How to cancel Public and stop recurring charges in india
What Public is and why cancellation matters
Public is a mobile subscription service that delivers premium video content and entertainment features through the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. You download the app to your Android or iOS device, and your billing runs through whichever platform you used to subscribe. If you signed up for Public Premium and now want to halt the recurring charges, this guide walks you through every cancellation option available to you under Indian consumer law.
Subscriptions accumulate quickly, and Public is no exception. At Yafee, we help thousands of users navigate cancellation across digital services, so understanding your exact cancellation path before you act is critical. Yafee's expertise in contract law means you'll know your rights and the precise steps to take.
When you should consider cancelling Public
You might cancel if the content no longer justifies the monthly cost, if the app fails to deliver promised features, or if you're consolidating your subscription spending. Whatever your reason, cancelling stops future billing immediately and preserves your access until your current billing cycle ends. Early termination does not forfeit paid-in-advance content; you retain access until the period expires.
Critical facts before you begin
Public does not operate its own billing infrastructure. Your subscription exists exclusively on either Google Play or the Apple App Store, depending on which device you used to subscribe. This means you cancel directly through the store platform, not through Public's own systems. Uninstalling the app alone will not stop your recurring charges, so follow this guide precisely to avoid continued billing.
Your consumer rights under indian law
The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 provides you with strong statutory protections if Public or the app store treats you unfairly or refuses to process your cancellation.
Statutory protections and your right to cancel
Under Section 6 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, you possess the explicit right to cancel subscriptions and request refunds for services not rendered or delivered as promised. If your subscription continues after you cancel, or if the service quality does not match Public's advertised features, you can claim a refund. The Act protects you against unfair contract terms and deceptive billing practices. If Public or the app store denies your refund without legitimate cause, you may escalate your complaint to the District Consumer Commission or the Central Consumer Protection Authority, which holds power to award refunds plus damages for breach of contract.
Your legal position
You hold statutory rights to cancel at any time and to receive a proportional refund if the service is not delivered as promised. The burden of proof rests on Public or the app store to demonstrate that you received full value for your payment. If either party refuses your cancellation or refund, Indian consumer law protects you through formal dispute resolution at no cost to you. Yafee recommends that you document every communication with Public or the app store, as this evidence strengthens your legal position if you must escalate to a consumer commission.
Step-by-step cancellation on google play (Android)
Google Play manages all billing for subscriptions purchased on Android devices, so you cancel directly through the Play Store app on your phone or tablet.
Access your subscriptions in google play
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
- Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Select "Payments and subscriptions" from the dropdown menu.
- Tap "Subscriptions" to view all active recurring charges.
- A complete list of every active subscription appears immediately.
Locate and cancel Public
- Find "Public" in your subscriptions list and tap it.
- The subscription details page opens, showing your renewal date and pricing.
- Tap "Cancel subscription" at the bottom of the screen.
- Google may display a retention offer or ask you to confirm your decision.
- Confirm the cancellation by tapping "Cancel subscription" again.
- Google processes the cancellation and displays a confirmation message within seconds.
Verify cancellation and access retention
Auto-renewal stops immediately after you confirm cancellation. Your access to Public content continues until the end of your current billing period, at which point the app will lock premium features. Google typically sends a confirmation email within 5 minutes. Retain this email as proof of your cancellation date for future reference. If you do not receive a confirmation email within 15 minutes, Yafee advises you to take a screenshot of the cancellation screen as backup evidence.
Step-by-step cancellation on the apple app store (iOS)
Apple manages billing for subscriptions purchased on iPhones and iPads through the App Store, so you cancel through Apple's settings or the Apple App Store app.
Access your subscriptions on iOS
- Open the Apple App Store app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap your profile icon (usually located at the top-right corner).
- Select "Subscriptions" from the menu.
Cancel Public through the app store
- Find "Public" in your active subscriptions and tap it.
