How to cancel Shortmax in nigeria and stop automatic renewals
What Shortmax is and why you might want to cancel
Shortmax is a mobile-first streaming platform that delivers short-form drama episodes and serialized Nigerian content to viewers across the country. You can access it through the Apple App Store, Google Play, or direct web purchases, with both one-time episode purchases and weekly subscription passes available. Many subscribers sign up for the weekly pass to explore new content, then discover the subscription renews automatically or simply doesn't match their viewing habits. At Yafee, we recognise that subscription fatigue is real, and cancelling should never feel like navigating a legal maze.
How Shortmax operates in nigeria
Shortmax functions as a content delivery platform where you purchase individual episodes or subscribe to weekly passes for unlimited access during that period. Your billing flows through either Apple's ecosystem, Google's Play Store, or Shortmax's own web payment system. Consequently, your cancellation path depends entirely on where you made your initial purchase, and this is where most Nigerian consumers encounter confusion. Your payment platform, not Shortmax alone, controls whether your subscription renews.
Why identifying your subscription source matters
Your cancellation method, refund eligibility, and access timeline all hinge on which platform processed your payment. If you subscribed through Apple, you cancel through Apple's billing system. If you went via Google Play, you manage it there. If you bought directly from Shortmax's web portal, you interact with Shortmax's billing department. Understanding which path you took is your first strategic move, and Yafee will walk you through all three routes in detail below.
Your consumer rights under nigerian law
Nigeria's Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2019 protects you as a digital consumer and gives you legal leverage if Shortmax or any payment platform refuses to honour your cancellation or wrongfully charges you after you've withdrawn consent.
What the federal competition and consumer protection act guarantees you
Under the FCCPA, you hold the right to fair dealing, honest transactions, and clear disclosure of subscription terms before you pay any money. If a subscription auto-renews without your explicit consent or if you are charged after you have cancelled, that constitutes a breach of consumer protection law. The FCCPA also grants you the right to seek redress from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) if a company ignores your cancellation request or complaint. Yafee recommends keeping screenshots of your cancellation confirmation, any receipt showing the date you cancelled, and documentation of any unexpected charges after cancellation. These records become your evidence if you need to escalate to the regulator.
Your legal position if cancellation fails
If Shortmax continues to charge you after you have cancelled through the correct platform, or if Apple or Google refuses to process your cancellation request, you possess statutory remedies. Document every communication and transaction, then file a formal complaint with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. The FCCPC investigates unfair business practices, can compel refunds, and may impose penalties on offending companies. This is your ultimate safety net when a platform ignores your documented request to cancel.
When to escalate to the FCCPC
Escalate immediately if you have cancelled through the correct platform (Apple, Google, or Shortmax directly) yet billing continues after 7 days, or if you receive no cancellation confirmation within 48 hours of submitting your request. The FCCPC operates a consumer complaints portal online, and you can file your case with screenshots, transaction records, and copies of cancellation requests as supporting evidence.
How to cancel through the apple app store
If you subscribed to Shortmax via your iPhone or iPad, Apple manages your billing and subscription renewal. You must cancel directly in iOS Settings, not through the Shortmax app itself.
Step 1: open settings and locate your apple ID
Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Look for your name or "Apple ID" at the very top of the Settings menu and tap it. This takes you to your Apple ID account dashboard.
Step 2: access your subscriptions list
Once in your Apple ID settings, tap "Subscriptions" (or "Media & Purchases" followed by "Subscriptions" on older iOS versions). You will see a complete list of all active subscriptions linked to your Apple ID account.
Step 3: select Shortmax and confirm cancellation
Scroll through your subscriptions until you find Shortmax. Tap on it. You will see your renewal date and the option to "Cancel Subscription" or "Edit" your plan. Tap "Cancel Subscription" and confirm your decision. Apple will display your final renewal date and confirm cancellation immediately.
Step 4: verify the cancellation confirmation
After you tap confirm, Apple displays a cancellation confirmation on screen. Take a screenshot of this page immediately for your records. Apple also sends a cancellation confirmation email to your registered Apple ID email address within 24 hours. Save this email as proof of cancellation.
How to cancel through google play
If you subscribed to Shortmax via an Android device using Google Play, Google handles your billing and renewal. You cancel directly through the Google Play app or Google Play website, not within Shortmax itself.
Step 1: open google play and access your account menu
On your Android device, open the Google Play app. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner, then tap "Payments and subscriptions." This opens your subscription management dashboard.
