How to cancel Viber and stop unwanted charges in new zealand

What Viber is and why you might want to cancel

Viber is a messaging and calling application that enables you to send text messages, make voice calls, conduct video calls, and purchase international calling credit through Viber Out. The service operates across iOS, Android, and web platforms on both mobile and desktop devices.

New Zealand users often download Viber at no cost for basic messaging, but the app offers paid add-ons including Viber Plus (a subscription providing ad-free use and enhanced features) and Viber Out credit packs for calls to landlines and mobiles outside the Viber network. If you have subscribed to one of these paid services and wish to stop being charged, this guide walks you through the cancellation process step by step. At Yafee, we specialise in helping New Zealand consumers navigate subscription cancellations with confidence and clarity.

Common reasons to cancel Viber subscriptions

You might decide to cancel if you no longer use the app regularly, if the subscription cost does not justify the features you use, or if you accidentally purchased a plan you did not intend to activate. Other users cancel after discovering they can access similar features from competing messaging apps at no cost.

Whatever your reason, cancelling should take only a few minutes once you know where to look. Yafee has assisted thousands of New Zealand consumers in exiting subscriptions, and Viber is one of the most straightforward apps to cancel.

The critical difference between deleting the app and cancelling your subscription

A common mistake many users make is deleting the Viber app and assuming their subscription will stop. It will not. Deleting the app only removes it from your device; your subscription continues to renew automatically and you will keep being charged. To genuinely cancel, you must stop the subscription through the app itself, your device settings, or the app store where you originally purchased the plan.

Your legal position under new zealand consumer law

Under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (CGA), you have the right to cancel a recurring subscription, and any service provider must provide you with clear and accessible cancellation methods. Furthermore, the CGA requires that subscription services operate fairly and transparently.

In accordance with the CGA, if Viber fails to provide a straightforward cancellation mechanism or continues charging you after you have attempted to cancel, you have grounds to lodge a complaint with the Commerce Commission, New Zealand's primary consumer-protection authority. The CGA also protects you from being charged for services you no longer use once you have taken reasonable steps to cancel.

Consequently, if Viber does not honour your cancellation request or disputes your claim, the Commerce Commission can investigate on your behalf. Yafee recommends that you retain copies of all cancellation confirmations and correspondence as evidence of your actions.

How to cancel Viber subscriptions purchased through the apple app store

If you bought your Viber Plus subscription or other paid plan through Apple (iPhone or iPad), you must cancel it in your Apple ID settings, not inside the Viber app itself.

Step 1: access your apple ID settings

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap your name at the top of the screen.
3. Select Subscriptions from the menu.

Step 2: locate and cancel the Viber subscription

1. Find and tap the Viber subscription you want to cancel (for example, "Viber Plus").
2. Tap Cancel Subscription at the bottom of the screen.
3. Choose a reason for cancellation (optional) and confirm your choice by tapping the confirmation button.
4. You will receive a confirmation message on screen. Take a screenshot of this message and save it to your records.

Important: Your Viber Plus will continue to work until the end of your current billing period. You will not be charged after that date, and no refund applies if you cancel mid-cycle unless the transaction is faulty or the service was not provided as promised.

What to do if you cannot find your subscription

If you do not see a Viber subscription in your Apple ID settings, the plan may have expired on its own or was never activated. Check your email for a receipt from Apple confirming the purchase. If you find a receipt but no active subscription, the plan may have already been cancelled automatically.

If you find a receipt but still cannot locate the subscription, contact Apple Support directly through the Apple ID support page on apple.com. You can also speak to Viber support via their website form with your receipt as proof of purchase. Yafee recommends keeping all receipts and correspondence for your records.

How to cancel Viber subscriptions purchased through google play

If you bought your Viber subscription on an Android device, you must cancel it through Google Play, not inside the Viber app itself.

Step 1: access google play store subscriptions

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android phone or tablet.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen.
3. Select Manage subscriptions (the exact wording may vary depending on your Android version).

