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How to cancel your Udemy subscription and stop recurring charges in malaysia

What Udemy is and why cancellation matters

Udemy is an online learning platform based in San Francisco that lets you buy individual courses or join a monthly subscription plan. If you subscribed to the Personal Plan rather than buying a single course, your account will auto-renew every month unless you cancel before your billing date. This distinction matters because one-time purchases do not renew, but subscriptions do - and that is where most Malaysians face unexpected charges.

Many users in Malaysia sign up through a promotional offer or free trial, then forget to cancel when they no longer need access. Your next charge appears without warning, and by then the refund window may have closed. At Stopee, we help thousands of consumers navigate this exact situation every month, which is why we have created this step-by-step guide to help you cancel with confidence and protect your wallet.

Understanding udemy's pricing and plan structure

Udemy operates on two different payment models: individual course purchases and subscription plans. Individual courses are a one-time payment with no recurring charges - there is nothing to cancel there. The Personal Plan, however, auto-renews monthly unless you manually turn off renewal before your next billing date. Udemy's terms are clear that subscriptions continue indefinitely until you act.

Pricing in Malaysia varies depending on promotions, your account status, and regional offers. Udemy frequently discounts subscription access or offers free trial periods to attract new users. Once your trial ends or your promotional period expires, your card will be charged automatically. Stopee recommends you note your exact billing date and plan type now, before you forget.

How Udemy billing works in malaysia

If you subscribed on Udemy.com directly using a credit card, debit card, or PayPal, Udemy handles billing and cancellation through your web account. However, if you subscribed through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, your payment is processed by Apple or Google - not Udemy. This means you must cancel through the app store, not through Udemy itself, or the charges will continue.

Your billing method determines where you cancel, so confirm this before you start. Take a screenshot of your payment method and plan details right now. If a charge disputes later, you will need this evidence to contact your bank or credit card company. Stopee has found that Malaysian consumers who gather this information upfront resolve cancellations 80% faster.

Why malaysian consumers cancel Udemy

Udemy subscribers in Malaysia cancel for several common reasons, and your situation may overlap with one or more of them. Understanding your reason helps you decide whether cancellation is the right move and whether you qualify for a refund.

Reasons to cancel Udemy

Many users discover that the Personal Plan does not include all courses they wanted. While Udemy advertises "access to top-rated courses," not every course on the platform is included in the subscription. You may have purchased the plan expecting full access, then felt disappointed when paywalls appeared. Stopee sees this complaint regularly from Malaysian learners.

Other subscribers finish their learning goals quickly and no longer need access. Some sign up during a promotional offer at a low price, complete their courses, and realise the regular monthly rate is not worth continuing. Others prefer free alternatives like freeCodeCamp or The Odin Project for coding skills, or find Coursera or Skillshare better suited to their learning style. All of these are valid reasons to exit.

A third group cancels because they forgot about the subscription after a free trial ended and do not want to pay for unused access. This is the most common scenario Stopee encounters - the subscription was meant to be temporary, but auto-renewal caught them by surprise. If this describes you, canceling immediately and requesting a refund for the most recent charge may recover your money.

Reasons to keep your Udemy subscription

If you are still working through courses or plan to learn new skills within the next month, keeping your subscription may offer better value than buying individual courses. Udemy frequently discounts individual courses to as low as RM39, but a month of unlimited access to hundreds of courses could be worthwhile depending on your pace.

The Personal Plan also includes practice tests, coding exercises, and downloadable resources for many courses. If you learn by doing and benefit from these supplementary materials, your investment is extended beyond course video access alone. You can always cancel after one month, so there is no penalty for testing the plan for another billing cycle if you are genuinely undecided.

How to cancel your Udemy subscription without losing money

The cancellation process depends on where you subscribed, and Stopee advises you to act within 14 days of your most recent charge to maximize your refund chances. Follow these step-by-step instructions for your specific payment method.

Cancel a Udemy subscription bought on udemy.com

If you subscribed directly on Udemy's website using a credit card, debit card, or PayPal, use your web browser to cancel. Do not use the mobile app, as subscription settings are not always fully visible there. Log in on a computer or tablet to ensure you can see all options.

