Manage Highlights

How to cancel highlights and protect your consumer rights in new zealand

Understanding highlights and why you might want to cancel

Highlights is a digital productivity and reading app available across iOS, macOS, Android and web platforms. The service offers a free tier alongside a premium Pro subscription that unlocks advanced features for reading, note-taking and organisation. Many New Zealand users subscribe through the App Store, Google Play or the official Highlights website, often without realising how straightforward cancellation can be - or what consumer protections apply if something goes wrong.

Whether you're cancelling because the app no longer fits your workflow, you've found a better alternative, or you're unhappy with the service quality, Stopee is here to walk you through every step and make sure you understand your rights as a New Zealand consumer.

What you should know before cancelling

Highlights subscriptions renew automatically until you actively cancel them. Waiting until the last moment before your renewal date means you might accidentally pay another month. The good news is that cancellation is genuinely simple across all platforms - and New Zealand law backs you up if the service fails to deliver what was promised.

Your consumer rights under new zealand law

Before you cancel, it's worth understanding what protections you have as a consumer in Aotearoa.

The consumer guarantees act 1993 and digital services

The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (CGA) is your legal shield as a New Zealand buyer. Even though Highlights' terms state that subscription fees are non-refundable, the law is clear: businesses cannot contract out of statutory consumer rights. If you've paid for Highlights and the service is faulty, not fit for purpose, or doesn't match what was advertised, you have legal remedies - including repair, replacement or refund.

This matters because many digital service providers hide behind "no refunds for change of mind" clauses. That language applies only if the service works as promised. If Highlights crashes repeatedly, locks you out of features you paid for, or misrepresents its capabilities, the CGA gives you grounds to escalate beyond cancellation to a formal complaint.

When you can claim a refund or remedy

Under the CGA, you can seek remedies if Highlights:

• Is faulty or fails to function as advertised
• Is unfit for purpose - meaning it cannot reasonably be used for normal reading and productivity tasks
• Breaches guarantees around data security, access or performance
• Was misrepresented in marketing or app store listings

The key is evidence. If Highlights has let you down, screenshot error messages, save cancellation emails and document the problem. Stopee recommends keeping detailed records from day one - they're invaluable if you need to escalate a dispute.

Cancellation methods for every platform

Highlights lets you cancel through the platform where you subscribed, which means the process differs slightly depending on whether you use iOS, Android or the web.

How to cancel highlights on iPhone or iPad (App store)

If you subscribed through Apple's App Store, you manage your subscription within your Apple ID settings, not inside the Highlights app itself.

1. Open the Settings app on your device
   • Tap your name at the top of the screen
   • Select Subscriptions
2. Find and tap Highlights in your active subscriptions list
3. Tap Cancel Subscription and confirm your choice
4. Screenshot or note the cancellation confirmation code displayed on screen
5. You will retain access to Highlights Pro features until the end of your current billing period - after that, your account reverts to the free tier

Pro tip: Apple often sends you a cancellation confirmation via email within minutes. Save that email for your records in case you need to dispute any further charges.

How to cancel highlights on mac (App store)

Cancelling on your Mac follows the same process as iPhone, using your Apple ID rather than the app itself.

1. Click the Apple menu (top left) and select System Settings or System Preferences (depending on your macOS version)
2. Click your name at the top of the sidebar
3. Select Media and Purchases (or App Store on older versions)
4. Look for Subscriptions and click Manage
5. Find Highlights and click Edit
6. Select Cancel Subscription and confirm
7. Apple will send a confirmation email shortly

Your Pro access remains active through the end of the current billing cycle. After that, you can still use Highlights for free, but premium features lock.

How to cancel highlights on android (Google play)

Android subscriptions live inside the Google Play Store app, not within Highlights itself.

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner
3. Navigate to Payments and subscriptions
4. Select Subscriptions from the menu
5. Tap Highlights
6. Tap Cancel subscription and follow the on-screen prompts
7. Confirm cancellation - Google Play will send a confirmation email
8. Save the confirmation email or take a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation code

Warning: If you cancel mid-billing cycle, Google Play typically does not refund the remainder of that month. However, no further charges will occur after the cancellation takes effect.

