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Cancel Substack: The Right Way
How to cancel your substack subscription and stop recurring charges in new zealand
What substack is and why new zealand readers use it
Substack is a publishing platform that lets independent writers, journalists and small publishers host newsletters and charge subscribers directly for exclusive content. You subscribe to individual newsletters, often paying monthly or yearly fees to access writer-only posts, archives and community features.
The service appeals to New Zealand readers who want to support specific creators or access niche professional content without relying on traditional media gatekeepers. However, if you've decided the subscription no longer serves you, cancelling quickly prevents future charges.
Common reasons to cancel
You might cancel because the newsletter no longer fits your interests, the writing quality declined, you're tightening your budget, or you simply forgot about an active subscription draining your account each month. Whatever your reason, Stopee understands that cancelling should be straightforward, not buried in settings you can't find.
Key facts about substack
Substack operates from the United States; New Zealand readers have no local postal address to contact if issues arise. This means your cancellation and any refund disputes must be handled through Substack's online support channels, which can be slow during peak periods. Stopee recommends documenting every step of your cancellation to protect yourself if a charge reappears.
Your consumer rights when cancelling a substack subscription
New Zealand consumer law protects you when you cancel digital services, even though Substack is a foreign company.
Consumer guarantees act and cooling-off rights
Under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, you have the right to cancel a digital subscription within a reasonable time if the service fails to meet acceptable standards. If Substack promised content and the creator stopped publishing (dormant publications), you may have grounds for a refund beyond Substack's stated 7-day window.
The Fair Trading Act 1986 also protects you from misleading billing practices. If Substack's cancellation process is deliberately hard to find or they charge you after you've cancelled, you can escalate to the Commerce Commission or seek help through Stopee's guidance.
Your right to stop recurring charges
Once you cancel, Substack must stop all future charges at the end of your current billing period. If charges continue after cancellation, contact Substack support immediately and request a reversal. If they refuse, your bank can reverse the transaction under the Payment Card Industry rules, and you can report the company to the Commerce Commission.
How to cancel your substack subscription by platform
Your cancellation method depends on whether you subscribed via the web, Apple's App Store or Google Play, as each platform handles billing separately.
Cancel on the web (recommended method)
The web browser method is fastest and gives you the clearest confirmation that your subscription has stopped.
- Sign in to your Substack account at substack.com using your email and password.
- Click your profile icon in the top-right corner and select "Account settings".
- Scroll down to find "Subscriptions" or "Memberships" (the exact label depends on which newsletters you've paid for).
- Find the newsletter you want to cancel and click "Manage subscription".
- Select "Cancel subscription" and confirm your choice when prompted.
- You should see a confirmation message stating that your subscription will end at the close of your current billing cycle.
- Screenshot this confirmation and save it to your records.
Pro tip: Substack may offer you a discount to keep your subscription during the cancellation process. Only accept this if you genuinely want to continue; otherwise, ignore the offer and proceed with cancellation.
Cancel a subscription purchased via apple app store (iOS)
If you subscribed through the Substack app on your iPhone or iPad, Apple handles your billing, not Substack. You must cancel through Apple's system.
- Open the App Store app on your iOS device.
- Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Select "Subscriptions" from the menu.
- Find "Substack" in your active subscriptions list.
- Tap "Substack" and then tap "Cancel Subscription".
- Confirm the cancellation when Apple prompts you.
- Check your email for a cancellation confirmation from Apple.
Warning: Substack's support team cannot cancel or issue refunds for App Store purchases because Apple controls the transaction. If you need a refund, you must request it directly from Apple, not Substack.
Pro tip: Apple allows refunds up to 14 days after purchase if you request them immediately. If you've only just realised you were charged, contact Apple Support right away at support.apple.com.
Cancel a subscription purchased via google play (Android)
Android subscriptions are managed through Google Play, just as App Store subscriptions are managed by Apple. The process is similar but slightly different.
- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Play Store app.
- Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Select "Manage subscriptions" from the menu.
- Find and tap "Substack" in your active subscriptions.
- Tap "Cancel subscription".
- Follow the prompts to confirm your cancellation.
- Google should send you a confirmation email shortly.
