app on your iPhone, scroll to Substack, tap Subscriptions, find the publication, and tap Cancel subscription. Both methods work; use whichever is faster for you.

Cancelling a google play subscription (Android)

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
   • Do NOT open the Substack app.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right.
   • Select Payments and subscriptions or Manage subscriptions.
3. Tap Subscriptions.
   • A list of all your active subscriptions appears.
4. Tap the Substack subscription you want to cancel.
   • Details of your billing date appear.
5. Tap Cancel subscription and confirm.
   • Google sends a confirmation to your registered email.

Warning: If you cancel in the Substack app but subscribed through the App Store or Google Play, your cancellation may not go through. Always cancel where you originally subscribed. Stopee has seen readers cancel in the wrong place and then get charged again the following month.

What happens immediately after you cancel

Cancellation can feel uncertain when you're not sure whether you'll lose access right away or keep reading until your billing cycle ends.

Your access to paid content

When you cancel a Substack subscription, your access continues until the end of your current billing period. If you're on a monthly subscription and cancel on the 15th of the month, you keep access until the last day of that month. If you're on an annual plan and cancel mid-year, you keep access for the full remaining duration of that year. You don't lose anything immediately; you just stop renewing.

Your data and saved newsletters

Substack keeps basic account data (your subscriptions, read history, and transaction records) in your account indefinitely-even after cancellation. However, specific content retention depends on the creator's settings. Some creators delete old posts after a certain period; others keep archives indefinitely. If there are newsletters or posts you want to keep, download, forward, or screenshot them before your subscription expires. After cancellation, you may lose access to paid archives if the creator restricts them to active subscribers.

Pro tip: Use your email client to forward important newsletters to a personal folder or a note-taking app like Notion. This ensures you have a permanent copy regardless of Substack's or the creator's retention policies.

Your refund options and timeline

Refunds are possible but come with strict conditions and timelines that Stopee wants you to understand clearly.

Substack's standard refund policy

Substack will refund your subscription fee if you request it within 7 days of your payment. This 7-day window is measured from the transaction date shown in your account. If you paid on January 1st, you have until January 7th at 11:59 PM (in your local timezone) to request a refund. After 7 days, Substack typically denies refunds unless exceptional circumstances apply.

Exceptions to the 7-day rule

Substack acknowledges that refunds may be appropriate in specific cases:

• Dormant publications: If a creator hasn't published anything in 1 month (for monthly subscriptions) or 6 months (for annual subscriptions), the publication is considered inactive. You may request a refund on grounds that the service isn't being delivered as promised.
• Duplicate charges: If you were charged twice due to a processing error or system glitch, Substack will refund the duplicate charge.
• Unauthorized charges: If your account was hacked or compromised, Substack can investigate and issue a refund.

Beyond these exceptions, Substack's discretion is limited. However, as we noted above, your provincial consumer protection laws may grant you rights beyond Substack's policy. If you believe you have a legal case for a refund outside the 7-day window, Stopee recommends documenting your claim and escalating to your provincial consumer authority.

App store and google play refunds

If you subscribed through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, Substack cannot process your refund. You must contact Apple or Google directly. Open the App Store (or Play Store), find your purchase, and select "Report a Problem" or "Request a refund". Apple and Google typically grant refunds within 90 days of purchase if you claim the app or subscription didn't work as expected. After 90 days, refunds are at their discretion.

Common cancellation mistakes and how to avoid them

Cancelling is usually simple, but we've seen readers stumble in ways that delay their refund or result in unwanted charges.

Mistake 1: cancelling in the wrong place

You subscribed on the website but tried to cancel in the app (or vice versa). Substack's web platform and app stores are separate systems. If you originally subscribed through the App Store, cancelling in the Substack app won't work. You'll keep getting charged. Stopee recommends opening the email receipt from your original purchase; it clearly states whether Apple, Google, or Substack processed the charge. Cancel there and nowhere else.

Mistake 2: waiting too long to request a refund

The 7-day refund window closes quickly. If you decide within the first week that a subscription isn't for you, contact Substack immediately. After 7 days, refunds become much harder to obtain. Set a phone reminder or calendar alert on day 1 if you're unsure.

