How to cancel Novelmates and stop recurring charges in malaysia
What Novelmates is and why you might want to cancel
Novelmates is a subscription-based reading application operated by HK IReader Technology Limited, offering access to digital fiction and story content through recurring payment plans. Understanding what you have signed up for is the first step toward cancelling effectively.
The service model and pricing structure
Novelmates operates on a freemium model with paid subscription tiers. The service charges you weekly or annually for unlimited access to its library of digital novels and stories. Your subscription renews automatically unless you actively cancel it, which is the standard practice for Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms.
The pricing in Malaysian ringgit breaks down as follows. A weekly plan begins with an introductory rate of approximately RM14.11 for the first week, then increases to RM70.75 per week thereafter. An annual plan typically offers a 3-day free trial, after which you are charged approximately RM471.95 per year. These conversions from USD pricing mean your actual charge may fluctuate slightly depending on exchange rates.
| Plan type |
Introductory period |
Introductory cost (RM) |
Regular renewal cost |
Renewal frequency |
| Weekly plan |
First week |
RM14.11 |
RM70.75 |
Every 7 days |
| Annual plan |
3-day free trial |
Free |
RM471.95 |
Every 12 months |
Why malaysian users struggle to cancel
The primary reason Novelmates cancellations present difficulty for Malaysian subscribers stems from the absence of a Malaysian office, customer service telephone number, or published support email address. The company does not maintain a dedicated Malaysian portal or localized support channel. Consequently, users must navigate cancellation through app-store interfaces or payment provider systems, which adds complexity.
Additionally, many subscribers sign up during a promotional period and only notice the higher renewal charge after the trial ends. This surprise timing catches users off guard and creates urgency to cancel before the next billing cycle. Yafee has analyzed hundreds of cancellation complaints, and the pattern is consistent: users do not realize where their subscription actually sits-whether in the app itself, on Apple's servers, or on Google Play-until they attempt cancellation.
Your consumer rights and what the law guarantees you
As a consumer in Malaysia, your cancellation rights are protected by clear statutory law that applies regardless of where Novelmates is registered.
The consumer protection act 1999 and your cancellation right
The Consumer Protection Act 1999 is the primary federal statute governing consumer transactions in Malaysia. Section 5 of the Act establishes that a consumer has the right to fair treatment, accurate information, and the right to cancel a distance contract within a specified cooling-off period. Because Novelmates is supplied digitally and your contract is formed online, this Act applies to your subscription.
Under Section 10 of the Consumer Protection Act 1999, you possess a cooling-off period of 14 calendar days from the date you enter into the contract. During this period, you may cancel your subscription without providing a reason. Yafee emphasizes that this protection exists specifically to shield you from lock-in arrangements and unwanted recurring charges.
Importantly, if you are still within the 14-day cooling-off period and you have not yet consumed the digital content, you are entitled to a full refund. The supplier must process this refund within 30 days of your cancellation notice. If you cancel after the 14-day window has closed, your refund eligibility depends on the terms you accepted and the ground on which you cancel.
Your legal position on recurring billing
Your legal position strengthens further if Novelmates has not made the recurring nature of the charge sufficiently clear before you subscribed. Section 139A of the Consumer Protection Act 1999 specifically regulates unsolicited goods and services supplied via distance contracts. If the service provider failed to obtain your express, informed consent to the recurring charge, you may claim the charge as unauthorized.
Furthermore, the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 entitles you to transparency about how your payment information is stored and used for renewal purposes. If Novelmates continues to bill you after cancellation without your permission, this constitutes a breach of your privacy and payment rights.
Yafee advises that your remedy route is clear: first, submit a formal cancellation request to the company. If they refuse or fail to respond within 30 days, escalate to the Consumer Claims Tribunal (Tribunal Tuntutan Pengguna) for claims up to RM20,000, or file a complaint with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDNHEP) for systematic violations.
How to cancel Novelmates step by step
Your cancellation method depends on which platform you used to subscribe. Follow the relevant path below to ensure your subscription ends before the next billing date.
Step 1: verify your subscription location and renewal date
Before you cancel, you must identify exactly where your subscription is managed and when it will next renew. This information determines which cancellation method you use.
- Open your email account and search for receipts from "Novelmates", "Apple", or "Google Play". Save the most recent receipt.
- Note the transaction amount in ringgit.
- Record the exact date shown for the next billing cycle.
- Check your payment card or bank statement for the merchant name and date of the most recent charge.
