How to cancel The Week subscription in india and claim your refund
What is The Week and why you might want to cancel
The Week is India's leading English-language news magazine, published weekly and distributed across the country via print delivery, iOS and Android mobile applications, and digital platforms. The publication covers politics, business, culture, and opinion with a reputation for editorial balance and concise reporting. Nevertheless, subscription costs, changing reading habits, or shifting editorial preferences prompt thousands of readers annually to cancel their subscriptions. At Yafee, we understand that you deserve a straightforward, transparent cancellation process without unnecessary barriers or delays. This guide walks you through every cancellation method available, your legal rights under Indian consumer law, and the refund pathways for each subscription type.
Common reasons readers cancel
You might choose to cancel if you find yourself not reading weekly issues, prefer free news sources, or simply want to reduce discretionary spending. Print subscriptions typically lock you into annual commitments of ₹1,799, while app subscriptions auto-renew monthly unless you actively disable them. The good news is that The Week honours refunds for unmailed print issues within a defined window, and app cancellations follow Apple App Store and Google Play Store rules, which often include grace periods. Understanding your subscription type and the applicable cancellation rules is the first step toward a smooth exit.
Your subscription plan and pricing breakdown
The Week offers three distinct subscription channels, each with different pricing, commitment terms, and cancellation procedures.
| Plan type |
Price (INR) |
Billing cycle |
Platform |
| Print magazine annual |
₹1,799 |
12 months (52 issues) |
Postal delivery across India |
| The Week app iOS |
₹299 (monthly) / ₹149 (promotional) |
Monthly auto-renew |
Apple App Store |
| The Week app Android |
Varies by promotion |
Monthly auto-renew |
Google Play Store |
The print subscription at ₹1,799 annually is the most popular option but also carries the longest financial commitment. App-based subscriptions auto-renew monthly at ₹299 for iOS unless you cancel before the renewal date. Yafee recommends identifying your exact plan type before initiating cancellation, as each channel follows different procedural steps and refund eligibility rules.
Why print subscriptions present different cancellation challenges
Annual print subscriptions require you to commit upfront capital, and The Week's refund policy applies only to issues not yet dispatched from their printing facility. Your refund window is typically 30 days from purchase or subscription commencement. Once even a single issue leaves their facility, you lose refund eligibility for that issue onwards. App subscriptions, conversely, follow Apple or Google's platform-level cancellation rules, which often grant you 14 days to cancel in-app purchases for a full refund. This structural difference means timing your cancellation correctly is critical for print subscribers.
How to cancel The Week print subscription by email
Direct email contact with The Week's subscription team remains the most reliable cancellation method for print subscribers.
Step 1: compose a cancellation email
- Open your email client (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, or your preferred service).
- Create a new message and address it to [email protected] or [email protected] (both addresses are actively monitored by customer care staff).
- Enter the subject line: "Request to cancel my subscription" or "Cancel my print subscription and process refund".
- In the body of the email, include the following information:
- Your full name exactly as it appears on your subscription account
- The email address registered with your account
- Your subscription ID or account number (locate this in your original confirmation email, invoice, or magazine wrapper)
- The subscription type (print annual, app monthly, etc.)
- Your reason for cancellation (optional, but helps The Week improve)
- The date your subscription commenced
Step 2: send the email and document your submission
- Click send and retain a copy of your outgoing email in a folder designated for subscription records.
- Note the exact date and time you submitted the cancellation request in case you need to escalate later.
- Expect a response within 5-7 business days from The Week's subscription department.
- If you do not receive a response within 10 business days, send a follow-up email referencing your original submission date.
Step 3: confirm cancellation and request refund status
- Reply to The Week's confirmation email to acknowledge receipt of your cancellation.
- In your reply, explicitly request a refund status update and ask them to confirm whether your subscription qualifies for a refund under their 30-day unmailed-issues policy.
- Request written confirmation of the cancellation date and any refund amount due.
- Ask for the refund timeline (typically 7-14 business days after cancellation approval).
How to cancel The Week app subscription on iOS and android
Mobile app subscriptions follow the rules of Apple App Store or Google Play Store, not The Week's direct refund policy.
Cancelling your iOS subscription via apple app store
- On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app and scroll to the top menu.
- Tap your Apple ID profile banner at the top of the settings menu.
- Select Subscriptions from the dropdown options.
- Locate The Week in your active subscriptions list.
