Manage Goodnotes

How to cancel goodnotes and protect your new zealand consumer rights

What is goodnotes and why you might want to cancel

Goodnotes is a digital note-taking app that lets you handwrite, type and organise documents across your devices. It's popular with students and professionals who want a paperless workflow, but it's not right for everyone. You might find yourself paying for premium features you don't use, prefer a different app, or simply want to free up your subscription budget.

The good news is that cancelling Goodnotes is straightforward once you know which platform you're using. Your access and refund rights differ depending on whether you subscribed through the App Store, Google Play, or Goodnotes' own web payment system. At Stopee, we help thousands of New Zealanders navigate cancellation safely, so you can make informed decisions about your subscriptions.

Goodnotes platforms and payment methods

Goodnotes works on iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows and the web, but each platform uses a different payment system. This matters because your cancellation process and refund rights change depending on where you subscribed. Understanding which payment method you used is your first step toward a clean cancellation.

Current goodnotes pricing in new zealand

Knowing what you're currently paying helps you understand the financial impact of cancelling mid-cycle. Goodnotes pricing in New Zealand is set in NZ dollars and varies by subscription length.

How to cancel goodnotes via the app store (iPhone and iPad)

If you subscribed through Apple's App Store on your iPhone or iPad, Apple controls your cancellation and refund-not Goodnotes. This is the most common way New Zealanders subscribe, so follow these steps carefully.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap your name or Apple ID at the top of the screen.
   • If you use Family Sharing, select yourself from the family list.
3. Tap Subscriptions (you may need to scroll down to find it).
4. Look for Goodnotes in your active subscriptions list and tap it.
   • If you don't see Goodnotes here, your subscription has already expired or been cancelled.
5. Tap the red Cancel Subscription button.
   • Warning: If the button shows an expiration date in red instead, your subscription is already cancelled-no further action needed.
6. Apple will ask you to confirm. Tap Confirm to complete the cancellation.

Pro tip: Take a screenshot of the confirmation screen. You'll need proof of cancellation if you contact Apple about a refund dispute later. Your Goodnotes premium access remains active until your current billing period ends; after that, you'll revert to the free plan automatically.

What happens after you cancel on the app store

You keep full access to Goodnotes premium until your next renewal date passes. On that date, your subscription stops and your account drops to the free plan. You won't be charged again.

How to cancel goodnotes via google play (Android devices)

If you subscribed through Google Play on an Android device, Google handles your cancellation. The process is similar to Apple but takes place in the Google Play Store app instead.

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
3. Tap Payments and subscriptions.
   • You may see a menu; select Manage subscriptions.
4. Find and tap Goodnotes in your active subscriptions.
5. Tap Cancel subscription at the bottom of the screen.
6. Google will show you a cancellation reason form (optional to complete). Tap Cancel subscription again to confirm.

Pro tip: Google will offer you a "special offer" to stay subscribed-this is optional. You can dismiss it and proceed with cancellation. Your premium access continues until the end of your current billing cycle, then automatically reverts to free.

Refund eligibility on google play

Google Play refund policy allows refunds within 48 hours of purchase for most subscriptions. If you've just subscribed and want your money back, contact Google directly through the Play Store app and request a refund of your last charge. Google decides whether to approve it, not Goodnotes.

How to cancel goodnotes via paddle (web, windows and some android)

If you subscribed directly through the Goodnotes website, a Windows desktop app, or via Paddle on Android, Goodnotes controls your cancellation and refunds. This gives you the most direct contact with the company but also means you're subject to their specific cancellation terms.

1. Open the Goodnotes app (web, Windows or Android) and log in with your account credentials.
2. Go to Settings > Manage Account (or Account on web).
   • On the web version, you can also visit your account page directly.
3. Look for Manage Subscription or Billing and tap it.
4. Find your active subscription and select Cancel or Unsubscribe.
   • Paddle (Goodnotes' payment processor) will show you the cancellation option; follow the prompts on screen.
5. Confirm your cancellation when prompted.

Pro tip: Paddle sends a confirmation email to the address associated with your Goodnotes account. Check your inbox (and spam folder) for this confirmation. Your subscription remains active until your current renewal date; you won't be charged after that date.

