Manage Os Maps

How to cancel OS maps and protect your new zealand consumer rights

What OS maps is and why new zealanders use it

OS Maps, created by Ordnance Survey, is a digital mapping and navigation service designed for outdoor enthusiasts, hikers and travellers across New Zealand and beyond. You access detailed topographic maps, plan custom routes and download offline map coverage so you can navigate even without mobile reception.

Core features you get with a subscription

Your subscription unlocks access to OS Explorer and Landranger map layers, powerful route creation and recording tools, and the ability to download maps for offline use across New Zealand and globally. Whether you're planning a weekend tramp or navigating backcountry terrain, OS Maps provides the precision mapping tools outdoor adventurers rely on.

When you might want to cancel

You may decide to cancel if you've switched to a free alternative, don't use the app regularly enough to justify the cost, or simply want to pause your subscription temporarily. Whatever your reason, you have clear legal rights as a New Zealand consumer, and Stopee is here to walk you through every step of the cancellation process.

Your consumer rights in new zealand for digital services

Before you cancel, know exactly what protections New Zealand law gives you when you subscribe to digital services like OS Maps.

Consumer guarantees act protections

Under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, goods and services supplied to you must meet guaranteed standards. The supplier cannot exclude or limit these guarantees, which cover acceptable quality, fitness for purpose and supply of services with reasonable care and skill.

If OS Maps fails to meet these standards, you have remedies. For a major failure, you can request a replacement or cancel and receive a refund of the unused portion. For a non-major failure, you can request a repair, replacement or compensation.

The 14-day cooling-off period

If you purchase OS Maps directly from the OS Shop or through a Digital River reseller, you have the right to cancel within 14 days of purchase for change of mind, provided you haven't used the service or downloaded maps during that period. This is your strongest refund lever if you change your mind immediately after buying.

For auto-renewal charges, you must cancel at least 2 working days before your renewal date to avoid the next billing cycle. If you're charged and haven't used the service during the 14 days following renewal, you can request a refund of that charge.

OS maps pricing in new zealand

Understanding what you're paying helps you decide whether cancellation makes sense for your budget and usage patterns.

Current subscription plans and rates

Both plans auto-renew automatically unless you cancel. The annual plan works out to approximately NZ$3.33 per month, making it better value if you use OS Maps regularly throughout the year.

How to cancel OS maps on your device or account

Your cancellation method depends on where you originally purchased your subscription. Stopee has identified four main pathways, and we'll guide you through each one with precision.

Cancel through apple app store (iOS)

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap your Apple ID name at the top of the screen.
3. Select "Subscriptions".
4. Find and tap "OS Maps Premium".
5. Tap "Cancel subscription" and confirm your choice.
6. You'll receive an on-screen confirmation immediately.

Pro tip: Apple sends a confirmation email within minutes. Keep this email as evidence for your records, especially if you plan to request a refund later.

Warning: If you tap "Cancel free trial" by mistake, you may lose access immediately rather than at the end of your paid period. Always read the screen carefully before confirming.

Cancel through google play (Android)

1. Open the Google Play app on your Android device.
2. Tap the profile icon in the top right corner.
3. Select "Payments and subscriptions".
4. Tap "Subscriptions".
5. Choose "OS Maps Premium".
6. Tap "Cancel subscription" and follow the prompts.
7. Google will display a confirmation on screen.

Pro tip: Google emails you a confirmation within hours. Save this confirmation for your records, along with screenshots showing your cancellation date.

Warning: Google may offer you a discount to keep the subscription active. Decline this offer if you're certain you want to cancel, as accepting it resets your auto-renewal date.

Cancel via OS shop (web purchase)

If you subscribed directly through the OS Shop website, your account holds your subscription details.

1. Visit the OS Shop website and sign in with your email address and password.
2. Navigate to "My Account" or "Subscription Management".
3. Locate your active OS Maps Premium subscription.
4. Select "Cancel subscription".
5. Confirm your cancellation on the screen that appears.
6. You'll see an on-screen confirmation, and an email will follow within 24 hours.

