Manage Runna

How to cancel runna in south africa: your complete guide to pausing your fitness app

Understanding runna and why you might want to cancel

Runna is a personalised running app that delivers adaptive workout plans, device syncing capabilities, and progress tracking tools to help you meet your fitness goals. The service operates across iOS, Android, and web platforms, with subscriptions managed through Apple App Store, Google Play, or Paddle depending on where you signed up.

You may be considering cancellation for many reasons: the workouts no longer suit your schedule, you've found an alternative training method, budget constraints, or simply that the app isn't delivering the value you expected. Whatever your reason, Stopee understands that cancelling should be straightforward and hassle-free. This guide walks you through every cancellation method available in South Africa, explains what happens to your access, and shows you how to recover a refund if you qualify.

What runna premium includes

Runna Premium gives you access to structured training plans, integration with devices like Garmin and Strava, shoe-life tracking, and detailed progress analytics. These features adapt to your fitness level and goals as you progress through the app.

However, if the service no longer meets your needs, cancellation is permanent only if you choose not to resubscribe. Until your current billing period ends, you retain full Premium access even after cancelling.

Your consumer rights when cancelling in south africa

South African consumer protection law gives you specific rights when cancelling subscription services.

What the consumer protection act says

The South African Consumer Protection Act (2008) requires businesses to display clear cancellation terms and make the cancellation process as easy as the original signup. Runna must honour your cancellation request without imposing unreasonable barriers.

You have the right to a refund within 14 days of purchase if the service is not as described, or if you simply change your mind within that cooling-off period. Runna's internal policy limits refunds to 48 hours, which is stricter than the Consumer Protection Act allows, but Stopee advises you to know that the Act protects you further.

Your escalation options

If Runna refuses a legitimate refund claim or makes cancellation difficult, you can escalate to the National Consumer Commission (NCC). The NCC handles disputes between consumers and businesses across South Africa and can compel Runna to comply with consumer protection law.

Keep records of all communication with Runna, including screenshots of your subscription status and cancellation requests. This documentation strengthens your case if you need to lodge a complaint with the NCC.

How to cancel runna on each platform

Your cancellation method depends entirely on where you subscribed: iPhone, Android, or the web through Paddle.

Cancel runna on iPhone (iOS)

Apple manages iOS subscriptions through its own system, not through Runna directly. Follow these steps to cancel:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
   • Tap your name at the top of the Settings menu.
   • Select "Subscriptions" (you may need to tap "iTunes & App Store" first, then "Subscriptions").
2. Find Runna in the list of active subscriptions.
   • Tap "Runna" to view your subscription details.
3. Tap "Cancel Subscription" at the bottom of the screen.
   • Apple may offer you a final discount or ask you to confirm the cancellation.
   • Confirm your decision to cancel.
4. You will receive an email confirmation from Apple once cancellation is processed.
   • Check your inbox and spam folder for this email.
   • Your Premium access continues until the end of your current billing period.

Warning: Deleting the Runna app from your phone does NOT cancel your subscription. You must follow the steps above through the Settings app to stop auto-renewal.

Cancel runna on android (Google play)

Google Play also manages subscriptions independently of the Runna app. Here is how to cancel:

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
   • Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
2. Select "Payments & Subscriptions" from the menu.
   • Tap "Subscriptions."
3. Find Runna in your active subscriptions list.
   • Tap "Runna" to open the subscription details page.
4. Tap "Cancel Subscription."
   • Google may display a confirmation screen asking why you are cancelling.
   • You can skip this feedback or provide a reason.
5. Confirm the cancellation.
   • You will see a confirmation message on screen.
   • Google sends an email confirmation to your account email address.
   • Auto-renewal stops immediately, but your access continues until the end of your billing period.

Pro tip: If you signed up through a Strava bundle or annual plan, check Google Play first to see if your subscription is managed there. Some Strava integrations may bypass Google Play entirely.

