Manage Epidemic Sound

How to cancel epidemic sound and protect your rights in south africa

What is epidemic sound and why creators use it

Epidemic Sound is a subscription music and sound effects library designed for digital creators, podcasters, YouTubers and small production teams across the globe. The service offers royalty-free tracks and sound effects you can license for your content without worrying about copyright claims or per-track licensing fees. If you create videos, podcasts or social media content, you may have signed up to access their full library under a monthly or annual subscription model.

The company operates from Stockholm, Sweden, and manages accounts and support entirely online. Millions of creators rely on services like Epidemic Sound, but not every subscriber finds the service right for them long-term. If you are reading this, you are likely considering cancellation or ready to exit your subscription. At Stopee, we help you understand your rights and walk you through every step of the process.

Who typically subscribes to epidemic sound

Your typical Epidemic Sound user is a content creator with an established or growing audience on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram or podcasting platforms. The service appeals to anyone who needs unlimited access to licensed music without negotiating individual rights or paying per-track fees. Small production studios, marketing agencies and media professionals also use Epidemic Sound to streamline their workflow and reduce legal risk.

Once you cancel, your existing published content remains covered under your previous licence, but any new uploads after cancellation may trigger copyright claims if you do not renew. Understanding this timing is crucial before you make your final decision.

Your consumer rights in south africa

South African consumer law gives you specific protections when you sign up for digital services like Epidemic Sound. The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) requires businesses to act fairly and disclose the terms of subscription clearly before you pay. However, subscription services operate under different rules than one-off purchases.

Cooling-off and refund rights under south african law

The CPA provides a 14-day cooling-off period for distance contracts (which includes online subscriptions signed remotely). This means if you sign up for Epidemic Sound online and change your mind within 14 days, you have the legal right to cancel and request a refund, even if Epidemic Sound's terms say otherwise. This is a statutory right that cannot be overridden by company policy.

After the initial 14 days, the rules change. Epidemic Sound's own terms then apply, and they classify payments as non-refundable once you have had access to the library. Stopee recommends you act quickly if you signed up recently and want your money back without dispute. Document your cancellation date and any correspondence, because you may need this evidence if Epidemic Sound refuses your refund request.

If Epidemic Sound does not honour your refund within 14 days of cancellation, you can escalate to the National Consumer Commission (NCC), South Africa's official consumer watchdog. The NCC handles complaints about unfair contract terms and can compel businesses to refund consumers who have valid statutory rights.

Subscriptions bought through apple or google play

If you subscribed via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, Apple and Google are your first line of defence for refunds. Apple and Google operate their own refund policies and may grant refunds within 48 hours of purchase for first-time requests. However, after that window closes, their policies also become strict. Stopee advises you to contact Apple or Google directly before reaching out to Epidemic Sound, because they control the payment and may process your refund independently of Epidemic Sound's own refund policy.

How to cancel epidemic sound from south africa

Cancellation is straightforward if you know where to look. Your method depends on how you originally subscribed: directly via Epidemic Sound's website, through Apple, or through Google Play. Below are the exact steps for each platform.

Cancel directly via the epidemic sound website

This is the most direct and recommended method if you signed up at epidemicsound.com. Follow these steps carefully to avoid delays or accidental re-billing.

1. Visit epidemicsound.com and log in to your account using your email address and password.
   • If you have forgotten your password, click "Forgot password" and follow the reset link sent to your email.
2. Once logged in, navigate to your Account settings (usually a profile icon or gear icon in the top right).
   • Look for "Subscription" or "Billing" in the menu.
3. Select "Manage Subscription" and then click "Cancel Subscription".
   • Do not click "Pause" if you see that option, because pausing is not the same as cancelling.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts, which may include a survey asking why you are leaving. Your answers here are optional.
   • Epidemic Sound sometimes offers discounts or reduced-price plans at this stage; accept only if you genuinely want to stay.
5. Confirm your cancellation by clicking the final confirmation button or by responding to the confirmation email you receive.
   • Pro tip: Screenshot or download your cancellation confirmation email immediately. You will need proof of cancellation if any billing issues arise.
6. Your subscription will remain active until the end of your current billing cycle (e.g., the last day of the month or year you paid for). After that date, you lose access to the library.
   • Check your account one week before the end date to confirm the cancellation has gone through.