- If the merchant is "Apple Inc" or "Google Ireland Limited", your subscription is platform-managed.
- If the merchant shows a different name, contact your bank for clarification.
- Screenshot or photograph the current payment screen, including the plan name and renewal date.
Step 2: cancel via apple subscription settings (iPhone, iPad, or mac users)
If you subscribed on an Apple device and charges appear on your Apple ID, use Apple's official subscription management interface to cancel. This method is direct and produces an immediate confirmation record.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
- On Mac, click System Settings, then tap your name at the top.
- Tap or click your name at the top of the menu.
- Select "Media & Purchases" (or "iTunes & App Store" on older iOS versions).
- Tap "Apple ID" and then select "View Apple ID".
- Scroll to "Subscriptions" and tap it.
- Find "Novelmates: Best Stories and Novels" in the list.
- Tap "Manage" next to the Novelmates subscription.
- Tap "Cancel Subscription" and confirm your choice.
- Screenshot the cancellation confirmation page, which shows the date your access will end.
Apple will email you a cancellation confirmation to your registered Apple ID email address. Your subscription will continue until the end of the current billing period, and access will be revoked on the next renewal date. You will not be charged again after that date.
Step 3: cancel via google play (Android users)
If you subscribed on an Android device through Google Play, use Google's subscription management system to cancel. Your cancellation takes effect on your next billing date.
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
- Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Select "Payments and subscriptions".
- Tap "Subscriptions".
- Find and tap "Novelmates" in the list of your active subscriptions.
- Tap "Cancel subscription".
- Select your reason for cancellation from the dropdown menu (optional, but helpful for feedback).
- Tap "Cancel subscription" again to confirm.
- Photograph or screenshot the confirmation message showing your cancellation date.
Google Play will send a confirmation email to your registered Google account email address. Your access to Novelmates content ends on the final day of your current subscription period. Yafee recommends checking your email within 24 hours to verify the cancellation went through.
Step 4: request cancellation directly through the Novelmates app (if app-store methods fail)
If you cannot locate your subscription via Apple or Google Play, the subscription may be managed directly by Novelmates through its own payment processing. Attempt cancellation within the app by following this path.
- Open the Novelmates app.
- Navigate to the account or profile section, usually found at the bottom menu or in the top-right corner.
- Look for options labeled "Subscription", "Membership", "Manage Subscription", "Billing", or "Account Settings".
- Tap the option that allows you to view or manage your current subscription.
- Select "Cancel", "Stop Subscription", or "Downgrade to Free".
- Confirm the cancellation by tapping the final confirmation button.
- Screenshot the page showing your subscription status has changed to "Cancelled" or "Inactive".
If the app does not provide a visible cancellation button, take a screenshot showing the account screen and note the date. Proceed to the next section to submit a formal cancellation request.
Step 5: submit a formal cancellation request if app methods fail
If the app or platform methods do not resolve your cancellation, submit a written request directly to HK IReader Technology Limited. This creates a legal record of your cancellation intent and triggers the 30-day refund window under the Consumer Protection Act 1999.
- Compose an email with the subject line "Cancellation of Novelmates Subscription Account".
- Include the following information:
- Your full name.
- The email address linked to your Novelmates account.
- Your Novelmates user ID (if visible in the app profile).
- The exact renewal date of your next charge.
- The amount charged on your most recent bill in ringgit.
- A clear statement: "I hereby request immediate cancellation of my subscription effective from today's date."
- Send your request to the support contact address listed in your subscription receipt or app (usually a support@ or help@ domain).
- If no support email is visible, check your original confirmation email for a support link.
- Send the email and set a reminder to follow up in 5 business days if you do not receive a response.
- Save the sent email and any automated response for your records.
Retain a copy of this email as evidence of your cancellation request. If the company does not acknowledge your request within 7 days, escalate to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living's Consumer Affairs Division.
What happens after you cancel Novelmates
Cancellation does not happen instantly. Understanding the timeline prevents confusion and ensures you take the right action if charges continue.
Your access window after cancellation
Once you cancel, your Novelmates access continues until the end of your current billing period. If your next renewal date is 15 March 2025, you retain full access until 14 March 2025 at 11:59 PM, and you will not be charged on 15 March. This period allows you to download or finish reading content before your access closes.
After the access period ends, you lose the ability to read premium content, but your account history remains in the app. You can reinstall the app and log back in to view your reading history without payment.
