Manage Goodnotes

How to cancel Goodnotes in malaysia and stop auto-renewal charges

What Goodnotes is and why you might want to leave

Goodnotes is a digital note-taking app that lets you handwrite notes, mark up PDFs, and organise documents across Apple, Android, Windows, and web. It's widely used by students and professionals in Malaysia, but many users find themselves stuck with auto-renewal charges they didn't expect or no longer need.

Goodnotes as a subscription service

Goodnotes operates on a freemium model with paid tiers that unlock features like unlimited documents, cloud sync across devices, AI tools, and watermark-free exports. The catch is that once you start a paid subscription or trial, the app auto-renews unless you cancel manually before your renewal date. Many Malaysian users don't realise this until their credit card is charged in MYR at an unexpected exchange rate.

The subscription is tied to where you purchased it: directly through Goodnotes on web, Android, or Windows; through the Apple App Store on iPhone or iPad; or through Google Play on Android devices. Each platform has a different cancellation path, which is a common source of frustration. Pro tip: If you're unsure where you subscribed, check your email for the original receipt or your app store account history.

Current pricing and plan tiers in malaysia

Goodnotes publishes prices in USD, but Malaysian card holders pay in MYR. Based on current exchange rates, here's what you'll see:

Exchange rates vary daily, so your actual MYR charge may differ. Many Malaysian users cancel because they underestimated the annual cost or switched to a cheaper alternative like OneNote or Apple Notes.

Your consumer rights under malaysian law

Consumer protection when cancelling digital services

Malaysia's Consumer Protection Act 1999 gives you rights when you purchase goods or services, including digital subscriptions. You have the right to receive goods or services of acceptable quality, safety, and fitness for purpose. If Goodnotes fails to deliver the service you paid for, or if you're charged without authorisation after cancelling, you can escalate a complaint to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA).

Additionally, Goodnotes' own Terms and Conditions state that you must cancel at least one day before your renewal date to prevent the next charge. If you cancel on time and still get billed, you have grounds to request a refund. Stopee recommends keeping screenshots of your cancellation confirmation and your billing statement as evidence.

Right of withdrawal and refund eligibility

Goodnotes' Terms and Conditions (as of February 2025) include a withdrawal clause for users in certain jurisdictions. If you're within the withdrawal period (typically 14 days for digital services in some regions), you may be eligible for a full refund even after using the service. However, Malaysia's Consumer Protection Act does not automatically grant a statutory cooling-off period for digital downloads in the same way EU law does, so your refund eligibility depends on Goodnotes' own policy and any promotional terms.

Pro tip: Always request your refund in writing to Goodnotes' support team, referencing the date you purchased and cancelled. Stopee has found that documented requests are far more likely to succeed than casual chat messages.

Methods to cancel Goodnotes based on where you subscribed

Cancel if you subscribed through apple app store (iPhone or iPad)

App Store subscriptions are managed separately from Goodnotes' account settings, so the in-app cancel button won't work.

1. Open the Apple App Store app on your iPhone or iPad.
   • Tap the Account icon (your profile picture) in the bottom-right corner.
   • Select Subscriptions.
   • Find Goodnotes in the list.
2. Tap Edit or the subscription name to open its details.
3. Tap Cancel Subscription.
   • Apple will ask you to confirm and may offer a discounted renewal as a last resort. Ignore the offer if you're certain you want to cancel.
4. Confirm the cancellation. You'll receive an email confirmation from Apple within minutes.
5. Check your email (both inbox and spam) for the cancellation confirmation. Screenshot it and save it to your records.

Warning: If you cancel inside the Goodnotes app instead of through the App Store, the subscription will continue renewing because the cancellation isn't linked to your App Store billing. This is the most common mistake Malaysian users make.

Cancel if you subscribed through google play (Android)

Like the App Store, Google Play subscriptions must be cancelled through the Google Play app or website, not within Goodnotes itself.

