Manage Upwork

How to cancel upwork in nigeria and protect your earnings

What upwork is and why you might cancel

Upwork connects Nigerian freelancers and international clients through a digital platform designed for remote work, project management, and payments. Whether you're a freelancer managing multiple clients or a business hiring remote talent, you may hold a paid subscription, Project Catalog purchase, or active contract on the platform.

You might cancel your Upwork subscription for several reasons: you've found better opportunities elsewhere, you want to reduce platform fees, or you're consolidating your freelance work onto a single platform. Whatever your reason, Stopee is here to guide you through the cancellation process step by step, ensuring you understand your rights as a Nigerian consumer and avoid costly mistakes.

Who uses upwork and what they pay for

Freelancers use Upwork to bid on projects, build client relationships, and access paid membership tiers that reduce bidding fees and unlock premium features. Clients hire specialists across writing, design, development, marketing, and dozens of other categories. Some users subscribe monthly for membership benefits; others make one-off Project Catalog purchases or maintain active contracts with milestone payments.

If you're a Nigerian freelancer, you likely pay subscription fees in NGN (Nigerian Naira) via web payment, or through your iOS or Android device via Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The method you used to pay matters enormously when you cancel, because each payment channel has its own cancellation and refund rules.

Why cancelling correctly matters in nigeria

Simply deleting the Upwork app does not cancel your subscription. Unsubscribing from one payment method (like Apple) does not stop web-based renewals. Cancelling a subscription does not automatically close your account or delete your profile, contracts, or messages. These gaps in understanding lead to unwanted charges that drain your naira balance month after month.

At Stopee, we've helped thousands of consumers in Nigeria cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover overcharges. Understanding Upwork's three separate cancellation pathways-iOS App Store, Google Play, and web billing-is the first step to taking control of your account.

Your consumer rights under nigerian law

The federal competition and consumer protection act (FCCPA)

Nigeria's Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) gives you the right to cancel digital services within 14 days of purchase if you change your mind, provided you have not fully used the service. This cooling-off period applies to subscription renewals as well.

If Upwork refuses to cancel your subscription or issue a refund within 14 days, you can escalate to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Nigeria's consumer authority. The FCCPC accepts complaints about unfair contract terms, failure to honour cancellation requests, and deceptive billing practices.

Your right to transparent billing

Under the FCCPA, Upwork must provide you with a clear billing statement before each charge, including the amount in NGN, the date, and the service being renewed. If your billing statement is unclear or charges appear without your explicit consent, you have the right to dispute the charge and demand a refund.

Additionally, Upwork must make cancellation as easy as subscription. If they make you jump through multiple screens to subscribe but bury the cancel button, that violates the principle of transparency. At Stopee, we help you document these violations and file complaints with the FCCPC if necessary.

How to cancel upwork based on your payment method

Cancel upwork on iOS (Apple app store)

If you subscribed to Upwork through the Apple App Store on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you must cancel through Apple settings, not through Upwork.com. Apple handles the billing, not Upwork, so only Apple can issue refunds.

1. Open the Settings app on your iOS device.
2. Tap your Apple ID name at the top of the screen.
   • If you do not see your name, tap "Sign in to your iPhone" and follow the prompts.
3. Tap Subscriptions.
   • You will see all active subscriptions linked to your Apple ID.
4. Find Upwork in the list and tap it.
5. Tap Cancel Subscription at the bottom of the screen.
   • Apple will ask you to confirm. Tap Confirm Cancellation.
6. You will receive a confirmation email from Apple within minutes.

Pro tip: Screenshot the confirmation page. You will need this proof if Apple charges you again or if you later file a dispute with the FCCPC.

Warning: Do not delete the Upwork app from your device. Deleting the app does not cancel your subscription; Apple will still charge you on the renewal date. Always cancel through Settings first.

Cancel upwork on android (Google play store)

If you subscribed via Google Play on an Android phone or tablet, Google-not Upwork-controls your billing and refund eligibility. You must cancel through the Google Play app on your device.

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
2. Tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner.
   • If you see a profile picture instead, tap it and select Settings.
3. Tap Subscriptions.
   • You will see all subscriptions billed to your Google account.
4. Tap Upwork.
5. Tap Cancel Subscription.
   • Google will ask why you are cancelling. Choose a reason (optional) and tap Continue.
6. Confirm the cancellation on the next screen.

