Manage Github

How to cancel GitHub in the philippines and avoid hidden charges

What GitHub is and why you might want to leave

GitHub is a web-based platform owned by Microsoft where developers host code, collaborate on projects, track issues, and build software workflows. Since 2008, it has grown into the largest code repository platform globally, and many Philippine teams and individual developers rely on it daily for private repositories, team collaboration, Codespaces, and AI-powered Copilot features.

The service runs on a freemium model. You can use GitHub Free forever at no cost, or upgrade to paid plans like GitHub Team (₱226/month), GitHub Enterprise (₱1,186/month), GitHub Copilot Pro (₱565/month), or GitHub Copilot Pro+ (₱2,204/month). Here is the critical part: GitHub automatically renews your subscription unless you cancel before your renewal date, and many Philippine users discover surprise charges on their GCash, Maya, or bank card statements because they cancelled one product but not their entire account.

GitHub pricing and billing structure

GitHub's pricing is published in USD, so the exact peso amounts on your statement depend on your bank's exchange rate, payment processor fees, and applicable taxes. If you are paying via a Philippine credit card or e-wallet, expect the final charge to be slightly higher than the peso estimate shown here.

Why philippine users decide to cancel

Based on feedback from Stopee users and community forums, the most common reasons to leave are unexpected charges after cancellation attempts, slow performance without local server options, limited customer support in local languages, and the cost of maintaining multiple subscriptions (Copilot plus Team plus Marketplace apps) when your team shrinks or your project ends.

Some developers also migrate to GitLab, Bitbucket, or self-hosted Gitea after discovering that those platforms offer better pricing for Philippine teams or more granular billing controls. Whatever your reason, Stopee is here to guide you through a clean cancellation without leaving yourself vulnerable to future charges.

Your consumer rights under philippine law

The Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 7394) protects you against unfair billing practices, misleading terms, and non-transparent charges. If GitHub continues to charge you after you cancel, or refuses to refund a duplicate charge, you have the right to file a complaint with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

What the consumer act says about subscriptions and cancellation

Under Republic Act No. 7394, companies must provide clear and truthful information about recurring charges before you subscribe. Once you cancel, the company must stop billing you immediately and cannot charge you for services you did not use. If GitHub charges you after your cancellation takes effect, you can demand a refund and, if necessary, escalate to the DTI Consumer Hotline at 1-386-DTI (1-386-384) or file a complaint online at www.dti.gov.ph.

Additionally, if your cancellation date falls within a billing cycle, you may be entitled to a pro-rata refund (a refund for the unused portion of that cycle), depending on GitHub's stated refund policy. Stopee recommends keeping all cancellation confirmation emails and screenshots as evidence in case you need to dispute a charge later.

How to escalate if GitHub refuses to refund you

If you cancel but GitHub continues to charge you and ignores your refund request, do not simply accept the loss. First, contact your bank or payment provider (GCash, Maya, credit card issuer) and request a chargeback or payment dispute. Second, file a formal complaint with the DTI through their website or hotline. Third, save all evidence: cancellation confirmation, billing statements, support emails, and screenshots of your account settings. Stopee emphasizes that this paper trail is your protection under Philippine consumer law.

How to cancel GitHub step by step

The cancellation process differs depending on where you subscribed: via GitHub.com directly, the Apple App Store, or Google Play Store. Follow the correct path for your situation to avoid leaving yourself still subscribed.

Cancelling a GitHub plan via the web (GitHub.com)

If you subscribed on GitHub.com using a credit card, debit card, or PayPal, follow these steps to cancel before your next billing date.

1. Log into your GitHub account at github.com and navigate to your account settings.
   • Click your profile icon in the top right corner.
   • Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu.
2. In the left sidebar, click "Billing and plans".
   • You will see all active subscriptions under "Plans and usage".
3. Locate the subscription you want to cancel (e.g., GitHub Team, Copilot Pro, or Enterprise).
   • Pro tip: If you have multiple products (Copilot + Team + Marketplace apps), you must cancel each one separately.
4. Click the "Edit" or "Manage" button next to the plan.
   • A modal or new page will open showing your current plan, renewal date, and cancellation option.
5. Scroll down and click "Cancel subscription" or "Downgrade to free".
   • Warning: "Downgrade" moves you to the free tier but keeps your account active. "Cancel" removes the paid feature entirely. Choose based on what you need.
6. GitHub will ask you to confirm your cancellation and may offer a retention discount.
   • Select "Cancel" again to finalize, or close the modal if you change your mind.
7. You will see a confirmation message: "Your subscription has been cancelled" or similar.
   • Immediately take a screenshot and save the confirmation email GitHub sends to your registered address.
8. Wait 2-3 minutes, then refresh your Billing page to confirm the subscription no longer appears under active plans.
   • If it still shows, repeat steps 3-6 or contact support@github.com with your screenshot.

Cancelling GitHub copilot or other GitHub products

If you are cancelling only Copilot Pro (not your entire GitHub account), the process is slightly different because Copilot is a separate line item on your billing dashboard.

