How to cancel your Medium subscription and stop recurring charges in australia

What Medium is and why you might want to cancel

Medium is a digital publishing platform that combines free articles with member-only content, audio narration, and a revenue-sharing model for writers. You subscribe to unlock ad-free reading, access exclusive stories, and support independent creators. However, if your reading habits have changed, your budget is tighter, or you have found better alternatives, you have every right to cancel without penalty.

Yafee specialises in helping Australian consumers navigate subscription cancellations with clarity and confidence. Understanding your plan type and your legal protections before you cancel ensures you avoid unexpected charges and secure any refunds you are entitled to.

Medium's two main subscription tiers

Medium offers two paid plans, each available on monthly or annual billing. Your cancellation experience and refund eligibility depend partly on which plan you hold and how you subscribed.

Note: AUD conversions reflect mid-market exchange rates and fluctuate daily. Refund windows apply only if you subscribed through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Common reasons australians cancel Medium

You might cancel if the content no longer aligns with your interests, you prefer free reading alternatives, subscription costs exceed your budget, or you read infrequently enough that the fee no longer justifies itself. Whatever your reason, Yafee guides you through every step so you understand your rights and complete cancellation without friction.

Your consumer rights under australian consumer law

Australian consumer law protects you in ways that go beyond Medium's stated terms and conditions.

What the australian consumer law says about subscriptions

The Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010) gives you statutory rights when you sign up for recurring services. If your Medium subscription was unsolicited (for example, initiated through a promotional offer or third-party referral), you can cancel within 10 business days at no penalty.

Beyond that, the law prohibits unfair contract terms. If Medium's cancellation policy attempts to lock you in indefinitely, charge excessive exit fees, or deny refunds for services you have not received, those terms may be unenforceable. The Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) scrutinises these practices and can force companies to remove them.

If you subscribed through the Apple App Store, you also benefit from Apple's 14-day refund policy for most in-app subscriptions. Similarly, Google Play allows refunds within 48 hours of purchase for monthly subscriptions. These protections operate independently of Medium's own cancellation policy, meaning you may have multiple paths to a refund.

Your legal position on refunds and cancellation

You have the right to cancel your Medium subscription at any time. If you cancel within the first 14 days of purchase (via app store), you are entitled to a full refund under consumer law. After 14 days, refunds depend on Medium's stated policy: generally, you can cancel and your access will end at the next billing date, but no refund applies to the current billing period. If Medium fails to honour a legitimate cancellation request or continues charging after you cancel, you can lodge a complaint with the ACCC at accc.gov.au.

How to cancel your Medium subscription step by step

Your cancellation method depends on how you subscribed. The process differs if you signed up through Medium's website, the Apple App Store, or Google Play Store.

Step 1: identify how you subscribed

Log into your Medium account and check your billing section. Medium will show whether you subscribed directly through their website or via an app store. This determines which cancellation path you take.

Step 2: cancel if you subscribed directly through medium.com

1. Go to medium.com and sign in with your email and password.
   • If you have forgotten your password, click "Forgot password" and follow the recovery steps.
2. Click your profile icon (top right corner) and select "Manage membership" or "Settings".
   • Look for a section labelled "Subscription" or "Billing".
3. Locate the option to "Cancel membership" and click it.
   • Medium may ask you why you are cancelling; you can skip this or provide feedback.
4. Confirm your cancellation by clicking the final confirmation button.
   • Medium will send you a confirmation email; save this for your records.
5. Your access will end on the next billing date. You will not be charged again after you cancel.
   • If you are charged after cancellation, contact Medium support immediately and escalate to Yafee if the company refuses to refund.

Step 3: cancel if you subscribed via apple app store

1. Open the Apple Wallet app or go to Settings on your iPhone or Mac.
   • On iPhone: Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions.
   • On Mac: System Preferences > [Your Name] > Subscriptions.
2. Find "Medium" in your active subscriptions list and tap or click it.
   • You will see your subscription details and next billing date.
3. Tap or click "Cancel Subscription".
   • Apple will ask you to confirm; proceed with the cancellation.
4. If you cancel within 14 days of your most recent purchase, you are eligible for a full refund. Request a refund through the "Report a Problem" section of your Apple ID account.
   • Apple typically processes refunds within 5 to 10 business days.
5. Save the cancellation confirmation email from Apple as proof.
   • Yafee recommends keeping copies of all cancellation records for at least 12 months.

Step 4: cancel if you subscribed via google play store

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device or visit play.google.com in a web browser.
   • On mobile: Tap your profile icon (top right) and select "Manage subscriptions".
   • On web: Click your account icon and go to "Manage your Google Account" > "Payments and subscriptions".
2. Find "Medium" in your subscriptions list and tap or click it.
   • You will see your subscription details, renewal date, and payment method.
3. Select "Cancel Subscription" and follow the on-screen prompts.
   • Google may show you retention offers; ignore these and proceed to final cancellation.
4. If you cancel within 48 hours of purchase, request a refund immediately through Google Play's "Report a Problem" tool.
   • Refunds typically process within 5 to 10 business days.
5. Confirm cancellation by checking that Medium no longer appears in your active subscriptions.
   • Take a screenshot of this confirmation for your records.

Step 5: submit written cancellation notice (optional but recommended)

Although digital cancellation through Medium.com or your app store account is the fastest method, Yafee recommends sending a formal written cancellation notice as well. This creates a documented record that protects you if disputes arise later.