What to do if the cancel button doesn't appear

Sometimes the Goodnotes interface doesn't show the cancellation option clearly. If you can't find the cancel button after following the steps above, log out and log back in. If the problem persists, contact Goodnotes support directly with your account email and subscription details. They can manually cancel your subscription from their end and provide confirmation.

Your consumer rights and new zealand's consumer guarantees act

As a New Zealand consumer, you have statutory protection under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993. This law gives you the right to withdraw from a contract within a specific timeframe and claim refunds under certain conditions. Understanding these rights strengthens your position if Goodnotes or the payment processor refuses to cancel or refund fairly.

Your 14-day withdrawal right for paddle purchases

If you purchased Goodnotes through Paddle (the direct payment method), you have 14 days from the date of purchase to withdraw from the contract and request a refund. This right applies to subscriptions purchased on the web, Windows or via Paddle on Android-but not to Apple App Store or Google Play purchases, which are governed by those platforms' own policies.

To exercise this right, you must notify Goodnotes of your withdrawal within 14 days. Provide your receipt, account email and a clear statement that you want to withdraw. Goodnotes must then process your refund within 14 days of receiving your notification (in most cases, this means your original payment method).

Warning: The 14-day period starts from the date Goodnotes sends you your purchase confirmation, not from when you first log in. Check your email for the exact purchase date on your receipt.

Consumer guarantees act protection for defects

If Goodnotes fails to work as described-crashes frequently, loses your notes, or has critical bugs that prevent you from using core features-you may be entitled to a refund, repair or replacement under the Consumer Guarantees Act. This protection applies regardless of how you paid and supersedes the refund policy.

To claim under the Consumer Guarantees Act, document the defect (screenshots, dates, error messages) and contact Goodnotes with evidence. If they refuse, you can escalate to the Commerce Commission (the New Zealand consumer protection authority) or seek advice from a local community law centre.

What happens to your data and access after cancellation

Cancelling your subscription feels risky because your notes are in the app-but Goodnotes doesn't delete your work immediately. Understanding what you retain helps you plan your exit strategy.

Access during and after your paid period

Your premium features and full editing access remain active until the end of your current billing cycle. On the day your subscription expires, Goodnotes automatically downgrades your account to the free plan. You don't lose your notebooks, but you lose editing permissions and access to premium tools like OCR and collaboration features.

Exporting and backing up your notes before cancellation

Before your paid period ends, export your notebooks to preserve edit access elsewhere. Goodnotes lets you export notes as PDFs or images. Download your important notebooks to your computer or upload them to a backup service like OneDrive, Google Drive or iCloud. This ensures you don't lose access to editable versions of your work.

Most note-taking apps (Apple Notes, OneNote, Notion) accept imported PDFs, so your notes remain usable even if you switch platforms. Do this before your billing cycle ends-once you revert to the free plan, exporting is still possible, but you'll have read-only access to your notes.

Will you get a refund for cancelling goodnotes?

Refund eligibility depends entirely on how and when you subscribed. The three payment systems have different refund policies, and New Zealand consumer law adds another layer of protection. Stopee has helped many consumers successfully claim refunds by understanding which policy applies to them.

Refunds for app store purchases (Apple)

Goodnotes does not control App Store refunds. Apple decides whether to refund you, and their policy is strict: you have 14 days from purchase to request a refund, and Apple grants refunds at their discretion. If you've owned the subscription for longer than 14 days, Apple almost never refunds.

To request a refund, open the App Store app on your iPhone or iPad, go to your account profile, tap Purchase History, find Goodnotes, and select Report a Problem. Explain why you want a refund and submit. Apple will email you a decision within a few days.

Pro tip: If Apple declines, you can appeal by replying to their email and referencing the Consumer Guarantees Act. If the app has genuine defects (crashes, data loss), this gives you extra leverage. Mention this in your appeal, and Apple may reconsider.

Refunds for google play purchases (Android)

Like Apple, Google controls refunds for Google Play subscriptions. You have 48 hours from purchase to request a refund; after that, Google rarely approves refunds for subscriptions. To request a refund, open Google Play Store, go to your account, find the Goodnotes charge, and select Request a refund.

If Google declines your refund, you have the same Consumer Guarantees Act protection as with Apple. Contact Google support and reference the Act if the app is genuinely defective.

