How to cancel your GoodNotes subscription and protect your notes in the UK

Understanding GoodNotes and your subscription options

GoodNotes is a digital note-taking application that allows you to handwrite notes on your iPad, annotate PDF documents with precision, and create digital planners with natural handwriting recognition. The app syncs seamlessly across your iPad, Mac, and iPhone through iCloud, making it convenient for students, professionals, and creative users across the United Kingdom.

GoodNotes transitioned from a one-time purchase model (version 5) to a subscription-based system with GoodNotes 6, which frustrates many long-term users who once owned the app outright. If you are considering cancellation, understanding your legal rights under UK consumer law and your practical options is essential. At Yafee, we guide thousands of UK consumers through subscription cancellations each month, and GoodNotes appears frequently on that list. This guide explains your position under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and walks you through every cancellation method available to you.

What GoodNotes provides

GoodNotes 6 offers three distinct tiers. The free version lets you create up to three editable notebooks with basic note-taking and PDF annotation features. The annual subscription, priced at £9.99 per year, unlocks unlimited notebooks, advanced handwriting recognition across multiple languages, AI-powered mathematical expression recognition, and priority customer support. GoodNotes 5 users who purchased the app outright retain their features without any subscription cost, though they cannot access GoodNotes 6 features.

The app is developed by Time Base Technology Limited, a Hong Kong-registered company serving millions globally, including a substantial UK user base. Whether you use the free tier, hold an active annual subscription, or own GoodNotes 5 permanently, your cancellation approach depends entirely on your current subscription status.

Why cancellation matters to your rights

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you have statutory rights when you purchase digital services or subscriptions within the United Kingdom. These rights include the right to cancel certain distance contracts within 14 calendar days of purchase and the right to receive a full refund if the trader has not obtained your express consent to begin performance immediately. Understanding these rights protects you from unexpected charges and ensures you can exit your subscription lawfully.

Your consumer rights and what the law provides

UK consumer law grants you specific protections when you subscribe to digital services like GoodNotes.

Your legal position under the consumer rights act 2015

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 is the primary legislation governing digital service contracts in the United Kingdom. Under Section 62, you have a statutory right to cancel a distance contract (one formed at a distance, such as online or through an app) within 14 calendar days of the date you enter into the contract, without giving any reason and without penalty.

However, this right does not apply if you have expressly requested that the trader begin performance of the service before the cancellation period expires. GoodNotes requires you to agree to their terms of service before your subscription begins. If you have already used the service during the cancellation period, you may lose your right to cancel without charge. The trader may deduct a proportionate amount for the service you have received.

Furthermore, after the initial 14-day period, you retain the right to cancel your subscription at any time if GoodNotes' terms of service allow it. Most UK subscription services are required to provide cancellation options that are as easy as the purchasing process. If GoodNotes makes cancellation deliberately difficult, this may breach the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and constitute an unfair contract term.

Where to escalate if GoodNotes refuses your cancellation

If you cancel your subscription in accordance with the law and GoodNotes refuses to process your cancellation or denies you a refund to which you are entitled, you can escalate your complaint to the Trading Standards authority in your local council or the Citizens Advice Consumer Service. In Scotland, contact the Consumer Standards Authority. The Advertising Standards Authority also oversees misleading subscription claims, and Ofcom may have jurisdiction if the service involves telecommunications elements.

Yafee recommends documenting all communications with GoodNotes, including screenshots of your cancellation request, confirmation emails, and any refusal messages. This evidence is crucial if you need to file a formal complaint or pursue a claim through the small claims court.

Subscription pricing and identifying your current plan

Your cancellation approach depends entirely on how you currently subscribe, so review this pricing breakdown before you proceed.

If you use only the free version, you have nothing to cancel. If you own GoodNotes 5 outright, you own it permanently. Only annual subscription holders and those on trial periods need to follow cancellation steps. Most importantly, identify which version and payment method you are using before proceeding further.

Educational and organisational subscriptions

Some UK schools, universities, and organisations provide GoodNotes subscriptions through bulk licensing agreements. If your subscription came through an educational institution or employer, your cancellation process may differ significantly. Contact your institution's IT department or subscription administrator directly rather than attempting to cancel through the app. They will advise you of their specific termination procedures and any notice period required.

How to cancel your GoodNotes subscription: step-by-step methods

You can cancel your GoodNotes subscription through three primary methods: via the app on your Apple device, through the GoodNotes website, or by written request to their registered office address.

Cancelling through the iPad or iPhone app

This is the quickest method and works immediately on Apple devices.

1. Open the App Store on your iPad or iPhone.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen.
3. Select "Subscriptions" from the menu.
4. Find GoodNotes in your active subscriptions list.
5. Tap "GoodNotes" to open the subscription details page.
6. Select "Cancel Subscription" at the bottom of the screen.
7. Choose your reason for cancellation from the dropdown menu (optional but helpful for feedback).
8. Confirm your cancellation by tapping "Confirm" when prompted.
9. You will receive an on-screen confirmation immediately. The App Store will also send you a confirmation email to your Apple ID email address.