Cancel runna on the web (Paddle)

If you subscribed through the Runna website using Paddle (their web payment processor), you must cancel through the Paddle portal. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the Paddle customer portal at customers.paddle.com.
   • You may need to click "Log in" or "Already a customer?"
2. Enter the email address linked to your Runna account.
   • Paddle sends you a login link via email.
   • Check your inbox and click the link to log in (no password required).
3. Once logged in, find your Runna subscription under "Active Subscriptions."
   • Click on the Runna subscription to view details.
4. Look for a "Cancel Subscription" or "Manage" button.
   • Click to cancel and confirm when prompted.
5. You will see a cancellation confirmation on screen and receive an email confirmation.
   • Your Premium access continues until the end of your current billing cycle.

Pro tip: Keep your Paddle confirmation email safe. If Runna's records show your subscription as active later, you can use this email as proof of cancellation.

What happens after you cancel runna

Cancelling is not the same as losing access immediately. Understanding the post-cancellation timeline helps you plan your fitness routine without interruption.

Your access during the notice period

After you cancel, Runna Premium features remain fully accessible until your current billing period ends. If you pay monthly on the 15th and cancel on the 20th, you keep full access until the 15th of the next month. If you pay annually, you retain access for the remaining 11 months of your subscription.

This grace period gives you time to export your data, download your training history, or adjust to training without the app. Stopee recommends backing up any important workout data before the access window closes, especially if you plan to switch to another app.

What happens to your data and account

Your Runna account and all stored data (training logs, progress metrics, goals) remain in the system even after your subscription ends. You can resubscribe at any time and pick up where you left off.

If you want to permanently delete your account and all associated data, you must request this separately from Runna support. Cancelling your subscription alone does not erase your account. Visit the Runna help centre at support.runna.com to request account deletion if you prefer a clean break.

Preventing unwanted resubscription

Once you cancel through Apple, Google, or Paddle, auto-renewal stops and your subscription will not renew. However, if you reactivate the app or visit the Runna website, you may see a prompt to resubscribe. Ignore these prompts unless you genuinely want to restart your subscription.

How to request a refund from runna

Refunds are available in limited circumstances. Knowing the rules and how to claim them protects your money.

Runna's refund policy explained

Runna officially permits refund requests only within 48 hours of subscribing, regardless of whether you subscribed via Apple, Google Play, Paddle, or a Strava bundle. After 48 hours, refunds are generally declined.

However, consumer protection law in South Africa may entitle you to a refund beyond this window. The Consumer Protection Act allows a 14-day cooling-off period for distance contracts (online subscriptions), which is considerably longer than Runna's 48-hour window. If Runna refuses your refund claim after 48 hours, Stopee advises you to cite this right and escalate your request.

How to claim a refund

1. Contact Runna support directly through their help centre at support.runna.com.
   • Explain your reason for requesting a refund and include your subscription details (order number, email, date of purchase).
2. If Runna declines, respond with a written reference to the Consumer Protection Act.
   • State that you are exercising your right to a cooling-off period under section 5(4)(g) of the Act.
   • Request a formal written response explaining why your claim is denied.
3. If Runna still refuses, escalate to the National Consumer Commission (NCC).
   • Lodge a complaint at ncc.org.za with copies of all correspondence and proof of payment.
   • The NCC has authority to compel refunds and impose penalties on non-compliant businesses.

Pro tip: If you subscribed through Apple or Google, you can also request a refund directly through their customer support. Apple and Google sometimes approve refunds even after 48 hours if the service was not as described. This route is often faster than going through Runna directly.

How refunds are processed

Once approved, refunds take 3 to 5 working days to appear in your bank account or payment method. The exact timeline depends on your bank and payment processor (Apple, Google, or Paddle). Stopee recommends checking your transaction history daily during this window.

If your refund does not appear within 5 working days, contact the payment processor again with proof of the refund approval. Keep all confirmation emails from Runna, Apple, Google, or Paddle as evidence.

Runna pricing in south africa

Understanding the costs helps you decide whether cancellation makes financial sense and what you might save.

