Manage Highlights

How to cancel highlights and protect your child's digital experience

Understanding highlights and your subscription

Highlights is a children's digital magazine and app designed for kids aged 6 to 12, packed with stories, puzzles, and interactive activity templates that keep young minds engaged. You can access Highlights through the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or directly via the Highlights website, with flexible subscription options ranging from weekly to yearly plans plus one-time purchases for premium content unlocks.

The service works on an auto-renewal model by default, meaning your subscription will automatically charge you at the end of each billing period unless you actively cancel it. Understanding how your subscription renews and where you manage it is the first step toward taking control of your account. Stopee is here to walk you through every cancellation method and help you avoid unexpected charges.

How highlights subscriptions work

Your Highlights subscription automatically renews based on your chosen plan period, whether that is weekly, monthly, or yearly. The platform where you purchased your subscription-whether Apple App Store, Google Play, or the Highlights website-is where you manage your renewal settings and cancellation options.

Free trials are often available when you first sign up, but any unused trial time disappears once you upgrade to a paid subscription. This means if you have seven days remaining on your free trial and you decide to purchase a monthly plan, you forfeit that remaining week without any credit toward your paid subscription.

Pricing and available plans

Highlights offers a range of subscription options to suit different family needs and budgets. The following table shows the main plans available on the South African platforms:

When and why you might cancel highlights

Cancelling your Highlights subscription is a personal decision, and there are legitimate reasons why you might choose to step away from the service. Your child's interests change, screen time priorities shift, or your household budget may need adjustment-all are valid reasons to reassess your digital subscriptions.

The most common situation Stopee sees is when parents sign up for a free trial to test the service, then forget about the auto-renewal and get charged unexpectedly. If you recognise yourself in that scenario, cancelling immediately and understanding your refund rights is your next move.

Common reasons for cancellation

Your child has outgrown the age-appropriate content or simply lost interest in the magazine's puzzles and stories. Perhaps you are consolidating subscriptions to reduce family spending, or you found a competing service that better suits your needs. Whatever your reason, Stopee empowers you to cancel on your own terms without guilt or confusion.

If you enrolled in a free trial and realised Highlights is not right for your family, cancelling before the trial converts to a paid subscription is critical. This prevents an unwanted charge and gives you peace of mind that your payment method is not at risk.

How to cancel highlights step-by-step

Cancellation is straightforward, but the exact steps depend on where you purchased your subscription. Follow the method that matches your account below, and Stopee will help you avoid the most common mistakes parents make during cancellation.

Cancel via apple app store (iOS devices)

If you subscribed through your iPhone or iPad, Apple manages your subscription renewal and billing. You must cancel through your Apple ID settings, not through the Highlights app itself.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap your name at the top of the screen to access your Apple ID profile.
3. Select Subscriptions from the menu options.
4. Find Highlights in your active subscriptions list and tap it.
   • If you do not see Highlights listed, your subscription has already been cancelled or you purchased it through a different platform.
5. Tap Cancel Subscription to confirm your decision.
   • Apple will ask you to confirm once more before the cancellation takes effect.
6. Complete the cancellation at least 24 hours before your next billing date to prevent automatic renewal and an unwanted charge.

Pro tip: Screenshot the cancellation confirmation screen so you have proof that you cancelled. This protects you if a charge appears on your bill by mistake.

Cancel via google play (Android devices)

Android users manage Highlights subscriptions through their Google Play account. The cancellation process is similar to Apple but takes place within the Google Play Store app.

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner of the app.
3. Navigate to Payments and subscriptions.
   • This option appears in the dropdown menu under your profile icon.
4. Select Subscriptions to view all active subscriptions linked to your Google account.
5. Tap Highlights from the list of your subscriptions.
6. Tap Cancel subscription and confirm your cancellation request.
   • Google Play will show you your cancellation confirmation and the date your access ends.
7. Ensure you cancel at least 24 hours before your billing date to avoid the next renewal charge.

Warning: Do not uninstall the Highlights app thinking that will cancel your subscription. Uninstalling the app does nothing to stop auto-renewal; you must cancel through Google Play directly.

Cancel via the highlights website

If you purchased or manage your subscription directly through highlights.com, you cancel using your account dashboard on their website. This method gives you direct control without relying on a third-party app store.

1. Visit the Highlights website and sign in to your account using your email and password.
2. Navigate to your Account or Subscription Settings.
   • This is usually found under a profile menu or settings section in the top navigation bar.
3. Locate your active Highlights subscription in the list of current plans.
4. Select the subscription and choose either Cancel Subscription or Turn off auto-renew.
   • Some accounts show both options; choose Cancel Subscription for immediate cancellation.
5. Confirm your cancellation by clicking the final confirmation button or link.
6. Cancel before your next billing date to ensure you are not charged for the next period.

