Manage The Times

How to cancel the times subscription in south africa and recover your money

Understanding the times and why cancellation matters

The Times serves South African readers through digital channels and bundled print-digital packages, typically delivered via TimesLIVE accounts or app store subscriptions. If you've signed up and now find yourself paying for content you no longer read or need, cancelling matters - both for your budget and your peace of mind.

At Stopee, we help thousands of South African consumers navigate subscription cancellations every month. Whether you subscribed through a web browser, your iPhone, or an Android device, the cancellation process differs by platform, and understanding which route applies to you saves time and frustration.

This guide walks you through every cancellation method, refund eligibility, and your consumer rights under South African law. We'll also flag the traps that catch most people and show you how to avoid them.

What the times includes

The Times is a premium news publication offering national and international coverage, investigative analysis, and feature journalism. In South Africa, you typically access it via TimesLIVE digital accounts or bundled subscriptions that combine Sunday Times print and digital content. Pricing varies depending on whether you choose digital-only, print-only, or hybrid plans.

Why south african cancellation rules are specific to you

Your cancellation eligibility and refund entitlement depend on where you purchased your subscription. A subscription bought through the Apple App Store follows Apple's refund rules, not The Times' rules. A subscription purchased directly on TimesLIVE's website follows TimesLIVE's terms. Understanding this distinction is the first step to a successful cancellation.

The times pricing and plan options

Before you cancel, it helps to see what you're currently paying for and whether a different plan might suit your needs better.

Current pricing table for south african subscribers

If you're on the R110 print-plus-digital plan but only read online, switching to the R80 digital-only option could save you R30 per month - R360 per year. Before you cancel outright, contact TimesLIVE customer support to explore a downgrade. You'll often find better results than cancellation.

How to cancel the times via your web account

If you signed up directly on TimesLIVE or The Times website using your email and password, your cancellation happens in your account settings.

Step-by-step cancellation through TimesLIVE

1. Go to the TimesLIVE website and sign in using your email address and password.
   • Forgot your password? Use the "Forgot password?" link to reset it first.
2. Click your account profile icon or username (usually in the top right corner).
   • Look for a menu option labeled "Account," "My account," or "Subscriptions."
3. Select "Subscriptions" or "Manage subscription."
   • You'll see your active plan, next billing date, and payment method.
4. Find the option to "Cancel subscription" and click it.
   • TimesLIVE may ask you why you're cancelling. You don't need to provide a reason, but doing so helps them improve their service.
5. Confirm your cancellation when prompted.
   • You'll receive a confirmation email. Save this email - you'll need it if you later dispute a charge.
6. Check your access: you'll keep reading until the end of your current billing period.
   • After that date, your login will no longer grant access to premium content.

Pro tip: If you cannot find a "Cancel subscription" button online, TimesLIVE may require you to contact customer support directly. Scroll to the contact section at the end of this guide.

What if the website cancellation doesn't work

Some publishers hide the cancellation button deliberately - a dark pattern that forces you to call or email instead. If you've looked thoroughly and found no online option, contact TimesLIVE's customer service team directly. Provide your account email, subscription type, and the date you signed up. They must process your cancellation within 5 business days.

How to cancel the times via apple app store (iOS)

If you subscribed through your iPhone or iPad using Apple's in-app purchase system, Apple manages your subscription and billing - not TimesLIVE. You cancel through Apple's settings, not through The Times app itself.

Cancel your subscription on an iPhone or iPad

1. Open the "Settings" app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap your name at the top of the screen.
   • If you use Family Sharing, make sure you're signed in under your own Apple ID.
3. Select "Subscriptions."
   • You'll see a list of all active app subscriptions linked to your Apple ID.
4. Find "The Times" in the list and tap it.
5. Tap "Cancel subscription" (or "Cancel trial" if you're in a free trial period).
   • Apple will ask you to confirm. Do not select "Confirm" until you're certain.
6. Confirm the cancellation.
   • You'll see a message saying your subscription will end on [specific date].

Warning: If you delete The Times app without cancelling the subscription first, you will still be charged. Deleting the app does not cancel the subscription.

Pro tip: Cancel at least 24 hours before your next renewal date. If you cancel less than 24 hours before renewal, Apple will charge you one more time, and you'll need to contact Apple Support to request a refund.

