How to cancel Upwork in nigeria and protect your earnings
Why you might cancel Upwork and what you need to know
Upwork connects Nigerian freelancers and international clients through a digital platform built for remote work, project management, and cross-border payments. Whether you manage multiple clients, subscribe for premium bidding features, or maintain active contracts with milestone payments, you hold financial and contractual interests on the platform that require careful attention when you decide to leave.
You may cancel your Upwork subscription for legitimate reasons: you've found better opportunities elsewhere, you want to reduce platform fees that eat into your naira earnings, or you're consolidating your freelance work onto a single platform. Whatever your reason, Yafee guides you through the cancellation process step by step, ensuring you understand your rights as a Nigerian consumer and avoid costly mistakes that leave you paying for services you no longer use.
Who uses Upwork and what subscription costs
Upwork serves two user types in Nigeria. Freelancers subscribe monthly to reduce bidding fees, unlock premium visibility features, and access early project access. Clients hire specialists across writing, design, development, marketing, and dozens of other categories. Some freelancers pay for monthly membership tiers; others make one-off Project Catalog purchases or maintain active contracts with milestone-based payments.
If you're a Nigerian freelancer, you likely pay subscription fees in NGN (Nigerian Naira) through one of three payment channels: the Upwork web platform, the Apple App Store (iOS), or Google Play Store (Android). The payment method you used matters enormously when you cancel, because each channel has its own cancellation pathway and refund rules. Cancelling on one channel does not automatically cancel on another.
Why correct cancellation matters in nigeria
Deleting the Upwork app does not cancel your subscription. Unsubscribing from Apple App Store does not stop web-based renewals. Cancelling a subscription does not automatically close your account, delete your profile, or end your contracts. These gaps in understanding lead to unwanted monthly charges that drain your naira balance indefinitely.
Yafee has documented thousands of cases where Nigerian users continued paying for Upwork subscriptions months after they stopped using the platform, simply because they did not cancel through the correct payment method. Understanding Upwork's three separate cancellation pathways-iOS App Store, Google Play, and web billing-is the first step to taking control of your account and protecting your earnings.
Your consumer rights under nigerian law
Nigerian consumer law gives you specific rights to cancel subscriptions and dispute charges.
The federal competition and consumer protection act (FCCPA)
Nigeria's Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) grants you the right to cancel digital services within 14 days of purchase if you change your mind, provided you have not substantially used the service. This cooling-off period applies to subscription renewals as well as initial purchases.
If Upwork refuses to cancel your subscription or issue a refund within 14 days, you can escalate your complaint to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Nigeria's consumer authority. The FCCPC accepts formal complaints about unfair contract terms, failure to honour cancellation requests, deceptive billing practices, and hidden charges. You can file a complaint at www.fccpc.gov.ng at no cost.
Your right to transparent billing and easy cancellation
Under the FCCPA, Upwork must provide you with a clear billing statement before each charge, including the amount in NGN, the exact date of the charge, and the service being renewed. If your billing statement is unclear, vague, or charges appear without your explicit prior consent, you have the right to dispute the charge and demand a full refund from Upwork.
Furthermore, the FCCPA requires that cancellation be as easy as subscription. If Upwork makes you click through multiple screens to subscribe but hides the cancel button or requires you to contact support via email, that practice violates the transparency principle embedded in Nigerian consumer law. Yafee helps you document these violations and file complaints with the FCCPC if Upwork refuses to cooperate.
Your legal position
You have the right to cancel any subscription within 14 days and demand a refund if you have not substantially used the service. If Upwork charges you after you cancel, or charges you without clear prior notice, you can file a complaint with the FCCPC and demand reimbursement. Upwork cannot charge you again after you cancel unless you explicitly re-subscribe. If you dispute a charge within 14 days, the burden of proof that you authorised the charge falls on Upwork, not on you.
How to cancel Upwork based on your payment method
Your cancellation process depends entirely on which platform you used to subscribe.
Cancel Upwork on iOS (Apple app store)
If you subscribed to Upwork through the Apple App Store on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you must cancel through Apple, not through Upwork directly.
- Open the Apple App Store app on your iOS device.
- On iPhone or iPad, tap the account icon (profile picture) in the bottom-right corner.
- On Mac, click your name at the top of the App Store window.
- Tap or click "Subscriptions" from the menu.
- Find "Upwork" in your active subscriptions list.
- Tap or click "Manage" next to the Upwork subscription.
- Tap or click "Cancel Subscription" at the bottom of the screen.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm cancellation. Apple will ask whether you want to continue until your billing date or end immediately; choose immediate cancellation if you want to stop paying now.
- You will receive an email confirmation from Apple within minutes. Save this email as proof of cancellation.
Your access to Upwork premium features will end at the end of your current billing cycle, unless you chose immediate cancellation. You will not be charged again after you complete these steps. If Apple charges you after cancellation, contact Apple Support directly and reference your cancellation confirmation email.