Cancel an apple app store subscription

If you subscribed to Epidemic Sound through the Apple App Store or Apple Music integration, you must cancel in your Apple account settings, not in the Epidemic Sound app itself. Epidemic Sound cannot process Apple cancellations on your behalf.

1. On your iPhone, iPad or Mac, open the Settings app.
   • On Mac, Settings is in the Apple menu at the top left.
2. Tap or click your name at the top of the Settings menu.
   • If you see "iCloud" instead of your name, you are not signed in to your Apple ID. Sign in first.
3. Select "Subscriptions" (or "iTunes & App Store" followed by "Manage Subscriptions" on older iOS versions).
   • This section shows all active subscriptions linked to your Apple account.
4. Locate "Epidemic Sound" in your subscriptions list and tap it.
   • If you do not see it, you may not have an active Apple subscription for Epidemic Sound, or you may be signed in under a different Apple ID.
5. Tap "Cancel Subscription" at the bottom of the screen.
   • Apple will ask you to confirm and may offer a discount to stay. Decline if you are certain you want to cancel.
6. You will receive an email confirmation from Apple within minutes.
   • Pro tip: Your access continues through the end of your current billing period. After that date, the subscription will not renew automatically.

Cancel a google play store subscription

Google Play subscriptions are managed in your Google Play account settings, separate from the Epidemic Sound app or website. Follow these steps to cancel on Android or web.

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Play Store app.
   • On a computer, visit play.google.com in your browser.
2. Tap your profile icon at the top right.
   • Select "Manage your Google Play account".
3. Go to the "Subscriptions" tab at the top.
   • You will see a list of all active subscriptions on your Google account.
4. Tap "Epidemic Sound" in the list.
   • If it is not showing, your subscription may already be inactive or cancelled.
5. Tap "Cancel subscription" and confirm your choice.
   • Google may ask you why you are cancelling; your feedback is optional.
6. You will receive a confirmation email from Google.
   • Warning: Do not uninstall the Epidemic Sound app just yet. You retain access to the library until the end of your billing cycle even after cancellation. Deleting the app before that date may cause confusion.

What happens after you cancel epidemic sound

Cancelling Epidemic Sound does not mean instant loss of access. The company honours your paid subscription until the end of your billing cycle. However, several important changes take effect after cancellation finalises.

Your access during the notice period

From the moment you click "Cancel Subscription" until the end of your current billing period, you retain full access to the Epidemic Sound library. You can download tracks, use them in new videos, and export projects without interruption. Use this grace period wisely to save or back up any work-in-progress content that relies on Epidemic Sound music.

After the billing cycle ends, your account locks. You can still log in to view your content history and old downloads, but you cannot access the live library, search for new tracks or renew your licence without subscribing again.

What happens to your published content

Any content you published while your subscription was active remains covered under your licence indefinitely. Videos, podcasts and social media posts you uploaded while you were a paying subscriber will not trigger copyright claims, even years after cancellation. Epidemic Sound's licence covers your published work retroactively.

New content you publish after your subscription ends is a different story. If you upload videos or podcasts containing Epidemic Sound music after cancellation, YouTube and other platforms may flag these uploads for copyright infringement. The content owner (Epidemic Sound) could then claim ad revenue from your videos or issue takedown notices. Plan your content calendar accordingly.

Reactivation and re-subscription

If you cancel and later decide you need Epidemic Sound again, you can resubscribe at any time by logging back into your account or signing up fresh. Your old account details and download history remain in your account. Stopee notes that you will not receive a discount for returning customers unless Epidemic Sound offers a specific re-engagement promotion at the time you resubscribe.

Refunds and billing issues

Refund policies are where Epidemic Sound and South African consumer law sometimes conflict. Understanding the difference between company policy and your statutory rights is critical.

Epidemic sound's standard refund policy

Epidemic Sound's published terms state that subscriptions are non-refundable once you have accessed the library. The company argues that because you received access to their full music catalogue during your subscription period, there is nothing to refund. This policy applies to monthly and annual plans equally.