Your subscription will remain active until the end of your current billing cycle. You will retain access to GoodNotes 6 premium features until that date. After the renewal date passes, you will revert to the free version automatically. No further action is required.

Cancelling through the GoodNotes website

If you subscribed via the GoodNotes website or prefer to manage your subscription online, follow these steps:

1. Visit the GoodNotes website and log into your account using your email address and password.
2. Navigate to "Account Settings" or "Subscription Management" (usually found in your user profile menu).
3. Locate your active subscription under "Billing" or "Current Plan".
4. Select "Manage Subscription" or "Cancel Subscription".
5. Review the cancellation summary, which shows your final billing date and refund eligibility.
6. Confirm your cancellation request.
7. You will receive a confirmation email within minutes to the email address associated with your account.

Yafee advises you to save a screenshot of this confirmation email as evidence of your cancellation request. This protects you if GoodNotes attempts to charge you again after cancellation.

Cancelling by post to the registered office

If you prefer a formal written record or if your cancellation through the app or website is not processed, you can cancel by sending a written letter to GoodNotes' registered office address.

1. Compose a formal letter addressed to GoodNotes (Time Base Technology Limited), clearly stating your intention to cancel your subscription.
2. Include the following information in your letter:
   • Your full name
   • Your registered email address for the GoodNotes account
   • Your subscription start date (if known)
   • Your payment method (Apple ID, credit card, etc.)
   • The date of your cancellation request
   • A statement that you are cancelling with immediate effect or at the end of your current billing cycle (as you prefer)
3. Send this letter via Royal Mail Tracked 24 or a recorded delivery service to ensure you have proof of posting.
4. Keep a copy of your letter and the postal receipt for your records.
5. GoodNotes should respond within 14 days to confirm your cancellation.

The registered office address for Time Base Technology Limited is not published on the consumer-facing GoodNotes website, so you may need to check their App Store or website terms of service for the current address, or contact them through their support email first to request the registered office address for formal correspondence.

Refunds and charges after cancellation

Understanding refund eligibility under UK law ensures you receive money you are entitled to.

Refund eligibility within the 14-day cancellation period

If you cancel within 14 calendar days of your initial subscription purchase and you have not used GoodNotes 6 substantially, you are entitled to a full refund under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. "Substantial use" is not precisely defined in law, but regulators typically interpret it as using the service for a significant portion of the 14-day period or for the primary purpose it was intended.

If you have used GoodNotes during the cancellation period, GoodNotes may deduct a proportionate amount for the service you have received, calculated on a pro-rata basis. For example, if you used the app for 7 days of a 14-day period, you might receive approximately 50% of your subscription fee back.

Refunds after 14 days

After the 14-day cancellation period, you are no longer automatically entitled to a refund when you cancel your subscription. However, you remain entitled to cancel at any time if GoodNotes' terms of service allow it. Most UK subscriptions allow cancellation at the renewal date with no penalty, meaning you will not be charged again but will lose access to premium features at that point.

If you paid for an annual subscription and you cancel mid-year, GoodNotes is not legally required to issue a pro-rata refund unless their terms of service specifically permit this. Read your subscription agreement carefully to confirm their refund policy.

Disputed charges and chargebacks

If GoodNotes charges you after you have cancelled, or if you believe a charge is unauthorized, contact your bank or payment provider immediately. Your bank can initiate a chargeback or dispute, which reverses the transaction while an investigation takes place. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, traders must not take payments without your express consent. Yafee recommends contacting GoodNotes first with your cancellation confirmation email, but if they do not respond within 14 days, escalate to your bank and the Trading Standards authority.

What to expect after cancellation and protecting your notes

Cancellation is swift, but your data transition requires planning.

Timeline and access to your notes

When you cancel your GoodNotes subscription, your access to premium features stops at the end of your current billing cycle. Your notes and documents remain on your devices and in your iCloud account. However, if you have created more than three notebooks (the free tier limit), you will only be able to view those three notebooks in the free version after cancellation. The remaining notebooks will become read-only but will not be deleted.

Consequently, you have the billing period (up to 30 days from cancellation) to export or backup your additional notebooks before you lose editing access to them.

Exporting and backing up your notes before access expires

Follow these steps to preserve your notes outside GoodNotes:

1. Open GoodNotes on your iPad.
2. Select the notebook you wish to export.
3. Tap the three-dot menu icon next to the notebook name.
4. Select "Share" or "Export".
5. Choose your export format: PDF (best for sharing and reading) or GoodNotes format (preserves all annotations and layers).
6. Select your destination: email, cloud storage (iCloud Drive, Google Drive, Dropbox), or Files app.
7. Repeat this process for every notebook you wish to preserve.

Alternatively, all your notes are automatically backed up to your iCloud account. Log into iCloud Drive on any Apple device or visit iCloud.com to access your backed-up notebooks as PDF files.

Downgrading to the free version

After cancellation, you will automatically downgrade to the free version on your renewal date. No additional action is required. You will retain your original three editable notebooks and basic features indefinitely at no cost.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Cancellation is straightforward, but a few preventable errors can delay the process or leave you vulnerable.

