Manage Iheartradio

How to cancel iHeartRadio in new zealand and claim your money back

What is iHeartRadio and why listeners in new zealand choose it

iHeartRadio is a global streaming audio platform that brings live radio stations, curated playlists, and on-demand music to your device. Owned by iHeartMedia, it operates across multiple markets and reaches New Zealand listeners through mobile apps, web browsers, and connected devices like Roku and Amazon Fire. The service appeals to people who want flexibility between ad-supported free listening and ad-free paid tiers with full library access.

Core features and what you get

iHeartRadio offers ad-supported streaming at no cost, while paid plans unlock commercial-free broadcast stations, unlimited song skipping, personalised playlists you can create yourself, and offline listening on some devices. The platform works across iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, and web browsers. Features and device availability vary, so what you see on iPhone may differ from what's available on Android or desktop.

Why you might want to cancel

You may decide to cancel because you've found another streaming service you prefer, the cost no longer fits your budget, you're not using the free tier enough to justify a paid plan, or you disagree with billing charges. Whatever your reason, Stopee is here to walk you through the cancellation process step by step so you understand exactly what happens to your access and money.

Your consumer rights and what new zealand law protects

The consumer guarantees act and your protection

New Zealand's Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 protects you when you buy services, including digital subscriptions like iHeartRadio. The law states that services must be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose, and delivered with reasonable care and skill. If iHeartRadio fails to deliver these promises-for example, if the service is consistently unavailable or fundamentally different from what was advertised-you have the right to seek a refund or compensation.

Additionally, if you're charged without clear consent or if billing continues after you cancel, the Act supports your right to dispute those charges. Stopee recommends keeping screenshots of your cancellation confirmation and any confirmation emails as evidence if you need to escalate a dispute.

Your right to cancel and refund expectations

You have the unconditional right to cancel your iHeartRadio subscription at any time. However, iHeartRadio's standard policy does not grant pro-rata refunds for mid-term cancellations-meaning if you cancel on day 15 of a 30-day billing cycle, you keep access until day 30 but receive no refund for the unused 15 days. This is a standard industry practice and is legal under New Zealand law, provided it was clearly disclosed when you subscribed.

Free trials are different: if you cancel before the trial ends, you are not charged at all. Once your free trial ends and you're charged, that payment is usually non-refundable unless you can demonstrate a genuine billing error or service failure. If you believe iHeartRadio has breached the Consumer Guarantees Act, you can contact the Commerce Commission or seek advice from a consumer advocate like Stopee.

How to cancel iHeartRadio in new zealand

Cancel directly through the iHeartRadio website

Cancelling through iHeart.com gives you the fastest, most transparent cancellation path. You control the process entirely, and you'll receive an instant confirmation email.

1. Open a web browser and go to iHeart.com.
2. Sign in with your iHeartRadio email address and password.
3. Click your account menu (usually top-right) and select "My Settings" or "Account Settings".
4. Navigate to "Subscriptions" or "Change Plan".
5. Find your active subscription and select "Cancel Subscription" or "Downgrade to Free".
6. iHeartRadio will ask you to confirm cancellation and may offer a discount to retain you-ignore this unless you genuinely want to stay.
7. Confirm the cancellation. Your subscription will remain active until the end of your current billing cycle; you won't lose access early.
8. Check your email for a cancellation confirmation within minutes.

Pro tip: Save or screenshot the confirmation page before you close your browser. This proves you cancelled on a specific date and protects you if iHeartRadio incorrectly charges you again.

Cancel through the apple app store (iPhone and iPad)

If you subscribed to iHeartRadio via the Apple App Store on your iPhone or iPad, you must cancel through Apple's Settings, not through the iHeartRadio app itself.

1. Open the "Settings" app on your iOS device.
2. Tap your name at the top of the screen.
3. Select "Subscriptions".
4. Find and tap "iHeartRadio".
5. Tap "Cancel Subscription".
6. Confirm your cancellation. Apple will show you the exact date your access ends.

For Mac users, the process differs slightly: open the Mac App Store, click your account icon, select "Manage Subscriptions", find iHeartRadio, and click "Cancel".

Warning: Deleting the iHeartRadio app does not cancel your subscription. You must follow these steps in Settings, or your subscription will auto-renew and you'll be charged.

Cancel through google play (Android devices)

Android users who subscribed via Google Play must cancel through the Google Play Store app, not the iHeartRadio app.

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
3. Select "Manage subscriptions".
4. Tap "iHeartRadio".
5. Tap "Cancel subscription".
6. Follow the prompts and confirm cancellation.

If you prefer to cancel on desktop, visit play.google.com/store/account, click "Subscriptions", find iHeartRadio, and select "Cancel".

