How to cancel Obsidian and protect your data in canada

Understanding Obsidian and why you might want to cancel

Obsidian is a privacy-first note-taking application that stores your notes locally on your device first, with optional cloud synchronization only if you choose to enable it. The core application is free, but Obsidian offers two paid subscriptions: Obsidian Sync (for encrypted cloud backup and cross-device synchronization) and Obsidian Publish (for sharing your notes publicly online). If you subscribe to either service and no longer need it, you have clear cancellation rights under Canadian consumer law.

At Yafee, we help Canadians understand their subscription cancellation rights and execute them cleanly. Whether you are downsizing your tools, switching to a competing application, or managing your costs more carefully, this guide walks you through every procedural step so you retain control over your data throughout the cancellation process.

When cancellation makes sense

You might cancel Obsidian Sync if you decide local-only note storage meets your needs, or if you prefer to manage backups manually without cloud dependency. You might cancel Obsidian Publish if you no longer want to share your vault publicly, or if you have migrated your published content elsewhere. Some users find the learning curve steeper than expected, while others discover a competing tool that aligns better with their workflow. Whatever your reason, Yafee recognizes that cancelling should be friction-free and legally transparent.

The difference between cancelling and downgrading

Cancelling a subscription means you stop paying and lose access to that specific service (Sync or Publish). Your local vault-the notes stored on your device-remains intact and fully accessible. However, if you had synchronized data in Obsidian's cloud infrastructure, that remote storage becomes inaccessible after cancellation unless you have downloaded a local backup beforehand. Obsidian does not offer a downgrade option; you either maintain an active subscription or cancel it entirely. Yafee advises you to export your data before cancelling to ensure no information loss.

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Your consumer rights in canada

Canadian consumer protection law provides you with statutory rights that supersede a company's standard refund policy.

What canadian law says about digital subscriptions

Under the Competition Act (federal) and provincial consumer protection legislation such as the Consumer Protection Act (Ontario), the Consumer Protection Act (British Columbia), and equivalent statutes in other provinces, you hold enforceable rights when purchasing digital goods and services. These laws protect you against deceptive marketing, hidden fees, and non-performance. If Obsidian's Sync or Publish service failed to perform as described, or if you were misled about core features, you may be entitled to a remedy-including a refund-even if Obsidian's own terms reference a shorter refund window.

If you purchased through Apple's App Store or Google Play Store, additional protections apply through those platforms' own consumer safeguard policies. Canadian regulators recognize these platform-level protections as legitimate consumer remedies. Yafee emphasizes that your statutory rights cannot be waived by a company's terms of service.

Your legal position

You have the right to cancel any subscription at any time. If you subscribed within the past 30 days and wish to request a refund, Canadian consumer law may grant you this remedy if the service was defective, misrepresented, or failed to meet reasonable expectations. If Obsidian refuses and you believe you have grounds, you can escalate to the Competition Bureau (federal) or your provincial consumer protection authority. Document everything: screenshots of the service, email correspondence, dates of purchase, and a clear written explanation of the service failure or misrepresentation. This evidence is essential if you escalate your complaint.

When to escalate beyond obsidian's stated policy

If Obsidian declines your refund request and you believe the service was not as advertised or performed poorly, file a complaint with the Competition Bureau at www.competitionbureau.gc.ca or contact your provincial consumer protection ministry. In Ontario, this is the Ministry of Public and Business Services Consumer Protection Office; in British Columbia, it is Consumer Protection BC. Yafee recommends keeping all communications and transaction records for at least two years.

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Cancellation methods for Obsidian

Obsidian provides multiple cancellation pathways depending on where and how you subscribed.

Cancelling through obsidian's website

If you signed up for Obsidian Sync or Publish directly through Obsidian's official website (obsidian.md), you cancel through your account portal. This is the most direct route and gives you immediate confirmation of cancellation.

1. Visit the Obsidian account website and sign in with your registered email and password.
2. Navigate to "Account Settings" or "Billing" (the exact label may vary).
3. Locate the active subscription (Sync or Publish).
4. Select "Cancel Subscription" and confirm your intent to cancel.
5. Obsidian will send you a cancellation confirmation email; save this for your records.

Your access to the paid service ends at the conclusion of your current billing cycle. You will retain access to all locally stored notes, but cloud-based features (such as remote backups or public publishing) will become unavailable once the billing cycle ends.

Cancelling through apple app store (iOS)

If you subscribed to Obsidian Sync or Publish through Apple's App Store on your iPhone or iPad, you must cancel through the App Store app on your device or through your Apple Account settings online.

1. Open the App Store app on your iOS device.
2. Tap the account icon (usually located in the top right corner).
3. Select "Subscriptions."
4. Locate Obsidian in the list of active subscriptions.
5. Tap Obsidian and then select "Cancel Subscription."
6. Choose your reason for cancellation (optional) and confirm.
7. Apple will send you a cancellation confirmation email to your Apple ID email address.