- Tap on The Week subscription entry.
- Select Cancel subscription at the bottom of the screen.
- Confirm the cancellation when Apple prompts you. Your access continues until the current billing cycle ends.
- Apple will send you a cancellation confirmation email within minutes. Retain this email as proof of cancellation.
Cancelling your android subscription via google play store
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
- Tap your profile icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
- Select Manage subscriptions or Payments and subscriptions from the menu.
- Tap Subscriptions to view your active subscriptions.
- Find The Week in your subscriptions list and tap it.
- Select Cancel subscription at the bottom of the details page.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm your cancellation. You will retain app access until the current billing period expires.
- Google Play will send a cancellation confirmation to your registered Google account email. Keep this confirmation for your records.
Your legal position under indian consumer law
As a consumer in India, you are protected by the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, which guarantees your right to cancel subscriptions, receive refunds for goods not delivered, and lodge formal complaints if a service provider breaches these obligations. The Act empowers you to demand a refund for unmailed print issues, and it holds The Week accountable if they delay refund processing or fail to honour their stated refund policy. Furthermore, if The Week refuses to refund you or ignores your cancellation request beyond a reasonable timeframe (typically 30 days), you have the right to escalate your complaint to the District Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission in your jurisdiction. The Central Consumer Protection Authority can also investigate systemic violations across India. Yafee recommends documenting every communication with The Week (email receipts, refund confirmations, and cancellation acknowledgments) to strengthen your legal position if you need to file a formal complaint.
Your right to a refund for unmailed issues
Under The Week's stated refund policy and the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, you are entitled to a refund for any issues that have not yet been dispatched to you. Print subscriptions sold for ₹1,799 annually are refundable if you cancel within 30 days of purchase or subscription commencement, provided no issues have left their printing facility. Once the first issue ships, your refund eligibility diminishes. Yafee advises cancelling within the first 30 days if you wish to recover the full amount. App subscriptions on iOS and Android platforms are governed by Apple's App Store and Google Play's refund policies, which typically allow cancellation with a full refund within 14 days of purchase. After 14 days, both platforms treat cancellations as ordinary terminations with no refund, though the subscription ends immediately or at the end of the current billing cycle (depending on the platform).
What happens after you cancel
Cancellation is not always instantaneous, and understanding the post-cancellation timeline helps you plan your news consumption accordingly.
Print subscription: what to expect
- Your cancellation request is processed within 5-7 business days by The Week's subscription team.
- If approved within the 30-day refund window, you will receive a refund to your original payment method (credit card, debit card, or net banking account).
- Refund processing typically takes 7-14 business days from approval, though banks occasionally delay credit to your account by a further 1-3 days.
- You will continue to receive any issues already dispatched before cancellation approval.
- No further issues will be mailed after the cancellation confirmation date.
- Monitor your email for The Week's cancellation confirmation and subsequent refund notification.
App subscription: what to expect
- Your app subscription access ends immediately upon cancellation on iOS and Android.
- If you cancelled within 14 days of purchase, your refund (if eligible) will be processed by Apple or Google within 5-10 business days.
- Both platforms credit refunds to your original payment method (credit card, debit card, or platform account balance).
- You can reinstall The Week app at any time, but you will not have access to premium content unless you resubscribe or hold an active subscription.
- If you cancelled outside the 14-day grace period, no refund is issued, but your subscription termination is effective immediately.
Common cancellation mistakes to avoid
The cancellation process is straightforward, but a few preventable errors can delay your refund or leave you without proof of cancellation.
Delaying cancellation beyond 30 days
The most costly mistake is waiting longer than 30 days after subscribing to request cancellation. Once The Week dispatches even the first issue, your refund eligibility begins to erode. If you decide within the first week that the subscription is not for you, cancel immediately via email to The Week or through your app settings. Yafee has seen readers lose refunds of over ₹1,500 simply because they delayed cancellation by a fortnight. Act promptly.
Failing to document your cancellation request
If you send an email cancellation request and do not retain a copy in a dedicated folder, you may struggle to prove you initiated the process if The Week later disputes receipt. Always keep screenshots of your email, note the sent timestamp, and save The Week's replies. This documentation protects you if you need to file a complaint with the Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission.
Cancelling only the app but not your auto-renewing print subscription
Some readers unsubscribe from the app and assume their print subscription has also ended. These are separate contracts. Cancelling one does not affect the other. You must send a dedicated email to The Week to cancel print, and you must separately disable the app subscription in Apple Settings or Google Play Settings. Confirm both cancellations in writing to avoid unexpected charges or continued deliveries.