Step 2: find and cancel the Viber plan

1. Locate the Viber subscription in the list of active subscriptions.
2. Tap on the Viber subscription you wish to cancel.
3. Tap Cancel subscription at the bottom of the screen.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm your cancellation, and select a reason if requested.
5. You will receive a confirmation message. Take a screenshot and retain it for your records.

Important: Your Viber subscription will remain active until the end of your current billing cycle. Google Play will not charge you again after that date.

What to do if you cannot find your subscription

If the Viber subscription does not appear in your Google Play subscriptions list, it may have already been cancelled or expired. Check your email for any receipt from Google confirming the purchase. If you find a receipt but no active subscription, the plan is no longer active.

If you find a receipt but cannot locate the subscription, contact Google Play Support through their help centre at support.google.com. Provide your receipt as proof. You can also reach Viber support directly via their website form if you need additional assistance.

How to cancel Viber subscriptions on desktop or web

If you use Viber primarily on desktop or web, you may manage your subscription through your account settings or through the app store where you originally purchased the plan.

Step 1: check your Viber account settings

1. Open Viber on your desktop or log into Viber Web at viber.com.
2. Look for Settings or Account settings in the menu (usually represented by a gear icon or your profile picture).
3. Navigate to Billing or Subscriptions if this section exists.
4. If you see an active subscription listed, look for a Cancel or Manage option.

Step 2: cancel through your primary payment method

1. If no subscription management option appears in Viber, cancel through the app store or payment provider where you originally purchased the plan.
2. For Apple purchases made on desktop, visit appleid.apple.com, sign in, select Subscriptions, and cancel from there.
3. For Google purchases made on desktop, visit myaccount.google.com, select Subscriptions, and cancel the Viber plan.

Understanding Viber subscription pricing and renewal terms

The following table outlines the most common Viber paid plans available to New Zealand users and their typical renewal cycles.

Prices and features may vary depending on your location and the date you subscribe. Yafee recommends checking your billing statement to confirm the exact amount and renewal date for your subscription.

What happens after you cancel your Viber subscription

Once you have successfully cancelled your subscription, you will retain access to Viber's free messaging and calling features until the end of your billing period. Your paid features (such as ad-free use or international calling credit) will become unavailable once your billing cycle ends.

Confirmation and next steps

Immediately after cancellation, you should receive a confirmation email from Apple, Google, or Viber, depending on where you made the purchase. This email will state the cancellation date and the date your final charge was applied. Retain this email for your records.

If you do not receive a confirmation email within 24 hours, log back into your subscription settings and verify that the subscription is no longer listed as active. If it still appears active, repeat the cancellation steps or contact the relevant support team.

Accessing your Viber account after cancellation

Cancelling your subscription does not delete your Viber account or your message history. You can continue to use Viber for free messaging, voice calls, and video calls with other Viber users. If you wish to delete your account entirely (separate from cancelling a paid subscription), you must do so through Viber's account deletion feature in Settings.

Refunds and what you are entitled to claim

Under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, you may be entitled to a refund if the service was faulty, not provided as promised, or if you cancel within a cooling-off period that applies to your purchase method.

Refund eligibility

The following circumstances may entitle you to a refund:

• You cancel within 14 days of purchase (cooling-off period for online services in some cases).
• The service did not work as advertised or as promised.
• Viber failed to provide clear cancellation instructions before you subscribed.
• Your subscription was activated without your explicit consent.
• The service was interrupted for an extended period and Viber did not offer a replacement or refund.

How to request a refund

1. If you believe you are entitled to a refund, first contact the app store (Apple or Google) where you made the purchase within 60 days of the transaction.
2. Provide your receipt, cancellation confirmation, and a clear explanation of why you believe the refund should be granted.
3. Apple and Google typically process refund requests within 5 to 10 business days.
4. If the app store declines your refund request, contact Viber directly via their support form on viber.com with the same information and ask them to escalate the matter.
5. If Viber refuses to refund you and you believe you have grounds under the CGA, you may lodge a complaint with the Commerce Commission at comcom.govt.nz.