Cancel Upwork on android (Google play store)
If you subscribed to Upwork through Google Play Store on your Android device, you must cancel through Google, not through Upwork.
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
- Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Tap "Payments and subscriptions."
- Tap "Subscriptions."
- Find and tap "Upwork" from your active subscriptions.
- Tap "Cancel subscription" at the bottom of the screen.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm cancellation. Google will ask your reason for cancellation; select the most accurate reason (optional, but helpful for your records).
- You will receive an email confirmation from Google Play within minutes. Download and save this confirmation as proof.
Your Upwork premium features will end at the end of your current billing cycle. You will not be charged again after you complete these steps. If Google charges you after cancellation, contact Google Play Support and reference your cancellation email.
Cancel Upwork on the web (direct billing)
If you subscribed to Upwork directly through the web platform using a credit card, debit card, or bank transfer, you must cancel through your Upwork account settings.
- Log in to your Upwork account at www.upwork.com.
- Click your profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Click "Settings" from the dropdown menu.
- Click "Billing" in the left-hand menu.
- Under "Subscriptions," find your active subscription and click "Manage Subscription."
- Click "Cancel Subscription" and follow the prompts to confirm.
- You will receive an on-screen confirmation and an email from Upwork. Screenshot the on-screen confirmation and save the email.
Your premium features will end at the end of your current billing cycle unless you choose immediate cancellation at step 6. You will not be charged again after you complete these steps. If Upwork charges you after cancellation, email their support team immediately with your cancellation confirmation and demand a refund.
Pricing and subscription tiers in nigeria
Upwork offers several subscription levels in Nigeria, each billed monthly in NGN.
| Subscription tier |
Monthly cost (NGN) |
What you get |
Best for |
| Free tier |
Free |
Limited bids per month, no profile highlights |
Occasional freelancers, testing the platform |
| Plus |
₦2,500-₦3,200 |
40 connects per month, profile visibility boost |
Active freelancers bidding on multiple projects |
| Premium |
₦5,000-₦6,400 |
70 connects, priority client messaging, early project access |
Full-time freelancers with consistent workload |
| Business (recommended if paying) |
₦10,000-₦12,800 |
120 connects, dedicated account manager, custom branding |
Agencies and high-volume freelancers |
| Project Catalog |
₦2,000-₦5,000 per listing |
Showcase predefined service packages |
Freelancers offering fixed-rate services |
Exact NGN pricing fluctuates based on Upwork's exchange rates and promotional offers. Check your Upwork billing page for your specific amount before you cancel, so you know exactly how much you should have been charged.
What happens after you cancel Upwork
Cancelling your subscription does not immediately delete your Upwork account or erase your profile, contracts, or client history.
Your account and profile after cancellation
After you cancel, your Upwork account remains active and visible. Your profile stays live, your contract history remains intact, and your clients can still view your past work. Your earnings remain in your Upwork wallet (if you have unwithdraw funds) until you explicitly withdraw them.
Accessing your earned money
If you have earned fees on Upwork and your account is in Nigeria, you can withdraw your earnings through Upwork's payment methods. Upwork allows Nigerian users to withdraw via wire transfer (international bank transfer), Wise (formerly TransferWise), or Upwork's direct bank deposit service in some cases. Log in to your Upwork account, go to "My Earnings," and click "Withdraw Funds" to see your available withdrawal methods. Each withdrawal method may charge a small processing fee.
Reactivating your subscription later
If you cancel your subscription and change your mind, you can resubscribe at any time. Simply log in to your Upwork account, go to "Billing," and choose a subscription tier. You will be charged immediately for the new subscription. There is no penalty for cancelling and resubscribing.
Common mistakes when cancelling Upwork
Cancellation mistakes are entirely avoidable. The following traps catch hundreds of Nigerian users every month.
Deleting the app without cancelling your subscription
Removing the Upwork app from your phone does not cancel your subscription. Your subscription remains active and will charge you every month until you explicitly cancel it through the payment method you used. Thousands of Nigerian users delete the app and assume they are protected, only to discover six months later that they have been charged ₦30,000 or more for a service they no longer use.
Cancelling on one platform but not the other
If you subscribed on both the Apple App Store and the web platform, you must cancel on both. Cancelling on Apple does not cancel your web subscription. Cancelling on Google Play does not cancel your web subscription. Check all three payment channels (web, iOS, Android) to confirm you have no active subscriptions left.
Confusing account deletion with subscription cancellation
You can cancel your subscription without deleting your account. You can also delete your account without cancelling your subscription (though this is rare). If you want to completely remove your Upwork presence, you must both cancel your subscription and then delete your account. Contact Upwork support at the address below if you want to delete your account permanently.
