Manage Bear

How to cancel bear and protect your notes: a canadian guide

What bear is and why you might cancel

Bear is a note-taking application built for macOS, iPadOS, iOS, and Android that combines clean design with powerful productivity features. The app offers rich text editing, custom themes, tagging systems, and seamless synchronization across your devices. Development and subscription management is handled by Shiny Frog, the company behind Bear, though you can also purchase the subscription through Apple's App Store or Google Play depending on your device.

Most of Bear's premium features live behind a paid subscription called Bear Pro. This includes iCloud sync, advanced export formats (PDF, HTML, DOCX, JPG, ePub), encryption, optical character recognition search, custom themes, and app icons. The free version lets you create notes, but you'll lose access to these pro features once your subscription ends.

You might cancel Bear for several reasons: the cost adds up over time, you've switched to another note-taking app, you prefer offline-only storage, or you simply don't use the premium features enough to justify the monthly payment. Whatever your reason, Stopee is here to walk you through the cancellation process step by step.

When cancellation makes sense

Cancelling Bear Pro makes sense if you're not actively exporting notes in advanced formats, don't need cloud sync between devices, or have found a free alternative that meets your needs. The free tier still lets you create and organize basic notes on a single device, so you're not losing everything when you cancel. Keep in mind that some users find the pro features essential for their workflow, so take an honest look at whether you're using those specific tools before you commit to cancellation.

If you're cancelling because of cost, remember that the yearly plan (roughly CAD $36-40) works out to approximately CAD $3 per month if you break it down, making it a savings compared to monthly billing at CAD $2.50-3.00. However, if you're not using the app regularly, even that low annual cost is worth cancelling.

Stopee's advice before you cancel

Before you hit the cancel button, export or back up any notes you absolutely need. After your subscription expires, you'll lose access to advanced export formats and cloud sync, meaning your notes stay on your device but won't update across your phone, tablet, or computer. Take 10 minutes to export critical notes to PDF or another format you can access later. This small step prevents panic and lost information.

Bear's pricing and subscription plans

Understanding Bear's pricing helps you decide whether the cost justifies keeping your subscription active.

Notice that the yearly plan offers significant savings if you're committed to using Bear long-term. However, if you're unsure about your long-term usage, the monthly plan gives you flexibility to cancel anytime without waiting for an annual billing cycle to end.

How to cancel bear based on where you subscribed

Your cancellation method depends entirely on where you purchased your subscription. Bear itself cannot cancel subscriptions purchased through Apple or Google because those platforms handle their own billing. This means you'll need to go directly to the platform where you paid. Stopee has organized the exact steps for each purchase method below.

Cancel bear through apple app store (iPhone, iPad, or mac)

If you subscribe to Bear Pro through Apple's ecosystem, you must cancel within Apple's settings, not inside the Bear app itself.

1. On your iPhone or iPad: open the Settings app on your device, scroll down and tap "Your Name" (or "Apple ID") at the very top, select "Subscriptions" from the menu, find "Bear" or "Bear Pro" in your active subscriptions list, tap it, and select "Cancel Subscription"
   • Confirm the cancellation when prompted
   • You'll see a message confirming when your access ends (usually at the end of your current billing cycle)
2. On your Mac: open the App Store app, click your account icon in the bottom left corner, select "Account Settings," click the "Subscriptions" tab, find "Bear" in the list, click the "Edit" button next to it, and choose "Cancel Subscription"
   • Verify the cancellation confirmation message
3. Verify cancellation by returning to your Subscriptions section within 24 hours and confirming Bear no longer appears in your active list

Pro tip: Apple often offers a "special offer" to keep you subscribed in the final step. These discounts are real, but only accept if you genuinely plan to use Bear Pro going forward. If you're cancelling because you don't need it, skip the offer.

Warning: If you don't cancel before your next billing date, Apple will automatically charge you again. Mark your cancellation date on your calendar so you remember to confirm it went through.

Cancel bear through google play (Android)

Google Play subscriptions are managed separately from the Bear app, similar to Apple's system.