1. Write a brief letter on plain paper stating:
   • Your full name and email address associated with Medium.
   • Your Medium account name or membership ID (if you know it).
   • The date you want cancellation to take effect (typically immediately or at the next billing date).
   • A clear statement: "I request cancellation of my Medium subscription and all recurring billing charges."
2. Sign the letter and scan or photograph it.
   • Keep the original for your records.
3. Email the scanned letter to Medium's support email address or mail it to the address listed in your billing documentation.
   • Use tracked post (Australia Post Registered Mail) if you mail a physical copy; this provides proof of delivery.
4. Request written confirmation of cancellation from Medium.
   • If they do not respond within 7 business days, follow up and document the delay.

Refunds and billing after cancellation

Understanding what happens to your money after you cancel is essential. Yafee clarifies the refund timeline and your options if Medium overcharges you.

When you get a refund

If you cancel within 14 days of your first purchase (via app store) or within your subscription's cooling-off period, you are entitled to a full refund of the amount paid. Medium or your app store will initiate the refund to your original payment method; this typically takes 5 to 10 business days to appear in your bank account or digital wallet.

If you cancel after the refund window has closed, you will not receive a refund for the current billing period. However, you will not be charged again after you cancel, and your access will end on the date you were next due to be billed.

What to do if you are charged after cancellation

If Medium charges you after you have successfully cancelled, take these steps immediately.

1. Check your bank statement or payment app to confirm the charge date and amount.
2. Log into your Medium account and verify that your subscription status shows "Cancelled".
   • If it still shows "Active", the cancellation may not have processed; repeat the cancellation steps above.
3. Contact Medium support via their Help Center and report the erroneous charge.
   • Reference your cancellation confirmation email and the date you cancelled.
4. Request a refund in writing (email or formal letter) and keep a copy for your records.
   • Give Medium 7 business days to respond.
5. If Medium refuses to refund, contact your bank or payment provider and request a chargeback or reversal.
   • Provide your bank with copies of your cancellation confirmation and Medium's refusal to refund.
6. Lodge a complaint with the ACCC at accc.gov.au if the issue remains unresolved after 14 days.
   • Yafee recommends including all documentation: cancellation emails, billing records, and Medium's responses.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling

Cancellation is straightforward, but a few missteps can complicate your exit. Stay alert and you will cancel cleanly.

Mistake 1: cancelling only through one channel

If you subscribed via an app store, cancelling only through Medium.com will not work. You must cancel through the app store itself. Similarly, if you subscribed directly on Medium.com, cancelling on your device's app (if you use one) may not cancel your web subscription. Always confirm that your subscription status shows "Cancelled" across all platforms before you assume the process is complete.

Mistake 2: assuming access ends immediately

Medium allows you to read until the end of your current billing cycle even after you cancel. If you cancel mid-month on a monthly subscription, you will retain access until the next billing date. Only then will your account revert to free access. Plan your cancellation timing accordingly if you want immediate loss of access.

Mistake 3: not saving proof of cancellation

Delete or lose your cancellation confirmation email, and you have no evidence if a dispute arises. Take screenshots of your cancellation confirmation from Medium, your app store, or both. Save them to your computer or cloud storage. This proof protects you if Medium later claims you never cancelled.

Mistake 4: ignoring unexpected charges

If a charge appears on your statement after you cancel, do not ignore it. Contact Medium immediately and escalate to your bank if Medium refuses to refund. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to prove you cancelled on time.

After you cancel: what you need to know

Cancellation is only the first step. Here is what happens next and how to stay protected.

Your access during and after the notice period

Once you cancel, Medium grants you access to member-exclusive content until the end of your current billing cycle. On the next billing date, your subscription expires and your account reverts to free access. You can still read free, publicly available articles, but you lose access to member-only stories and ad-free reading.

Data retention and account recovery

Medium retains your account data (profile, bookmarks, reading history) for a set period even after cancellation. If you change your mind within that window, you can resubscribe without losing your data. However, if you want to permanently delete your account and all associated data, you must request this separately through your account settings. Yafee advises doing this only if you are certain you will not return.

Checking for lingering charges

Monitor your bank or payment app for 30 days after cancellation to ensure no additional charges appear. Most issues resolve within the first billing cycle, but it is wise to stay vigilant. If you spot an unauthorized charge, contact your bank immediately and file a dispute.

How yafee helps you cancel with confidence

Yafee has helped thousands of Australian consumers cancel subscriptions without stress or hidden charges. Our guides are grounded in Australian Consumer Law, updated regularly to reflect changes in company policies, and written in plain language so you understand every step. When you use Yafee's resources, you navigate cancellation armed with knowledge of your rights and the exact procedure to follow.

Whether you are cancelling Medium, a streaming service, a gym membership, or any other recurring charge, Yafee provides the clarity you deserve. Visit yafee.com today to explore our full library of cancellation guides, manage your active subscriptions, and take control of your spending.

Summary table: Medium cancellation at a glance

Contact information and final steps

If you need to contact Medium directly or file a formal complaint, use the following resources. Furthermore, keep all documentation of your cancellation for at least 12 months in case you need to prove your cancellation date.

Medium's Help Center is available at support.medium.com. You can also email their support team through your account dashboard. For billing disputes that Medium refuses to resolve, the ACCC is your statutory escalation point. Visit accc.gov.au or call 1300 302 502 to lodge a complaint.

Consequently, do not hesitate to involve consumer protection agencies if Medium charges you after you cancel. These organisations exist to enforce your rights and hold companies accountable.

In accordance with Australian Consumer Law, you have every right to cancel your subscription, receive a refund if you meet the conditions, and be free from unwanted recurring charges. Yafee empowers you to exercise those rights with confidence. Use this guide, save your cancellation confirmation, and rest assured that you have taken every step to protect yourself.