Manage Medium

How to cancel medium in the philippines and protect your reading budget

What is medium and why philippine readers subscribe

Medium is a membership-based reading and publishing platform launched in 2012 that delivers long-form articles, essays, and niche content on technology, culture, politics, business, and personal growth. The service operates on a freemium model: you can read a limited number of free articles each month, but accessing exclusive member-only stories requires a paid subscription. In the Philippines, Medium charges ₱299 per month or ₱2,999 annually for unlimited reading access, an ad-free experience, and member-only features.

Many Filipino readers sign up because they hit the free article limit mid-month, then discover the subscription renews automatically. Unlike locked contracts, Medium does not impose a minimum commitment period, which means you can cancel anytime. However, automatic cancellation does not trigger a refund for charges already processed. Understanding what you actually pay for helps you decide whether to keep or cancel your membership. At Stopee, we help thousands of readers navigate these exact situations every month.

The medium freemium reading model explained

Medium works by mixing free and paid content. As a free user, you reach an article limit (typically 3-5 stories per month), then face a paywall on remaining stories. Once you subscribe, that limit disappears. You unlock every member-only story, enjoy reading without ads, and gain access to writer tools if you plan to publish. This model confuses many users because they join to read one or two exclusive articles, then forget about the renewal.

Medium pricing in the philippines

Medium displays two subscription tiers in the Philippines:

Exchange rates affect Medium's pricing in the Philippines. If the Philippine peso weakens against the US dollar, Medium may adjust local prices upward. Check your original receipt or email confirmation to see what price you signed up at, especially if you plan to dispute a charge.

Why filipino readers cancel medium

Cancellation reasons fall into several clear patterns, and Stopee has tracked them all.

Common reasons to cancel your medium subscription

• Forgotten automatic renewals: You subscribed once to read an article, then forgot until the next charge appeared on your card statement.
• Reading habits changed: You joined when learning about a specific topic, but no longer need that content.
• Budget pressure: You are cutting subscription expenses and Medium became the easiest target.
• Content quality decline: You feel the exclusive stories no longer match what you are paying for.
• Switching to library or alternative sources: Your city library now offers digital reading, or you found free alternatives.
• Writer monetization not available locally: You subscribed expecting to earn as a writer, but Medium's Partner Program is not active in the Philippines.

Should you cancel or pause instead

Before you cancel, consider whether pausing makes more sense. If you plan to read Medium again in three to six months, some users find cancellation-and-rejoin cleaner than trying to pause (Medium does not offer a formal pause feature). However, if you are certain you will not read it again, cancellation removes all monthly temptation. At Stopee, we recommend canceling if you have not logged in within 60 days.

Exact steps to cancel medium by subscription method

Where you bought your subscription determines how you cancel it.

How to cancel if you subscribed on medium's website

Pro tip: This is the fastest cancellation route and takes under two minutes once you log in.

1. Log into your Medium account at medium.com using your email and password.
2. Click your profile picture or avatar in the top-right corner of the homepage.
3. Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
4. Navigate to Membership and payment (usually in the left sidebar under account options).
5. Find your current membership plan and click Cancel your membership or Manage subscription.
6. Read the final confirmation screen carefully-Medium may offer a discount to keep you subscribed. Decline if you are certain you want to cancel.
7. Click Yes, cancel my membership or the final confirmation button.
8. Save a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation page showing the date and confirmation number if available.

Warning: Do not simply close your browser after step 6. Your subscription is not cancelled until you complete the final confirmation on step 7. Many users mistakenly believe the process is done when they see a retention offer.

How to cancel if you paid through apple on iPhone or iPad

If you signed up using Apple's App Store payment method, cancelling through Medium's website will not stop the charge. You must cancel the Apple subscription directly in your device settings.

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app.
2. Tap your Apple ID at the top of the screen (your name or profile picture).
3. Select Subscriptions.
4. Find and tap Medium in the active subscriptions list.
5. Tap Cancel subscription or Turn off auto-renewal.
6. Confirm the cancellation by selecting Confirm or Yes, cancel.
7. Take a screenshot of the confirmation screen showing the cancellation date.

Pro tip: Apple sends you a confirmation email within minutes. Check your inbox (or spam folder) to verify the cancellation went through before relying on it.

How to cancel if you paid through google play on android

Android users who signed up via Google Play must cancel through Google's subscription management, not Medium's app.

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android phone or tablet.
2. Tap the Profile icon in the top-right corner.
3. Select Payments and subscriptions.
4. Tap Subscriptions.
5. Find and tap Medium.
6. Tap Cancel subscription.
7. Follow any prompts to confirm, and select a cancellation reason (optional but helpful for Google).
8. Take a screenshot of the final confirmation screen.

Warning: Uninstalling the Medium app does not cancel your subscription. Your Google Play subscription will continue charging until you formally cancel through Google Play settings.

What happens after you cancel medium

Cancellation is just the beginning. Here is what to expect next and how to protect yourself.

Timeline and access after cancellation

Once you cancel, Medium stops charging you at the end of your current billing cycle. Your access does not disappear immediately; instead, you retain membership benefits until your paid period expires. For example, if you cancel on the 10th of the month after paying on the 1st, you stay a member until the last day of that month. After your final billing date passes, you revert to a free reader with the standard article limit.

