How to cancel your AutoCAD subscription and reclaim your money in new zealand
Why you might cancel AutoCAD and what that means legally
AutoCAD is Autodesk's professional design software, trusted by architects, engineers and construction professionals worldwide. It runs on desktop, web and mobile platforms, supporting both 2D drafting and 3D modelling workflows. You may have purchased your subscription directly from Autodesk, through the Apple App Store, Google Play or via a reseller, and each purchase channel carries different cancellation rules.
If your project has ended, your budget no longer justifies the cost, or you've switched to alternative design software, cancellation is your legal right under New Zealand consumer law. At Yafee, we help thousands of New Zealand consumers navigate subscription cancellations with confidence and clarity. Whether you're cancelling within the refund window or simply need to stop future charges, Yafee provides the guidance you need to act correctly and protect your money.
When cancellation makes practical sense
You might cancel AutoCAD if you've completed a project phase, discovered a cheaper or better-suited alternative, or realised you're underutilising the software. If you signed up for the free 30-day trial and decided the tool wasn't right for your workflow, or if you were charged unexpectedly after your trial ended, cancellation is straightforward. The critical factor is timing: Autodesk's refund window is narrow, and acting within 30 days of purchase (for annual plans) or 15 days (for monthly plans) is essential if you want money back.
Your consumer rights under new zealand law
Under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (CGA), you hold the right to cancel digital subscriptions within a reasonable timeframe if the service fails to match what was promised, or if it is not of acceptable quality. The CGA also protects you against automatic renewal traps: companies must not charge you without your explicit, informed consent. If Autodesk refuses your cancellation or refund request without valid legal grounds, you can escalate the matter to the Commerce Commission, New Zealand's primary consumer authority.
Your legal position: You are entitled to cancel your AutoCAD subscription at any point. However, refunds are only guaranteed within Autodesk's stated refund windows (30 days for annual plans, 15 days for monthly plans). After that window closes, you can still cancel future charges, but a refund becomes discretionary unless the company has breached the CGA or the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
AutoCAD pricing tiers and what each plan costs in new zealand
Your refund eligibility and cancellation process depend partly on which plan you purchased, so understanding your pricing tier is the first step.
| Plan type |
Cost (NZD) |
Billing period |
Features |
| Full AutoCAD subscription |
NZ$3,320 |
Annual |
Desktop software, 3D modelling, specialised toolsets, cloud storage, all Autodesk apps |
| AutoCAD LT 2025 |
NZ$1,100 |
Annual |
2D drafting only, no 3D modelling, lighter feature set |
| Monthly plan |
NZ$305 |
Monthly |
Full desktop features on a rolling month-to-month basis |
| AutoCAD Web |
NZ$170 |
Annual |
Cloud-based drafting, mobile access, annotations only |
| AutoCAD Flex (token-based) |
NZ$34 per day |
Pay-as-you-use |
Daily access using 7 Flex tokens; tokens cost NZ$4.75 each |
| Free trial |
NZ$0 |
30 days |
Full desktop access, no payment upfront, auto-converts to paid unless cancelled |
How your plan affects your refund window and cancellation process
Annual plans (NZ$3,320 or NZ$1,100) qualify for refunds within 30 days of purchase if you cancel before your first renewal date. Monthly plans (NZ$305) allow refunds within 15 days of the month in which you purchased. The Flex token system (NZ$34 daily) refunds unused tokens under Autodesk's standard policy. Free trials auto-renew to a paid plan unless you cancel before the trial expires; Yafee recommends setting a calendar reminder at day 25 of your trial to cancel before you're charged. Your purchase receipt always contains your exact purchase date, which is the strongest evidence for a refund claim.
How to cancel AutoCAD based on your purchase channel
Your cancellation method depends entirely on where you bought your subscription: directly from Autodesk, via the Apple App Store, Google Play, or through a reseller.
Cancelling if you bought directly from autodesk
If you purchased your AutoCAD subscription directly from Autodesk's website or sales team, you cancel through your Autodesk account.
- Log in to your Autodesk account at autodesk.com using your email and password.
- If you've forgotten your password, click "Forgot password" on the login screen and follow the reset email.
- Navigate to your account dashboard and select "Subscriptions" or "My Products" (exact labels vary by region).
- Look for the section showing your active subscriptions and their renewal dates.
- Click on your AutoCAD subscription and select "Cancel subscription" or "Manage subscription".
- Autodesk will ask why you're cancelling; your answer helps them improve, but it does not affect your cancellation.
- Confirm your cancellation by clicking the final confirmation button.
- You will receive an email confirmation within minutes stating your subscription is cancelled and when it expires.
- If you want a refund and you're within the 30-day window (annual plans) or 15-day window (monthly plans), contact Autodesk support with your purchase receipt and request a refund explicitly.