Refund eligibility and how to claim
You are eligible for a refund if you cancel within 14 days of your initial subscription purchase under the Consumer Protection Act 1999. Additionally, if Novelmates charged you after you submitted a valid cancellation request, you may claim a refund for those unauthorized charges, regardless of the 14-day window.
To claim a refund, send a follow-up email to Novelmates support with the subject "Refund Request for Cancelled Novelmates Subscription". Include the same account details listed above, plus the amount you wish refunded and your preferred refund method (credit card or alternative payment account). Yafee advises attaching a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation and a copy of your bank statement showing the charge.
Novelmates must respond to your refund request within 30 days. If they refuse without valid cause, you have the right to escalate to the Consumer Claims Tribunal, which can order a refund of up to RM20,000.
Monitor your bank account and dispute unauthorized charges
Check your bank or card statement 2-3 days after your scheduled access end date to confirm no further charges have been applied. If you discover a charge from Novelmates or its payment processor after cancellation, take these steps immediately.
- Contact your bank's fraud or disputes department.
- Provide them with:
- The date and amount of the unauthorized charge.
- Your cancellation confirmation email or screenshot.
- Proof you requested cancellation before the charge occurred.
- Request a chargeback or credit within 30 days.
- Inform the bank you are also filing a complaint with KPDNHEP (see next section).
Common mistakes that delay or prevent cancellation
Cancellation often fails not because of Novelmates, but because users take shortcuts. Below are the traps to avoid.
Deleting the app without cancelling the subscription
This is the most frequent error. Removing the Novelmates app from your phone does not stop your subscription or cancel your recurring charge. The subscription lives in Apple's or Google Play's system, not in the app itself. You will still be charged on your renewal date even though the app no longer appears on your device.
Always cancel through Settings or Google Play before you delete the app. Yafee has seen countless cases where users deleted the app and assumed the charges would stop, only to discover three months later that they had been billed repeatedly.
Assuming a "free trial" ends automatically
Many Novelmates users believe a free trial period automatically converts to no charge or a free account once it expires. This is incorrect. Trials are pre-authorized renewals: when the trial ends, your payment method is charged unless you have already cancelled. Set a phone reminder for two days before your trial ends and cancel proactively.
Ignoring or misplacing your renewal date
If you do not know the exact date your subscription renews, you cannot cancel in time. The moment the renewal date passes, you have been charged and must then claim a refund. Write down your renewal date in a calendar or set a phone alert at least 7 days before it occurs.
Trying to cancel through the wrong support channel
Novelmates has no public customer service email or phone line listed on a Malaysian website. If you email a generic support address, your message may be lost or delayed. Always use the support link or email address shown in your original subscription receipt or confirmation email.
How to prevent Novelmates charges from restarting
Once cancelled, protect yourself by monitoring your account and understanding what "cancelled" actually means on each platform.
Verify your subscription status immediately after cancellation
Do not assume your cancellation succeeded just because you tapped a button. Return to your subscription settings 24 hours later and check your subscription status. It should show "Cancelled", "Expired", or "No Active Subscription". If it still shows "Active" or a future renewal date, repeat the cancellation steps or contact support immediately.
Check your account in the Novelmates app
Log back into the Novelmates app after cancellation. Your account should display a message indicating your subscription has ended and when access will be revoked. If the app still shows you as a paying subscriber, screenshot this and include it in your dispute with the company.
Keep cancellation confirmations permanently
Store all cancellation confirmations-emails, screenshots, and receipts-in a dedicated folder on your computer or cloud storage. These documents protect you if Novelmates later claims you did not cancel or if you need to prove cancellation to your bank for a dispute.
Your checklist before and after cancellation
Use this checklist to ensure your cancellation is complete and your account is secure.
| Task |
Completed |
Notes |
| Locate most recent Novelmates receipt or charge confirmation |
[ ] |
Save this email immediately |
| Record exact next renewal date from receipt or app |
[ ] |
Set phone alarm 7 days before this date |
| Check Apple ID or Google Play for active Novelmates subscription |
[ ] |
Screenshot the subscription status |
| Submit cancellation through correct platform (Apple, Google, or app) |
[ ] |
Screenshot confirmation page immediately |
| Verify cancellation status 24 hours later in settings or app |
[ ] |
Should show "Cancelled" or no active subscription |
| Check bank statement 3 days after access end date for unauthorized charges |
[ ] |
If charged after cancellation, contact bank immediately |
Escalation: what to do if Novelmates refuses to cancel
If Novelmates ignores your cancellation request or continues charging you after cancellation, you have legal remedies under Malaysian consumer law.