Any reading lists, highlights, or writing drafts you saved remain in your account even after membership ends. You do not lose your content when you cancel. However, if you publish stories as a writer and expect earnings through the Partner Program, canceling your reader membership does not affect writer payouts (if your country supports them-the Philippines does not currently).

Monitoring your card after cancellation

After you cancel, check your card statement for the next 30 days. A surprise charge 4-6 weeks later sometimes happens if the cancellation did not process correctly. This is rare but not unheard of. If an unexpected Medium charge appears after your cancellation date:

• Log into your Medium account and check the Membership section to confirm cancellation status.
• Gather your cancellation confirmation screenshot and your bank statement showing the unwanted charge.
• Contact Medium support with both documents at their help center (help.medium.com).
• If Medium does not refund within 5 business days, escalate to your bank's fraud department and file a chargeback if necessary (see consumer rights section below).

Your refund rights under philippine consumer law

The Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 7394) protects your right to fair treatment and refunds in specific circumstances.

When you qualify for a refund

Under Philippine law, you can request a refund if:

• You cancelled within 14 days of your initial charge and did not use the service substantially.
• Medium charged you after you cancelled (billing error).
• The service was materially defective or failed to deliver the advertised features.
• Medium used deceptive practices to hide the auto-renewal terms (though Medium's terms are relatively clear).

Pro tip: If you subscribed and cancelled within 2 weeks without using the service much, start your refund request by emphasizing this timeline. It strengthens your case under Philippine consumer protection rules.

How to request a refund from medium

1. Go to Medium's help center at help.medium.com.
2. Search for "refund" or "billing issue" in the search box.
3. Follow the link to contact support (usually a form or email address).
4. Write a clear email describing your reason for the refund request. Include:
   • Your Medium account email address.
   • The date you subscribed.
   • The date you cancelled.
   • The amount charged (₱299 or ₱2,999).
   • A screenshot of your cancellation confirmation.
   • A copy of your bank or card statement showing the charge.
5. Send the email and wait 3-5 business days for a response.
6. If Medium refuses or ignores your request, escalate to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the Philippines.

Escalation to the DTI if medium refuses

If Medium does not refund you within 5 business days and you believe the charge was unfair, the DTI protects your rights. The DTI's Consumer Complaint Mediation Division (CCMD) handles disputes between consumers and businesses. You can file a complaint online at dti.gov.ph or in person at your nearest DTI Regional Office. Include the same documentation (cancellation proof, charge evidence, and refund request correspondence).

Most refund disputes resolve within 30 days once you involve the DTI. Medium takes regulatory pressure seriously and often refunds rather than escalate further. Stopee recommends filing a DTI complaint if Medium ignores three written refund requests.

Common cancellation mistakes and how to avoid them

Frustration often comes from preventable errors. Here are the traps Stopee sees most often-avoid them and save yourself stress.

Mistake 1: deleting the medium app instead of cancelling the subscription

Uninstalling the app does nothing. Your subscription keeps charging every month until you formally cancel through the original payment platform (Medium.com, Apple, or Google Play). Many Filipino users discover this mistake only when they check their bank statement weeks later.

Mistake 2: cancelling on the wrong platform

If you signed up through Apple, cancelling on Medium's website will not stop Apple charges. Similarly, Google Play subscriptions must be cancelled through Google Play, not Medium's site. Identify where you paid before you cancel. Check your original confirmation email to see which method was used.

Mistake 3: stopping at a settings page without confirming

Many cancellation processes show an intermediate screen (like a "Are you sure?" page or a retention offer). Clicking away without completing the final confirmation button leaves your subscription active. Read every screen to the end and look for a final Confirm, Yes, cancel, or Complete cancellation button.

Mistake 4: not saving your cancellation confirmation

If you need to dispute a later charge, a cancellation screenshot is your strongest proof. Medium and payment platforms often lose records or claim they did not receive the cancellation request. Your screenshot with a date and confirmation number proves otherwise.

Mistake 5: waiting until after the charge to cancel

Cancel before your next billing date, not after. If you notice the charge on your statement the day it happens, you still have a window to cancel before the next cycle. Waiting a week after the charge means you have already lost that month's money; cancelling then only stops future charges.

Your cancellation checklist for medium

Use this checklist to ensure you cancel correctly and keep proof of everything.

Comparison: medium versus similar reading platforms in the philippines

If you are cancelling Medium but want to replace it with another service, here is how the main options stack up.

How stopee helps you cancel medium and protect yourself

Cancelling subscriptions should not be stressful. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers in the Philippines navigate Medium cancellations, chargeback disputes, and refund requests. Our guides walk you through every platform (web, Apple, Google Play), show you the exact buttons to click, and prepare you with screenshots and proof for any future disputes.

If Medium charges you after cancellation or refuses a refund, Stopee provides templates for DTI complaints and escalation emails. We also maintain updated information about Medium's cancellation process, refund policies, and any changes to Philippine pricing. Visit Stopee.com to explore cancellation guides for over 500 services, bookmark your Medium cancellation proof, and join a community of savvy consumers protecting their budgets.

Start your cancellation today using the steps above, save your confirmation screenshot, and monitor your account for 30 days. You deserve clarity and control over every subscription charge. Stopee is here to make sure you get both.