How to cancel Notability and protect your notes in canada
Understanding Notability and your subscription in canada
Notability is a powerful note-taking and PDF annotation application designed for iPad, iPhone and macOS users who want to combine handwriting, typing, audio recording and cloud synchronization in one unified platform. The app organizes your notes by subject and syncs seamlessly with iCloud and other storage providers, making it a popular choice for students, professionals and creative workers across Canada.
Subscription costs, however, accumulate over time. If Notability no longer fits your workflow, budget or needs, cancelling promptly is the logical step forward. Yafee has created this step-by-step guide to help you understand your cancellation options, your legal rights as a Canadian consumer and the practical process for ending your subscription without stress or hidden charges.
What Notability costs in canada
Before you proceed with cancellation, understanding your current subscription tier helps you confirm what you are paying for and what refund you might be entitled to claim under Canadian consumer protection law. Below is the current Canadian pricing structure for Notability subscriptions.
| Subscription plan |
Price (CAD) |
Billing cycle |
Features included |
| Notability Plus |
$17.49 |
Annual |
Cloud sync, web clipper, shape recognition, advanced export options |
| Notability Pro |
$129.99 |
Annual |
All Plus features plus advanced markup tools, document organization, priority support |
| Notability Plus (monthly) |
$2.49 |
Monthly |
Same as annual Plus plan, billed monthly |
When cancellation makes sense
You might choose to cancel Notability if you have switched to a different note-taking tool, found the subscription cost too high relative to your usage, or discovered that you rarely use the premium features. Some users cancel temporarily and resubscribe later when their circumstances change. Notability permits this without penalty. Whatever your reason, understanding the cancellation process removes uncertainty and puts you back in control.
Your consumer rights in canada and what they mean for you
Canadian consumer protection law grants you specific rights when purchasing digital subscriptions, and understanding these rights before you cancel is essential.
The legal framework governing digital subscriptions
Canadian provincial and federal consumer protection laws-including the Competition Act and provincial Consumer Protection Acts-govern digital purchases and subscriptions. The rules differ slightly between provinces, but key protections include the right to cancel within a reasonable timeframe if the service does not match the published description, and the right to dispute unauthorized charges through your bank or payment provider.
Notability's published subscription terms do not explicitly guarantee a statutory 14-day refund for Canadian users. Your refund eligibility depends instead on whether you purchased through the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or directly through Notability. Each platform maintains its own refund policy, and those policies determine what you can recover, not Notability's terms alone.
Your legal position
Under the Competition Act and your provincial Consumer Protection Act, you have the right to cancel your subscription and receive a pro-rata refund if you cancel before your billing date. If the app does not perform as described, or if you were charged without explicit consent, you can dispute the charge with your credit card issuer or payment provider. If Notability refuses to process a legitimate cancellation or withholds a refund you are entitled to, you can escalate to the Competition Bureau of Canada or your provincial consumer protection authority.
Where to escalate if Notability refuses to help
If you believe Notability or the app store has treated you unfairly, Canada's Competition Bureau and your provincial consumer protection authority are your escalation routes. Ontario residents should contact the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services. British Columbia residents should reach out to the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions or your provincial consumer protection office. Yafee recommends documenting all communications with Notability and your app store before escalating to any regulatory authority. Keep copies of your subscription confirmation, any refund requests and Notability's responses.
How to cancel Notability step by step
The cancellation process depends on which platform you used to purchase your Notability subscription, as each platform handles cancellations differently.
Cancel through the apple app store (iPhone, iPad or macOS)
Most Canadian users purchase Notability through the Apple App Store. Follow these steps to cancel your subscription directly through your Apple account.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone, iPad or macOS device.
- Tap or click your name at the top of the screen.
- Select Subscriptions from the menu.
- Locate Notability in the list of active subscriptions.
- Tap or click Notability to open its subscription details.
- Select Cancel subscription or Edit, then choose Cancel.
- Confirm your cancellation when prompted. Apple will ask you to rate the app and provide feedback.
- You will receive a confirmation message indicating your subscription will end on your next billing date.
Important: Cancelling through Apple stops future charges but does not remove Notability from your device. You can continue using Notability until your subscription expires. Your notes remain accessible during this period.
Cancel through google play store (Android devices)
If you purchased Notability through Google Play, follow these steps to cancel your subscription from an Android device or web browser.
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
- Tap the profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Select Payments and subscriptions.
- Tap Subscriptions.
- Select Notability from the list.
- Tap Cancel subscription.
- Follow the prompts to confirm cancellation.
Alternatively, you can cancel through the web by visiting play.google.com, signing in with your Google account, navigating to Subscriptions, selecting Notability and choosing Cancel subscription.