Refunds for paddle purchases (web, windows and android alternative)

Goodnotes controls Paddle refunds directly. You have 14 days from purchase to request a refund under the Consumer Guarantees Act withdrawal right. After 14 days, refunds are at Goodnotes' discretion, though they may still approve a refund if the app is faulty or misleading.

To request a refund for a Paddle purchase, contact Goodnotes support with your receipt, account email and a brief explanation. Goodnotes' support team will review your request. If approved, your refund goes back to your original payment method within 14 days.

Common mistakes when cancelling goodnotes

Cancelling subscriptions feels stressful because the stakes matter-you're ending a service and hoping you won't lose access to your data. Here are the pitfalls that trip up most people.

Mistake 1: confusing cancellation with deletion

Cancelling your subscription does not delete your account or notebooks. Your notes stay in the app in read-only mode after cancellation. Many people panic that they've lost everything and resubscribe unnecessarily. Rest assured-your data is safe.

Mistake 2: cancelling in the wrong place

The single biggest mistake is trying to cancel Goodnotes inside the app itself. There is no in-app "cancel subscription" button for most platforms. You must cancel through Settings (App Store), Google Play Store, or your Goodnotes account online. Trying to cancel inside the app wastes your time and doesn't work.

Mistake 3: not checking which payment method you used

If you can't remember whether you subscribed via Apple, Google or Paddle, check your email for receipt confirmations. Your first step before cancelling is identifying your payment method. If you still can't find it, log into your Goodnotes account on the web and check Account > Billing. It will show you which payment processor is linked.

Mistake 4: forgetting to export your notes before downgrading

Once you cancel and your paid period ends, you'll have read-only access to your notebooks. You can still export them as PDFs, but editing from within Goodnotes becomes impossible. Export everything important while you still have premium access. This takes 5 minutes and saves hours of frustration later.

Mistake 5: cancelling but forgetting to check for confirmation

Always wait for and save a cancellation confirmation email or screenshot. If a billing dispute arises later, this proof protects you. Apple, Google and Goodnotes send confirmation emails automatically, but they can end up in spam. Check your inbox and spam folder immediately after cancelling.

Checklist for cancelling goodnotes safely

Use this checklist to ensure you've covered every step and won't face surprise charges or access issues after cancelling.

Why stopee helps you cancel with confidence

Cancelling subscriptions involves more than just clicking a button-it involves understanding payment systems, refund rights and data protection. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers navigate cancellations across platforms, and we've documented the common traps and solutions. Whether you're cancelling Goodnotes, Spotify, Adobe or any other subscription service, Stopee provides clear, step-by-step guidance tailored to New Zealand consumer law.

Our mission is to empower you to take control of your subscriptions. You shouldn't have to guess whether you cancelled correctly or whether you're entitled to a refund. Stopee has the answers, and we're here to walk you through them.

Contact goodnotes if you need help

If you encounter problems cancelling (the cancellation button is missing, your account won't respond, or you're being charged after cancellation), contact Goodnotes support directly:

Address for cancellation notices and complaints:

Goodnotes
5 Churchill Place
London
UK

You can also email Goodnotes support through their help centre or use the contact form on their website. Include your account email, subscription details and the date you attempted to cancel. Goodnotes responds to support requests within 1-2 business days.

If Goodnotes refuses to cancel or refund unfairly after you've followed these steps, escalate your complaint to the Commerce Commission, the New Zealand consumer protection authority. They investigate unfair trading and can take action against companies that breach consumer law.

Next steps: take control of your subscriptions

Cancelling Goodnotes is straightforward once you know your platform and follow the correct steps. You've learned which payment method applies to you, how to cancel through each system, what happens to your data, and when you're entitled to a refund under New Zealand law. The last step is action-pick your payment method from this guide and cancel today.

After you cancel, check your email for confirmation, export any notebooks you want to keep, and monitor your account to ensure no future charges appear. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions confidently and reclaim their money, and we're here to support your decision every step of the way.

Take control of your subscriptions now. Cancel Goodnotes using the method that matches your account, claim your refund if you're eligible, and move forward with a clear financial picture. Stopee is here if you have questions or run into trouble along the way.