Important: The CGA does not guarantee a refund simply because you changed your mind about the subscription. Refunds apply when the service was faulty, misleading, or the company breached consumer rights. Yafee recommends documenting all communication with Viber and the app store as evidence.

Common mistakes when cancelling Viber

Cancelling a subscription should be straightforward, but several missteps can leave you paying longer than intended. The good news is that all of these traps are avoidable if you follow the correct steps.

Mistake 1: deleting the app instead of cancelling the subscription

Removing Viber from your phone does not stop the subscription or the charges. The app and the subscription are separate. You must cancel the subscription through your app store account settings, not by deleting the app itself.

Mistake 2: cancelling inside the Viber app instead of through the app store

Some users attempt to cancel their paid plan by looking for a subscription or billing menu inside the Viber app. Viber does not process cancellations inside the app itself; you must use your device settings or app store account to cancel.

Mistake 3: failing to confirm the cancellation

It is easy to assume a cancellation is complete after clicking a button, but many users miss the confirmation step or do not save proof of cancellation. Always complete the cancellation flow until you see a confirmation message, and take a screenshot or note the confirmation number.

Mistake 4: not checking your billing statement after cancellation

After you cancel, monitor your next billing statement to ensure you are not charged again. If you see an unexpected charge after cancellation, contact your app store's support team immediately with your cancellation confirmation as evidence.

How to compare Viber with other messaging alternatives

If you are cancelling Viber because you prefer another service, the following table compares Viber with common alternatives available in New Zealand.

Cancellation contact information for Viber

Viber's registered headquarters is located in Luxembourg and does not maintain a public postal address for New Zealand customers. Cancellations are handled entirely through the app store where you purchased your subscription (Apple App Store or Google Play) or through your Viber account settings.

How to contact Viber support

1. Visit viber.com and navigate to the Help or Support section.
2. Select your issue (for example, "Billing" or "Subscriptions").
3. Fill out the contact form with your Viber phone number, email address, and a detailed description of your issue.
4. Viber support typically responds within 2 to 5 business days.
5. If Viber does not resolve your issue and you believe a breach of consumer rights has occurred, lodge a complaint with the Commerce Commission at comcom.govt.nz.

Escalation to the commerce commission

If Viber fails to honour your cancellation request, continues charging you after cancellation, or refuses to provide a refund to which you are entitled under the CGA, you have the right to lodge a formal complaint with the Commerce Commission. The Commission investigates consumer complaints free of charge and can take enforcement action against service providers who breach consumer law.

To lodge a complaint, visit comcom.govt.nz/consumers/complaints-and-disputes or call the Commission's consumer helpline.

Your cancellation checklist

Use the following checklist to ensure you cancel correctly and retain proof of cancellation.

• Confirm which app store you used to purchase the subscription (Apple App Store, Google Play, or Viber website).
• Log into your account on the relevant platform (Apple ID, Google Play, or Viber).
• Navigate to Subscriptions or Billing in your account settings.
• Locate the Viber subscription and tap Cancel Subscription.
• Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the cancellation.
• Take a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation message.
• Save the confirmation email you receive from the app store or Viber.
• Note the date the cancellation takes effect (usually the end of the current billing cycle).
• Check your next billing statement to confirm you are not charged again.
• If you are charged unexpectedly, contact your app store's support team with your cancellation confirmation.

Final summary and next steps

Cancelling your Viber subscription is straightforward once you understand that cancellations must be processed through your app store (Apple or Google) rather than inside the Viber app itself. Yafee has guided you through each cancellation method and explained your legal protections under New Zealand's Consumer Guarantees Act.

To cancel, access your Apple ID or Google Play account, locate your Viber subscription, and tap Cancel Subscription. Retain your confirmation email and monitor your next billing statement to ensure the cancellation takes effect as promised.

If you are charged after cancellation, Viber refuses to process your cancellation, or you believe you are entitled to a refund, the Commerce Commission stands ready to investigate on your behalf. Yafee has helped thousands of New Zealand consumers navigate subscription cancellations with confidence, and we encourage you to reach out to yafee.com if you need further assistance or have questions about your consumer rights.