Step 2: find your active subscriptions
Tap "Subscriptions" to view all active subscription services linked to your Google Play account. You will see a list of every service you subscribe to, along with renewal dates and pricing.
Step 3: select Shortmax from your list
Locate Shortmax in your subscriptions list and tap it. Google will display your current subscription details, including the amount you pay, renewal frequency, and your next billing date. Tap "Cancel subscription" at the bottom of the screen.
Step 4: review the cancellation notice and confirm
Google will display information about what happens when you cancel (for example, whether you retain access until your current billing period ends). Tap "Cancel subscription" again to confirm. Google displays a final confirmation page and sends a cancellation email to your registered Google account email address within a few hours.
Step 5: keep proof of cancellation
Screenshot your cancellation confirmation screen and save the Google confirmation email that arrives. These form your official record that you cancelled on a specific date.
How to cancel through shortmax's web portal
If you purchased Shortmax directly from the company's website using a credit card, bank transfer, or direct payment method (rather than through Apple or Google), you must contact Shortmax's support team to cancel your subscription and billing.
Step 1: gather your account information
Before contacting Shortmax, prepare the email address you used to register your account, your full name, and your phone number (if you registered one). Locate any invoice or receipt email from Shortmax confirming your subscription purchase and the date it began.
Step 2: send your cancellation request by email
Email Shortmax support directly at [email protected] with the subject line "Subscription cancellation request." In the email body, clearly state the following: your registered email address, your full name, the date you wish the cancellation to take effect, and the reason for cancellation (this is optional). Keep your tone professional and factual. For example: "I am writing to formally cancel my Shortmax subscription effective immediately. My registered email is [your email], my name is [your name], and my last billing date was [date]."
Step 3: request written cancellation confirmation
In your email, explicitly ask Shortmax to confirm your cancellation in writing within 48 hours. Request confirmation of your cancellation date, your access end date, and details of any refund (if applicable). This creates a documented trail showing Shortmax received your cancellation request and when you sent it.
Step 4: monitor for confirmation and verify billing
Watch your registered email inbox for Shortmax's response. If you do not receive a reply within 48 hours, send a follow-up email to the same address referencing your original cancellation request. After receiving confirmation, check your bank statement or payment method 3 to 5 days later to ensure no new charges appear. If you are still charged after 7 days from your cancellation email, proceed to the refund section of this guide.
What happens after you cancel
Understanding your post-cancellation status prevents confusion and helps you spot unauthorised charges early.
Your access timeline after cancellation
When you cancel through Apple, Google, or Shortmax, your access typically continues until the end of your current billing period. For example, if you subscribed to a weekly pass on Monday and cancel on Wednesday, you retain access until the following Sunday. You will not be charged for the next billing cycle. After your access period ends, the Shortmax app will either block new content or demand a fresh subscription payment.
Checking your payment method for refunds
Refunds depend on your specific circumstances. If you cancelled within 14 days of your initial purchase and did not consume significant content, Apple and Google typically process automatic refunds (this varies by platform and circumstances). Shortmax itself does not usually issue refunds for weekly passes unless you cancellation was within 24 hours of purchase. Check your bank account or payment method 5 to 7 business days after cancellation. If no refund appears and you believe you are entitled to one, escalate using the legal procedures outlined in the next section.
What to do if your cancellation does not work
If charges continue after you cancel, remain calm and follow these escalation steps systematically.
Verify you cancelled through the correct platform
Confirm that you cancelled through the platform where you actually subscribed. Many users cancel through Apple, for instance, but originally subscribed through Google Play, leaving one account still active. Log back into all three platforms (Apple Settings, Google Play, and Shortmax's website) and verify that Shortmax no longer appears in your active subscriptions on each one.
Request a chargeback from your bank or payment provider
If you are charged after cancelling and the relevant platform (Apple, Google, or Shortmax) does not refund you within 10 business days, contact your bank or payment service. Request a chargeback for unauthorised charges, providing your bank with screenshots of your cancellation confirmation and the unwanted charges. Most Nigerian banks and payment providers (including GTBank, Access Bank, Flutterwave, and Paystack) will investigate chargeback requests and often reverse charges in favour of the consumer when evidence is clear.
File a formal complaint with the federal competition and consumer protection commission
If your bank declines the chargeback or Shortmax refuses to acknowledge your cancellation, file a complaint with the FCCPC. Visit the FCCPC's official website and complete their online complaint form, attaching screenshots of your cancellation request, confirmation (if any), and proof of unwanted charges. The FCCPC will investigate and can compel Shortmax or the payment platform to refund you and pay a penalty for unfair trading practices.
