Manage GoodNotes

How to cancel your GoodNotes subscription in the UK and keep your notes safe

About GoodNotes and why cancellation matters

GoodNotes is a powerful digital note-taking app that transformed how millions of students, professionals, and creative people across the UK capture and organise their ideas. The app lets you handwrite notes on your iPad, annotate PDFs with precision, and build digital planners that feel natural to use. Its handwriting recognition technology and seamless iCloud syncing made it beloved by Apple users everywhere.

However, GoodNotes shifted from a one-time purchase model (version 5) to a subscription-based system with GoodNotes 6. This change frustrates many long-term users who now face annual costs for features they once owned outright. If you're considering cancellation, you're not alone. At Stopee, we help thousands of UK consumers navigate subscription cancellations each month, and GoodNotes appears frequently on that list. Understanding your cancellation options-and your consumer rights-puts you back in control.

What GoodNotes offers

GoodNotes 6 provides three distinct tiers. The free version lets you create up to three editable notebooks with basic note-taking and PDF annotation. The annual subscription unlocks unlimited notebooks, advanced handwriting recognition across multiple languages, AI-powered mathematical expression recognition, and priority customer support. GoodNotes 5 users who purchased the app outright retain their features without any subscription cost, though they cannot access GoodNotes 6 features.

The app syncs seamlessly across iPad, Mac, and iPhone through iCloud, making it convenient for users across multiple devices. GoodNotes is developed by Time Base Technology Limited, a Hong Kong-registered company serving millions globally, including a substantial UK user base.

Why you might cancel

Several reasons drive cancellation decisions. You may have purchased GoodNotes 5 outright and resent paying ongoing subscription fees for version 6. You might use the free tier and never needed the premium features. Perhaps you switched to a competing app like OneNote, Notability, or Apple Notes. You could be a student who no longer needs the app after graduation. Or you simply decided the annual cost doesn't justify your current usage patterns. Whatever your reason, cancelling should be straightforward-and at Stopee, we ensure you handle it correctly.

Current pricing and subscription tiers

Your cancellation approach depends entirely on how you currently subscribe, so review this pricing breakdown before you proceed.

If you use only the free version, you have nothing to cancel. If you own GoodNotes 5 outright, you own it permanently and cancellation doesn't apply. Only annual subscription holders need to follow cancellation steps. Most importantly, identify which version and payment method you're using before proceeding further.

Educational and workplace subscriptions

Some UK schools, universities, and organisations provide GoodNotes subscriptions through bulk licensing programmes. If your subscription came through an educational institution or employer, your cancellation process may differ. Contact your institution's IT support or subscription administrator before attempting direct cancellation-they may handle renewals centrally, and unauthorised cancellation could affect your access during a term or project.

Consumer rights and what they mean for you

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 protects your purchasing decisions in the United Kingdom. Understanding your rights ensures you cancel without losing money you're entitled to keep.

Your statutory protections under UK law

When you subscribe to a digital service like GoodNotes, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 grants you a 14-day withdrawal period from the moment your subscription begins. During this window, you can cancel and request a full refund without needing to provide a reason. Pro tip: If you subscribed recently and haven't used GoodNotes extensively, you likely still have withdrawal rights-act immediately.

After the 14-day period expires, you retain the right to cancel at any time. However, the company is entitled to charge you for the service you've already received. This means if you're 11 months into a 12-month subscription, you cannot recover the months you've already used. Nevertheless, you can cancel immediately to prevent automatic renewal.

Additionally, if GoodNotes significantly reduced the app's functionality or made material changes to the service without your consent, you may have grounds to cancel and claim compensation under consumer protection law. For example, if future updates restricted the free version below three notebooks, or removed core features from existing subscriptions, that could constitute a breach of contract.

How to escalate complaints with the information commissioner's office

If GoodNotes refuses to process your cancellation, ignores your requests, or fails to refund money you're legally owed, escalate your complaint to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk. The ICO investigates data protection violations and unfair contract terms. If GoodNotes uses deceptive dark patterns to prevent cancellation-such as hiding the unsubscribe button or requiring unnecessary steps-the ICO can intervene.

Document everything: your cancellation request date, the method you used, any responses from GoodNotes, and the date they actually stopped charging you. Screenshot evidence strengthens your complaint significantly.

How to cancel your GoodNotes subscription

Cancellation methods depend on whether you subscribed through the Apple App Store or directly through the GoodNotes website.

Cancel through the apple app store (most common)

Most UK GoodNotes subscribers pay via the App Store, which manages billing automatically. Follow these steps on your iPad, iPhone, or Mac to cancel:

1. Open the App Store on your Apple device
   • On iPad or iPhone, tap the profile icon in the top right corner
   • On Mac, click your account name in the top right of the App Store window
2. Navigate to your subscriptions
   • Select "Subscriptions" from the menu (iPhone/iPad)
   • Choose "Account Settings" then "Subscriptions" on Mac
3. Find GoodNotes in your active subscriptions list
4. Tap or click on GoodNotes to view subscription details
5. Select "Cancel subscription" or "Edit subscription"
6. Confirm your cancellation by tapping "Confirm cancellation" when prompted
   • The App Store will ask if you want to keep the subscription until the current period ends
   • Choose "Stop billing" to prevent renewal charges
7. Receive a confirmation email from Apple within minutes
   • Keep this email as proof of cancellation

Warning: Do not uninstall the GoodNotes app from your device immediately after cancellation. You retain access to your subscription features until your current billing period ends. Uninstalling early only removes the app-it doesn't accelerate your cancellation or trigger a refund.