1. Log into github.com, go to Settings, then Billing and plans.
2. Under "Plans and usage", find the Copilot Pro subscription.
   • It appears as a separate entry from GitHub Team or Enterprise.
3. Click "Edit" or "Manage" next to Copilot Pro.
4. Select "Cancel Copilot subscription".
5. Confirm your cancellation and save the confirmation email.
6. Warning: Cancelling Copilot does not cancel your GitHub Team or Enterprise plan if you have one. Each product must be cancelled separately, or you will still be charged for the remaining subscriptions.

Cancelling if you subscribed via apple app store or google play

If you set up your GitHub subscription through the App Store (iPhone/iPad) or Google Play Store (Android), you must cancel through that platform, not through GitHub.com directly. GitHub does not see App Store or Play Store cancellations immediately, so cancelling on GitHub.com alone will not stop the charge.

For Apple App Store:

1. Open the App Store app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Subscriptions".
3. Find "GitHub" in the list and tap it.
4. Tap "Cancel subscription" and confirm.
5. Apple will send you a cancellation confirmation email.
6. Log into github.com and verify that your plan is no longer active within 24 hours.

For Google Play Store:

1. Open the Google Play app on your Android device.
2. Tap your profile icon and select "Subscriptions".
3. Find "GitHub" and tap it.
4. Tap "Cancel subscription" and follow the prompts.
5. Google will email a confirmation to your linked Gmail address.
6. Log into github.com and verify cancellation within 24 hours.

Timeline and what happens after you cancel

Understanding what occurs after cancellation protects you from surprise charges and loss of work.

When does the charge stop after cancellation?

GitHub stops charging on your next billing renewal date, not immediately. If your renewal date is 15 days away and you cancel today, you will still be charged in 15 days because GitHub's system processes the charge before it registers your cancellation. However, once the charge processes, you may contact support to request a refund for that final month if you cancelled well in advance.

If you cancel on the same day as your renewal (by accident), request a refund immediately by emailing support@github.com with your cancellation screenshot, invoice number, and the date you cancelled. Many Philippine users report success with refund requests if they act within 48 hours of the disputed charge.

Access and data after cancellation

When your paid subscription ends, you lose access to premium features (private repositories on free tier, Codespaces, Copilot, advanced security tools). Your public repositories remain visible. GitHub's terms state that content may be deleted within a reasonable time after cancellation, so before you cancel, download any scripts, documentation, or code you want to keep using Git commands or the GitHub export tool.

Pro tip: Create a local backup of important repositories by running "git clone --mirror" on your command line, or use GitHub's built-in export feature under Settings > Export data.

Refunds and billing disputes

GitHub's official refund policy states that subscriptions are non-refundable except where required by law. However, this does not mean you have no recourse in the Philippines.

When you may be entitled to a refund

You can request a refund if you cancel within a billing cycle and have not used the service, or if GitHub charged you after your cancellation took effect. Under the Consumer Act of the Philippines, you have the right to receive a refund for services not rendered. If you cancelled on day 5 of a 30-day cycle, you deserve a pro-rata refund for the remaining 25 days of service you did not use.

Contact GitHub support at support@github.com with the subject "Refund request for cancelled subscription" and include your GitHub username, invoice number, cancellation date, and reason. Stopee recommends staying calm and professional in your email, and giving GitHub 5-7 business days to respond. If they refuse, escalate to your payment provider (bank, GCash, Maya) and file a chargeback or dispute.

Handling duplicate charges or charges after cancellation

Some Philippine users report being charged twice on their first billing cycle after cancellation. This usually happens because the cancellation did not fully process before the automatic renewal triggered. If this occurs:

1. Take a screenshot of your billing statement showing the duplicate charge.
2. Log into GitHub and confirm your subscription shows as cancelled.
3. Email support@github.com within 48 hours with your evidence.
4. If GitHub does not respond within 7 days, contact your bank or card issuer and request a chargeback.
5. File a DTI complaint at www.dti.gov.ph if the charge remains unresolved after 14 days.

Common mistakes that leave you still subscribed

Cancellation confusion is frustrating, especially when you believe you have already cancelled but charges keep coming. Here are the pitfalls Stopee users encounter most often.

Mistake one: cancelling only one product when you have multiple subscriptions

If you pay for GitHub Team and Copilot Pro, cancelling only Copilot leaves GitHub Team active. You will still be charged ₱226/month for GitHub Team until you cancel that separately. Always log into Billing and plans and verify that every active subscription is listed as "Free" or "Cancelled" before you consider the job done.

Mistake two: confusing cancellation with downgrade

When you "downgrade" to GitHub Free, you keep your account but lose paid features. Your account stays active and visible to your team. When you "cancel", you remove the paid plan entirely but may keep the account in a dormant state. Know which action you intend before clicking confirm.

Mistake three: cancelling on GitHub.com but not on the app store or play store

If you subscribed via the App Store or Play Store, GitHub.com cancellation alone does not stop the charge. The app stores process payments independently, so you must cancel in both places. This is the number one reason Philippine users continue to be charged after they believe they have cancelled.