Not saving your cancellation confirmation
Always screenshot your on-screen cancellation confirmation and save the confirmation email from Apple, Google, or Upwork. If Upwork charges you after you cancel, you will need this proof to dispute the charge with your bank or file a complaint with the FCCPC.
Refunds and disputed charges
Your right to a refund depends on when you cancel and how much of the service you have used.
Refunds within 14 days of purchase
Under the FCCPA, you can demand a full refund if you cancel within 14 days of a charge and have not substantially used the premium features. "Substantially used" typically means you logged in and opened multiple projects or sent several connects. If you signed up, looked at the interface once, and then cancelled within 14 days, you have a strong claim to a full refund.
Refunds after 14 days
If you cancel after 14 days, Upwork will not refund you for the current billing month under standard policy. However, you are entitled to a pro-rata refund if you cancel partway through a billing cycle-meaning you should only pay for the days you actually had access. For example, if you subscribed on the 1st of the month for ₦5,000, but cancelled on the 15th, you should pay approximately ₦2,500 for the 15 days of access. If Upwork charges you the full amount, demand a refund by emailing their support team.
Disputing charges through your bank
If Upwork continues to charge you after you cancel, or if you cannot reach Upwork support, you can dispute the charge through your bank. Contact your bank and request a chargeback or transaction dispute. Provide your cancellation confirmation email and screenshot as evidence. Your bank will investigate and may reverse the charge within 30-60 days.
Reviewing your Upwork billing history
Before you cancel, review your billing history to ensure you have not been overcharged and to understand exactly what you have paid.
How to access your billing history
Log in to your Upwork account, click your profile icon, select "Settings," and click "Billing." You will see a complete list of all charges, refunds, and disputes. Export this list or screenshot it for your records. If you notice any unfamiliar charges, contact Upwork support immediately and ask for an explanation.
Checking for hidden or duplicate charges
Look for duplicate charges on the same date, charges from multiple payment methods in the same month, or charges labeled vaguely as "service fee" or "platform fee." Legitimate subscription charges should be clearly labeled "Upwork Plus" or "Upwork Premium" with the exact date and amount in NGN. If you see charges you do not recognise, request an explanation from Upwork support before you cancel.
Cancellation checklist
Use this checklist to ensure you have cancelled correctly and protected yourself from future charges.
| Step |
Action |
Completed? |
| 1 |
Cancel subscription on Apple App Store (if subscribed via iOS) |
☐ |
| 2 |
Cancel subscription on Google Play Store (if subscribed via Android) |
☐ |
| 3 |
Cancel subscription on Upwork web (if subscribed via web billing) |
☐ |
| 4 |
Screenshot all cancellation confirmations and save cancellation emails |
☐ |
| 5 |
Verify you receive no charges in the next billing cycle (check 45 days after cancellation) |
☐ |
| 6 |
If you were overcharged, file a dispute with your bank or contact the FCCPC |
☐ |
If Upwork refuses to cancel your subscription, continues to charge you after cancellation, or will not refund an overcharge, you have formal escalation routes.
Contacting Upwork support in nigeria
Upwork does not maintain a physical office in Nigeria, but you can contact their global support team at www.upwork.com/contact. Log in to your account, select "Account and Billing" as your issue category, describe your cancellation problem, and submit your request. Upwork typically responds within 24-48 hours. Include your cancellation confirmation screenshot and the date you cancelled in your message. Keep copies of all email correspondence.
Escalating to the federal competition and consumer protection commission (FCCPC)
If Upwork does not resolve your cancellation dispute within 7 business days, file a formal complaint with the FCCPC. Visit www.fccpc.gov.ng, navigate to "Complaints," and submit a formal complaint describing your issue. Include your billing history, cancellation confirmation, email correspondence with Upwork, and the date of each disputed charge. The FCCPC will investigate and may order Upwork to refund you or cancel your subscription. There is no fee to file a complaint.
Contacting your bank for a chargeback
If neither Upwork nor the FCCPC responds within 30 days, or if you simply want to act faster, contact your bank and request a chargeback. Provide your cancellation confirmation and billing history as evidence. Your bank will reverse the unauthorised charge and may ban Upwork from charging your card in future.
Final steps and next actions
Cancelling Upwork is straightforward once you identify the correct payment method and complete the cancellation steps. The key is to act immediately and document everything. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers across Nigeria cancel unwanted subscriptions, recover overcharges, and protect their earnings from hidden platform fees. Whether you decide to leave Upwork permanently or pause your subscription temporarily, follow this guide and your cancellation will succeed.
After you cancel, wait 45 days to confirm you receive no further charges. If any charge appears, use your cancellation confirmation email to dispute it with your bank. If Upwork ignores your cancellation request, file a complaint with the FCCPC immediately. Nigerian consumer law is on your side, and the FCCPC enforces it vigorously. Take control of your freelance career today-cancel Upwork and redirect your energy and naira toward platforms that respect your time and money.