Alternatively, if you open the Substack Android app and tap "Manage subscription", it will provide a link to manage your subscription in your browser. Use that link if the above steps don't work on your device.
What happens immediately after you cancel
Cancelling a Substack subscription is an emotional moment; you're saying goodbye to content you may have valued, but you're also taking control of your spending.
Your access to paid content
You keep full access to all paid and subscriber-only content until your current billing period ends. If you paid for a monthly subscription on the 15th, you retain access until the 15th of next month, even though you've cancelled. This gives you time to download or save any content you want to keep.
Once your billing period closes, you lose access to subscriber-only archives and new posts unless you resubscribe. Free posts on that newsletter remain available to you forever.
Your account and reading history
Cancelling a paid subscription does not delete your Substack account. Your profile, reading history, highlights and comments remain unless you manually request account deletion from Substack support. This is useful if you think you might resubscribe in the future.
If you want to permanently delete your account and all associated data, contact Substack support and request full account deletion. This action is usually irreversible.
Auto-renewal stops
The most important outcome: after you cancel, Substack will not charge you again for that subscription. No auto-renewal will occur when your billing period ends. However, you remain responsible for checking your bank statement one month after cancellation to confirm no charge has appeared. If one does, contact Substack immediately.
Refunds: what you can claim and how to request one
Substack's official refund policy is narrow, but New Zealand consumer law may give you stronger protection in some situations.
Substack's standard refund window
Substack allows refund requests within 7 days of payment if you change your mind about your subscription. After 7 days, refunds are at the individual publisher's discretion and are not guaranteed. You must contact the publisher directly through Substack or request a refund from Substack support with a reason.
Refunds may also be considered if the publication is dormant (the creator hasn't posted for 1 month or longer on a monthly subscription, or 6 months or longer on a yearly subscription) or if you were charged twice by mistake.
When the consumer guarantees act gives you stronger rights
If the newsletter became inactive after you paid, you have grounds for a refund under the Consumer Guarantees Act because the service failed to meet acceptable standards. Document the last publication date and the date you paid, then contact Substack support with this evidence.
Stopee recommends framing your request as follows: "I subscribed on [date], but the creator has not published content since [date]. This is a breach of the acceptable standard of care, and I request a full refund under New Zealand law."
If Substack refuses, you can escalate to the Commerce Commission or your bank's dispute resolution service.
Refunds for app store and google play purchases
If you paid through Apple or Google, you cannot get a refund from Substack. You must request it from Apple or Google directly.
Apple refunds: Contact Apple Support at support.apple.com and request a refund within 14 days of purchase. Apple often grants refunds without questions for first-time requests.
Google Play refunds: Request a refund within 48 hours of purchase through the Play Store app under "Account" and "Payments and subscriptions". After 48 hours, you must contact Google Support directly.
| Refund scenario | Timeline | Success rate | Who to contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Within 7 days of payment (any reason) | Within 5 business days | High (usually approved) | Substack support |
| Dormant publication (no posts for 1+ months) | Within 5-10 business days | Medium (depends on evidence) | Substack support |
| Duplicate charge or billing error | Within 5 business days | High | Substack support |
| After 7 days (no special reason) | Variable or no refund | Low | Publisher discretion |
| Apple App Store purchase within 14 days | Within 3-5 business days | High | Apple Support |
| Google Play purchase within 48 hours | Within 1-3 business days | High | Google Support |
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling
Cancelling can feel stressful, especially if you've been charged multiple times or if you're trying to stick to a budget you've already stretched too thin.
Mistake 1: forgetting to cancel before the next billing date
If you cancel after your next payment has already been processed, that charge is yours to reclaim. Set a phone reminder 3 days before your billing date to cancel if you're unsure. Stopee recommends marking cancellation deadlines in your calendar immediately after subscribing.
Mistake 2: cancelling on mobile without taking a screenshot
Mobile confirmation screens disappear fast. Always take a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation, especially if you used the App Store or Google Play. Store this screenshot in a folder on your phone or computer for future reference if a charge reappears.