Mistake four: not saving cancellation proof

If GitHub charges you after cancellation and you have no email confirmation or screenshot, proving that you cancelled becomes much harder. Take a screenshot of your Billing and plans page immediately after cancellation, and save the confirmation email GitHub sends. Stopee emphasizes that this evidence is your protection if you need to dispute a charge or file a complaint with the DTI.

Preparation checklist before you cancel

Use this checklist to protect yourself and ensure a clean cancellation with no hidden charges or regrets.

• Access: Log into your GitHub account and confirm you can view all active subscriptions under Billing and plans.
• Backup: Download or export any code, documentation, or projects you want to keep before cancellation. Use "git clone --mirror" or GitHub's export tool.
• Screenshot: Take a clear photo or screenshot of your current plan name, renewal date, and total cost before you cancel.
• Multiple products: Check Billing and plans for every active subscription (GitHub Team, Copilot Pro, Marketplace apps, etc.) and note which ones you want to cancel.
• App Store: If you subscribed via App Store or Play Store, note that you must cancel there as well as on GitHub.com.
• Support contact: Save support@github.com and the DTI Consumer Hotline (1-386-384) in your phone for quick reference if you need to dispute a charge.
• Billing date: Check your bank or card statement to confirm your exact billing date so you know when to cancel to avoid a final charge.
• Confirmation email: After you cancel, wait for a confirmation email from GitHub and save it immediately in a folder titled "GitHub cancellation" for future reference.

After cancellation: what to expect and how to stay safe

The cancellation process can feel uncertain, especially if you are worried about surprise charges on your next billing cycle. Here is what actually happens in the days and weeks after you click cancel.

Immediate after cancellation (24 hours)

GitHub removes access to premium features within minutes. Your paid repositories may switch to read-only mode, and Copilot stops working on your IDE. You will still see your account and public repositories, but any private repositories on free-tier accounts become invisible to non-members. Refresh your Billing and plans page after 10 minutes to verify your subscription no longer shows as "Active".

One week after cancellation

GitHub sends you a final invoice or confirmation receipt. Compare this to your last charge before cancellation to ensure you are not being double-billed. If your renewal date was within 3 days of your cancellation, GitHub may have processed the charge before recognizing the cancellation; if so, request a refund immediately.

One month after cancellation

Check your bank statement on what would have been your renewal date. If a charge appears, do not ignore it. Contact support@github.com with your cancellation screenshot and demand a refund. If GitHub does not respond within 7 days, contact your bank and file a chargeback. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel successfully, and many of those consumers faced one final charge due to timing delays; do not let this defeat you.

If a charge appears after cancellation

First, log into GitHub and confirm your subscription shows as cancelled. Second, email support@github.com within 24 hours with your cancellation evidence. Third, contact your payment provider (bank, GCash, Maya, credit card issuer) and request a dispute or chargeback. Fourth, if the issue remains unresolved after 14 days, file a complaint with the DTI at www.dti.gov.ph or call 1-386-DTI.

Comparing GitHub to alternatives

If you are cancelling because of cost or performance, consider these alternatives for your next project.

Cancellation address and escalation contacts

If GitHub refuses to cancel your account or refund a disputed charge, use these official channels to escalate your complaint.

GitHub corporate address

Send formal notices or complaints to:

GitHub, Inc.
88 Colin P Kelly Jr Street
San Francisco, California 94107
United States

For urgent matters or legal requests, you may also reference GitHub's legal address at 1 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103. Include your GitHub username, the date of cancellation or disputed charge, and a clear statement of your complaint in any written correspondence.

Philippine consumer protection contacts

If GitHub does not respond or refuses your refund request, escalate to:

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
Consumer Hotline: 1-386-DTI (1-386-384)
Website: www.dti.gov.ph
Online Complaint Form: Available on DTI website

The DTI can investigate unfair billing practices and force GitHub to refund you if the company violated the Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 7394). File your complaint within one year of the disputed charge.

Your payment provider's dispute process

If you paid via GCash, Maya, a Philippine bank, or international credit card, contact that provider and request a chargeback or payment dispute. Provide your cancellation screenshot and the disputed charge details. Most providers investigate within 30-60 days and will refund you if you have clear evidence of cancellation.

Final summary and next steps

Cancelling GitHub in the Philippines requires just a few clear steps: log into Billing and plans, identify all active subscriptions, cancel each one separately, screenshot the confirmation, and save the confirmation email. The hardest part is not the process itself, but remembering to cancel on all platforms (GitHub.com, App Store, and Play Store) if you subscribed through more than one. Under the Consumer Act of the Philippines, you have the right to a refund for services not rendered and the right to dispute any charge that continues after you cancel. If GitHub charges you after cancellation, do not accept it as unavoidable loss; file a chargeback with your bank, contact GitHub support, and escalate to the DTI if necessary.

Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions cleanly and recover disputed charges through consumer law. Whether you are moving to GitLab, downgrading to GitHub Free, or leaving GitHub entirely, follow the steps and checklists in this guide to protect yourself from hidden charges and ensure your cancellation actually sticks. Start today: log in, take a screenshot of your billing page, and cancel each subscription individually. Your bank balance will thank you.