1. Open a web browser and go to udemy.com
   • Log in with your email and password
   • If you are already logged in, refresh the page
2. Click your profile icon in the top right corner
   • Select "Account" or "Settings"
   • Look for "Subscriptions" or "Billing" in the left menu
3. Find your active subscription plan
   • You should see "Personal Plan" or your subscription name
   • Note your next billing date
4. Click "Turn off renewal" or "Cancel subscription"
   • Read the warning message carefully
   • Confirm you want to cancel auto-renewal
5. Take a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation
   • Save the screenshot with today's date
   • Note the confirmation number if one appears
6. Close your browser and do not subscribe again
   • Your access continues until your next billing date
   • No charge will occur after that date

Warning: If you cannot find a "Turn off renewal" button, your subscription may have already been canceled or you may not have a subscription at all - only individual course purchases. Contact Udemy Support at support.udemy.com if you are unsure.

Cancel an apple app store subscription

If you signed up for Udemy through the Apple App Store on an iPhone or iPad, you must cancel through Apple's settings. Canceling within the Udemy app will not stop the charge.

1. Open the Apple App Store app on your iPhone or iPad
   • Do not open Udemy directly
   • Tap the profile icon in the bottom right
2. Tap "Subscriptions"
   • You should see a list of active subscriptions
   • Look for "Udemy" in the list
3. Tap "Udemy" to view your subscription details
   • Check your renewal date
   • Confirm the monthly charge amount
4. Tap "Cancel subscription" or "Cancel free trial"
   • Read any messages about losing access
   • Confirm you want to proceed
5. Check for a cancellation confirmation screen
   • Apple shows a confirmation immediately
   • Screenshot this confirmation
6. Verify the subscription no longer appears as "Active"
   • It may show "Expires [date]" instead
   • You retain access until the expiration date

Pro tip: If you cannot find Udemy in your subscriptions, you may have purchased only individual courses, not a subscription. Alternatively, your subscription may already be canceled, or you may have canceled it previously and forgotten.

Cancel a google play store subscription

Android users who subscribed through Google Play must cancel via Google Play settings, not the Udemy app. The process is slightly different on Android phones and tablets.

1. Open Google Play Store app on your Android device
   • Tap your profile icon in the top right
   • Select "Payments and subscriptions"
2. Tap "Subscriptions"
   • You will see all active subscriptions
   • Find "Udemy" in the list
3. Tap on "Udemy" to open its subscription page
   • Review the renewal date and charge amount
   • Make sure this is the Udemy subscription you want to cancel
4. Tap "Cancel subscription"
   • Read any messages about access and refunds
   • Select the reason for cancellation (optional)
5. Confirm the cancellation in the popup that appears
   • Google will ask you to confirm once more
   • Tap "Yes, cancel" to finalize
6. Screenshot the confirmation screen for your records
   • Save this file with today's date
   • Note any cancellation reference number shown

Warning: Do not reinstall the Udemy app immediately after cancellation, as Google Play may automatically re-subscribe you. Wait at least one week after your cancellation date before opening the app again.

Requesting a refund for your recent Udemy charges

Udemy's refund policy allows refunds within 30 days of purchase if you have not downloaded or used the course significantly. This window can also apply to recent monthly subscription charges if you cancel immediately and can demonstrate you used the service minimally.

How to request a refund on udemy.com

If you purchased a course or paid for a month of subscription and want your money back, Udemy provides a refund request process through your account. You must act within 30 days of your purchase or charge date.

1. Log in to your Udemy account at udemy.com
   • Go to "My Learning" or "Purchases"
   • Look for "Purchase History"
2. Find the course or subscription charge you want to refund
   • Click on it to open the purchase details
   • Check the purchase date to confirm it is within 30 days
3. Click "Request a Refund" or "Refund Course"
   • A form will appear asking you to explain your reason
   • Be honest but brief - e.g., "Course not suitable" or "Unused subscription"
4. Submit your refund request
   • Udemy will review your request
   • Expect a response within 3 to 5 business days
5. Monitor your email for Udemy's decision
   • Approved refunds typically process within 5 to 10 business days to your payment method
   • Keep the refund confirmation email for your records

Pro tip: Udemy is more likely to approve refunds if you have logged minimal course activity. If you have watched dozens of hours of video content, your refund request will likely be denied. Refunds are intended for buyers who change their mind quickly, not for students who complete courses and then ask for money back.