Cancel through amazon appstore (Fire tablets and fire TV)

Fire device users subscribed through Amazon's store must cancel via Amazon, not the iHeartRadio app.

1. On your Amazon Fire device, open the Amazon Appstore app.
2. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select "Subscriptions".
3. Find iHeartRadio in your active subscriptions list.
4. Tap "Manage subscription".
5. Uncheck the "Auto-renew this subscription" box.
6. Tap "Save" to confirm.

Pro tip: After you uncheck auto-renew, Amazon will display the exact date your current subscription expires. Write this date down so you know when your access ends.

Cancel through roku

Roku users can cancel directly on the device or through the Roku website.

1. On your Roku device, press "Home" on the remote.
2. Highlight the iHeartRadio channel.
3. Press the "*" (Star) button on your remote.
4. Select "Manage subscription".
5. Choose "Cancel subscription" and confirm with "Done".

Alternatively, on desktop, visit my.roku.com, log in with your Roku account, go to "Manage your subscriptions", find iHeartRadio, and select "Unsubscribe".

What happens immediately after you cancel

Your access and billing after cancellation

When you cancel iHeartRadio, auto-renewal stops instantly, but your paid access continues until the end of your current billing cycle. You will not be charged again as long as you cancelled before the next scheduled renewal date. Your account remains active and fully functional until the clock runs out on your current payment period.

For example, if you're charged on the 1st of each month and you cancel on the 15th, you keep full access to paid features until the 1st of the following month. After that date, you're automatically downgraded to the free ad-supported tier.

Your account, playlists, and saved preferences

iHeartRadio retains your account data, playlists, favourite stations, and listening history indefinitely unless you request deletion. If you cancel and later decide to resubscribe, your personal content and settings are waiting for you. This is convenient if you want to pause rather than permanently leave the service.

If you want your account and all personal data permanently deleted, contact iHeartRadio support through the website and explicitly request account deletion. Keep any confirmation email you receive, as it proves you asked for removal.

Will you get a refund after cancelling iHeartRadio

The standard refund policy and what to expect

iHeartRadio does not offer pro-rata refunds when you cancel mid-cycle. If you've already paid for a month and cancel on day 5, you forfeit the remaining 25 days of credit with no compensation. This policy is standard across the streaming industry and is legal in New Zealand provided it was clearly communicated when you signed up.

The only refund scenario that applies universally is cancellation during a free trial: if you cancel before the trial period ends, you are not charged at all, and no refund is needed because no payment was taken.

Refunds through app stores and exceptions

If you subscribed through Apple, Google Play, Amazon, or Roku, those platforms-not iHeartRadio-control refund eligibility. App stores typically allow refunds within 14-48 hours of purchase if you request them immediately. Beyond that window, refunds are rarely granted unless there's a billing error or a service failure.

• Apple App Store: offers 14 days to request a refund for most in-app purchases. Contact Apple Support directly if you believe you were charged in error.
• Google Play: allows refunds within 48 hours of purchase for most subscriptions. Request through the Play Store app or website.
• Amazon Appstore: refunds must be requested within 48 hours. Contact Amazon Support if you need assistance.
• Roku: refund windows vary; contact Roku support immediately if you suspect an error or unauthorised charge.

Pro tip: If you believe iHeartRadio continued to charge you after you cancelled, request a refund from the app store within the refund window. You can also contact iHeartRadio support as a secondary step, but the app store is your primary avenue.

When to escalate and claim consumer protection

If iHeartRadio refuses to address a billing error or continues charging after you cancelled, you have grounds to escalate under the Consumer Guarantees Act. Stopee recommends documenting everything: cancellation confirmation emails, billing statements showing unwanted charges, and any support responses. Then, contact the Commerce Commission's dispute resolution service or seek advice from a consumer law specialist. Your cancellation should be permanent and binding once you've submitted it through the official channel.

IHeartRadio pricing in new zealand and plan comparison

Current subscription tiers and monthly costs

iHeartRadio offers two paid tiers in New Zealand, plus a free ad-supported option. Pricing varies slightly by device platform, and these figures reflect current App Store rates.

Pricing note: These rates are current as of this guide's publication and reflect New Zealand App Store listings. Prices may vary by platform (web vs. app store) and can change without notice. Always confirm the price before you complete a purchase.

Common mistakes when cancelling iHeartRadio

Errors that cost you money and access

Cancelling seems straightforward, but many people make costly mistakes that leave them vulnerable to unexpected charges or loss of access.

