Manage The Times

How to cancel The Times subscription in malaysia and avoid hidden renewal charges

Why malaysians cancel The Times and what you need to know first

The Times is a UK-based news publisher owned by News UK, delivering digital access to premium journalism, politics, business coverage, and the iPad edition to readers worldwide-including Malaysia. If you subscribed through the App Store or directly on The Times website, you're paying in Malaysian ringgit (MYR), but the support, billing systems, and cancellation processes follow UK standards rather than local Malaysian practices.

That disconnect matters. Many Malaysian readers struggle to cancel because the process isn't intuitive, support hours don't align with Malaysian time zones, and there's no confirmed Bahasa Melayu support. Before you take any action, Stopee recommends understanding exactly where you subscribed and what your current plan costs-because the cancellation method must match your original payment channel, or your subscription will stay active and charges will continue.

What you're paying for with The Times

The Times offers two main subscription tiers in Malaysia. The Digital Subscription costs RM99.90 per month and includes unlimited access to news, opinion, and analysis across all devices, including the iPad edition. The Times & The Sunday Times plan costs RM117.90 per month and bundles access to both publications in one bundle.

Your subscription renews automatically at the end of each billing cycle unless you cancel before your renewal date. That's the critical detail: if your billing date is the 15th of each month, you must cancel before the 15th arrives, not after. If you miss that window, you'll be charged for the next cycle, and getting a refund requires escalation to customer support or a chargeback through your bank.

Where malaysian readers hit friction

The two biggest cancellation blockers for Malaysian users are a lack of Malay-language support and a non-intuitive online cancellation process. If you subscribed through a free trial promotion, the terms state that the trial converts automatically into a paid subscription unless you cancel before the trial period ends. Many readers forget the trial end date, wake up to an unexpected charge, and then struggle to reach someone who can help reverse it.

Stopee has tracked complaints from Malaysian users who cancelled through one channel (for example, the website) but the app subscription stayed active, resulting in duplicate charges. That's why matching your cancellation method to your original purchase method is non-negotiable.

Subscription pricing and what each plan includes

Here's the exact pricing breakdown for The Times in Malaysia based on current App Store listings.

Keep in mind that promotional pricing may appear for limited periods through the App Store. If you're seeing a lower rate than shown above, that's a time-limited offer-your renewal will jump to the standard rate unless you cancel before that renewal date.

How to cancel The Times before you're charged again

Step-by-step cancellation through the website

If you subscribed directly through The Times website (not through an app store), follow this process to cancel your account.

1. Open a web browser and go to The Times website (thetimes.co.uk).
2. Log in with your email and password. If you've forgotten your password, click "Forgot password?" and reset it before proceeding.
3. Navigate to your Account Settings by clicking your profile icon or name in the top-right corner and selecting "Account" or "Settings."
4. Look for a section labeled "Subscription," "Billing," or "Manage subscription."
5. Click "Cancel subscription" or "Cancel my subscription."
   • The system will display your next billing date and the amount you'll be charged if you don't cancel.
   • Read the confirmation message carefully-it will tell you exactly when your access ends.
6. Select your reason for cancellation from the dropdown menu (optional, but helps The Times understand churn).
7. Click "Confirm cancellation" or the final confirmation button.
8. Screenshot the confirmation page showing your subscription has been cancelled. Note the date and time of cancellation.
9. Check your email for a cancellation confirmation from The Times. If you don't receive one within 5 minutes, log back into your account and verify the subscription status is "Cancelled" or "Inactive."

Pro tip: If you see a "Reactivate subscription" option instead of "Cancel subscription," your account may already be inactive. Log out, clear your browser cache, and log back in to refresh the page.

Step-by-step cancellation through the iPhone or iPad app store

If you subscribed through Apple's App Store (whether on iPhone, iPad, or through the web), The Times appears as an in-app purchase managed by Apple, not by The Times directly. You must cancel through Apple's systems, not through The Times account settings.