Pro tip: After cancelling, log out and log back in to verify the cancellation took effect. Your subscription status should now show as Cancelled or Inactive.

Cancel via email or WhatsApp

If you encounter technical issues with the above methods or need additional support, Highlights offers cancellation through direct contact. While this method takes slightly longer, it creates a documented record of your cancellation request.

1. Prepare your account details before contacting Highlights, including your email address, full name, and subscription purchase date.
2. Email Highlights support directly or send a WhatsApp message to their customer service line requesting subscription cancellation.
   • Include all account information and clearly state that you want to cancel your subscription immediately.
3. Request written confirmation of your cancellation in the same message.
4. Save the email or WhatsApp message thread as proof of your cancellation request for your records.
5. Follow up within 48 hours if you do not receive a confirmation response from Highlights support.

Warning: Email and WhatsApp cancellations are only official once you receive written confirmation from Highlights. Do not assume your subscription is cancelled until you have that confirmation in writing.

What happens immediately after you cancel

Cancelling your subscription does not cut off your access instantly. Understanding what happens in the hours and days after you cancel helps you manage expectations and confirm the cancellation worked correctly.

Your access during the remaining billing period

After you submit your cancellation request, you retain full access to Highlights for the remainder of your current paid billing period. If your monthly subscription renews on the 15th and you cancel on the 5th, you continue to enjoy all Highlights content until the 14th at midnight.

This grace period is built into the service by design, so your child does not lose access immediately after you click Cancel. You get the full value of your paid period even though you have decided not to renew.

When your access completely ends

Your Highlights account and access terminate at the end of your current billing period. After that final date passes, you can no longer log in to the app or website, and all content becomes unavailable to your account.

If you cancel in the middle of a billing cycle, your last day of access is the day before your subscription period ends. For example, if you have a monthly subscription that renews on the 20th of each month and you cancel on the 10th, your access ends on the 19th.

Your account data and profile information

Highlights retains your account information and profile data after cancellation unless you specifically request deletion. Your child's reading history, saved bookmarks, and personalisation settings remain in your account if you ever decide to resubscribe later.

If you prefer to remove your account completely from Highlights' systems, contact their support team and request account deletion. You can ask for data export or complete deletion; Stopee recommends requesting both confirmation and a receipt of your deletion request.

Understanding your refund rights in south africa

Refunds are not automatic when you cancel a Highlights subscription, but you may have legal rights to claim one depending on when and why you cancel. South African consumer protection law provides you with specific safeguards worth understanding.

Standard refund policy

Highlights does not offer a standard refund for subscriptions simply because you changed your mind or your child lost interest. Once you pay for a subscription period, that fee is non-refundable as a general rule, regardless of how much of the period you actually use.

This is similar to cancelling a magazine subscription mid-month; you do not receive a pro-rata refund for the remaining days. However, South African consumer law provides exceptions to this rule that may work in your favour.

Your legal right to a refund under south african law

The Consumer Protection Act of South Africa gives you specific rights as a consumer. Under Section 48 of the Act, you have the right to cancel a purchase agreement within 5 business days if the transaction was concluded as a distance transaction (meaning online, via app, or over the phone).

If you subscribed to Highlights online or via a mobile app, your purchase likely qualifies as a distance transaction. This means you have 5 business days from your purchase date to request a full refund, even if the standard refund policy says no refunds.

Important: This cooling-off period applies only to your initial purchase, not to auto-renewal charges. If you subscribed on a Monday and want a refund, you must request it by the following Friday (5 business days). After that window closes, your refund claim becomes more difficult.

How to request a refund under consumer protection law

If you believe you qualify for a refund, contact Highlights in writing with clear details. Here is how to structure your request to maximise your chances of success:

1. Gather your evidence, including your transaction receipt, the date of purchase, and confirmation of your subscription charge.
2. Prepare a written message via email explaining that you are invoking your right to cancel as a distance transaction under the South African Consumer Protection Act, Section 48.
3. State the exact amount you want refunded and reference your purchase date and subscription plan.
4. Send this request to Highlights support and keep a copy for your records.
5. If Highlights refuses or does not respond within 10 business days, escalate your complaint to the National Consumer Commission (NCC) at complaints@thencc.org.za.

Pro tip: Stopee advises mentioning the National Consumer Commission in your initial refund request. Many businesses respond faster when they know you understand your legal rights.

Free trial refunds and forfeited credit

If you used a free trial and then converted to a paid subscription, any remaining free trial days are forfeited. You cannot claim a refund for unused trial time because you accepted a paid plan while trial time remained available.