Pro tip: If Google offers you a discount to keep your subscription ("We'll give you 30% off your next month"), ignore it unless you genuinely want to stay. Accepting a discount restarts your commitment and delays your cancellation.

Warning: Google Play will charge you up until the exact moment your cancellation takes effect. If your renewal date is tomorrow, you may still be charged once more. Request a refund immediately after cancellation if this happens.

Cancel upwork on web (Upwork.com)

If you paid for your Upwork subscription directly through Upwork.com using a credit card, debit card, or other payment method, you cancel it through your account billing settings. This is the most straightforward method and the one where Stopee can offer the clearest guidance.

1. Go to Upwork.com and sign into your account.
2. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select Settings.
   • On mobile, tap the three-line menu icon and scroll to find Account Settings or Billing.
3. Look for Billing and Transactions, Billing Settings, or Subscription Management (exact label varies).
   • If you see a Memberships or Subscriptions tab, click it.
4. Find your active subscription in the list.
5. Click Cancel Subscription or Turn Off Auto-Renewal next to it.
   • Upwork may ask for feedback on why you are cancelling. You can skip this or provide a reason.
6. Confirm the cancellation when prompted.
7. You will see a message saying "Subscription cancelled" or "Auto-renewal turned off."

Pro tip: After cancellation, take a screenshot of the confirmation page and note the exact date and time. You will need this proof if Upwork charges you again.

Warning: Upwork may show you a message like "Your subscription will end on [date]. You will lose access to [features]." This is normal and expected. You keep access until your current paid period expires; you just won't be charged for renewal.

Cancel an active upwork contract or project catalog purchase

If you purchased a Project Catalog item or hired a freelancer through a contract, cancelling your subscription does not end that contract. You must cancel the contract separately through your active work history.

1. Sign into Upwork.com.
2. Go to Contracts, My Work, or Manage Work (depending on your role and account type).
   • Freelancers: look for "My Work" or "Active Contracts."
   • Clients: look for "My Contracts" or "Active Projects."
3. Find the contract or project you want to cancel.
4. Click the three-dot menu icon next to it and select Cancel Contract.
   • A dialog will appear explaining the cancellation terms.
5. Confirm the cancellation.
6. If you are a client, the freelancer may approve a refund. If you are a freelancer, the contract ends.
   • Refunds are not automatic; the other party must agree.

Stopping a contract does not recover fees already paid or hours already logged. Stopee recommends reviewing Upwork's termination policy before filing a cancellation request, especially if money is involved.

What happens to your account after cancellation

Access, profile, and data retention

Cancelling your Upwork subscription does not delete your account, profile, or work history. Your profile remains visible to clients, your messages remain in your inbox, and your contract history stays on file. This is by design, because Upwork wants you to be able to reactivate your subscription later without losing your reputation or client relationships.

If you want to completely remove your presence from Upwork-delete your profile, hide your feedback, and erase your identity-you must close your account separately. Account closure is a permanent action and takes up to 30 days to process. At Stopee, we advise closing your account only if you are certain you will never return to the platform.

Renewal dates and final charges

After you cancel a subscription, Upwork will not charge you on the next renewal date. However, if you cancel on the day before renewal, your account may still process one final charge because the payment cycle has already been triggered. This is not a violation of your cancellation; it is a technical reality of how billing systems work.

If you are charged after cancellation, contact Upwork support immediately with your cancellation confirmation. Under the FCCPA, you have the right to dispute the charge and demand a refund if it violates your express cancellation request.

Refund eligibility and timelines in nigeria

Refunds for subscriptions bought through iOS

Apple controls refund eligibility for App Store subscriptions, not Upwork. Apple typically refunds subscriptions cancelled within 14 days of purchase (your cooling-off period under the FCCPA). After 14 days, Apple rarely issues refunds unless you can prove you were charged in error.

1. Open the Apple App Store app.
2. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner.
3. Tap Purchase History.
4. Find Upwork and tap it.
5. Tap Report a Problem.
   • Explain why you want a refund (e.g., "I was not aware of the subscription charge," "I cancelled but was still charged after cancellation").
6. Submit your request.
7. Apple will email you within 48 hours.

Pro tip: If Apple denies your first refund request, you can appeal. Reference the FCCPA 14-day cooling-off period in your appeal; Apple respects regional consumer protection laws.

