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How to cancel your medium membership and avoid unexpected charges

Understanding medium and why you might want to cancel

Medium is a digital publishing platform where independent writers, journalists, and publications share long-form articles, essays, and multimedia content. If you subscribe to a Medium membership, you gain access to unlimited reading, audio narration, offline reading, and the knowledge that your subscription supports writers you enjoy. However, not every reader finds the value justifies the cost, and that's completely valid. At Stopee, we understand that subscriptions pile up, priorities change, and sometimes you simply decide the service no longer fits your needs.

Whether you subscribed months ago and forgot about the recurring charge, or you've tried the membership and decided it's not for you, cancelling Medium is straightforward once you know where to look. The key is acting before your next billing date so you don't pay for a period you won't use.

Medium membership pricing in the united states

Knowing what you're paying helps you decide whether cancellation makes sense right now. Medium offers two primary tiers for US subscribers.

If you signed up for an annual plan and cancel mid-year, you will not receive a prorated refund in most cases-a detail many users discover too late. Stopee recommends checking your billing date before you cancel so you understand the financial impact.

Common reasons readers cancel medium

You might be cancelling because the content no longer matches your interests, you prefer free alternatives, you're cutting subscriptions to save money, or you simply forgot you had the membership. None of these reasons require justification. Medium won't ask you to explain, and you shouldn't feel guilty about leaving.

Your consumer rights when cancelling a subscription

Federal and state consumer protection laws give you specific rights when you cancel an automatic renewal subscription.

The restore online shoppers confidence act (ROSCA)

ROSCA, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, requires that subscription companies like Medium make cancellation as easy as the signup process. This means you should be able to cancel online in the same way you signed up-without jumping through hoops, waiting on hold, or navigating dark patterns. If Medium's cancellation process is deliberately hard to find or requires you to call a number that doesn't exist, that violates ROSCA. The Federal Trade Commission takes these violations seriously and investigates consumer complaints.

Your right to stop charges before renewal

You have the right to cancel before your next billing date and prevent the charge from going through. Medium must provide you with evidence that your cancellation was processed. This is why obtaining proof of cancellation matters-it protects you if Medium bills you again by mistake or claims they never received your request.

State-level cancellation laws

Many US states, including California, New York, and Illinois, have enacted their own subscription cancellation laws that go beyond ROSCA. These laws typically require clear, conspicuous cancellation terms in your subscription agreement and a simple online cancellation mechanism. If Medium fails to honor these standards, you can file a complaint with your state's attorney general office.

How to cancel your medium membership

Medium offers multiple cancellation paths depending on how you originally subscribed. Follow the method that matches your situation to ensure your cancellation is processed correctly.

Cancel via the medium website (if you subscribed directly)

If you created a Medium account and signed up for membership through the Medium website directly, use this method.

1. Go to medium.com and log in to your account using your email and password.
2. Click your profile icon in the top right corner of the page.
3. Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
4. Navigate to Membership and payment in the left sidebar.
5. Find the section labeled Your subscription or Cancel your membership.
6. Click the Cancel subscription button.
7. Medium will ask you to confirm your cancellation and may offer a discount to keep you subscribed. Ignore this if you're sure you want to leave.
8. Complete the cancellation and take a screenshot of the confirmation page.

Pro tip: After cancellation, your membership benefits continue until the end of your current billing cycle. You won't lose access immediately, and you won't be charged again after that cycle ends. Keep this confirmation page-it's your proof that you cancelled.

Cancel an iTunes or apple app store subscription

If you subscribed to Medium through the Apple App Store or iTunes, you must cancel through Apple's system, not through Medium's website.

1. On your Apple device, open the Settings app.
2. Tap your name at the top of the screen.
3. Select Subscriptions.
4. Find Medium in your active subscriptions list.
5. Tap on Medium and select Cancel subscription.
6. Confirm the cancellation by following Apple's prompts.
7. Take a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation.

Apple will email you a cancellation receipt. Save this email in a folder labeled "Cancelled Subscriptions" for your records. This proof becomes critical if Apple or Medium later claim the subscription is still active.