Alternatively, you can manage subscriptions via your Apple ID account settings on www.iCloud.com or www.appleid.apple.com. Log in, navigate to "Subscriptions," find Obsidian, and select "Cancel."

Cancelling through google play store (Android)

If you subscribed on Android, cancel through the Google Play Store app or online.

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
2. Tap your profile icon (top right corner).
3. Select "Manage subscriptions."
4. Find Obsidian in your list of active subscriptions.
5. Tap Obsidian and then select "Cancel subscription."
6. Confirm your cancellation and choose a reason (optional).
7. Google will send a confirmation email to your Google account.

You may also cancel via the web by visiting play.google.com, signing in, and navigating to "Manage subscriptions" in your account settings.

Cancelling via postal mail

If you prefer to cancel by registered mail, send your request via registered mail (with return receipt) to ensure Obsidian acknowledges receipt. Include your full name, email address associated with your Obsidian account, subscription type (Sync or Publish), and the date you wish cancellation to take effect. Send the letter to Obsidian's support address. Yafee recommends this method only if you cannot access your account online or wish to create a formal paper trail for dispute resolution.

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Refund eligibility and timelines

Obsidian's standard policy allows refunds within 7 days of purchase if you have not used the service substantially.

How to request a refund

To request a refund within Obsidian's 7-day window, contact Obsidian support at [email protected] with your order number, email address, and reason for the refund request. If you purchased through Apple or Google, submit your refund request directly through those platforms; they process refunds independently of Obsidian.

If Obsidian declines your refund and you believe you have grounds (service defect, misleading advertising, or violation of automatic renewal disclosure rules), Yafee advises you to reply to the denial with documented evidence and reference the relevant provincial Consumer Protection Act. This escalates your case formally and may prompt a reconsideration.

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What happens after you cancel

Cancellation is a relief, but you must take immediate action to protect your data.

Before your billing cycle ends

Immediately after cancelling, export your complete vault (all notes and attachments) to a local backup file or external storage. Obsidian allows you to export your entire vault as a folder of markdown files. Use the "Export vault" feature in your Obsidian settings or manually copy your vault folder to an external hard drive or cloud storage service (such as Dropbox or OneDrive). This ensures that if there is any delay in processing your cancellation, you retain a complete offline copy of your data.

After your access ends

Once your subscription expires, Obsidian Sync will no longer sync new changes to the cloud, and Obsidian Publish will take your published site offline. Your local vault remains fully accessible and editable on your device. If you had synced data, download a final backup from Obsidian's servers before the billing cycle ends-after that point, cloud access is gone. Yafee recommends treating cancellation as your signal to switch to an alternative note-taking tool (such as Notion, Roam Research, or open-source alternatives) if you need cloud sync elsewhere.

Monitor your payment method

Check your credit card or bank statement 5 to 10 days after your expected cancellation date to confirm that Obsidian has stopped charging you. If you see a charge after your cancellation date, contact Obsidian support immediately or dispute the charge with your bank. Canadian banks are required by law to reverse unauthorized charges promptly if you file a dispute in writing within your statement period.

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Obsidian pricing and subscription overview

Understanding what you are paying for helps you decide whether cancellation is the right choice.

The free version of Obsidian covers core note-taking functionality for most users. Yafee finds that cancelling Sync or Publish does not prevent you from using Obsidian itself; you simply lose cloud-based features while retaining full access to local editing and all community plugins.

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Common mistakes when cancelling Obsidian

Cancellation is straightforward, but a few missteps can delay the process or leave your data vulnerable.

Mistake 1: not backing up your vault before cancellation

Your local notes are safe, but synced data stored in Obsidian's cloud becomes inaccessible after cancellation. Export your entire vault to an external drive or personal cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive) before your billing cycle ends. Obsidian provides an "Export vault" option in settings; use it.

Mistake 2: cancelling through one platform but not realizing you subscribed elsewhere

If you use both iOS and Android, or if you subscribed through both Obsidian's website and the App Store, you must cancel each subscription separately. One cancellation does not affect the others. Check all platforms and verify each subscription is cancelled before your next billing date.

Mistake 3: assuming automatic renewal has stopped

Always verify that the cancellation confirmation email arrived and that your account dashboard no longer lists the subscription as active. Log back in 24 hours after cancellation to double-check. Do not assume silence means success.

Mistake 4: ignoring a charge after cancellation

If Obsidian charges you after your cancellation date, contact support immediately. Canadian consumer law requires refunds of erroneous charges, and your bank can dispute it if Obsidian refuses. Yafee emphasizes that timely action is critical; dispute deadlines are usually 60 to 90 days from the charge date.