Cancel a direct subscription with Notability
If you subscribed directly through Notability's website rather than through an app store, you must cancel through your Notability account. Log in to your Notability account, navigate to your subscription or billing settings, and select the option to cancel or manage your subscription. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the cancellation. If you cannot locate the cancellation option, contact Notability's support team directly and request cancellation of your subscription. Yafee advises requesting written confirmation of your cancellation for your records.
Refund eligibility and what to expect
Your refund eligibility depends on when you cancel and which platform you used to purchase your subscription.
Pro-rata refunds under canadian law
Canadian consumer protection legislation entitles you to a pro-rata refund if you cancel before your next billing date. A pro-rata refund means you receive a refund for the unused portion of your subscription period. For example, if you are halfway through a 12-month subscription and cancel, you are entitled to a refund for the remaining six months, provided you cancel before your next automatic renewal.
The Apple App Store offers refunds within 14 days of purchase if you request them immediately after buying the subscription. If you cancel after 14 days, Apple typically does not offer a refund; however, your subscription charges will stop on the next billing date. Google Play generally follows the same 14-day refund window. Yafee recommends requesting a refund within this window if you change your mind quickly after purchasing.
How long refunds take to process
If you are entitled to a refund, the processing time varies by platform and payment method. Apple App Store refunds typically appear within 5 to 10 business days. Google Play refunds may take 5 to 7 business days. Refunds to credit cards may take an additional 1 to 2 billing cycles to appear on your statement, depending on your bank. If your refund does not arrive within 14 business days, contact the app store or your payment provider to follow up.
What happens to your notes after cancellation
Cancelling your Notability subscription does not delete your notes or prevent you from accessing them, provided you take the right steps to protect your data.
Preserving your notes before cancellation
Before you cancel, export or back up your notes to ensure you retain access to them after your subscription ends. Notability allows you to export notes in multiple formats, including PDF, which can be stored on your computer, external hard drive or cloud storage service. Follow these steps to back up your notes:
- Open Notability and select the notes you want to export.
- Use the share or export function to save notes as PDF files or other supported formats.
- Store exported files in a secure location such as iCloud Drive, Google Drive, Dropbox or your local computer.
- Test that exported files open and display correctly before you complete the cancellation process.
Accessing notes after subscription ends
After your subscription ends, your notes remain stored within Notability on your device if they were created locally. However, cloud synchronization and certain premium features will become unavailable. Any notes synced to iCloud or another cloud service will remain accessible through that service even after Notability subscription ends. You can continue to view and read your notes; you simply cannot create new notes or access advanced annotation tools without an active subscription.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling
Cancelling a digital subscription can feel straightforward, but several common mistakes can lead to continued charges, lost refunds or problems accessing your data.
Deleting the app without cancelling the subscription
The most frequent mistake is deleting Notability from your device without first cancelling the subscription through the app store. Deleting the app does not stop recurring charges. Your payment method will continue to be charged until you formally cancel the subscription through Apple, Google or Notability directly. Always cancel the subscription first, then delete the app if you wish.
Forgetting to back up your notes
Failing to export or back up your notes before cancellation can result in data loss if you do not reinstall Notability later. Although your notes are not immediately deleted after cancellation, they may become inaccessible if your device storage is wiped or if cloud synchronization is disrupted. Export your notes to PDF or another portable format before you complete the cancellation process.
Missing the refund window
The Apple App Store and Google Play Store enforce strict refund deadlines, typically 14 days from the purchase date. If you wait longer than 14 days to request a refund, both platforms will deny your request. If you think you are entitled to a refund, submit your request immediately through the app store rather than waiting or contacting Notability directly. Yafee recommends requesting your refund within 7 days of purchase to avoid disputes.
Not documenting your cancellation
Save screenshots of your cancellation confirmation, your payment history and any communications with Notability or the app store. These documents protect you if the company disputes your cancellation or continues to charge you after you have formally cancelled. If you must escalate a dispute to the Competition Bureau or your provincial consumer protection authority, you will need evidence that you cancelled and that charges continued.
After cancellation: ensuring charges have stopped
Cancelling your subscription is not complete until you verify that recurring charges have actually stopped.
Verify your cancellation
Check your Apple App Store, Google Play or Notability account within 2 to 3 days after you submit your cancellation request. Log in to your account, navigate to your subscriptions and confirm that Notability no longer appears as an active subscription. If it still shows as active, repeat the cancellation process or contact the app store's support team immediately.