Mistake 3: assuming the publisher will offer a refund without asking
Many publishers on Substack will refund you if you ask politely within 7 days, even if Substack's policy doesn't guarantee it. Don't assume refusal; try asking the publisher directly through Substack's contact feature.
Mistake 4: cancelling without checking if you subscribed to multiple newsletters
You may have paid for multiple Substack newsletters without realising it. Before assuming you've cancelled everything, go to your Account Settings and check the full list of active subscriptions. Cancel each one separately if needed.
Mistake 5: not reporting the charge to your bank if substack keeps billing you
If Substack charges you after you cancel, contact Substack support first. If they don't respond within 10 business days or refuse to refund, contact your bank and request a chargeback or transaction dispute. Your bank is legally required to investigate.
How to protect yourself after cancellation
Your work doesn't end once you've clicked "Cancel subscription". Taking a few steps now prevents headaches later.
Monitor your bank account for 60 days
Check your bank or credit card statement weekly for the next two months. Watch for any charges labelled "Substack", the newsletter name, or a merchant code starting with "6211" (digital goods). If you spot an unexpected charge, contact Substack support immediately with your confirmation screenshot.
Save your cancellation confirmation
Screenshot your cancellation confirmation from Substack (or Apple or Google), save it with the date, and store it in a folder titled "Subscriptions Cancelled" on your computer. Include the newsletter name, cancellation date and the confirmation number if one was provided. Stopee has found that having this documentation ready saves hours if a dispute arises.
Export your data before account deletion
If you plan to delete your entire Substack account in the future, export any bookmarks, highlights or notes you've made on articles first. Substack does not always provide an easy export feature, so save PDFs or screenshots of content you want to keep.
Unsubscribe from newsletter marketing emails
Even after cancelling, Substack or the publisher may continue sending you marketing emails encouraging you to resubscribe. Open one of these emails, scroll to the bottom and click "Unsubscribe" to stop them.
Cancellation checklist for new zealand subscribers
Use this checklist to ensure you've covered every step and minimised the risk of unwanted future charges.
| Step | Action | Completed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Identify your subscription method (web, App Store or Google Play) | ☐ |
| 2 | Sign in and navigate to your subscriptions or Account Settings | ☐ |
| 3 | Click "Cancel subscription" and confirm | ☐ |
| 4 | Screenshot the cancellation confirmation | ☐ |
| 5 | Check your next billing date and mark it in your calendar | ☐ |
| 6 | Request a refund within 7 days if you qualify | ☐ |
| 7 | Monitor your bank statement 30 days after cancellation | ☐ |
Substack contact details for new zealand users
If you need to escalate a cancellation or refund dispute, use these channels to reach Substack support.
Substack support channels
Substack does not maintain a New Zealand postal address or phone line. All support is handled online.
- Email support: Use the help form at support.substack.com. Select your issue (e.g., "Billing" or "Subscriptions") and describe your problem. Response time is typically 5-10 business days, sometimes longer.
- Help centre: Visit support.substack.com to search for articles about cancellation, refunds and billing.
- In-app support: If you're logged into your Substack account, click the question mark icon in the top-right corner to access support options.
Escalation options if substack doesn't respond
If Substack support ignores your request for 14 business days or refuses to issue a refund you believe you're entitled to, escalate your complaint to the Commerce Commission of New Zealand at comcom.govt.nz. The Commission investigates breaches of the Fair Trading Act and the Consumer Guarantees Act.
You can also request a chargeback through your bank if Substack continues charging you after cancellation. Your bank's dispute team can recover funds within 60-90 days in most cases.
Summary: take control of your substack subscription today
Cancelling a Substack subscription in New Zealand is straightforward once you know which platform you subscribed through. Whether you used the web, Apple or Google, the process takes fewer than five minutes, and your charges stop at the end of your current billing cycle.
Remember that you have legal rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act and Fair Trading Act even though Substack is a US company. If the newsletter becomes inactive or you're charged after cancellation, you can request a refund and escalate to the Commerce Commission if needed.
The key is to cancel promptly, document everything and monitor your bank statement for the next two months. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover refunds, and Stopee's step-by-step guidance applies to Substack just as it does to every other recurring payment service. Take action today to stop the charges and protect your budget.