Cancel directly through the GoodNotes website

If you subscribed directly through goodnotes.com using your email and payment card, follow this process:

1. Visit goodnotes.com and log into your account
   • Enter your registered email address
   • Click "Forgot password" if you cannot remember your login
2. Navigate to "Account Settings" or "Subscription Management"
   • Look for a "Billing" or "Subscriptions" tab in your account dashboard
3. Locate your active GoodNotes subscription
   • Review your next billing date and current plan tier
4. Click "Cancel subscription" or "Manage subscription"
5. Confirm your cancellation reason (optional feedback box)
   • GoodNotes may ask why you're leaving-answering helps them improve
6. Receive a cancellation confirmation via email
   • Your subscription remains active until the end of your current billing period
   • After that date, you revert to the free version automatically

Pro tip: If you don't see a "Cancel" button on the website, contact GoodNotes support directly via their in-app help menu or email. Stopee has helped thousands of users navigate hidden cancellation links, and GoodNotes occasionally buries these options deliberately. Persistence works.

Cancel by postal request

If the app and website cancellation methods fail, or if you prefer written confirmation, you can cancel by post. Send a letter to GoodNotes' registered business address requesting immediate cancellation of your subscription. Include:

• Your full name and registered email address
• Your subscription start date (if you know it)
• The email address associated with your GoodNotes account
• A clear statement: "I wish to cancel my GoodNotes subscription effective immediately"
• The date of your letter
• Your signature

Send this letter via Royal Mail Special Delivery (Guaranteed by 1pm next working day) to ensure proof of posting. Keep the Royal Mail receipt as evidence.

GoodNotes registered office address:

Time Base Technology Limited
Unit 3004, 30/F
Tower A, Billion Centre
1 Wang Kwong Road
Kowloon Bay, Kowloon
Hong Kong

Allow 7-10 working days for GoodNotes to process your postal cancellation. Follow up with an email to support@goodnotes.com if you don't receive acknowledgment within two weeks.

What happens after you cancel

Cancellation doesn't mean immediate loss of access-understanding your transition period prevents frustration.

Your access during the notice period

When you cancel a GoodNotes subscription, your premium features remain active until your current billing period ends. If you subscribed on 15 January and your next renewal was 15 February, cancelling on 20 January means you keep full access until 14 February. After that date, your account automatically downgrades to the free version without any action required from you.

During the downgrade, your extra notebooks become read-only. Any notebooks beyond the free tier limit (three) lock to prevent editing, though you can still view and search your notes. This gives you time to export important notebooks before losing edit access.

Exporting and backing up your notes

Before your subscription ends, export any notebooks you want to keep editing. GoodNotes lets you export individual notebooks as PDF, image files, or original GoodNotes format. Open each notebook, tap the share or export button, and select your preferred format. Store exports on your Mac, iCloud Drive, or another cloud service for safekeeping.

Your iCloud backup continues automatically even after cancellation-GoodNotes notes synced through iCloud remain in your iCloud account permanently, though you'll only edit three of them without a subscription.

Resubscribing later

You can resubscribe to GoodNotes at any time through the same method you originally subscribed. Your previous notebooks revert to full edit access instantly upon resubscription. The free version stays available indefinitely, so you never lose access to GoodNotes entirely-you only lose premium features.

Refund eligibility and how to claim

Refunds depend on how long you've had your subscription and whether GoodNotes breached your consumer rights.

Within the 14-day withdrawal period

If you subscribed fewer than 14 days ago and barely used GoodNotes, you qualify for a full refund under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Contact GoodNotes support immediately and state: "I am exercising my right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days of purchase under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Please process a full refund to my original payment method."

Include your account email, subscription start date, and the date of your withdrawal request. GoodNotes must refund you within 14 days of receiving your withdrawal notice. If they refuse, escalate to your payment provider (Apple or your card issuer) and request a chargeback-banks typically side with consumers in these disputes.

Beyond 14 days: partial refunds

Once the withdrawal period expires, you cannot claim a full refund for the entire subscription period. However, you may claim a partial refund for unused months if you cancel before your renewal date. For example, if you subscribed for 12 months but cancelled after 3 months, you might recover approximately 75% of your subscription cost (the remaining 9 months of your billing period).

Calculate your pro-rata refund: (Remaining days in billing period ÷ Total days in billing period) × Subscription cost. Request this refund explicitly when cancelling, citing the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

Refunds for service failures or breaches

If GoodNotes removed core features, reduced functionality significantly, or made material changes to your subscription without consent, you may claim a full refund for the affected period. For instance, if they removed unlimited notebook support or disabled handwriting recognition for existing subscribers, that constitutes a breach. Document the change with screenshots and request compensation accordingly.