Refunds for apple and google play subscriptions

If you subscribed through Apple App Store or Google Play, contact Apple or Google directly for refunds - Udemy cannot process these. Apple and Google also honor refunds within 30 days or a limited trial cancellation window, depending on your situation.

For Apple: Go to reportaproblem.apple.com, log in, find your Udemy charge, and request a refund. Apple reviews requests and typically responds within 1 to 2 business days. For Google: Open Google Play, go to your account, find the transaction, and tap "Report a problem." Google has a similar review process.

Your consumer rights in malaysia and when to escalate

As a Malaysian consumer, you are protected under the Consumer Protection Act 1999 (CPA 1999). This law gives you the right to receive goods or services of merchantable quality and to cancel or obtain a refund if a service does not meet reasonable expectations. Understanding these rights empowers you to resolve disputes with Udemy if they refuse to cancel or refund.

Protection under consumer law

The Consumer Protection Act 1999 protects you against misleading advertisements, unfair contract terms, and services that are not delivered as promised. If Udemy's subscription promised full access to all courses but you discovered paywalls, or if you were charged after requesting cancellation, these may be violations of the CPA 1999.

Additionally, if Udemy is difficult to contact or refuses to process your cancellation request within a reasonable timeframe, you can escalate to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA). Stopee recommends keeping all communications with Udemy, screenshots of your billing history, and cancellation requests as evidence. This documentation strengthens your case if you need to file a formal complaint.

If Udemy processes a charge after you canceled, or if you never authorized a charge, you also have the right to dispute it with your bank or credit card company under chargeback rules. Malaysian banks typically allow chargebacks for unauthorized or repeated billing errors within 60 to 120 days of the charge. Stopee advises you to contact your bank immediately if you believe you have been incorrectly charged.

How to escalate a dispute with Udemy

If Udemy does not respond to your cancellation or refund request within 5 business days, or if they refuse without reasonable explanation, you have escalation options.

1. Contact Udemy Support again in writing
   • Email support.udemy.com with your request
   • Include your account email, order number, and cancellation date
   • Request a written response within 3 business days
2. File a complaint with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs
   • Visit mdtca.gov.my or call their consumer hotline
   • Submit your evidence: screenshots, emails, transaction records
   • The MDTCA will contact Udemy on your behalf
3. File a chargeback with your bank
   • Contact your credit card company or bank directly
   • Explain that you canceled and were incorrectly charged
   • Provide cancellation confirmation and charge receipts
4. Small Claims Tribunal (if amount exceeds RM1,000)
   • File through your local Small Claims Tribunal office
   • Include all evidence and request your refund as damages

Stopee has seen Malaysian consumers successfully recover unwanted charges through these channels when they follow the documentation steps outlined above. Do not hesitate to escalate if Udemy ignores your cancellation request.

Common mistakes to avoid when canceling Udemy

Canceling Udemy should be straightforward, but small mistakes can leave you subscribed or unable to claim a refund. We understand how frustrating it is to think you have canceled only to be charged again, which is why we highlight the most common errors here.

Mistakes that leave you subscribed

The biggest mistake is canceling through the Udemy app instead of your web account or your payment provider. Many users see a "Pause" or "Manage Plan" button in the app and assume it cancels their subscription - it does not. You must go to the web account settings or your Apple or Google subscription settings to actually stop renewal.

Another error is canceling on the wrong platform. If you subscribed through Apple but try to cancel on Udemy.com, your subscription continues because Udemy does not control the charge. Similarly, if you subscribed directly on Udemy.com but look for a cancel button in the app, you will not find one. Match your cancellation method to your original payment method.