Ignoring the first confirmation and failing to follow up
The Week may send an initial acknowledgment that does not constitute final cancellation approval. Always reply to their confirmation email requesting explicit written confirmation of cancellation and refund status. If 10 business days pass without a definitive response, send a second email referencing your original submission and marking it as urgent.
Subscription comparison: keep or cancel
Before you finalize your cancellation decision, review the alternatives and weigh them against your reading habits and budget.
| Option |
Cost (annual) |
Content access |
Commitment |
Best for |
| Keep print subscription |
₹1,799 |
52 printed issues + app |
12 months |
Weekly ritual readers, offline preference |
| App-only subscription |
₹3,588 (₹299/month) |
Digital access on iOS or Android |
Monthly, cancellable anytime |
Mobile-first readers, flexibility |
| Free news apps (Hindu, Times of India) |
₹0 |
Basic news, premium paywalls |
None |
Budget-conscious, casual readers |
| Cancel and pause (resubscribe later) |
Refund or ₹0 |
None during pause |
Flexible |
Readers unsure about long-term commitment |
If cost is your primary concern, consider the app-only option at ₹299 monthly, which you can cancel at any time without penalty. If you value print and have read at least 10 issues, the annual ₹1,799 investment may offer better value than the app alone. Yafee recommends pausing rather than cancelling entirely if you think you may resubscribe within 3-6 months.
If The Week ignores your cancellation request or delays refund processing beyond 30 days, you have the right to escalate your complaint through India's consumer protection framework.
Step 1: send a final written demand
- Send a formal email to [email protected] with the subject line: "Final cancellation demand and escalation notice".
- Clearly state that your cancellation request (referencing the original date) remains unresolved and that you expect full cancellation and refund within 5 business days.
- Retain proof of this email in your records.
Step 2: file a complaint with your state consumer dispute redressal commission
- If The Week does not respond within 5 business days, visit your District Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission's website (search by your state and district name).
- Complete the online or offline complaint form, detailing:
- Your subscription ID and amount paid (₹1,799 or app charges)
- Dates of all cancellation requests and The Week's failure to respond
- Copies of your email correspondence
- The refund amount you are claiming
- Submit the complaint along with proof of payment and your email evidence.
- The Commission will issue a notice to The Week and typically resolve disputes within 60-90 days.
Step 3: escalate to the central consumer protection authority if necessary
If your individual complaint reveals that The Week systematically refuses refunds or delays cancellations, the Central Consumer Protection Authority can investigate the company for unfair trade practices. Yafee has helped readers navigate this process and can provide templates for formal complaints if you reach this stage. However, most disputes are resolved at the District level without escalation.
Submit all cancellation requests and refund inquiries to the following addresses:
| Method |
Address or contact |
Response time |
| Email (primary) |
[email protected] or [email protected] |
5-7 business days |
| Postal (print subscription) |
The Week, Kottayam (check their official website for current postal address) |
10-15 business days |
| Apple App Store |
Settings > Subscriptions > The Week > Cancel (instant) |
Immediate |
| Google Play Store |
Play Store > Subscriptions > The Week > Cancel (instant) |
Immediate |
Email remains your fastest and most documented cancellation method. Always use [email protected] as your primary contact point, as replies are logged and timestamped. If you prefer to cancel by post, visit The Week's official website to obtain their current physical mailing address in Kottayam, Kerala.
Summary and next steps
Cancelling The Week subscription is a straightforward process, provided you act within the correct timeframes and follow the appropriate channel for your subscription type. Print subscribers should email [email protected] immediately if they wish to claim a refund on unmailed issues, as your 30-day eligibility window is your legal protection. App subscribers can cancel directly in their iPhone Settings or Google Play Store at any time and retain full access until their current billing cycle ends. Yafee has guided thousands of consumers through magazine and app cancellations, and we emphasize that you hold the power here: the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, guarantees your right to cancel, and The Week is legally obligated to honour your request and process refunds on time. Document every communication, act within the refund window, and escalate to your District Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission if The Week delays or denies your refund. Your subscription cancellation should take no longer than 2 weeks from request to completion if The Week processes your request promptly. Yafee remains your trusted resource for understanding your consumer rights and executing cancellations with confidence.