Monitor your billing statements
Review your credit card or bank statement 5 to 10 days after your cancellation to confirm that Notability charges have stopped. If a charge appears after your cancellation date, contact your payment provider immediately and report the unauthorized charge. You have the right to dispute charges that continue after you have formally cancelled a subscription. Your bank or credit card company can reverse unauthorized charges and investigate the matter on your behalf.
Contact Notability if charges continue
If charges continue to appear after you have cancelled through the app store, contact Notability's support team directly. Provide them with your cancellation confirmation number or screenshot, your account email address and the dates of any unauthorized charges. Request a full refund of all charges incurred after your cancellation date. Keep records of all communications for your protection. If Notability refuses to refund the charges, escalate to the Competition Bureau of Canada or your provincial consumer protection authority.
In some situations, you may need to contact Notability directly rather than relying solely on the app store cancellation process.
Situations requiring direct contact with Notability
Contact Notability's support team if:
- You cannot locate the cancellation option in your Notability account.
- The app store cancellation process fails or does not complete.
- Charges continue after you have cancelled through the app store.
- You purchased Notability directly and want to cancel your subscription.
- You need a refund and the app store has refused to process one.
- You have questions about data access or note recovery after cancellation.
Yafee recommends reaching out to Notability through their official support channels listed on their website. Use email rather than phone when possible, as written communication creates a documented record of your cancellation request. Include your account email, subscription details and the date you wish to cancel. Request written confirmation of your cancellation once Notability has processed your request.
Comparison of cancellation methods and timelines
Different cancellation paths offer varying levels of convenience and timeline certainty.
| Cancellation method |
Processing time |
Refund eligibility |
Best for |
| Apple App Store |
Immediate (effective next billing date) |
14 days from purchase |
iPhone, iPad and macOS users |
| Google Play Store |
Immediate (effective next billing date) |
14 days from purchase |
Android users |
| Direct cancellation with Notability |
1 to 3 business days |
Variable; depends on Notability's policy |
Direct subscribers; complicated cancellations |
| Dispute through payment provider |
5 to 10 business days for investigation |
Full refund if unauthorized charges are confirmed |
Unauthorized charges; refund denial |
Protecting yourself: a cancellation checklist
Use this checklist to ensure your cancellation is complete and your data is protected.
- Before cancellation: Export or back up all notes to PDF or another portable format. Store files in a secure location such as cloud storage or your computer.
- During cancellation: Follow the platform-specific steps (Apple, Google or Notability) to formally cancel. Save screenshots of the cancellation confirmation page.
- After cancellation: Wait 2 to 3 days, then log into your account to verify that Notability no longer appears as an active subscription.
- Billing verification: Review your credit card or bank statement 5 to 10 days after cancellation. Confirm that no new Notability charges appear.
- Documentation: Keep all cancellation confirmations, refund receipts and billing statements for at least 12 months.
- Escalation (if needed): If charges continue, contact your payment provider and file a dispute within 60 days of the unauthorized charge.
If Notability refuses to honour your cancellation or withholds a refund you are entitled to under Canadian consumer protection law, escalation through regulatory authorities is your recourse.
Competition bureau of canada
The Competition Bureau investigates unfair business practices and enforces consumer protection laws across Canada. If Notability has engaged in misleading advertising regarding refunds, charged you without consent or refused to honour a valid cancellation, file a complaint with the Competition Bureau at www.competitionbureau.gc.ca. Provide your account details, subscription history, copies of your cancellation request and evidence of any unauthorized charges.
Provincial consumer protection authorities
Each Canadian province maintains its own consumer protection office with the power to investigate complaints and order refunds or restitution.
- Ontario: Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, www.ontario.ca/page/consumer-protection
- British Columbia: Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, www.fcnb.ca
- Alberta: Fair Trading Act consumer complaints, www.servicealberta.ca
- Quebec: Office of the Ombudsman, www.ombudsman.qc.ca
- Other provinces: Contact your provincial Ministry of Consumer Affairs for the relevant authority.
Yafee advises exhausting direct negotiation with Notability before escalating to regulatory authorities. Document all attempts to resolve the issue directly before filing a formal complaint.
Why you should take control of your digital subscriptions now
Digital subscriptions accumulate quietly and drain your bank account without active management. Taking control of your Notability subscription-or any recurring digital purchase-is an essential part of personal financial responsibility. Canadian consumer protection law backs you up, but only if you take the steps to verify cancellation and dispute unauthorized charges promptly.
Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover refunds by providing clear, legally grounded guidance. This guide gives you the confidence to cancel Notability without fear of continued charges or data loss. Follow the steps, document your cancellation and verify that charges have stopped. If Notability or the app store refuses to help, escalate to the Competition Bureau or your provincial consumer protection authority. Your subscription, your choice, your control.