- Apple displays your subscription status, next renewal date, and price.
- Tap "Cancel Subscription" (or "Edit" if that appears first, then select "Cancel Subscription").
- Apple may ask you to select a reason for cancellation; this is optional.
- Confirm your cancellation by following Apple's final prompt.
- You receive an on-screen confirmation and an email notification from Apple within minutes.
Confirm access retention and document your action
Your Public subscription stops auto-renewing immediately. You retain full access to premium content until your current billing period ends. Apple sends a confirmation email with your cancellation date; Yafee recommends you archive this email for at least 12 months. If you attempt to cancel but the button does not appear, restart the App Store app and try again, or contact Apple Support directly at support.apple.com/contact.
Cancellation is complete, but three critical steps protect your account and ensure you do not face unexpected charges later.
Monitor your next billing date
Mark your current billing cycle end date on your calendar. Your access expires automatically on that date. If you notice a charge after this date, you have proof of cancellation to dispute it. Log into your app store account (Google Play or Apple Account) weekly during the final 3 days before your cycle ends to confirm that no renewal charge appears.
Save your cancellation confirmation
Retain the confirmation email from Google Play or Apple indefinitely. Screenshot the cancellation screen immediately after you confirm, then email this screenshot to yourself or save it to cloud storage. This documentation is essential if you must escalate a dispute to the District Consumer Commission under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. Yafee has observed that companies often deny cancellations, so your evidence protects you.
Delete the app if you wish
Uninstalling Public is optional and does not affect your cancellation status (your subscription was already cancelled through the app store, not through the app itself). You can reinstall it later without triggering a new subscription. However, if you do reinstall, take care not to tap any "upgrade to premium" or "continue free trial" buttons, as this may restart your subscription automatically.
Refund procedures and when to claim one
Cancellation stops future charges, but you may also qualify for a partial or full refund depending on when you cancel and what the app store's refund policy permits.
Refunds within the google play window
Google Play allows you to request a refund up to 48 hours after your purchase (for new subscriptions) or up to 15 days from the renewal date if you were charged in error. Navigate to Google Play's "Payments and subscriptions" section, find Public, and tap "Report a problem" to initiate a refund request. Provide clear details: the date of the charge, the amount, and your reason (for example, "charged after cancellation" or "service not delivered as described"). Google reviews your claim within 3 to 7 business days.
Refunds through the apple app store
Apple's refund window extends up to 90 days from the date of purchase for most subscription renewals, though Apple may grant refunds beyond this window if you demonstrate that the service failed to deliver as promised. Open the App Store app, tap your profile, select "Purchases" (or "Purchase History"), find Public, and tap "Report a Problem." Explain why you believe you deserve a refund. Apple's support team responds within 3 to 10 business days, and refunds typically appear in your original payment method within 5 to 7 additional business days.
Escalating a denied refund under consumer law
If Google Play or Apple denies your refund without legitimate cause, you can escalate your complaint to the District Consumer Commission in your area or file a complaint with the Central Consumer Protection Authority. The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 entitles you to a refund if the service does not match its advertised description or if billing continues after cancellation. You do not require legal representation to file a consumer complaint, and the process costs nothing. Yafee advises you to include your cancellation confirmation, screenshots of charges, and any correspondence with the app store in your complaint file.
Public's Terms of Service designate specific addresses for legal notices and disputes. Consequently, if you must send formal written communication regarding cancellation or refund disputes, use the designated contact address rather than general mailing addresses.
Designated contact for disputes
In accordance with Public's Terms of Service, the Designated Agent Contact Information for Copyright Notifications and formal legal notices is the address listed in their terms document. When you prepare a formal notice of dispute or demand for refund, address it to this designated agent. Sending correspondence to the correct legal address strengthens your position if the matter escalates to a consumer commission. Yafee recommends that you send all formal correspondence via registered post so that you receive a dated receipt proving delivery.