Pro tip: Screenshot the confirmation page before leaving the browser, and save the confirmation email. These act as proof if billing disputes arise later.

Cancel via digital river (MyCommerce reseller)

If you purchased OS Maps through a Digital River reseller or MyCommerce platform, you have two cancellation routes.

1. Log in to your Digital River account using your purchase email and password.
2. Go to "Subscription Management" or "Orders".
3. Find your OS Maps Premium subscription.
4. Select "Cancel subscription" and confirm.
5. If you cannot locate the cancellation option online, email Digital River Customer Services directly.
6. Use the email address associated with your original purchase in your cancellation request.
7. Expect a response within 3 to 5 working days.

Warning: Digital River processes cancellations more slowly than Apple or Google. Submit your cancellation at least 5 working days before your renewal date to avoid an unwanted charge.

Pro tip: If you email Digital River, include your order number, original purchase date and the email address linked to your account. This speeds up their response significantly.

What happens to your access after you cancel

Cancellation doesn't mean immediate loss of service, and understanding the timeline protects you from surprises.

Your access during the notice period

When you cancel through Apple, Google, the OS Shop or Digital River, your subscription stops auto-renewing immediately. However, you retain full access to all premium features until the end of your paid billing period. If you're mid-monthly, you use OS Maps normally until that month ends. If you're mid-annual, you keep access until that year expires.

What happens after your paid period ends

Once your billing period expires, premium features lock. You can no longer download new offline maps, access advanced route-planning tools or view full OS Explorer detail. The app may revert to free mapping functionality or prompt you to resubscribe.

Your offline maps and saved data

Downloaded offline maps may remain on your device after cancellation, though app behaviour varies. Some users report that the app attempts to stream online maps instead of using cached data. Before relying on pre-downloaded maps during a trip, test your app offline to confirm the maps still load. Exported or saved routes typically remain accessible in your account, but verify they're available before you depend on them for navigation.

Will you receive a refund when you cancel OS maps

Refunds depend on when you cancel, where you purchased and how much you've used the service. Stopee breaks down each scenario so you know exactly what to expect.

Refunds for change of mind purchases

If you purchase OS Maps directly from the OS Shop or through Digital River and cancel within 14 days without using the app or downloading maps, you qualify for a full refund under New Zealand consumer law. Submit your refund request in writing, including your order number and the reason for cancellation.

If you've used the app during the 14-day period or downloaded offline maps, the supplier may deny a change-of-mind refund, though you can dispute this under the Consumer Guarantees Act if the service didn't meet acceptable quality standards.

Refunds for unwanted auto-renewals

If you're billed for a renewal you didn't authorize or forgot to cancel before the deadline, you have a strong case for a refund. Cancel the subscription immediately and request a refund of the renewal charge in writing. Under the Consumer Guarantees Act, if you received a service you didn't authorize, you're entitled to compensation.

If you were charged but didn't use OS Maps during the 14 days following the renewal, you can argue that the service failed to provide acceptable value, strengthening your refund claim.

Free trial charges

If you enrolled in a free trial and didn't cancel at least 2 working days before the trial ended, you'll be charged for a paid subscription. Request a refund immediately, citing that you cancelled after the trial period began but before conversion. Stopee has helped thousands of New Zealand consumers recover these unexpected charges.

If the supplier processed the charge before your cancellation was recorded, they must refund it within a reasonable timeframe, typically 5 to 10 working days for bank-processed refunds.

App store refunds (Apple and google)

Apple and Google handle refunds independently of OS Maps. If you've been charged for an unwanted subscription on your App Store or Google Play account, you can request a refund directly from Apple or Google for up to 48 hours after the purchase. After 48 hours, your refund options are limited, and you'll need to escalate through the app publisher.

Common mistakes people make when cancelling OS maps

Cancellation seems straightforward, but a few missteps can leave you confused, charged unexpectedly or unable to prove you cancelled. We've seen these traps catch New Zealand users repeatedly.