How to cancel highlights via the web (highlights.com)

If you subscribed directly through the Highlights website, you cancel from within your account dashboard.

1. Go to highlights.com and log in with your email and password
2. Navigate to Account Settings (usually found in a dropdown menu or sidebar)
3. Select Subscriptions or Billing
4. Click Manage Subscription or Edit Subscription
5. Select Cancel Subscription
6. Confirm the cancellation - Highlights will display a confirmation and send an email
7. Save the confirmation email for your records

Your access to Pro features ends at the close of your current billing period. You can continue using Highlights' free tier after that.

International and postal cancellation options

Highlights no longer accepts postal cancellations from New Zealand addresses. If you cannot cancel through the app or website, you must contact the US office directly. However, Stopee strongly recommends cancelling through your original platform first - online methods are faster, clearer and leave an auditable trail.

If you absolutely need to contact Highlights by phone, the US office can be reached at 1-800-255-9517. Have your account email and subscription details ready. Be aware that this is a US number, so check your phone plan for international call charges.

What happens immediately after you cancel

Cancelling Highlights is anticlimactic in the best way - nothing goes wrong, and you're in control from that moment on.

Your access and billing after cancellation

After you cancel, Highlights stops any future automatic renewals. You remain able to use Pro features until the end of your current billing cycle. Once that period closes, your subscription ends and you drop to the free tier. No surprise charges will appear on your statement after cancellation takes effect.

Many users worry that cancelling means losing their data. That's not how Highlights works. Your account stays active, all your highlights and notes remain in your library, and you can access them through the free version. However, you lose access to any premium-only features once the paid period ends.

Data and account management

Before your Pro access ends, export any notes, highlights or settings if you want to keep a copy outside the Highlights ecosystem. Some users prefer to back up their reading annotations as PDFs or text files - this takes five minutes and gives you peace of mind. Stopee recommends doing this before cancellation, not after.

Will you get a refund after cancelling highlights?

Understanding Highlights' refund policy and your legal options is essential if money is a concern.

Highlights' standard refund policy

Highlights' terms of service state that subscription fees are non-refundable once access is granted. This is a standard policy across the digital app industry and applies whether you cancel on day one or day thirty. The company does not make exceptions for change of mind or buyer's remorse.

However - and this is crucial - "non-refundable" does not mean you have no recourse if the service is faulty or doesn't work as promised.

When you may be entitled to a refund under the CGA

The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 overrides Highlights' non-refund clause in specific circumstances. If you can demonstrate that Highlights is faulty, unfit for purpose, or misleadingly marketed, you have grounds to request a refund or partial refund directly from Highlights or through the Commerce Commission.

Examples include:

• The app crashes so frequently that you cannot use it for reading or note-taking
• Pro features advertised in the app store do not function as described
• The service drops your connection persistently or loses your saved data
• Highlights promises data encryption but does not deliver it

If you believe Highlights has breached the CGA, document the fault thoroughly, contact Highlights with your complaint and a request for remedy (repair, replacement or refund), and keep copies of all correspondence. If Highlights refuses, you can escalate to the Commerce Commission or seek advice from a consumer advocacy service.

How to request a remedy from highlights

Start by emailing Highlights' support team with a clear, factual description of the fault. Be specific: explain what the problem is, when it started, and how it affects your use of the service. Ask for a remedy under the CGA - Stopee suggests requesting either a refund or account credit. Give Highlights 14 days to respond.

If they refuse or do not respond, contact the Commerce Commission (comcom.govt.nz) or seek support from a consumer advocate. Many cases resolve quickly once a formal complaint is lodged.

Common mistakes when cancelling highlights

You've decided to cancel - now let's make sure the process goes smoothly and you don't accidentally undo your own work.

Mistake one: cancelling in the wrong place

Many users log into the Highlights app and search for a cancel option inside the app itself. It is not there. Cancellation happens on the platform where you subscribed - Apple's Settings app, Google Play Store or highlights.com. Searching inside the app is a common detour that wastes time and leaves you frustrated. Know your platform first.

Mistake two: forgetting to save your confirmation

After you cancel, take a screenshot or save the confirmation email. Do not skip this step. If a charge appears on your statement weeks later, you need proof that you cancelled on a specific date. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers resolve duplicate charges simply because they kept the cancellation confirmation.