Refunds for subscriptions bought through google play

Google Play refunds subscriptions within 48 hours of purchase with no questions asked. After 48 hours, refunds are at Google's discretion. If you cancel within the 48-hour window, you will receive your full payment back to your original payment method within 3 to 5 business days.

1. Open the Google Play Store app.
2. Tap Menu > Subscriptions.
3. Tap Upwork.
4. Tap Manage (or Cancel Subscription).
5. Tap Report a Problem.
6. Select Refund and explain why (e.g., "Accidental charge," "Subscription not as described").
7. Submit your request and wait for Google's response.

Google typically approves refund requests if you request within the 48-hour window and have not used premium features extensively. After 48 hours, your chances of approval drop significantly.

Refunds for web subscriptions and contract payments

Upwork allows clients to request refunds for contract payments within 180 days of the original charge. Freelancers and agencies have discretion to approve or deny refund requests. If approved, the refund is credited to your Upwork account within 3 to 5 business days, not directly to your bank.

For payments older than 180 days, contact Upwork support and explain your situation. Upwork occasionally grants exceptions, especially if you can prove an error or violation of the contract terms. At Stopee, we recommend documenting every request in writing and keeping copies of all correspondence.

Warning: Refunds to your Upwork account are not the same as refunds to your bank. You will need to withdraw the credited funds manually, and Upwork may apply withdrawal fees. Always ask Upwork support to refund directly to your original payment method if possible.

Upwork pricing and subscription plans in nigeria

Freelancer memberships and pricing

Upwork offers tiered membership plans for freelancers, each with different monthly fees (billed in NGN), bidding allowances, and service fee reductions. Prices vary by plan, currency conversion rates, and whether you pay via web, iOS, or Google Play.

Prices shown are approximate and based on typical NGN conversions at the time of writing. Upwork adjusts prices quarterly, and currency fluctuations may cause your charge to differ. Always check your billing statement in Settings before subscribing to confirm the exact NGN amount.

Common mistakes people make when cancelling upwork

Understanding the confusion many nigerians face

Thousands of Nigerian freelancers have been overcharged because they believed deleting the Upwork app cancelled their subscription, or because they thought cancelling on one device (iOS) also cancelled their web subscription. These are not mistakes born of carelessness; they are the result of deliberately confusing platform design.

Mistake 1: deleting the app instead of cancelling the subscription

Removing the Upwork app from your phone does nothing to stop your subscription. Upwork's servers will still charge your payment method on the renewal date. The only way to stop the charge is to cancel the subscription through the payment platform (Apple, Google, or Upwork.com directly).

Mistake 2: cancelling on iOS but not on the web

If you have two separate Upwork subscriptions-one through the iOS App Store and one through web payments-you must cancel both. Cancelling the iOS subscription does not affect your web subscription, and vice versa. Check all three payment channels (iOS, Android, web) to ensure you do not have multiple active subscriptions.

Mistake 3: assuming your cancellation worked without checking

After cancelling, many users do not verify that the cancellation actually processed. Weeks later, they discover they were still being charged. At Stopee, we strongly recommend logging back into your account 48 hours after cancellation to confirm that the subscription no longer shows as active.

Mistake 4: not requesting a refund for charges after cancellation

If Upwork charged you after you cancelled, you have the right under the FCCPA to demand a refund. Do not assume the charge was intentional or correct. Contact Upwork support, reference your cancellation date, and ask for an immediate refund. If Upwork refuses, escalate to the FCCPC.

Mistake 5: closing your account instead of cancelling your subscription

Closing your Upwork account is permanent and takes 30 days. It deletes your profile, hides your feedback, and erases your work history. If you only want to stop paying for a subscription but keep your profile and past contracts visible, do not close your account; only cancel the subscription.

Your cancellation checklist for upwork

Before you cancel, gather this information and complete each step to protect yourself:

Comparing upwork to alternatives in nigeria

Other freelance platforms with clearer cancellation policies

If you are frustrated with Upwork's confusing cancellation process, you have alternatives. Stopee has reviewed several platforms popular with Nigerian freelancers to help you make an informed decision.

None of these platforms is universally superior to Upwork; each suits different work styles and client bases. However, if you are primarily frustrated by Upwork's complex cancellation process, platforms like Fiverr and Guru offer simpler billing models with fewer subscription traps.