Cancel a google play subscription (Android)

If you subscribed through Google Play on an Android device, you cancel directly through Google.

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
2. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner.
3. Select Subscriptions.
4. Find Medium and tap on it.
5. Select Cancel subscription and confirm.
6. Take a screenshot of the confirmation for your records.

Warning: Do not delete the Medium app from your phone after cancelling. Deleting the app does not cancel your subscription-only cancelling through Google Play does.

What happens after you cancel your medium membership

Understanding the post-cancellation timeline prevents confusion and helps you stay on top of any unexpected charges.

Your access during the final billing period

When you cancel Medium, your membership doesn't end immediately. You retain full member access-unlimited reading, audio narration, offline downloads-until the end of the billing period you've already paid for. This is not a benefit; it's what you've already paid for. Use this time to download articles or catch up on reading if you want.

After your final billing cycle ends

Once your paid period expires, your account automatically reverts to a free account. You'll still be able to read a limited number of free articles each month, but you won't have access to the member-only content that required payment. You can log back in anytime, and if you change your mind, you can resubscribe later.

Watch for unexpected re-billing

Pro tip: Set a calendar reminder for the day your billing cycle ends. Check your credit card statement two to three days after that date to confirm no charge appeared. If Medium bills you again after cancellation, contact your bank immediately-you may be entitled to a chargeback.

Refund eligibility and how to request one

Medium's refund policy is strict, but exceptions exist if you cancel within a specific window or if charges were unauthorized.

When you're unlikely to get a refund

If you cancel after your billing date has passed, Medium typically won't refund the charge. Most subscription services apply a "no refund after billing" rule. This is why timing matters-cancelling before your renewal date is far more valuable than requesting a refund after the fact.

Requesting a refund if you cancel within the first billing period

Some readers report success requesting a refund if they cancel within 7 to 14 days of their first charge. This window is not clearly published on Medium's website, but it's worth attempting if you're within your first two weeks of membership.

1. Visit the Help Center on Medium's website.
2. Search for refund or billing.
3. Look for a contact form or email address for billing disputes.
4. Write a brief, polite email stating your subscription date, the charge amount, and your reason for requesting a refund-for example, "I cancelled within 5 days of signup because the content did not meet my expectations."
5. Include your order number or billing confirmation in the email.
6. Send the email and wait for a response, typically within 5 to 10 business days.

Pro tip: Keep your email professional and factual. Requests phrased as complaints are less likely to succeed than polite, clear explanations of why you deserve a refund.

Disputing unauthorized charges

If someone else used your account or payment method without permission, you have stronger grounds for a refund. Contact your bank or credit card issuer and file a dispute. Provide proof that you cancelled (screenshots, confirmation emails) and explain that the charge was unauthorized or that you cancelled before the charge appeared.

Common mistakes that complicate cancellation

Many readers think they've cancelled when they haven't, or they take steps that don't actually stop the charges. These mistakes are frustrating, and Stopee wants to help you avoid them.

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

Removing the Medium app from your phone or tablet does not cancel your subscription. The app is just the interface to access the service. Your subscription lives in Medium's billing system and in the app store (Apple, Google) where you originally signed up. Deleting the app simply removes your ability to easily access Medium-it doesn't stop the charges. Always cancel through the website or app store, not by deletion.

Mistake 2: cancelling only on the website when you subscribed through an app store

This is one of the most common traps. If you signed up through iTunes or Google Play, cancelling through Medium's website settings does nothing. Your subscription exists in Apple's or Google's system, and that's the only place it can be cancelled. Stopee has heard from dozens of readers who cancelled on Medium's website and were shocked to find charges continuing because the app store subscription was still active. Check which platform you originally used, and cancel there.

Mistake 3: not confirming your cancellation in writing

If you cancel through the website or app, take a screenshot immediately. If Medium ever claims you're still a subscriber or tries to charge you again, this screenshot is your proof. Without documentation, it becomes your word against theirs, and companies always have better records than individual consumers think.

Mistake 4: cancelling too close to your renewal date

If you cancel on the same day your membership renews, there's a small window where the system may process both your cancellation and your renewal charge simultaneously. To be safe, cancel at least 2 to 3 days before your billing date. Check your billing date in your settings, then mark your calendar.