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app.
2. Tap your name at the top of the screen to open your Apple ID settings.
3. Tap "Subscriptions."
4. Find and tap "The Times" in the list of active subscriptions.
5. Tap "Cancel subscription" or the red "Cancel" button.
   • Apple will ask you to confirm-it may offer you a discounted renewal rate to keep you as a customer. Ignore this unless you want to stay subscribed.
6. Tap the final confirmation button to complete the cancellation.
7. You'll see a message stating your subscription ends on a specific date. Screenshot this for your records.
8. Check your email (the one linked to your Apple ID) for an Apple Store receipt confirming the cancellation.

Warning: Deleting The Times app from your device does NOT cancel your subscription. You must follow the steps above through Settings, or you'll continue to be charged after your current cycle ends.

Step-by-step cancellation through google play

If you're an Android user and subscribed through Google Play, follow this process to avoid further charges.

1. On your Android device, open the Google Play Store app.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner and select "Manage subscriptions."
3. Find "The Times" in your list of active subscriptions and tap it.
4. Tap "Cancel subscription."
5. Select your reason for cancellation (optional).
6. Tap "Yes, cancel subscription" to confirm.
7. You'll see a final message with your cancellation effective date. Screenshot this.
8. Check your email (linked to your Google account) for a Google Play receipt confirming the cancellation.

Like Apple, deleting the app or logging out will not stop your subscription. Only cancellation through Google Play stops the recurring charge.

What happens after you cancel The Times subscription

Timing and access

Once you cancel, your access to The Times ends on your next scheduled billing date-not immediately. For example, if you cancel on the 10th but your billing date is the 18th, you retain full access until the 17th. After that date, your login will no longer work, and you'll be redirected to the paywall.

Stopee advises saving a copy of any articles you need before your access expires. You can screenshot important pieces or export them to PDF if the browser's print function allows it.

What you won't be charged for

After cancellation, you will not be charged for any future billing cycles. The automatic renewal stops completely. If a charge does appear on your credit or debit card after your cancellation confirmation date, that's a billing error that must be corrected.

Refunds for unused portions

The Times' standard policy does not offer refunds for the unused portion of your current billing cycle. If you cancel on the 10th but your billing date isn't until the 18th, you've already paid for that full month and are not entitled to a pro-rata refund under UK terms.

However, Malaysian consumer law may offer different protections. Under the Consumer Protection Act 1999, if you were misled about cancellation terms, auto-renewal clauses, or billing amounts, you may have grounds to claim a refund. If The Times refuses to refund an erroneous charge or fails to respond to your dispute within 14 days, you can escalate to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) or the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) for mediation.

Your consumer rights under malaysian law

What the consumer protection act 1999 covers

Malaysia's Consumer Protection Act 1999 protects you against unfair contract terms, including misleading auto-renewal clauses and billing practices. The law requires that subscription terms be clearly disclosed before purchase, that cancellation must be as easy as signup, and that you must receive clear notice before any charge is applied.

If The Times charged you after your cancellation, made it intentionally difficult to cancel, or failed to honour a free trial expiry date, you have grounds to file a complaint with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDN), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), or the Telecommunications and Multimedia Tribunal (TmT).

How to escalate if cancellation fails or a charge appears

If you cancelled but still see a renewal charge on your statement, take these steps in order.

1. Contact The Times customer support directly with your cancellation confirmation screenshot. Email or call their support line (typically listed on thetimes.co.uk) and request a reversal of the erroneous charge within 7 days.
2. If The Times does not respond within 14 days or refuses to refund, contact your bank or card issuer and request a chargeback, citing the erroneous recurring charge and your cancellation proof.
3. If the chargeback is unsuccessful, file a complaint with KPDN (Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna) or MCMC, providing:
   • Your cancellation confirmation screenshot and date.
   • The unexpected charge amount, date, and billing reference.
   • Copies of all emails or support tickets you submitted to The Times.
   • Your bank statement showing the charge.
4. KPDN or MCMC will mediate on your behalf and can order The Times to refund if a breach of the Consumer Protection Act 1999 is found.

Stopee recommends keeping all screenshots, emails, and bank statements for at least 12 months after cancellation. These are your evidence if a dispute arises.