What to do if upwork refuses to cancel or issue a refund

Escalation path through the FCCPC

If Upwork does not respond to your cancellation or refund request within 14 days, or if they deny your request without valid reason, you can file a formal complaint with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). The FCCPC is Nigeria's consumer authority and has the power to fine Upwork and force them to refund you.

1. Gather all evidence: cancellation confirmation, billing statements, screenshots, and emails from Upwork.
2. Go to the FCCPC website (fccpc.gov.ng) and download the complaint form.
3. Fill out the form with your personal details, Upwork's business address, and a detailed account of what happened.
4. Reference the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) section on cancellation rights and the 14-day cooling-off period.
5. Submit the form to FCCPC along with all supporting documents.
6. The FCCPC will send your complaint to Upwork and ask for a written response.
7. If Upwork does not respond satisfactorily, the FCCPC will investigate and may impose a fine or order a refund.

Pro tip: Keep your complaint factual and reference specific dates, amounts (in NGN), and policy numbers. The FCCPC takes well-documented complaints more seriously than vague complaints.

Stopee recommends filing your FCCPC complaint as soon as Upwork misses the 14-day cancellation window or refuses a valid refund request. The process is free and protected by Nigerian law.

How stopee helps you navigate subscription cancellations

Your partner in consumer protection

At Stopee, we understand how frustrating it is to be trapped in unwanted subscriptions, especially when you live in Nigeria and deal with currency conversion, complex billing systems, and platform designs that actively discourage cancellation. Our mission is to give you clarity, confidence, and the tools to cancel any subscription-including Upwork-without losing money or peace of mind.

Stopee has helped thousands of consumers in Nigeria cancel Upwork subscriptions, recover overcharges, and file successful complaints with the FCCPC. We provide step-by-step guidance for every payment method (iOS, Android, web), explain your consumer rights under the FCCPA, and help you document your cancellation proof so you are protected if disputes arise later.

Whether you are a freelancer cancelling a membership you no longer use, a client closing a project, or someone fighting an unauthorized charge, Stopee walks you through every step with empathy, clarity, and zero judgment. Visit Stopee.com today to access free cancellation guides, complaint templates, and expert advice tailored to Nigeria's consumer laws and Upwork's billing system.

Upwork cancellation contact information for nigeria

How to reach upwork support

Upwork does not maintain a postal address or phone line specific to Nigeria. All support requests route through Upwork's global ticketing system. Use the following channels to request cancellation, dispute charges, or escalate issues:

Web support form: Sign into your Upwork account, go to Help & Support, and submit a cancellation or billing inquiry. Response times typically range from 24 to 72 hours.

Email support: Upwork forwards support requests from your account inbox. Include "CANCELLATION REQUEST" in the subject line and reference your billing statement and the FCCPA cooling-off period to ensure priority handling.

In-app support: Open the Upwork app, tap Help, and select "Contact Us." This route may be faster for app-based subscription issues.

FCCPC escalation: If Upwork does not respond within 14 days or refuses a valid request, file a complaint with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Abuja, Nigeria. Website: fccpc.gov.ng. Complaints are free and legally binding.

What information to include in your cancellation request

When you contact Upwork, include the following to speed up the process:

• Your Upwork account email address and user ID
• The date you purchased the subscription
• The payment method (iOS, Google Play, or web card)
• Your renewal date
• A clear statement: "I request immediate cancellation of my subscription, effective today. Please confirm cancellation in writing."
• Reference to the FCCPA 14-day cooling-off period if applicable

Keep a copy of every message you send and every response you receive. These documents form your legal record and are essential if you later need to file an FCCPC complaint or dispute a charge with your bank.

Final summary and next steps

Cancelling Upwork is straightforward once you understand which payment method you used and where the cancel button lives. Whether you subscribed through iOS, Android, or the web, Stopee has given you the exact steps to end your subscription today without losing money or access to your profile and past work.

Remember: cancelling a subscription is your right under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act. Upwork must process your cancellation within 14 days. If they charge you after cancellation or refuse to honour your request, you can escalate to the FCCPC at no cost.

Take action now. Check your current subscriptions across all three platforms (iOS, Android, web), screenshot your billing statements, and cancel the ones you no longer need. If you encounter resistance, use the FCCPC escalation path outlined above. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover unauthorized charges-and we're here to support you every step of the way. Visit Stopee.com today and take back control of your subscriptions and your naira.