Pro tip: Stopee recommends keeping records of every subscription confirmation email and billing statement. These prove your payment dates and terms, strengthening any refund claim considerably.

Common cancellation mistakes to avoid

We understand cancellation can feel frustrating-dark patterns exist specifically to confuse you.

Mistake one: uninstalling the app without cancelling the subscription

Deleting GoodNotes from your device does nothing to cancel your subscription. The App Store continues charging your payment method monthly or annually. Your only option is cancelling through the App Store subscription settings or directly through GoodNotes. Uninstalling is not cancellation.

Mistake two: assuming your free tier is the same as your old purchase

If you owned GoodNotes 5, don't confuse the free GoodNotes 6 version with your legacy purchase. You own GoodNotes 5 permanently and never need to cancel it. The free version of GoodNotes 6 is separate and never charges you. However, if you tried GoodNotes 6's paid subscription, cancel that separately from your GoodNotes 5 ownership.

Mistake three: ignoring the confirmation email

After you cancel, Apple or GoodNotes sends a confirmation email within minutes. Losing this email means you have no proof of cancellation if charges continue. Download and store this email in a dedicated folder. If billing doesn't stop, you'll need this evidence to challenge the charge with your bank.

Mistake four: cancelling during mid-billing cycle and expecting immediate refunds

Cancelling 11 months into a 12-month subscription does not entitle you to an 11-month refund. You've already consumed that service. Most companies credit only genuinely unused portions. Check your next billing date before cancelling if immediate refunds matter to you.

Mistake five: not checking whether your school or workplace manages your subscription

If GoodNotes came bundled through your university, college, or employer, cancelling personally might not stop charges-your institution's IT department continues the subscription centrally. Contact them first. Otherwise, you'll cancel your personal account while the organisation's account continues charging your linked payment method.

After cancellation: your next steps checklist

Use this checklist to confirm you've completed cancellation properly:

• Email confirmation received: Check spam and promotions folders if necessary. Download and archive this email permanently.
• Subscription no longer appears in active subscriptions: Revisit the App Store or GoodNotes website within 24 hours to confirm cancellation took effect.
• Billing date passed without charge: Monitor your payment method (bank account or credit card) when your next renewal date arrives. If no charge appears, cancellation succeeded.
• Important notebooks exported: Any notebooks beyond three should be backed up as PDF or image files before your free-tier downgrade begins.
• Support ticket number noted (if you used postal cancellation): The acknowledgment email should include a reference number for tracking if disputes arise.
• Calendar reminder set for 30 days after cancellation: If you expected a refund and it hasn't arrived by then, contact your bank or payment provider.

Comparing GoodNotes with alternative note-taking apps

If you're cancelling because you've found a better fit, here's how GoodNotes compares to popular alternatives:

Notability offers similar features at a comparable price and recently changed to a more generous pricing model. OneNote excels if you need cross-platform support beyond Apple devices. Apple Notes is free and perfectly adequate for basic note-taking. Most importantly, none of these require the subscription commitment that GoodNotes now demands, making them attractive alternatives for budget-conscious users.

Why stopee makes cancellation easier

At Stopee, we've processed thousands of subscription cancellations across dozens of services, including GoodNotes. Many users contact us after struggling with hidden cancellation buttons, unclear billing information, or refusal of legitimate refund claims. Stopee exists because companies deliberately obscure cancellation to trap you into renewals.

Our resource library guides you through every major subscription service step-by-step, anticipates dark patterns before you hit them, and arms you with consumer law knowledge that forces companies to treat you fairly. We've helped thousands of consumers cancel GoodNotes subscriptions, recover refunds they didn't know they were entitled to, and switch to apps that genuinely matched their needs. Stopee has become the trusted resource for anyone tired of fighting subscription companies.

Final summary and your right to cancel

Cancelling your GoodNotes subscription is straightforward if you follow the correct method for your subscription type. Most UK users cancel through the App Store subscription settings in under two minutes. Direct website subscribers use their account dashboard. Both methods grant you access to premium features until your current billing period ends, giving you time to export important notes.

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 protects your right to cancel within 14 days for a full refund, or at any time after that with pro-rata refunds for unused periods. If GoodNotes refuses to process your cancellation or denies legitimate refunds, escalate to the Information Commissioner's Office-they enforce consumer protection law and take dark patterns seriously.

Document every step: screenshot your cancellation confirmation, archive your confirmation email, and monitor your billing when the renewal date passes. If you encounter unexpected charges, your bank will reverse them if you provide proof of your cancellation request.

Whatever prompted your cancellation-frustration with subscription costs, a switch to competing apps, or simply a change in your note-taking needs-remember that your decision is valid and your consumer rights are non-negotiable. Stopee has helped thousands of UK subscribers cancel confidently and reclaim control of their digital subscriptions. Your path to cancellation is clear, and you're in charge.