However, if you were charged during your free trial without choosing to upgrade, that is a billing error. Contact Highlights immediately with proof of the incorrect charge, and you have a strong refund claim.

Common mistakes parents make when cancelling

Cancelling your subscription sounds simple, but small oversights can cost you money or leave you confused about your cancellation status. Stopee has seen hundreds of families make these preventable mistakes, so learn from their experience.

Not cancelling 24 hours before your billing date

This is the most expensive mistake. You cancel on the 14th thinking you have stopped the next charge, but your billing date is the 15th and you did not check the exact renewal time. The 24-hour rule means you must cancel before that specific hour on that specific day, not just sometime before your billing date.

Immediately after you cancel, check your app store or Highlights account to see your exact next billing date, then set a phone reminder for 24 hours before that date as a safety net.

Cancelling through the app instead of through your account settings

Many parents look for a Cancel button inside the Highlights app itself. That button rarely exists; cancellation must happen through your Apple ID, Google Play, or the Highlights website account settings. Deleting the app or clicking buttons inside the app does nothing to cancel your subscription.

This confusion has led countless parents to think they cancelled when they actually did not. Always cancel through the official account settings, not through the app interface.

Forgetting to save your cancellation confirmation

You complete the cancellation steps and feel relieved, but you do not screenshot or write down your confirmation details. Then a charge appears on your bill two weeks later and you have no proof you cancelled. Without that confirmation, disputing the charge becomes harder.

Save every confirmation page, email, or message you receive. These documents are your evidence if you need to claim a refund or dispute a charge with your bank or payment provider.

Cancelling the wrong subscription by accident

If you manage multiple family subscriptions across different apps, it is easy to cancel the wrong one. Double-check the app store or website before you confirm cancellation, and verify that you are cancelling Highlights and not another service.

Checklist for successful cancellation

Use this checklist to ensure you cancel Highlights correctly and protect yourself from unexpected charges or confusion:

Comparing your options: keep or cancel

Before you finalise your cancellation decision, take a moment to weigh whether keeping the subscription might still serve your family. Stopee helps you think through this choice honestly.

Final steps and support

After you cancel, your Highlights journey does not end immediately. You retain access for your remaining billing period, and you may want to revisit your decision later or escalate a complaint if issues arise.

Contacting highlights support

If you encounter problems cancelling, your cancellation does not go through, or you believe you have been charged incorrectly, contact Highlights support directly. Email or WhatsApp them with your account details and a clear description of the problem.

Stopee recommends sending your support request during business hours so you receive a response within 24 to 48 hours. If you do not hear back within 2 business days, follow up with a second message referencing your original request.

Escalating complaints to consumer authorities

If Highlights refuses to honour your cancellation request, fails to process your refund, or continues charging you after you cancelled, the National Consumer Commission (NCC) is your escalation point. The NCC is South Africa's statutory body for consumer protection and takes complaints seriously.

File a complaint at complaints@thencc.org.za with copies of your cancellation confirmation, proof of unwanted charges, and your correspondence with Highlights. The NCC will investigate on your behalf at no cost to you.

Disputing charges with your bank or app store

If a charge appears on your bill after you cancelled, contact your bank or payment provider immediately. Inform them you cancelled your subscription and did not authorise the charge. Your bank can reverse the charge (called a chargeback) and investigate the transaction on your behalf.

For app store charges (Apple or Google), file a refund request directly through the app store with proof of your cancellation. Both Apple and Google have buyer protection policies that refund unauthorised charges.

Moving forward after cancellation

Once your Highlights subscription ends, your child loses access to the content. If you think you might want to resubscribe in the future, rest assured your account information remains on file and you can re-activate at any time.

Consider whether a different digital subscription or free alternative might suit your family better. Many libraries offer free digital resources for children, and some services offer shorter trial periods so you can test before committing to a long-term plan.

Why stopee exists for cancellations like this

Cancelling a subscription should not require a guide, but companies often make the process deliberately confusing to keep you paying. Highlights is not alone; thousands of digital services use auto-renewal to trap parents into recurring charges they forgot they had.

Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions, claim refunds, and take back control of their accounts. Whether you are cancelling Highlights, a streaming service, a fitness app, or anything else, Stopee provides clear, jargon-free guidance every step of the way.

Your family's digital subscriptions should work for you, not against your budget or your peace of mind. If cancelling Highlights is your choice, follow the steps in this guide and use Stopee as your reference whenever you need confirmation that you are doing it right. You deserve clarity, simplicity, and full control-and Stopee ensures you get exactly that.