In practice, Epidemic Sound rarely issues refunds outside the 14-day statutory window. If you paid for a year upfront and cancel after two months, Epidemic Sound will not automatically refund the remaining 10 months under their standard policy. You must request a refund and hope they grant it as a discretionary gesture, or invoke your statutory 14-day right if you are within that window.

Refunds within 14 days of signing up

Your strongest refund argument exists in the first 14 days after subscription. South Africa's Consumer Protection Act gives you an automatic right to cancel distance contracts (online purchases) and demand a refund within 14 days, regardless of company policy. Epidemic Sound's terms do not override this law.

To claim this refund, send a formal email to Epidemic Sound's support team, citing the Consumer Protection Act Section 5 (Distance Contracts) and requesting a refund of your subscription fee within 14 days of signing up. Include your order number, subscription start date and the date of your cancellation request. Keep copies of all correspondence.

If Epidemic Sound refuses your refund claim and you are still within 14 days, escalate to the National Consumer Commission (NCC). The NCC can force Epidemic Sound to honour your statutory right if the company is operating in South Africa or serving South African customers.

Refunds after 14 days

Once the 14-day window closes, your refund request moves into discretionary territory. Epidemic Sound may refuse. However, Stopee advises you to try anyway if you have grounds, such as:

• Unintended automatic renewal (you did not consent to annual rebilling)
• Duplicate charges or billing errors
• Service unavailability during your subscription period
• Misleading marketing or terms that contradict what you were told at signup

Document everything. Email Epidemic Sound with a clear subject line: "Refund Request: [Your Email Address] - [Reason]". Explain your situation concisely. If they decline, request escalation to their supervisor. If that fails, file a complaint with the NCC, which handles unfair contract terms and deceptive business practices.

Refunds via apple or google

If you paid through Apple or Google, contact them first. Apple typically grants refunds within 48 hours of purchase for first-time requests, and may grant refunds up to 2 weeks in some cases. Google Play offers a 48-hour refund window for most purchases. After that, both companies defer to the app provider's (Epidemic Sound's) refund policy.

Stopee recommends filing your refund request with Apple or Google before contacting Epidemic Sound, because the app stores sometimes process refunds without consulting the subscription provider, saving you time and effort.

Epidemic sound pricing and plans

Epidemic Sound's pricing varies by country and changes regularly. South African customers typically see pricing in South African Rand (ZAR), but the company's primary listing uses USD, EUR, GBP and Swedish Krona (SEK). Below is a summary of known plan structures.

Pro tip: Epidemic Sound frequently runs promotions for new subscribers, offering the first month at R50 or R100. If you are considering a trial, sign up during a promotional period. Confirm the promotion terms before paying, because some "introductory" rates auto-renew at full price after one month.

Common mistakes when cancelling epidemic sound

Cancelling a subscription sounds simple, but small errors can leave you billed for another month or year. We have heard frustration from subscribers who thought they had cancelled but found surprise charges on their credit card statement. Below are the mistakes Stopee sees most often.

Confusing pause with cancellation

Epidemic Sound offers a "Pause Subscription" option separate from "Cancel Subscription". Pausing freezes your billing for up to 3 months but keeps your account active. Many subscribers hit "Pause" thinking they have cancelled, then discover they are still billed when the pause period ends. Always choose "Cancel", not "Pause", if you do not intend to return.

Cancelling in the wrong place

If you subscribed via Apple or Google, cancelling in the Epidemic Sound app or website will not work. Your subscription lives in Apple's or Google's system, and only they can process the cancellation. Subscribers who cancel "in the app" by changing payment methods or clicking account delete often end up surprised by another billing cycle.

Not confirming cancellation in writing

Always take a screenshot or save the confirmation email. If Epidemic Sound or your bank claims you never cancelled and charges you again, your screenshot is your proof. Without evidence, disputing the charge with your bank becomes harder.

Cancelling too close to the billing date

If you cancel on the 28th of the month and your billing cycle runs on the 1st, you may be charged again before cancellation processes. Stopee advises cancelling at least 5 business days before your next scheduled renewal date to ensure the cancellation finalises in time.

Not checking your bank or app store statements

Set a reminder to review your bank statement or app store subscriptions page one week after cancellation. Verify that no new charge appears. If a charge does appear, contact your bank immediately to dispute it while your cancellation request is still fresh.