Subscription pricing and billing details
Understanding Shortmax's pricing structure helps you decide whether to cancel and assess whether you are being charged correctly.
| Subscription type |
Price (NGN) |
Billing cycle |
Renewal |
| One-off episode purchase |
Varies per episode |
One-time |
No auto-renewal |
| Weekly pass (most common) |
₦299-₦499 |
7 days |
Auto-renews unless cancelled |
| Monthly bundle (if available) |
₦999-₦1,499 |
30 days |
Auto-renews unless cancelled |
| Extended trial or promotion |
₦0 (free period) |
3-7 days |
Converts to paid unless cancelled before expiry |
Most Nigerian users subscribe to the weekly pass. This renews automatically every 7 days unless you explicitly cancel, which is why cancellation is crucial if you want to stop paying.
Common mistakes that delay cancellation
Cancellation is straightforward once you know these pitfalls; avoiding them saves you money and frustration.
Cancelling inside the Shortmax app instead of your payment platform
Many users open Shortmax and look for a "cancel subscription" button within the app. This button does not exist or does not actually cancel your subscription. The app cannot manage billing; only your payment platform (Apple, Google, or Shortmax's billing system) can do that. Always cancel through Settings on your phone, Google Play's website, or Shortmax's email support, never inside Shortmax itself.
Cancelling on one platform when you subscribed on another
If you subscribed via Apple but cancel through Google Play, your Apple subscription remains active and keeps charging you. Before cancelling, open your Apple ID settings, Google Play, and check Shortmax's web portal. Cancel on every platform where Shortmax appears to ensure all billing stops.
Forgetting to take a cancellation screenshot
If disputes arise later, a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation is your strongest evidence. If you cannot provide proof, platforms often default to their transaction records, which may show the cancellation as pending or unprocessed. Screenshot every confirmation page and save the confirmation email.
Not monitoring your bank statement after cancellation
Assuming your cancellation worked without verifying it is dangerous. Check your bank statement 3 to 5 days after cancellation to confirm no new charge appears. If an unexpected charge does appear, you have documented evidence that you cancelled and can demand a refund with confidence.
After you cancel: your next steps
Once your cancellation is confirmed, take these actions to stay protected and organised.
Save all cancellation confirmation emails and screenshots
Create a folder on your phone or computer labelled "Shortmax cancellation" and save every email and screenshot related to your cancellation. If a dispute arises 3 months or even a year later, this documentation proves you cancelled in good faith. Many Nigerian consumers have won refund disputes simply by producing timestamped screenshots.
Set a calendar reminder to verify no further charges
Mark your calendar for 10 days after your cancellation and review your bank statement on that date. If a new Shortmax charge appears after your cancellation confirmation, you have strong grounds to request a refund from your bank or escalate to the FCCPC.
Uninstall the Shortmax app if you no longer use it
Once your subscription access expires, uninstall Shortmax from your device if you do not plan to return. This removes the temptation to accidentally re-subscribe and clears clutter from your phone.
Why yafee helps you cancel with confidence
Cancelling a subscription should not require legal knowledge or hours of research. At Yafee, we have helped thousands of Nigerian consumers navigate cancellations across all platforms-Apple, Google Play, Shortmax, and dozens of other services. Our guides are grounded in actual consumer law (the FCCPA 2019) and tested against real support policies. When you follow Yafee's step-by-step process, you avoid common traps, document your cancellation properly, and protect yourself against unauthorised future charges. If you cancel through Yafee's guidance and encounter a problem, you will have clear evidence to present to your bank, the FCCPC, or the relevant platform.
Contact information for support and escalation
If your cancellation request is ignored or you do not receive a response from Shortmax within 48 hours, escalate using the following contacts:
- Shortmax support email: [email protected] (response expected within 48 hours)
- Apple customer support: Apple.com/support (for Apple-initiated subscriptions)
- Google Play support: support.google.com/googleplay (for Google Play subscriptions)
- Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC): File online at fccpc.gov.ng or contact via their official website for complaints about Shortmax or payment platforms refusing to process cancellations
- Your bank's customer service: Call your bank's fraud or chargeback team if unauthorised charges appear after cancellation
Yafee stands behind this guide with practical, legally sound advice. Your subscription is your money, and your right to cancel is protected by Nigerian law. Cancel with confidence, document everything, and remember that Yafee has helped thousands of consumers like you reclaim control of their subscriptions and stop unwanted charges.