Not saving your confirmation email

You've cancelled your subscription, the screen shows confirmation and you move on. Weeks later, you're charged again and you have no proof you cancelled. Without your confirmation email or screenshot, the supplier can claim they never received a cancellation request. The moment you see confirmation, forward the email to yourself or save the page as a PDF. Keep this file for at least six months after your final charge.

Confusing app deletion with subscription cancellation

Deleting the OS Maps app from your phone does not cancel your subscription. You'll continue to be billed even though the app no longer appears on your device. Always cancel the subscription through your payment platform (App Store, Google Play, OS Shop or Digital River) before deleting the app. Stopee recommends cancelling first, then waiting for confirmation, then deleting the app.

Missing the auto-renewal deadline

Each platform has different cancellation windows. Apple and Google let you cancel anytime, and the changes apply at the next renewal. The OS Shop and Digital River require cancellation at least 2 working days before renewal. If you cancel on the day of renewal, your payment may already be processing and you'll need to request a refund separately. Check your renewal date now and set a phone reminder for 3 days before.

Forgetting about free trial conversions

OS Maps free trials convert to paid subscriptions automatically. You must cancel 2 working days before the trial ends. Cancelling on the day the trial ends may be too late if the company has already processed the charge. Mark your calendar now if you're on a trial.

Checklist to ensure your OS maps cancellation is complete

Use this checklist to confirm you've covered every step and protected yourself from surprise charges.

• Identify where you purchased OS Maps (Apple App Store, Google Play, OS Shop or Digital River).
• Log in to the correct platform and navigate to your subscription management area.
• Locate OS Maps Premium and select "Cancel subscription".
• Confirm the cancellation when prompted.
• Take a screenshot or save the confirmation page as a PDF.
• Wait for a confirmation email (usually within 24 hours).
• Save the confirmation email and file it with your other purchase records.
• Verify your renewal date was removed from your account (log back in after 24 hours to check).
• Check your bank or card statement after your next scheduled renewal date to confirm you weren't charged.
• Test the app offline before your paid period ends to confirm any offline maps still load as expected.

When to escalate your complaint to the commerce commission

If OS Maps refuses to cancel your subscription, denies a refund you're entitled to or continues charging you after cancellation, you have formal escalation options backed by New Zealand law.

Steps before formal complaint

First, send a written cancellation request to OS Maps via email, quoting the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993. Keep a copy of this email. If they don't respond within 10 working days or deny your request unreasonably, you can escalate to the Commerce Commission.

The Commerce Commission (www.comcom.govt.nz) investigates breaches of the Consumer Guarantees Act and unfair contract terms. If you've been wrongfully charged, denied a refund or prevented from cancelling, file a formal complaint with them. Include your confirmation email, bank statements and copies of all communication with OS Maps.

Dispute resolution through your bank

You can also dispute the charge with your bank. Request a chargeback for unauthorised or disputed transactions within 120 days of the charge. Your bank can recover the funds while the dispute is investigated. Stopee recommends using this option in parallel with a Commerce Commission complaint for faster resolution.

OS maps cancellation summary and next steps

Cancelling OS Maps in New Zealand is straightforward when you know which platform you use and what to expect. Your subscription stops auto-renewing immediately, you retain access until the end of your paid period and you have legal refund rights if you cancel within 14 days or if you're charged without authorization.

The most important step is saving your confirmation email and checking your bank statement after your renewal date. If you encounter resistance or unexpected charges, the Commerce Commission backs your consumer rights and can force a refund.

OS Maps support is based in the United Kingdom, and the company provides no dedicated postal address for New Zealand cancellations. This means email is your most reliable contact method. For complaints or escalations, address your formal notice to OS Maps through their UK corporate office in Southampton, but file any unresolved disputes with the New Zealand Commerce Commission.

Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel digital subscriptions, avoid surprise charges and recover refunds. Whether you're cancelling OS Maps permanently or pausing your subscription temporarily, you now have the knowledge and legal backing to do it with confidence. Start your cancellation today using the method that matches where you subscribed, save your confirmation and stay protected.