Cancelling through the wrong payment method

Many users assume they can cancel by contacting their bank or credit card company instead of the app. This is incorrect and can create disputes. You must cancel directly through the App Store, GoodNotes website, or in writing to GoodNotes themselves. If you cancel only through your bank, GoodNotes may not process the cancellation in their system, leading to re-charges and disputed transactions. Always cancel through the official method first, then contact your bank only if GoodNotes fails to honour your cancellation.

Not confirming cancellation in writing

If you cancel through the app, save your confirmation email immediately. Do not assume the cancellation is complete without written proof. Screenshot the confirmation and store it in a notes app or cloud storage folder titled "Subscriptions" or "Financial Records". Yafee has helped thousands of consumers recover overdue charges because they had documented cancellation confirmation at hand.

Losing access to your notebooks due to late export

Your notebooks above the free tier limit become read-only after cancellation takes effect. If you delay exporting them, you risk losing editing access and may struggle to retrieve them later. Set a calendar reminder for 7 days after you cancel to export all extra notebooks. This gives you margin before access expires.

Forgetting to cancel free trials before they convert to paid subscriptions

If you activated a free trial, set a phone reminder for 2 days before the trial ends. Free trials automatically convert to paid subscriptions unless you cancel in advance. GoodNotes will charge your Apple ID immediately when the trial period ends if you have not cancelled.

Comparing GoodNotes with alternative note-taking apps

Before you cancel, consider whether an alternative app better suits your needs.

If cost is your primary concern, Notability and Noteshelf offer one-time purchase options, avoiding ongoing subscription fees. If you use Windows or Android devices, OneNote is free and syncs seamlessly across all platforms. Yafee recommends trying free trials of these alternatives before you cancel GoodNotes, ensuring your migration will be smooth and your needs will be met.

Step-by-step cancellation checklist

Use this checklist to ensure you have completed every cancellation task correctly.

• Identify your current subscription tier (free, annual, GoodNotes 5, educational).
• Calculate whether you are within the 14-day cancellation period for a refund.
• Log into the App Store, GoodNotes website, or prepare a formal letter.
• Initiate cancellation using one of the three methods above.
• Save your cancellation confirmation email or letter receipt.
• Screenshot the confirmation for your records.
• Set a calendar reminder to export your notebooks 7 days after cancellation.
• Export all notebooks above the free tier limit to PDF or cloud storage.
• Verify that GoodNotes does not charge you at your next renewal date.
• If an unexpected charge appears, contact your bank immediately and provide your cancellation confirmation.

Contacting GoodNotes and further support

If your cancellation is not processed or you encounter technical issues, contact GoodNotes directly through their official support channels.

GoodNotes support contact methods

Visit the GoodNotes website or the app's help section to locate their current support email address. Most digital app publishers do not publish postal addresses on consumer-facing websites; you may need to request the registered office address through email. State your inquiry clearly: "I am attempting to cancel my subscription but have encountered a technical issue. Please confirm my cancellation request and provide your registered office address if further formal correspondence is required."

Expect a response within 5 to 10 business days. If GoodNotes does not respond or refuses to process your cancellation after 14 days, escalate your complaint to Trading Standards (your local council) or the Citizens Advice Consumer Service. In Scotland, contact the Consumer Standards Authority. Provide them with copies of your cancellation request, all correspondence with GoodNotes, and bank statements showing unauthorised charges, if applicable.

When to involve trading standards or citizens advice

Involve Trading Standards if GoodNotes:

• Refuses to process your cancellation within 14 days of your request.
• Claims your cancellation is invalid without valid legal justification.
• Continues to charge you after you have cancelled.
• Makes cancellation deliberately difficult or obscures the cancellation option (unfair contract term under Consumer Rights Act 2015).

Trading Standards operates locally through your council and investigates consumer complaints for free. Citizens Advice Consumer Service operates nationally and can escalate complaints to Trading Standards or take enforcement action on your behalf.

Your next steps: take control of your subscription today

Cancelling GoodNotes is a straightforward process under UK consumer law, but understanding your rights and preserving your data ensures a smooth transition. Whether you are cancelling because of cost, switching to an alternative app, or no longer need the features, follow the step-by-step methods above to complete the cancellation correctly.

Remember: you have a statutory 14-day right to cancel under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 without penalty if you have not substantially used the service. After that period, you remain entitled to cancel at any time, though refunds are not guaranteed unless GoodNotes' terms permit them. Export your notebooks to PDF before you lose access to them, keep your cancellation confirmation email, and escalate to Trading Standards if GoodNotes attempts to charge you after cancellation.

At Yafee (yafee.com), we understand subscription cancellation can feel daunting, but you are not without recourse. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions like GoodNotes, recover unauthorized charges, and understand their rights under UK consumer law. If you have further questions about your consumer rights or need guidance on escalating a dispute with GoodNotes, visit Yafee today. We provide clear, legally grounded advice that puts control back in your hands.