General contact address for Public
For non-legal inquiries, you may also correspond with Public using their general mailing address listed on their website (www.public.com or within the app's "Contact Us" section). Nevertheless, for disputes involving cancellation, billing, or refunds, always use the designated legal address to ensure your notice is processed by the correct department and logged formally.
Common mistakes that delay or derail cancellation
Cancellation is straightforward when you follow the correct steps, but several common errors can leave you paying weeks longer than necessary. Yafee has helped thousands of users avoid these pitfalls.
Mistake 1: uninstalling the app without cancelling the subscription
Deleting the Public app from your device does not cancel your subscription. Your recurring charge continues because the billing agreement lives on your app store account (Google Play or Apple Account), not on the app itself. You must cancel through the app store platform, not by uninstalling. Check your subscriptions 3 days after deletion to confirm that cancellation completed through the app store.
Mistake 2: missing the renewal date
If you cancel after your renewal date, you have already been charged for the next cycle. You can request a refund, but Yafee advises cancelling as early as possible to minimize the risk of additional charges. Set a phone reminder 5 days before your next renewal so that you cancel with a buffer.
Mistake 3: not verifying cancellation in the app store
Some users believe the app's own "Settings" or "Account" menu can cancel their subscription. This is incorrect. Your subscription cancels only through Google Play or the Apple App Store, not through the Public app itself. Return to your app store account within 24 hours of cancellation to confirm that Public no longer appears in your active subscriptions list.
Mistake 4: ignoring follow-up emails from the app store
Google Play and Apple send follow-up retention emails after cancellation, offering discounts or free trial extensions. Consequently, do not click "Accept offer" or any promotional links in these emails, as they may restart your subscription. If you receive such an email and wish to keep your subscription cancelled, simply delete the email or mark it as spam.
Checklist: confirm your cancellation is final
Use this checklist to verify that your cancellation is complete and secure.
| Action |
Completed |
| Cancelled subscription through Google Play or Apple App Store (not through the app) |
✓ |
| Saved the cancellation confirmation email from app store |
✓ |
| Took a screenshot of the cancellation screen as backup proof |
✓ |
| Verified that Public no longer appears in active subscriptions (checked 24 hours later) |
✓ |
| Marked renewal date on calendar and set phone reminder 5 days before it |
✓ |
| Logged into app store account 3 days before renewal to confirm no unexpected charge |
✓ |
Comparison: cancellation on android vs. iOS
Both platforms follow similar cancellation logic, but the interface and timing differ slightly. This table summarises the key differences.
| Factor |
Google Play (Android) |
Apple App Store (iOS) |
| Cancellation method |
Tap profile icon > Payments and subscriptions > Subscriptions > Public > Cancel subscription |
Tap profile icon > Subscriptions > Public > Cancel Subscription |
| Refund window (standard) |
48 hours from purchase or 15 days from renewal |
Up to 90 days from purchase date |
| Confirmation email |
Received within 5 minutes |
Received within 5 minutes |
| Access until end of billing cycle |
Yes |
Yes |
| Retention offers during cancellation |
May appear; you can decline |
May appear; you can decline |
| Recommended for users who want longest refund window |
N/A |
Apple's 90-day window offers more flexibility |
Your next steps and final guidance
Cancellation is now complete, and your recurring charges will stop. Nevertheless, your responsibility does not end here. Monitor your billing for 3 billing cycles to ensure no unexpected charges appear. If you notice a charge after your confirmed cancellation, contact your app store immediately and escalate to the Central Consumer Protection Authority if necessary. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers successfully cancel subscriptions and recover unauthorised charges by following these steps and knowing their consumer rights. Your documentation (cancellation email, screenshots, and app store account records) is your strongest defence if any dispute arises. Finally, if Public attempts to charge you after your cancellation date or refuses to honour your request, Yafee is here to guide you through your legal remedies under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. Take action today, protect your account, and reclaim control of your subscription spending.