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device and tap your profile icon in the top right corner
2. Select "Payments & subscriptions" from the menu
3. Tap "Subscriptions"
4. Find and tap "Bear" from your active subscriptions list
5. Select "Cancel subscription" and confirm your choice
   • You may see a retention offer; skip it if you're certain you want to cancel
6. Verify the cancellation message appears, stating when your access will end

Pro tip: Google Play, like Apple, shows you exactly when your paid access expires. Screenshot this date so you remember when to export your final notes.

Cancel bear if you subscribed directly on the web

If you purchased Bear Pro directly from Shiny Frog (Bear's developer) on their website, you'll manage the cancellation through your Bear account online.

1. Visit the Bear website and sign in to your account using your email address and password
2. Navigate to your account settings or subscription management page (usually labeled "Account," "Settings," or "Billing")
   • If you cannot find a subscription management page, look for a "Manage Subscription" or "Billing Information" link
3. Locate your active Bear Pro subscription and select the option to cancel or downgrade to the free plan
4. Confirm the cancellation
   • You should receive an email confirmation from Shiny Frog within a few hours

Pro tip: If you cannot find the subscription management page online, contact Shiny Frog's support team directly through the contact form on bear.app. They'll cancel your subscription and send you confirmation. Response times are typically 1-2 business days.

What happens immediately after you cancel bear

Cancelling Bear doesn't delete your notes or instantly lock you out of the app. Instead, you'll have a grace period.

Your paid access continues until the end of your current billing cycle. If you cancel mid-month on a monthly plan, you'll keep Bear Pro for the remainder of that month. If you cancel on a yearly plan, you keep access for the rest of that year. After the billing period ends, your account automatically reverts to the free tier.

Once your subscription expires, here's what you lose and what you keep:

• You lose: iCloud sync between devices, advanced export options (PDF, HTML, DOCX, ePub), encryption features, OCR search, and custom themes
• You keep: all your existing notes stored locally on each device, basic tagging, the ability to create new notes, and access to the free Bear experience

Warning: If you rely on iCloud sync to access notes across multiple devices, those notes will only sync while your subscription is active. After it expires, changes you make on your iPhone won't appear on your Mac. Export synced notes before the subscription ends if you need them everywhere.

Stopee strongly recommends exporting any critical notes during your grace period (after cancellation but before access expires). Use the advanced export formats available while you still have them-these create standalone files you can open in any text editor or note-taking app forever.

Will you get a refund when you cancel bear

Refund eligibility depends on where you purchased your subscription and what Canadian consumer protection laws say about your specific situation.

Refunds for app store subscriptions

If you bought Bear Pro through Apple's App Store, you cannot request a refund from Bear or Shiny Frog-you must contact Apple directly. Apple offers refunds for subscription charges within 14 days of the charge date if you request them through their official channels.

1. Visit reportaproblem.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID
2. Find the Bear Pro charge you want refunded
3. Click "Report a Problem" next to that charge
4. Select a reason for the refund request (e.g., "I didn't mean to purchase this" or "I no longer use this subscription")
5. Submit your request

Apple reviews your request and typically responds within 1-3 business days. Approval is not guaranteed, especially if you request a refund many months after the charge date.

Refunds for google play subscriptions

Google Play also handles refunds independently. You have a 48-hour window from the charge date to request a full refund without explanation. After 48 hours, Google may still process refunds but will evaluate your reason more carefully.

1. Open the Google Play Store app and tap your profile icon
2. Select "Payments & subscriptions" and then "Subscriptions"
3. Tap the Bear subscription
4. Look for a "Refund" or "Request Refund" option
5. Follow the prompts to request your refund

Pro tip: Google's refund system is faster than Apple's. If you're within the 48-hour window, submit your request immediately-approval is nearly automatic.

Refunds for direct web subscriptions (Shiny frog)

If you subscribed directly through Bear's website, Shiny Frog's standard terms state that paid fees are non-refundable. However, this policy changes when Canadian consumer protection law applies to your situation.