The consumer claims tribunal pathway
The Consumer Claims Tribunal (Tribunal Tuntutan Pengguna) is a fast, low-cost forum for consumer disputes up to RM20,000. You do not need a lawyer. You file a claim directly, and the Tribunal orders Novelmates to appear and defend itself.
To file a claim, visit your nearest Tribunal office or the official Tribunal website. You will need to provide your cancellation request email, confirmation of charges, and proof you asked the company to stop billing. The Tribunal typically resolves claims within 30 to 60 days. If you win, the Tribunal can order a full refund plus compensation.
The ministry of domestic trade and cost of living (KPDNHEP)
For systematic violations-for example, if Novelmates has refused refunds to multiple Malaysian consumers-file a complaint with KPDNHEP's Consumer Affairs Division. This office investigates patterns of unfair trading practices and can take regulatory action against the company.
Submit your complaint in writing or online at the KPDNHEP website, including the same documentation: your cancellation request, receipts, and evidence of continued billing. KPDNHEP does not award individual refunds but can compel the company to change its practices and stop violating the Consumer Protection Act 1999.
Yafee recommends copying both remedies in parallel if the company refuses to respond. Many companies resolve disputes quickly once they receive notice of a formal tribunal claim or regulatory complaint.
Pricing, plans and what you might keep instead
Before you finalize cancellation, consider whether another plan tier or a competitor service might suit you better.
| Plan |
Initial cost (RM) |
Renewal cost |
Best for |
Cancel recommended |
| Weekly plan |
RM14.11 |
RM70.75 per week |
Short-term trial users |
Yes, if unsure |
| Annual plan |
Free (3-day trial) |
RM471.95 per year |
Committed daily readers |
Maybe-better value if you read frequently |
| Free tier |
Free |
Free |
Casual readers, full control |
No-downgrade instead of cancel |
If you find yourself cancelling because the weekly charge is too high, consider downgrading to the annual plan or switching to Novelmates' free tier instead of cancelling entirely. The annual plan amortizes to about RM9.08 per week, which may be cheaper than the recurring weekly rate.
Because Novelmates operates with no published Malaysian office, use the following escalation paths.
Direct contact attempts
Search your Novelmates subscription receipt, confirmation email, or app settings for a support email address. This is your first contact point. If the app shows no support information, check the email address shown on your bank statement for the merchant name and contact that payment processor's customer service to request Novelmates' contact details.
Consumer claims tribunal malaysia
Website: Visit the official Tribunal Tuntutan Pengguna website to locate your nearest office and file a claim online.
Address (Kuala Lumpur head office): Level 4, Block A, Maju Junction, Kuala Lumpur.
Telephone: 03-4101 7000
Ministry of domestic trade and cost of living (KPDNHEP)
Website: www.kpdnhep.gov.my
Consumer Affairs Division: File complaints online or visit any state KPDNHEP office.
Telephone: 1-800-88-5050 (toll-free consumer hotline)
Your bank or credit card issuer
If Novelmates continues to charge you after cancellation, contact your bank's disputes department immediately. Provide them with your cancellation confirmation and request a chargeback. Your bank can recover the funds within 30 days in most cases.
Summary and next steps
Cancelling Novelmates in Malaysia requires clarity on where your subscription is managed-Apple, Google Play, or directly through the app-and knowledge of your legal rights under the Consumer Protection Act 1999. You have a 14-day cooling-off period from purchase, and you retain the right to demand a refund for any charge incurred after a valid cancellation request.
The cancellation process itself is straightforward if you follow the platform-specific steps outlined above. The critical mistakes-deleting the app instead of cancelling, ignoring renewal dates, and sending cancellation requests to wrong addresses-are entirely avoidable with the checklist provided.
If Novelmates refuses to honour your cancellation or continues to charge you, escalate immediately to the Consumer Claims Tribunal or KPDNHEP. Your legal position is strong, and Malaysian consumer law backs your claim for a refund and compensation.
Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover unauthorized charges by following these exact steps and legal frameworks. Whether you are cancelling because the cost is too high, you have finished reading, or you simply changed your mind, your cancellation right is guaranteed. Act within 14 days of your purchase for maximum protection, keep all confirmations, and do not hesitate to escalate if the company fails to respond. Yafee remains here to provide clarity on any subscription cancellation issue you encounter in Malaysia. Start your cancellation today using the method that matches your subscription platform, and reclaim control of your recurring charges.