Should you cancel epidemic sound or stay

Deciding whether to cancel depends on your content creation habits, budget and long-term plans. Here are scenarios where cancellation makes sense, and scenarios where staying might be better.

Reasons to cancel

• Your content output has slowed or stopped. If you are not actively creating videos or podcasts, paying R200+ monthly for music you do not use is waste.
• You have found a cheaper alternative. Services like Artlist, AudioJungle or YouTube Audio Library offer overlapping libraries at different price points. Compare before cancelling.
• Your budget has tightened. During financial hardship, subscriptions are among the first expenses to cut. Prioritise essential business tools and reduce discretionary spending.
• You are switching to copyright-free music from YouTube, Freepik or Pixabay. These platforms offer limited but free libraries that may be sufficient for your needs.
• Your channel has been demonetised or suspended. If you cannot earn revenue from your content, recurring music subscription costs are harder to justify.

Reasons to stay

• You upload regularly and rely on high-quality music. Epidemic Sound's catalogue is vast and well-organised. The time saved searching for tracks versus maintaining your own library can be worth the cost.
• Your revenue exceeds your subscription cost. If your channel or business generates more income than you spend on Epidemic Sound, the return on investment justifies the expense.
• You need commercial use rights without hassle. Epidemic Sound handles licensing complexity so you do not have to. This peace of mind is valuable for agencies and professional studios.
• You are within your 14-day statutory window and considering it. Before cancelling, trial the service properly for two weeks. Many creators underestimate its value before exploring the full library.

Checklist before and after cancellation

Use this checklist to avoid cancellation mishaps and stay organised.

Contact information and escalation

If Epidemic Sound does not respond to your cancellation or refund request, escalate to the appropriate authority. Stopee recommends keeping a paper trail of every attempt.

Epidemic sound support channels

Reach out to Epidemic Sound's support team via their official help centre at help.epidemicsound.com. The team typically responds within 48 hours to written inquiries. For urgent billing issues, request escalation to the finance or billing department. Include your account email, order number and exact nature of the problem in every message.

National consumer commission (South africa)

If Epidemic Sound refuses to honour your statutory 14-day right, ignores your refund request or violates terms of the Consumer Protection Act, file a complaint with the National Consumer Commission (NCC). You can lodge a complaint online at ncc.org.za or in person at your nearest NCC office. Provide copies of your cancellation request, confirmation emails and bank statements showing the charge. The NCC can compel Epidemic Sound to refund you if your claim is valid.

Epidemic sound head office (Stockholm)

For formal legal correspondence, you can address complaints to Epidemic Sound's registered office in Stockholm, Sweden. However, Stopee recommends exhausting customer support and NCC escalation first, because direct contact with headquarters takes longer. If you do write directly, use certified mail and include a deadline for response (typically 14 days).

Epidemic Sound B.V., the company's European subsidiary, is registered in Amsterdam and handles EU and UK customer operations. Customers in South Africa are served by the Swedish parent company, so all official contact should reference the Stockholm headquarters.

Summary: take control of your epidemic sound cancellation today

Cancelling Epidemic Sound is straightforward if you follow the correct steps for your subscription platform. Whether you signed up directly, via Apple or via Google Play, your cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle. You retain full access to the library until that date, and your published content remains covered by your licence indefinitely.

Your strongest protection is South Africa's Consumer Protection Act, which gives you an automatic 14-day right to cancel distance contracts and demand a refund. Outside that window, Epidemic Sound's own non-refund policy applies, but you can still request discretionary refunds for billing errors or service failures. If the company refuses, the National Consumer Commission can intervene on your behalf.

Avoid common mistakes like confusing pause with cancellation, cancelling in the wrong system, or failing to document your request. Keep your confirmation email, monitor your next billing date, and escalate immediately if an erroneous charge appears. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers navigate subscription cancellations and understand their rights. We encourage you to use this guide to take control of your Epidemic Sound account today, and to reach out to local consumer authorities if you face resistance or unfair billing.

Your time, money and peace of mind are worth protecting. Cancel confidently, knowing your statutory rights, and never hesitate to escalate to the NCC or your bank if Epidemic Sound does not comply. Stopee is here to empower you every step of the way.