Shiny Frog has publicly stated it will honour Canadian consumers' statutory rights under provincial consumer protection laws. This means if you cancel within a specific timeframe or discover the service doesn't match its description, you may have a legal right to a refund-even though their terms say otherwise.

Pro tip: Contact Shiny Frog's support team and explicitly mention your Canadian consumer rights if you believe a refund applies. Reference the Consumer Protection Act in your province (for example, Ontario's Consumer Protection Act gives you 30 days to cancel some digital contracts). Stopee has seen companies approve refunds when consumers cite legal requirements, even if their default policy is "no refunds."

Your consumer rights in canada when cancelling bear

Canadian consumer protection laws give you rights that sometimes override Bear's stated terms. Understanding these rights is your leverage if Bear or Shiny Frog refuses a reasonable cancellation or refund request.

Consumer protection act rights

Most Canadian provinces have Consumer Protection Acts that apply to online subscriptions. Key protections include:

• Right to cancel within a specified period (often 14-30 days) if the service was purchased online
• Right to a refund if the service doesn't match its advertised description
• Right to clear cancellation and refund information before you complete a purchase
• Protection against automatic renewal if you didn't explicitly consent to it

Ontario's Consumer Protection Act, for example, gives you 30 days to cancel online purchases, including digital subscriptions. British Columbia offers similar protections under its Consumer Protection Act. Quebec's Law on Consumer Protection also safeguards digital subscriptions. Your province's specific rules may differ, but the principle is consistent: you have more protection than a company's terms suggest.

Automatic renewal rules in canada

Bear's yearly and monthly plans are technically auto-renewing subscriptions. Under Canadian law, you must have the right to cancel these automatically at any time, without penalty or hidden fees. If Shiny Frog or Apple or Google makes cancellation difficult, that itself may violate the law.

Pro tip: If you encounter an interface that makes cancellation intentionally difficult (also called "dark patterns"), report it to your provincial consumer authority. Stopee has guided consumers through successful complaints that resulted in legal action against companies with deceptive cancellation design.

When to escalate your complaint

If Shiny Frog refuses to honour a refund or cancellation you believe is legally protected, escalate your complaint to your provincial regulator:

• Ontario: Consumer Protection Act enforcement branch through the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services
• British Columbia: Consumer Protection BC
• Alberta: Fair Trading Act enforcement through Service Alberta
• Quebec: Office of the Protecteur du consommateur (Protecteur du consommateur)
• Other provinces: Check your local government website for the consumer protection authority

Most regulators investigate complaints at no cost to you. If you file a complaint and the regulator finds a violation, they can compel refunds or remedies. Don't hesitate to use this avenue-it's there specifically to protect you.

Common mistakes canadians make when cancelling bear

Cancelling subscriptions can feel stressful, and small errors often lead to unexpected charges or lost notes. Here are the pitfalls to avoid.

Mistake 1: cancelling the app instead of the subscription

Deleting the Bear app from your iPhone or Android phone does not cancel your subscription. Apple and Google will continue charging you each month or year. The app and the subscription are separate. Always cancel through your subscription settings (App Store Settings, Google Play Payments, or your Bear web account), not by uninstalling the app.

Mistake 2: forgetting to export notes before the subscription ends

Once Bear Pro expires, you lose access to advanced export formats. If you need your notes in PDF or HTML format later, you cannot export them after your subscription ends. Export everything during the grace period between cancellation and expiry. Use the advanced export options while they're still available.

Mistake 3: not verifying the cancellation in writing

After you cancel through Apple, Google, or Shiny Frog, verify immediately. Check your subscription settings again to confirm Bear no longer appears in your active list. If you subscribed via Shiny Frog directly, save the confirmation email. This proof protects you if the company charges you again by mistake and you need to dispute the charge with your bank or credit card company.

Mistake 4: cancelling mid-year and losing the annual discount

If you're on a yearly plan and cancel after 3 months, you don't get a prorated refund. You've paid for the full year upfront, and Bear keeps the entire amount. If you're not sure you'll use the app for 12 months, choose the monthly plan instead. The monthly option costs slightly more per month but gives you the flexibility to cancel anytime.