Mistake three: confusing cancellation with account deletion

Cancelling your subscription does not delete your account or data. You remain able to log in and access your highlights and notes on the free tier. If you want to truly delete your account and all associated data, that is a separate action entirely, and Highlights support can guide you through it.

Mistake four: cancelling too late in the billing cycle

If you cancel on the last day of your billing period, you have already paid for that period and will not receive a refund. The sooner you cancel after you decide you no longer want the service, the better. Set a phone reminder to cancel at least five days before your renewal date.

Mistake five: assuming "non-refundable" means you have no rights

This is the biggest mistake. Highlights' refund policy applies to change of mind, not to breaches of the CGA. If the service is faulty or misrepresented, you have consumer rights regardless of what the terms say. Do not accept a "non-refundable" reply if you have a legitimate complaint about service quality.

Checklist: your step-by-step cancellation plan

Use this checklist to ensure you cancel correctly and protect yourself.

Key pricing and subscription details

Understanding what you're paying for helps you decide whether cancellation is the right move.

Note: prices are approximate and may vary depending on your region and current promotions. Always check your App Store, Google Play or Highlights' website for exact NZD pricing before you subscribe.

Should you cancel highlights, or should you stay?

Before you cancel, ask yourself whether the issue is the app or your usage habits.

Reasons to cancel highlights

• You've switched to another reading or note-taking app that works better for you
• The app no longer fits your workflow or study habits
• You're not using the Pro features and the free tier is enough
• You're on a tight budget and cannot justify the monthly cost
• The app is buggy, crashes or loses your data

Reasons you might want to stay

• You actively use the Pro features (advanced exports, cloud sync, annotation tools)
• Your reading or study routine relies on Highlights daily
• The annual plan offers better value than paying monthly
• You like the app and can afford it without financial strain

If you're on the fence, consider downgrading to the free tier instead of cancelling entirely. You keep your account and data, but stop paying immediately. You can always upgrade again later if you change your mind.

Reviews and user experience insights

Real users report that Highlights works smoothly across iOS and macOS but occasionally lags on Android. Most five-star reviews praise the annotation tools and cloud sync. Critical reviews often mention that the Pro features are not essential for casual readers, and the app's learning curve can be steep for new users.

Cancellation itself is rarely a problem - most users report that the process is straightforward. The main frustration comes from finding the cancel button in the right place, which is why Stopee emphasises the step-by-step process above.

How to contact highlights if you need help

If you cannot cancel through the usual methods or need to discuss a refund claim, here is how to reach Highlights directly.

Support channels

Highlights offers support primarily through its website and email. For account issues, billing questions or refund disputes, email Highlights support with your account email and a clear description of your issue. Response times typically range from 24 to 72 hours during business days.

For urgent matters or if email support is unresponsive, you can call the US office at 1-800-255-9517. This line is available during US business hours (Eastern Time). Have your account details ready when you call.

New zealand consumer escalation

If Highlights refuses to respond to your refund claim or cancellation issue, and you believe the CGA has been breached, escalate to the Commerce Commission (comcom.govt.nz). They can investigate breaches of consumer law and compel remedies. Stopee recommends documenting every step of your communication with Highlights before you escalate - this makes your case stronger.

Final thoughts: cancel with confidence

Cancelling Highlights is simple, quick and entirely within your control. Whether you cancel through Apple's settings, Google Play or the web, you now know exactly what to do and what protections apply if something goes wrong. Remember: your subscription ends after you cancel, no further charges appear, and you keep your account and data on the free tier.

New Zealand consumer law backs you up if Highlights fails to deliver on its promises. If you encounter a faulty app, missing features or unfair billing practices, the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 is your lever for demanding a remedy - including a refund if appropriate.

Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions and protect their rights when companies push back. Whether you're cancelling Highlights today or simply exploring your options, use this guide as your roadmap. Save your confirmation, monitor your billing statement and know that you can always escalate to the Commerce Commission if Highlights refuses to honour the law.

You're in charge of your subscriptions - and with Stopee in your corner, you know exactly how to take action.