Mistake 5: not documenting your cancellation request

If you cancel via postal mail or email, save every message and receipt. If you cancel through an app or website, screenshot your confirmation screen. This paper trail is essential if you later need to escalate to your bank, the Competition Bureau, or a provincial consumer protection authority.

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Comparing Obsidian with alternative note-taking tools

If you are cancelling Obsidian, you may want to evaluate comparable services before committing to a replacement.

Yafee notes that many users find Logseq or open-source alternatives compelling if they want to avoid subscription costs entirely. Notion appeals to users who prioritize collaboration and database features. The right choice depends on your workflow, budget, and privacy requirements.

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Cancellation checklist

Use this checklist to ensure a clean cancellation and data protection:

• Export and backup your entire Obsidian vault to external storage (hard drive, personal cloud service).
• Log into your Obsidian account and verify your subscription type (Sync, Publish, or both).
• Note the current subscription expiry date (visible in account settings).
• Cancel the subscription using the method that matches where you subscribed (website, Apple App Store, or Google Play Store).
• Retain the cancellation confirmation email or screenshot.
• Check your account dashboard 24 hours later to confirm the subscription is no longer listed as active.
• Monitor your payment method (credit card or bank account) for any charges after your expected cancellation date.
• If charged after cancellation, contact Obsidian support or your bank immediately.
• Keep all cancellation confirmation documents for at least two years in case of dispute.

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When to escalate and contact authorities

Most cancellations proceed smoothly, but if Obsidian refuses your request or continues charging after cancellation, you have formal escalation routes.

Step 1: escalate within Obsidian

Email Obsidian support at [email protected] with subject line "Cancellation Dispute - [Your Email]." Include your account email, order number, cancellation date you requested, evidence of the cancellation request (screenshot or email confirmation), and a clear explanation of the problem (e.g., "I cancelled on [date] but was charged on [date]"). Request a response within 10 business days.

Step 2: contact your bank or payment processor

If Obsidian does not respond or refuses your claim, file a dispute with your bank or credit card company. Provide your cancellation confirmation email and the unauthorized charge as evidence. Canadian banks are required by law to investigate chargeback disputes within 60 days.

Step 3: file a complaint with the competition bureau or provincial authority

If the dispute is unresolved, file a formal complaint with the Competition Bureau (www.competitionbureau.gc.ca) or your provincial consumer protection ministry. Provide copies of all communications, the cancellation confirmation, evidence of ongoing charges, and your attempt to resolve the issue directly. Yafee recommends including a reference to the relevant provincial Consumer Protection Act (Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, etc.) in your complaint.

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Contact information for Obsidian support and escalation

Maintain these contacts for your cancellation process and any follow-up:

• Obsidian support email: [email protected]
• Obsidian account portal: https://obsidian.md/account
• Competition Bureau (Canada): www.competitionbureau.gc.ca or 1-800-348-5358
• Ontario Ministry of Public and Business Services Consumer Protection: https://www.ontario.ca/page/consumer-protection
• Consumer Protection BC: www.consumerprotectionbc.ca or 1-888-564-9963
• Alberta Fair Trading Act enforcement: https://www.calgary.ca/cs/Pages/Consumer-protection.aspx
• Your bank or credit card company dispute line: Check the back of your card or online banking portal.

If you cancelled through Apple App Store, contact Apple Support at support.apple.com/en-ca. If you cancelled through Google Play, contact Google Support at support.google.com/googleplay.

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Final summary: protecting yourself when cancelling Obsidian

Cancelling Obsidian Sync or Publish is a straightforward process protected by Canadian consumer law. You have the right to cancel at any time, request a refund within 7 days (or longer if the service was defective or misrepresented), and escalate to the Competition Bureau or your provincial consumer protection authority if Obsidian refuses to honor your request. Yafee has helped thousands of Canadian consumers cancel subscriptions cleanly and recover erroneous charges by following these steps: back up your data immediately, cancel through the correct platform, retain confirmation documents, monitor your payment method, and escalate promptly if you spot unauthorized charges.

The key to a successful cancellation is documentation. Screenshot or email every confirmation, note dates precisely, and keep records for at least two years. If you encounter resistance, reference the Competition Act or your provincial Consumer Protection Act in your correspondence; this formal language signals that you understand your legal rights and are prepared to escalate. Yafee emphasizes that companies take documented complaints more seriously than verbal requests.

Do not let a company's silence or delay prevent you from accessing your data or recovering overpayments. Canadian consumer protection law is on your side, and Yafee recommends acting quickly and keeping records meticulously. Whether you are switching to Notion, Logseq, or another tool, your cancellation should be clean, your data should be safe, and your wallet should be protected from unauthorized ongoing charges. Yafee remains available to guide you through this process and help you understand your legal position at every stage.