Common mistakes that delay cancellation

We understand how frustrating it is when you think you've cancelled but charges keep appearing. Here are the mistakes we see most often from Malaysian readers.

Cancelling through the wrong channel

If you subscribed through the App Store but cancelled through the website, or vice versa, your subscription may remain active on the other platform. Always verify where you subscribed before you cancel. Check your first receipt email-it will show whether the charge came from Apple, Google, or The Times directly.

Missing the renewal date window

Your cancellation is only effective if you submit it before your billing date. If your renewal date is the 15th and you cancel on the 16th, you've already been charged for the next cycle. Stopee advises setting a phone reminder one week before your billing date so you never miss the cancellation window.

Assuming app deletion = cancellation

Deleting The Times app from your phone does nothing to stop your subscription. You must cancel through Settings (Apple), Google Play, or the website account. The app deletion is purely a storage action and triggers no backend cancellation.

Not saving your confirmation

If you can't prove you cancelled, The Times will claim the subscription is still active and refuse a refund. Always screenshot the final cancellation confirmation page before closing your browser. This single screenshot is your only protection if a dispute arises.

What to do if cancellation is genuinely stuck

Sometimes, despite following all steps correctly, the system doesn't cancel or the page throws an error. Here's how to force a resolution.

Direct contact escalation

Visit The Times official support page at thetimes.co.uk/support or look for a "Contact us" link. Send a support ticket or email stating:

• Your subscription email address and account ID (if available).
• The exact date and time you attempted to cancel.
• A screenshot of the error message or the cancellation confirmation you received.
• Your billing date and the amount you don't want to be charged.
• A request for cancellation confirmation within 24 hours.

Pro tip: Use the official support channels only. Third-party websites claiming to offer cancellation help may steal your login credentials.

Chargeback as a last resort

If The Times doesn't respond to your cancellation request within 7 days and you're charged despite your attempts to cancel, contact your bank immediately and request a chargeback. Provide your bank with the cancellation evidence (screenshots, emails, support tickets) and explain that you attempted cancellation but were charged anyway.

Most Malaysian banks process chargebacks within 10-15 working days. The Times will then be required to respond to your bank with proof of authorization-which they won't have, since you cancelled.

Checklist before and after cancellation

Use this checklist to ensure your cancellation sticks and you're never charged again.

Reasons to keep or cancel The Times subscription

Before you cancel, pause and ask yourself whether The Times actually fits your needs. Here's the honest comparison.

Stopee helps readers make informed subscription decisions. If you're on the fence, try unsubscribing from notifications for two weeks and see if you truly miss The Times content. If you don't, cancel without guilt.

Frequently seen user reviews and complaints

Malaysian readers on consumer forums report mixed experiences with The Times. Common praise includes high-quality journalism, reliable iPad experience, and transparent pricing in ringgit. The most frequent complaints centre on:

• Difficult cancellation process (especially for app subscriptions).
• No Malay-language support or local customer service.
• Unexpected renewal charges after free trials.
• Unresponsive support team during Malaysian business hours.

These issues are exactly why Stopee created this guide. The cancellation process is deliberately complex, and The Times relies on users forgetting to cancel before renewal. By following Stopee's step-by-step instructions, you bypass that trap entirely.

Final summary and your next step

Cancelling The Times in Malaysia is straightforward once you know where you subscribed and when your renewal date arrives. Match your cancellation method to your original purchase channel (website, App Store, or Google Play), cancel before your billing date, and screenshot your confirmation immediately. If an erroneous charge appears, escalate to your bank or KPDN using the Consumer Protection Act 1999 as your legal anchor.

Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions without stress or surprise charges. Whether you're leaving The Times because it's not your priority anymore or because you want to redirect that RM99.90 to a different publication, you now have the exact steps, timelines, and escalation paths to make it happen cleanly.

Visit Stopee.com to track your cancellation, set reminders for future subscription dates, and compare alternative news sources that may fit your budget better. Stopee's mission is to empower you to take control of your recurring charges-and cancelling The Times is just the start.

Ready to cancel? Bookmark this page, follow the checklist above, and complete your cancellation today. Stopee is here to help you stay on track.