Mistake 5: assuming a free trial cancellation is automatic

If you signed up for a free trial that converts to paid membership, Medium does not automatically cancel at the end of the trial. You must manually cancel before the trial ends, or the paid subscription begins. Free trials are not free passes-they're conversion funnels, and the burden of cancellation rests on you.

Timeline and billing information for medium cancellation

Knowing Medium's billing schedule helps you cancel strategically and minimize out-of-pocket costs.

Your best move is always cancelling before your renewal date. You'll use your full paid period and won't waste money.

What to do if medium won't cancel your subscription

Most cancellations process smoothly, but occasionally Medium's system fails or support staff ignore requests. Here's how to escalate.

Verify that cancellation actually went through

Log back into your Medium account 24 hours after you thought you cancelled. Go to Settings > Membership and payment. If you still see an active subscription, the cancellation didn't stick. Try cancelling again, and this time, contact Medium's support team immediately.

Contact medium's support team

Medium doesn't offer phone support, so your only option is email. Visit Medium's Help Center and look for a contact form or billing support email. Provide your account email, the date you attempted to cancel, and a screenshot of your attempt. Ask for confirmation that your subscription is now cancelled and that you won't be charged again. Save Medium's response.

File a complaint with the federal trade commission

If Medium refuses to honour your cancellation, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Describe your cancellation attempts, provide dates, and explain how Medium is continuing to charge you. Include screenshots and copies of your emails to Medium. The FTC investigates patterns of deceptive cancellation practices, and your complaint contributes to their enforcement actions.

Dispute the charge with your bank

Contact your credit card issuer or bank and dispute the charges as unauthorized or as a violation of your cancellation request. Provide proof that you cancelled (screenshots, confirmation emails) and that Medium continued billing you. Most banks will reverse the charges and investigate the merchant. A chargeback on Medium's account signals to the payment processor that there's a problem with their billing practices.

Helpful resources and next steps

Stopee has helped thousands of consumers navigate cancellation processes, and we're here to support you too. If you run into issues cancelling Medium or any other subscription, the following steps ensure you stay protected.

Document everything

Create a folder on your computer or phone labeled "Subscription Records." When you cancel Medium, save or screenshot the confirmation. Save any emails from Medium or your payment processor. If charges appear later, you'll have timestamped proof of your cancellation. This documentation is invaluable in disputes.

Monitor your billing statements

Set a phone reminder to check your credit card statement 2 to 3 days after your expected cancellation date. Look for any Medium charge. If you see one, it means the cancellation didn't work, and you can act quickly. Many consumers don't notice unauthorized charges until 30 to 60 days later-by then, they've paid for multiple cycles they didn't want.

Know your escalation path

If Medium won't cancel:

• First, try cancelling again through their website or app.
• Second, contact their support team with documentation.
• Third, dispute the charge with your bank.
• Fourth, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission or your state's attorney general.

Most issues resolve at step one or two. Stopee recommends exhausting those options before escalating to regulatory complaints, but never hesitate to use those tools if Medium won't cooperate.

Prevent future subscription creep

After you cancel Medium, take a moment to audit all your subscriptions. Pull up your credit card statement and search for recurring charges. If you find subscriptions you forgot about, use the same cancellation methods outlined here. Stopee's goal is not just helping you cancel Medium-it's helping you gain full awareness and control of your financial commitments.

Summary and your action checklist

Cancelling Medium is simple once you know your signup method and the steps to follow. Use this checklist to stay on track.

Cancelling your Medium membership is your right, and Stopee stands behind your decision to take control of your subscriptions. Whether you're leaving because the content no longer serves you, you're cutting costs, or you simply forgot you had the membership, the process is straightforward. Follow the steps for your signup platform, confirm your cancellation, and keep your proof. If Medium continues charging you, you now know exactly how to escalate and protect yourself.

If you encounter issues or need guidance on cancelling other subscriptions, Stopee.com is your resource for independent, consumer-focused cancellation support. We've helped thousands of subscribers like you reclaim control of their finances, and we're here to ensure you never pay for a service you don't want again.