How to cancel the times via google play store (Android)

Android users who purchased through Google Play follow a similar process, but Google Play's interface works slightly differently from Apple's.

Cancel your subscription on an android device

1. Open the "Google Play Store" app on your Android phone or tablet.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
3. Select "Payments and subscriptions."
4. Tap "Subscriptions."
   • You'll see all active subscriptions on your Google account.
5. Find "The Times" and tap it.
6. Tap "Cancel subscription."
   • Google will ask you to confirm and may offer you a discount to stay. You can ignore this and proceed.
7. Follow the prompts to complete the cancellation.
   • Your access ends at the end of your current billing cycle.

Pro tip: Like Apple, you must cancel before your next billing date. Check your next renewal date in the subscription details so you don't miss the window.

Understanding refunds and your cancellation rights

The refund you receive - if any - depends on your subscription type, how long you've had it, and which purchase method you used.

Monthly subscriptions and refund eligibility

Standard monthly subscriptions do not include a refund for the current billing period. You pay for that month, and you keep access until the billing cycle ends. No prorated cash refunds are issued. When you cancel a monthly subscription, you're simply stopping the automatic renewal. Your last charged month runs until its natural end date.

Longer-term subscriptions and the 7-day cooling-off window

If you purchased a 3-month, 6-month, or 12-month subscription bundle, you have different rights. Under South African consumer law and The Times' own terms, you can request a refund for the unused portion if you cancel within 7 days of purchase. After 7 days, refunds are at TimesLIVE's discretion.

• Within 7 days of purchase: You can cancel and receive a full refund minus the portion of days you've already used.
• After 7 days: Refunds are not guaranteed. However, you may still qualify if you can document a billing error, duplicate charge, or a service failure (such as promised content not being delivered).

Refunds for billing errors and other circumstances

Even if you're outside the 7-day window, TimesLIVE may issue a refund if you experienced a duplicate charge, a technical billing error, or a serious service interruption. You can also request a refund on compassionate grounds if you face genuine financial hardship, subject to documentation. Email customer support with your evidence and your cancellation request.

Your consumer rights under south african law

South African consumer protection law gives you specific rights when you cancel digital subscriptions, and understanding these rights strengthens your position if TimesLIVE resists your request.

The cooling-off right under ECTA

The Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA) grants consumers a 7-day cooling-off period to cancel distance contracts (which includes online subscriptions) and claim a full refund. This applies if you purchased directly from The Times website using a credit or debit card. If TimesLIVE refuses a refund within 7 days of your purchase, you can escalate to the National Consumer Commission (NCC) or the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) enforcement authority.

Consumer protection act provisions

Under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), subscription services must:

• Provide clear, upfront information about the price, duration, and auto-renewal terms before you buy.
• Send you a reminder at least 10 business days before your subscription auto-renews.
• Make cancellation as easy as the original purchase (if you signed up online, you should be able to cancel online).
• Process refunds within 30 days of your cancellation request if you meet refund criteria.

If TimesLIVE fails to meet these obligations, you have grounds to file a complaint with the National Consumer Commission or seek damages through the courts.

Your right to escalate complaints

If TimesLIVE does not respond to your cancellation or refund request within 14 days, contact the National Consumer Commission (NCC) or your provincial Consumer Protection Division. Stopee recommends keeping copies of all emails and cancellation confirmations so you have evidence of your claim.

Common cancellation mistakes and how to avoid them

Cancelling a subscription sounds simple, but small oversights can lead to unexpected charges and weeks of frustration.

Mistake 1: deleting the app instead of cancelling the subscription

This is the most common error. Removing The Times app from your phone does nothing to stop the billing. Your subscription remains active on Apple or Google's servers, and you'll be charged at the next renewal. Always cancel through Settings first, then delete the app if you wish.

Mistake 2: missing the 24-hour cancellation window before renewal

Apple and Google require you to cancel at least 24 hours before your next billing date. If you cancel less than 24 hours before renewal, you'll be charged again. Check your subscription details for the exact renewal date and set a phone reminder 2 days before it arrives.

Mistake 3: assuming a refund is automatic

If you qualify for a refund (within 7 days, or due to a billing error), you typically must request it explicitly. Cancelling your subscription alone does not trigger a refund. You need to contact TimesLIVE, explain your reason, and ask for a refund in writing. Stopee always recommends using email so you have proof of your request.