• Deleting the app without cancelling the subscription: Uninstalling iHeartRadio from your phone does not cancel your subscription. Your payment method is still on file, and auto-renewal will trigger on schedule. Always cancel through Settings or the official website first.
• Assuming you've cancelled because you logged out: Logging out of your iHeartRadio account is not the same as cancelling your subscription. You must explicitly select "Cancel Subscription" through the method that matches how you paid.
• Cancelling through the wrong channel: If you subscribed via Apple but try to cancel through iHeart.com, your subscription remains active through Apple and you'll be charged again. Cancel through the exact platform where you subscribed.
• Not saving your cancellation confirmation: Without proof you cancelled, it's harder to dispute a surprise charge. Screenshot or save the confirmation email immediately.
• Cancelling too close to your renewal date: If your renewal is tomorrow and you cancel today, you might still be charged because the system processes the renewal before recording your cancellation. If you're within 24 hours of renewal, contact support directly to ensure you're not double-charged.

Stopee advises taking a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation page and saving the confirmation email to a folder labelled "Cancellations" so you have proof if a charge appears on your statement later.

Your post-cancellation checklist

Steps to verify your cancellation worked

After you click "Cancel Subscription", follow this checklist to confirm everything went smoothly.

1. Check your email inbox and spam folder for a cancellation confirmation from iHeartRadio or the app store (Apple, Google, Amazon, or Roku) within 5-10 minutes.
2. Log back into iHeartRadio (if you cancelled via the website) and confirm your plan now shows "Free" or "No active subscription".
3. If you cancelled via an app store, open Settings or the store app and verify iHeartRadio no longer appears in your active subscriptions list.
4. Note the exact date your access expires (usually shown in the cancellation confirmation).
5. Add a reminder to your calendar for one day after your access expires to check whether you were downgraded to the free tier.
6. Save a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation and store it securely (email it to yourself or save it to cloud storage).
7. Check your bank or credit card statement 3-5 days after your access expires to confirm no additional charge appears.
8. If an unexpected charge appears after cancellation, contact the app store or iHeartRadio support immediately with your cancellation confirmation as proof.

When you should cancel and when you should keep iHeartRadio

Reasons to cancel your subscription

Cancel iHeartRadio if you're not using it regularly enough to justify the cost, if you've found a service you prefer (like Spotify or Apple Music), if your budget has tightened, or if the service has failed to deliver features you were promised. If you use the free ad-supported tier most of the time, downgrading instead of cancelling is an option.

Reasons to keep your subscription

Keep iHeartRadio if you listen to live radio stations that aren't available on other platforms, if you value ad-free listening and unlimited skipping, or if personalised playlists and offline access are features you use weekly. If you're on the Plus plan at NZ$9.49 monthly and listen regularly, the cost per use is low.

How to contact iHeartRadio if cancellation goes wrong

Mailing address and support escalation

iHeartRadio operates as a US-based company, and a New Zealand-specific postal address for cancellation disputes is not publicly available. If you need to escalate a billing issue or cancellation problem, you can write to the corporate headquarters at:

iHeartMedia Inc.
Attn: Customer Service
20880 Stone Oak Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78259
USA

Include your account email, subscription plan, cancellation date (if applicable), and a clear explanation of your issue. Send your letter by registered mail and keep a copy. It will take 2-4 weeks for a response.

Pro tip: Before mailing a physical letter, try iHeartRadio's online support chat or contact form at iHeart.com. Many issues are resolved faster through digital channels than postal mail.

Escalating to the commerce commission

If iHeartRadio fails to address a billing error or wrongful charge, you can lodge a complaint with the Commerce Commission (New Zealand's consumer protection authority). The Commission investigates whether companies have breached the Consumer Guarantees Act or Fair Trading Act. Stopee recommends gathering all evidence-cancellation confirmations, emails, billing statements, and correspondence with iHeartRadio-before you file a formal complaint.

You can contact the Commerce Commission at www.comcom.govt.nz or by phone at 0800 943 600. The service is free and impartial.

Final summary and next steps

Cancelling iHeartRadio is straightforward when you use the correct method for how you subscribed. Whether you cancel via the website, Apple Settings, Google Play, Amazon, or Roku, your subscription will stop auto-renewing and you'll keep access until the end of your billing cycle. You won't receive a pro-rata refund for unused days unless you catch an error within 48 hours and request it through your app store.

Remember to save your cancellation confirmation, verify your plan downgraded to Free within 48 hours, and check your statement two weeks later to confirm no surprise charges appear. If iHeartRadio continues charging you after cancellation, escalate through the app store first, then contact iHeartRadio support, and finally the Commerce Commission if needed.

Your consumer rights under New Zealand's Consumer Guarantees Act protect you. If iHeartRadio breaches its obligations-for instance, by billing you after a valid cancellation-you have recourse. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions, dispute incorrect charges, and recover their money by following these exact steps and maintaining clear documentation. You are not alone in this process, and you deserve a service that respects your cancellation and protects your wallet. Start your cancellation today with confidence.