1. Open the Google Play app on your Android device.
   • Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
   • Select Payments and subscriptions, then Subscriptions.
2. Find Goodnotes in your active subscriptions list.
3. Tap Cancel subscription.
   • Google Play will show you the cancellation date and may display a retention offer. Proceed with cancellation if you're sure.
4. Confirm the final cancellation prompt.
5. Wait for a confirmation email from Google Play. Save this confirmation.

Your access continues until the current billing period ends, so you won't lose the app immediately. However, features like cloud sync will be restricted once your paid period expires.

Cancel if you subscribed directly through Goodnotes on web, android, or windows

If you purchased directly from Goodnotes' website or through a direct in-app purchase on Android or Windows (not Google Play), cancellation happens inside the Goodnotes app or web account.

1. Open the Goodnotes app (web, Android, or Windows version).
2. Tap the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner.
   • On web, this is usually the hamburger menu in the top-left or top-right.
   • On Android or Windows, it's the three-dot menu icon.
3. Select your account name or Profile settings.
4. Tap Subscription or Manage Subscription.
5. Tap Cancel Subscription.
   • Goodnotes will ask you to confirm and may ask why you're leaving. Fill this out honestly if you want, or skip it.
6. Confirm the cancellation. You'll see a message confirming your subscription is now cancelled.
7. Take a screenshot of this confirmation page. Check your email for a cancellation receipt from Goodnotes.

Pro tip: If the Cancel Subscription button is missing or greyed out, log out of the app, wait 10 minutes, and log back in. Glitches with subscription status can prevent the button from appearing until the app refreshes.

What happens after you cancel Goodnotes

Access and feature restrictions

After you cancel, you'll retain access to Goodnotes until your current billing period ends. On that final date, your account downgrades to the free tier, and paid features lock down immediately. Any documents you created remain in the app as read-only files unless you export them beforehand.

Cloud sync (Goodnotes Cloud) stops working once your subscription expires, which means notebooks stored only in the cloud become inaccessible if you're relying on cloud-only sync. Pro tip: Before cancelling, export all important notebooks to your device as backup files. To do this, open each notebook, tap the three-dot menu, and select Export or Share. Save the file to your device or email it to yourself.

Reactivating your subscription

You can resubscribe to Goodnotes at any time through the same platform you cancelled from. If you cancelled through the App Store, you resubscribe through the App Store. Your old notebooks will still be there, and you'll regain access to paid features immediately after resubscribing. Goodnotes does not charge a reactivation fee; you simply restart the subscription cycle.

How to request a refund from Goodnotes

When you're eligible for a refund

You're eligible for a refund if one of the following applies: you cancelled within Goodnotes' stated withdrawal period (typically 14 days if you're in an eligible jurisdiction); you were charged after you cancelled and the cancellation was confirmed; or you can demonstrate that Goodnotes failed to deliver the service you paid for (e.g., the app crashed repeatedly and is unusable).

Malaysia's Consumer Protection Act does not mandate a statutory cooling-off period for digital services the way EU law does, but Goodnotes' own terms may offer a withdrawal option. Stopee recommends checking Goodnotes' full Terms and Conditions at their website to confirm what applies to Malaysian users.

Requesting a refund step by step

1. Gather your evidence: order confirmation email, screenshot of cancellation confirmation, and your credit card statement showing the charge.
2. Visit the Goodnotes Help Center at support.goodnotes.com and search for "Refund" or "Contact Support".
3. Submit a support ticket or email with the subject line: "Refund request for Goodnotes subscription [your order date]".
4. In your message, include:
   • Your Goodnotes account email address.
   • The subscription plan you purchased and the date of purchase.
   • The date you cancelled and proof of cancellation (screenshots).
   • The reason you're requesting a refund (e.g., "Cancelled within withdrawal period" or "Billed after cancellation").
   • Your preferred refund method (refund to card, credit in account, etc.).
5. Expect a response within 5-10 business days. Goodnotes' support team typically replies promptly to refund requests with evidence.
6. If Goodnotes denies your refund and you believe they're wrong, escalate to the MDTCA (Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs) with copies of all your correspondence.

Pro tip: Mention the Consumer Protection Act 1999 in your refund request if you believe your consumer rights were breached. This signals that you know your legal standing and often prompts a faster resolution.