Current subscription plans and prices

If you selected the annual plan at R899.99 and cancel within the first month, you could reclaim approximately R750 by invoking the Consumer Protection Act's cooling-off period. The monthly plan at R149.99 is lower risk if you are unsure about long-term commitment.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling runna

Cancelling a subscription feels straightforward, but small oversights can leave you charged indefinitely. Here are the traps Stopee sees most often:

Mistake 1: deleting the app instead of cancelling the subscription

This is the most common error. Removing the Runna app from your phone triggers nothing with Apple or Google. Your subscription remains active, and you will be charged at the next billing cycle without seeing any reminder. You must explicitly cancel through Settings (iOS) or Google Play (Android).

Mistake 2: not verifying cancellation across all platforms

If you subscribed on multiple devices or platforms (iOS and Android, for example), you need to cancel on each one separately. A subscription active on Google Play will continue charging you even if you cancel on Apple. Log into both platforms and check for active Runna subscriptions.

Mistake 3: ignoring the 48-hour refund window

Runna's refund policy allows claims only within 48 hours of purchase. If you delay requesting a refund, you lose this window entirely. Request your refund as soon as you decide the app is not for you, even if you have not fully tested it. Stopee recommends taking action within 24 hours to be safe.

Mistake 4: not exporting your training data before cancellation

Once your access ends, retrieving your workout history, progress metrics, and custom goals becomes difficult. Before your billing period expires, download or screenshot any data you want to keep. Runna may allow data exports through the settings menu.

Mistake 5: confusing paddle refunds with app store refunds

If you subscribed through the web via Paddle, your refund comes from Paddle, not from Runna. If you subscribed via Apple, your refund comes from Apple. Contact the correct entity for faster processing. Runna cannot process app store refunds; Apple and Google handle those independently.

Checklist: ensuring your runna cancellation is complete

Use this checklist to confirm that your cancellation was successful and you are no longer at risk of unwanted charges:

• Check that you cancelled through the correct platform (Apple, Google Play, or Paddle).
• Verify that you received a cancellation confirmation email from Apple, Google, or Paddle.
• Log back into your subscription management portal (Settings on iOS, Google Play on Android, or customers.paddle.com) and confirm Runna is no longer listed under active subscriptions.
• Note the end date of your current billing period so you know when access expires.
• If you requested a refund, track it. Expect it to appear within 5 working days.
• Set a calendar reminder for the day before your access ends to export any data you want to keep.
• Check your bank statement 5 to 7 days after your billing period ends to ensure no renewal charge appears.

Key points to remember: your pathway forward

Cancelling Runna is simple once you know which platform manages your subscription. The process takes fewer than 5 minutes, and your access continues until the end of your paid period. Within that window, you are protected by South African consumer law to request a refund if the service does not meet your expectations.

Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions, recover refunds, and navigate disputes with businesses that resist compliance. Whether you are moving to a different running app, taking a break from structured training, or managing your budget, you have clear rights and straightforward cancellation paths available to you.

If Runna makes cancellation difficult or refuses a legitimate refund claim, Stopee encourages you to escalate to the National Consumer Commission. Your complaint becomes part of the public record and holds businesses accountable to the Consumer Protection Act.

Visit Stopee.com today for additional guidance on cancelling other subscriptions, managing recurring charges, and protecting your consumer rights across South Africa's digital marketplace. Stopee is your trusted resource for subscription cancellation support, empowering you to regain control of your payments and your data.

Runna's registered contact details

If you need to escalate a complaint or request account deletion, contact Runna directly using the details below:

• Company: The Run Buddy Ltd (trading as Runna)
• Primary address: London, United Kingdom
• Support portal: support.runna.com
• Refund requests: support.runna.com/en/articles/6759795-requesting-a-refund

Note: Runna operates from a UK address, not South Africa. This means disputes may take longer to resolve and may require escalation to the NCC if Runna does not respond to your cancellation or refund requests within 14 days.