Mistake 4: not keeping your cancellation confirmation

Save every cancellation email, screenshot, and confirmation number. If a dispute arises later, these documents prove you cancelled and when. Without them, it's your word against the publisher's.

Mistake 5: cancelling via one platform when you're subscribed to another

If you have both a web-based TimesLIVE subscription and a separate Apple App Store subscription, you must cancel both. Cancelling one does not cancel the other. Check all three places: your TimesLIVE account, Apple Subscriptions, and Google Play Subscriptions.

What happens after you cancel

Cancellation is not the end of the journey - what happens next determines whether your final experience is smooth or complicated.

Your access period after cancellation

When you cancel, you do not lose access immediately. Your subscription remains active until the end of the current billing period. If you cancel on 15 May and your next billing date is 30 May, you keep full access until 30 May. After that date, attempting to log in will show a paywall, and you'll be prompted to subscribe again.

Turning off auto-renewal

Cancellation stops auto-renewal permanently. You will not be charged again unless you manually resubscribe. If you see another charge after cancellation, it's a billing error, and you should dispute it immediately with your bank or credit card company.

Your account data and reactivation

TimesLIVE retains your account data (email, reading history, saved articles) for a period after cancellation, as outlined in their privacy policy. If you want to reactivate your subscription later, you can use the same login. If you want your data deleted, contact customer support and request account deletion in writing. They must comply within 30 days under POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act).

Helpful checklist before and after cancellation

Use this checklist to ensure you don't miss any critical steps.

Contacting the times customer support

If you cannot cancel online or need to discuss a refund, you'll need to contact TimesLIVE directly. Here's how to reach them.

Customer service contact information

TimesLIVE operates customer support primarily through email and their website contact form. You can submit a cancellation or refund request via:

• Website: Log in to TimesLIVE and use the "Contact Support" or "Help" link (usually at the bottom of the page).
• Email: Look for a support email address on the TimesLIVE website. Typical support addresses follow the pattern support@timelive.co.za or subscriptions@timelive.co.za (confirm the exact address on their site).
• Phone: Check the TimesLIVE website for a phone number. South African customers may find a local support line.

When you contact them, provide your account email, subscription plan name, the date you started, and the reason for cancellation. Keep your request brief, professional, and factual. If you're requesting a refund, explain which refund rule you're using (7-day cooling-off, billing error, service failure, etc.) and attach proof.

Escalation: how to file a complaint if they ignore you

If TimesLIVE does not respond within 14 days or refuses your cancellation, escalate to the National Consumer Commission (NCC) through their website or office. The NCC investigates complaints and can force TimesLIVE to refund you and pay damages. You can also contact the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) if you suspect fraudulent billing practices.

Why stopee exists and how we help

Cancelling a subscription should be straightforward. In reality, publishers use confusing interfaces, hidden buttons, and long hold times to make cancellation painful - a practice called dark patterns. At Stopee, we've catalogued the cancellation processes for hundreds of services across South Africa and the world. Our guides cut through the confusion and show you the fastest, safest path to cancellation and refund.

Stopee has helped thousands of South African consumers cancel subscriptions they no longer wanted, recover money they were owed, and understand their consumer rights. We believe subscription companies should make cancellation as easy as signup. Until they do, Stopee is here to empower you with clarity and confidence.

Whether you're cancelling The Times, a gym membership, a streaming service, or anything else, Stopee provides step-by-step guidance tailored to your country and situation. Visit Stopee.com to explore guides for other services, or bookmark this page for future reference.

Key takeaways

Cancelling The Times in South Africa is simple once you know which platform you're subscribed to and which refund rules apply. Web-based subscriptions cancel through your TimesLIVE account settings. App subscriptions cancel through Apple or Google, not through the app itself. You have a 7-day cooling-off window for refunds on longer-term plans, and the Consumer Protection Act protects you from dark patterns and billing tricks. Save your cancellation confirmation, check your cancellation date against your renewal date, and don't hesitate to escalate to the National Consumer Commission if TimesLIVE refuses your request.

Stopee supports you at every step. Use this guide, take action today, and take control of your subscriptions.