Mistake 5: not checking for special retention offers

Apple and Google often show discount offers at the moment of cancellation. Stopee has seen users decline these offers reflexively, only to regret it later. If the offer is genuinely lower than your current rate and you might use Bear Pro eventually, it's rational to accept. But if you're cancelling because you don't need the app, dismiss the offer and proceed with cancellation.

Your checklist for cancelling bear successfully

Use this step-by-step checklist to ensure a smooth cancellation without surprises.

• One week before cancellation: Export all important notes in PDF or HTML format using Bear's advanced export feature. Save these files to your computer or cloud storage. Do this while Bear Pro is still active and these formats are available.
• Review your subscription location: Confirm whether you subscribe through Apple App Store, Google Play, or directly on bear.app. Check your latest billing confirmation email if you're unsure.
• Navigate to the correct cancellation portal: Use the method outlined above that matches your subscription location. Do not try to cancel in the Bear app itself-it won't work.
• Follow the cancellation steps exactly: Complete all steps in order. Do not skip steps or assume sections of the process.
• Screenshot the confirmation: After cancellation, screenshot the confirmation message showing the date your access ends. Save this image in case you need proof later.
• Wait 24 hours and verify: Return to your subscription settings one day later and confirm Bear no longer appears in your active subscriptions. If it still shows as active, something went wrong-contact support immediately.
• Circle the expiry date on your calendar: Mark the date your paid access ends. On that date, test the Bear app to confirm your subscription has actually expired (you won't be able to use pro features anymore).
• Save your confirmation email: If Shiny Frog sent a cancellation confirmation email, save it permanently in a folder labeled "Subscriptions" or "Cancellations." You may need it if a charge appears on your statement unexpectedly.

Contact information for cancellation support

If you encounter problems during cancellation or need to dispute a charge, here's where to reach the right support team.

Apple app store support

For Apple subscription issues, contact Apple Support directly through reportaproblem.apple.com or call 1-800-MY-APPLE (1-800-692-7753). Apple's support team can investigate subscription charges and process refunds if warranted.

Google play support

Google Play offers support through the Google Play Help Center at support.google.com/googleplay. You can also contact Google Support directly through your Google account. Google's team handles all subscription billing issues and refund requests.

Shiny frog (Bear developer) support

For issues with Bear subscriptions purchased directly on bear.app, contact Shiny Frog through their official support channels at bear.app. Look for the "Contact," "Support," or "Help" link on their website. Response times are typically 1-2 business days.

Escalation: your provincial consumer protection authority

If Bear, Apple, or Google refuses to honour your cancellation or refund request, and you believe consumer protection law applies, file a complaint with your provincial regulator. In Ontario, contact the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services. In British Columbia, contact Consumer Protection BC. In other provinces, search "[your province] consumer protection" to find the correct authority. These agencies investigate subscription disputes at no cost to you.

Stopee has helped thousands of consumers navigate these escalation pathways. Your provincial authority has real enforcement power-use it if a company is not respecting your rights.

Summary: taking control of your bear subscription

Cancelling Bear is straightforward when you follow the right steps for your subscription type. Whether you purchased through Apple, Google, or directly from Shiny Frog, the cancellation process takes fewer than 5 minutes. The key is acting before your next billing date and exporting your notes while you still have access to advanced formats.

Remember that you have legal consumer rights in Canada, even if Bear's terms suggest otherwise. If Shiny Frog refuses a reasonable refund or makes cancellation artificially difficult, your provincial consumer protection act is your ally. Stopee empowers you with the knowledge to stand firm and escalate when necessary.

Before you cancel, take 10 minutes to back up your notes. After you cancel, verify the cancellation in your subscription settings and save the confirmation. If an unexpected charge appears, dispute it immediately with your bank-you have documentation that you cancelled. Stopee has guided thousands of Canadian consumers through this exact process, and you now have everything you need to cancel Bear with confidence, protect your data, and protect your money.