Mistake 3: not saving your cancellation confirmation

Substack sends a confirmation email when you cancel, but emails get lost in spam folders or deleted accidentally. If you ever need to prove you cancelled (because you were charged again, for example), that email is your evidence. Take a screenshot of the confirmation page immediately after cancelling.

Mistake 4: confusing cancellation with downgrade

Substack lets you downgrade from a paid subscription to a free one without cancelling entirely. If you click "Downgrade to free" instead of "Cancel subscription", you'll still follow the newsletter-you just won't pay. Make sure you click "Cancel" if you want to stop following the creator entirely. Stopee has seen readers accidentally downgrade when they meant to cancel, then forget they're still subscribed.

After cancellation: what to do next

Your cancellation is confirmed, but a few steps will protect you and ensure a smooth transition.

Verify your cancellation status

Within 24 hours, return to your Substack Settings under Subscriptions. The publication you cancelled should no longer appear in your paid subscriptions list, or it should show as "free" if you downgraded. If it still shows as paid, contact Substack support immediately. Include your confirmation email in your message and ask them to confirm the cancellation was processed.

Check for unexpected charges

Monitor your credit card or bank statement for the next two billing cycles. Most cancellations take effect immediately, but processing delays can occur. If you see a charge after your cancellation date, take a screenshot and contact Stopee for guidance on disputing it with your bank.

Unsubscribe from follow-up emails

Some creators send occasional promotional emails to past subscribers. If you receive these and don't want them, click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email. This is separate from your paid subscription and won't affect your refund status.

Comparing your options: stay, downgrade, or cancel

Before you finalize your decision, consider whether cancellation is truly your best option.

If cost is your concern but you still like the creator, downgrading to free is often the smarter choice. You stay connected, the creator keeps you in their audience (which helps them), and you can resubscribe later without losing anything. Stopee has helped many readers find this middle ground and avoid the regret of full cancellation.

How to contact substack if cancellation doesn't work

If you cancel through the proper channel but still get charged, or if Substack denies a refund you believe you deserve, here's how to escalate.

Direct support contact

Open Substack's Settings page, scroll to the bottom, and click "Contact support" or "Help". Describe your issue clearly: include your account email, the publication name, your cancellation date, and the specific problem (still being charged, refund denied, etc.). Substack support usually responds within 48 hours.

Escalation for refund disputes

If Substack's support team refuses your refund and you believe you have a legal right to one under Canadian consumer law, escalate to your provincial consumer protection authority:

• Ontario: Service Ontario Consumer Protection (1-800-889-9768)
• British Columbia: Consumer Protection Office (www.bcconsumerprotection.ca)
• Quebec: Office of the Protecteur du Consommateur (1-800-642-1735)
• Alberta: Fair Trading Act Office (www.canada.ca/consumer)
• Other provinces: Contact your provincial consumer protection ministry directly

File a complaint online or by phone. Include a copy of your original purchase receipt, your cancellation confirmation, and a brief explanation of why you believe you're entitled to a refund. These agencies investigate complaints and can compel companies to refund consumers who were treated unfairly.

Chargeback if all else fails

If Substack refuses to refund you and your provincial authority doesn't resolve the dispute, you can dispute the charge with your bank or credit card company. This is called a chargeback. Your bank will investigate and reverse the charge if they agree with you. Substack takes chargebacks seriously, so this option usually gets results-but use it as a last resort after you've exhausted other channels.

Why stopee can help you cancel with confidence

At Stopee, we've guided thousands of Canadian readers through subscription cancellations across dozens of platforms. Substack is straightforward compared to many services, but we know that even simple processes can feel confusing when you're worried about losing access to content you paid for or unsure about your refund rights.

Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions, recover refunds, and understand their consumer rights under Canadian law. We combine step-by-step instructions with empowerment: we want you to feel confident that you're making the right choice and that you know exactly what happens next. Our guides cover every platform and every province, so you have legal and practical guidance tailored to your situation.

Visit Stopee.com today to explore guides for other subscriptions you might want to cancel, find templates for refund requests, and learn more about your consumer rights. Whether you're simplifying your budget, testing new services, or just ready to move on, Stopee is your partner every step of the way.