Pricing comparison and why you might cancel

When Goodnotes makes sense and when it doesn't

Common mistakes that keep you charged after cancelling

Why cancellation fails and how to avoid it

It's frustrating to discover you're still being charged weeks after you thought you'd cancelled, and Stopee understands the anger and confusion this creates. Here are the traps that catch most users:

• Cancelling in the app when you subscribed via App Store or Google Play. The in-app cancel button is decorative if your subscription is managed by Apple or Google. You must cancel through their platforms.
• Cancelling too close to your renewal date. Goodnotes says you need to cancel at least one day before renewal. If you cancel on the same day as renewal, you may still be charged. Check your renewal date in your account settings first.
• Not confirming the cancellation. Many users tap the cancel button but don't wait for a confirmation message or email. If you don't see a confirmation, the cancellation didn't go through.
• Forgetting about free trials. If you signed up for a trial and didn't cancel before it ended, Goodnotes automatically converts you to a paid subscription. Set a phone reminder for two days before your trial ends.
• Logging out or switching devices before the cancellation completes. Always stay in the app or on the website until you see the final confirmation message. Closing the app mid-process may interrupt the cancellation.

Pro tip: Screenshot your cancellation confirmation and set a calendar reminder for two days after your cancellation date to verify that you were not charged. This gives you proof and early warning if something went wrong.

Checklist before and after cancelling Goodnotes

Pre-cancellation checklist

• Identify where you subscribed (App Store, Google Play, or directly with Goodnotes).
• Find your renewal date in your account settings or subscription receipt.
• Export all important notebooks as backup files to your device or email.
• Take screenshots of your current plan, renewal date, and account email address.
• Verify your payment method on file is correct (in case a refund is needed).

Post-cancellation checklist

• Save your cancellation confirmation email or screenshot.
• Set a phone reminder for your original renewal date to confirm no charge occurred.
• Check your credit card or bank statement 5-7 days later to verify no billing.
• If you see a charge after cancellation, contact Goodnotes support immediately with your cancellation proof.
• Keep all cancellation evidence for at least one year in case you need to dispute a charge with your bank.

Contact Goodnotes for unresolved cancellation issues

Escalation addresses and support channels

If Goodnotes continues to charge you after you've cancelled with proof, or if your refund request is ignored, you have the right to escalate your complaint. Stopee recommends using the official contact address listed in Goodnotes' Terms and Conditions.

Based on Goodnotes' current documentation, the primary address for withdrawal and cancellation notices is:

Goodnotes
1 Bartholomew Lane
London, EC2N 2AX
United Kingdom

An alternative address that appears in more recent terms is:

Goodnotes
5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf
London, E14 5HU
United Kingdom

Send any formal cancellation or refund requests in writing to one of these addresses via registered mail or email (if available through their support portal). Keep a copy of your letter and proof of sending.

If Goodnotes does not respond within 14 days, or if they refuse your refund without valid reason, lodge a complaint with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA) in Malaysia. You can contact them at:

• Phone: 1800-88-5000 (toll-free in Malaysia)
• Website: mdtcc.gov.my
• Email: Check their website for the appropriate department email

The MDTCA can investigate your complaint and compel Goodnotes to refund you or take corrective action if they find the company violated the Consumer Protection Act 1999.

Summary and next steps

Take control of your subscription today

Cancelling Goodnotes is straightforward once you know which platform you subscribed through and you verify your renewal date before acting. The key is to cancel in the right place (App Store, Google Play, or Goodnotes directly), confirm the cancellation, and export your data before access is restricted.

Don't let auto-renewal charges surprise you. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel Goodnotes and recover unexpected charges by following these exact steps and keeping evidence of every action. Whether you're switching to a free alternative, cutting subscription costs, or simply no longer need the app, you now have a clear roadmap to cancel without frustration.

If you face resistance from Goodnotes or are charged after cancellation, remember that Malaysia's Consumer Protection Act 1999 is on your side. Use the MDTCA as your escalation partner and don't settle for poor customer service. Stopee is here to remind you: your rights as a consumer matter, and you deserve transparency and respect when you cancel.