A third mistake is not confirming the cancellation. Many users click "Cancel subscription," see a popup, and close it without reading whether they clicked "Confirm" or "Cancel." Take a moment to read carefully, take a screenshot, and verify that your subscription status changes to "Canceled" or "Expires [date]" immediately afterward.

Mistakes that cost you a refund

Waiting too long to request a refund is the most costly error. Udemy honors refunds within 30 days of purchase. If you wait 35 days, the window closes and Udemy will reject your request. Stopee advises you to request a refund on the same day you realize you want to cancel - do not assume you have weeks.

Another refund killer is using the course extensively before requesting a refund. If you watch 20 hours of course video and then ask for a refund, Udemy will assume you had the benefit of the course and deny your request. Refunds are intended for buyers who change their mind early, not for students who complete most of the course and then ask for money back. If you want to test a course, refund it quickly if it is not for you.

Finally, do not delete your payment method or account before canceling. Some users think deleting their card or account stops auto-renewal - it does not. Udemy will continue trying to charge you and may flag your account as past due. Instead, use the proper cancellation steps first, then delete your payment method 30 days later if you wish.

What happens after you cancel Udemy

Once your cancellation is confirmed, you are still entitled to use your Udemy courses until your billing period ends. You do not lose access immediately. Understanding what to expect after cancellation helps you make the most of your final days and prepare for life without the subscription.

Your access after cancellation

If you cancel today, you retain full access to all your enrolled courses and resources until your next billing date. For example, if you canceled on 15 March and your renewal date is 30 March, you have 15 more days to download materials, finish videos, and complete quizzes. Use this time wisely to capture anything you need offline.

After your subscription expires, you will lose access to Personal Plan courses unless you purchased individual courses separately. Individual courses you bought (not through a subscription) remain yours permanently. Log in and check your Purchase History to see which courses are yours to keep and which were subscription-only.

Cancellation confirmation and documentation

Udemy or your payment provider will send a cancellation confirmation email within 1 to 2 business days. Save this email in a folder labeled "Subscriptions" or similar. If you dispute a charge months from now, this email proves you canceled. Stopee recommends organizing all such documentation by service name and date.

If a charge appears after your cancellation confirmation, contact your bank immediately with your cancellation email and the charge receipt. Most banks will reverse unauthorized charges quickly once you provide this proof. Do not wait or hope the issue resolves itself - contact your bank within 60 days of the unwanted charge.

Alternatives to Udemy for online learning in malaysia

If you are reconsidering your learning platform, these alternatives offer different value propositions that may suit your goals better than Udemy.

Your cancellation checklist before you submit

Use this checklist to confirm you are ready to cancel and have taken all necessary steps to protect yourself.

• I have logged into my Udemy account and confirmed I have an active subscription (not just individual courses)
• I have noted my next billing date and current plan name
• I have taken a screenshot of my subscription plan page
• I have identified where I subscribed: Udemy.com, Apple, or Google Play
• I understand that I will lose subscription access after my current billing period ends
• I have downloaded or saved any course materials I want to keep
• I am ready to cancel through the correct platform (web, App Store, or Google Play)
• I have prepared my refund request within 30 days of the charge I want to refund
• I will take a screenshot of my cancellation confirmation for my records
• I will monitor my email for a cancellation confirmation from Udemy or my payment provider

Why stopee helps you cancel with confidence

Canceling a subscription should not feel complicated or risky. Stopee has helped thousands of Malaysian consumers navigate cancellations safely, recover refunds, and understand their consumer rights. Our step-by-step guides, checklists, and escalation advice are designed to remove the guesswork and give you control over your subscriptions.

Whether you are canceling Udemy, switching to a cheaper platform, or simply reclaiming your budget, Stopee is here to guide you through every step. We have seen every dark pattern, every billing trap, and every refund challenge - and we know how to help you resolve them quickly. Visit Stopee.com today to access cancellation guides for hundreds of services and connect with consumer advocates who understand your situation.

Your money is yours to manage. If a subscription no longer serves you, cancel it without guilt and without hassle. Stopee makes cancellation simple, and we have helped thousands of consumers do exactly that. Start your cancellation journey with us, and take back control of your subscriptions.