- Email support is available at support.autodesk.com or call the Autodesk New Zealand support line if a phone number is listed on your invoice.
Cancelling if you bought through the apple app store
If you purchased AutoCAD via the Apple App Store on your iPhone, iPad or Mac, Apple processes both the subscription and the cancellation.
- Open the Settings app on your Apple device and tap your name at the top.
- On Mac, go to System Preferences and select your Apple ID.
- Tap "Subscriptions" and scroll to find AutoCAD.
- If AutoCAD does not appear, it may not be an active subscription or may have already been cancelled.
- Select AutoCAD and tap "Cancel Subscription".
- Apple will offer you a chance to keep the subscription; confirm that you want to cancel.
- Confirm your cancellation in the final prompt.
- Your subscription will remain active until the end of your current billing period, then stop.
- To request a refund, tap "Report a Problem" on the same AutoCAD subscription screen and explain that you wish to cancel and seek a refund.
- Apple will escalate your request to its review team; responses typically arrive within 48 hours to 5 business days.
Cancelling if you bought through google play
If you purchased AutoCAD on an Android device via Google Play, Google manages your subscription and cancellation.
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
- If you don't have the app, download it from the Google Play Store website on your phone or tablet.
- Tap your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Payments and subscriptions".
- Alternatively, go to "Account" and then "Subscriptions".
- Tap "Subscriptions" and find AutoCAD in the list.
- Active subscriptions appear at the top; inactive or cancelled subscriptions appear lower.
- Tap AutoCAD and select "Cancel subscription".
- Google will explain your options; read the cancellation terms carefully.
- Confirm your cancellation.
- Your subscription will remain active until the end of your current billing cycle, then expire.
- To request a refund, return to the same screen and tap "Report a problem" or "Contact support".
- Explain that you purchased AutoCAD, cancelled within the refund window, and are requesting a refund of your payment.
Cancelling if you bought through a reseller or third party
If you purchased AutoCAD through a reseller, education institution, or corporate licensing channel, contact the reseller directly rather than Autodesk.
- Locate your original purchase invoice or email receipt.
- The invoice will show the reseller's name, support email and return policy.
- Email the reseller's support team with your order number, purchase date and a clear cancellation request.
- Mention that you purchased AutoCAD and want to cancel your subscription and request a refund within the statutory window.
- Ask for a cancellation confirmation email within 5 business days.
- This email is your proof that the reseller has processed your cancellation.
- If the reseller refuses to respond or denies your request, escalate to Autodesk support with your original receipt and the reseller's refusal in writing.
- Autodesk may override the reseller's decision if you're within the refund window and the reseller has violated Autodesk's terms.
The refund process and timeline
Cancellation and refunds are two separate actions; cancelling your subscription stops future charges, but does not automatically return your money.
Step 1: request your refund immediately after cancelling
Once you've cancelled your subscription, submit a refund request to the same channel (Autodesk, Apple, Google or reseller) within 48 hours. Include your order number, purchase date, and a brief reason for the refund request. Yafee recommends being concise and professional: "I purchased AutoCAD subscription on [date], cancelled within 30 days of purchase, and request a full refund" is sufficient.
Step 2: track your refund status
Autodesk typically processes refunds within 5-10 business days if you're within the stated window. Apple and Google may take 3-5 business days after they approve your refund request. Resellers vary; follow up every 5 business days if you haven't heard back. Your refund will appear as a credit to your original payment method (credit card, debit card or Apple/Google account balance).
Step 3: check your bank account or payment method
Once the company confirms the refund, allow 3-5 additional business days for your bank to process the credit. If your original payment method is no longer active (e.g. a cancelled credit card), the refund may fail; contact the company to update your payment details. At Yafee, we advise customers to keep their refund confirmation email until the money appears in their account.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling AutoCAD
Cancelling is straightforward, but a few pitfalls can cost you money or delay your refund if you're not careful.
Mistake 1: cancelling too late and missing the refund window
Autodesk's refund windows are strict: 30 days for annual plans, 15 days for monthly plans. If you cancel on day 31 of an annual subscription (NZ$3,320), you forfeit your refund entirely. Your subscription will terminate at its next renewal date, but you won't recover what you've already paid. Set a phone reminder at day 25 of your subscription if you know you might want to cancel.
Mistake 2: cancelling through the wrong channel
If you bought AutoCAD through the Apple App Store but attempt to cancel through Autodesk's website, your cancellation will fail and your money will remain at risk. Always cancel through the same channel you used to purchase. Check your original email receipt to confirm whether it came from Autodesk, Apple, Google or a reseller.
Mistake 3: assuming cancellation equals refund
Cancelling stops future charges, but does not automatically refund past payments. You must request your refund separately, in writing, within the refund window. If you only cancel without requesting a refund, your money disappears after your current billing period ends.
Mistake 4: not requesting a refund explicitly in writing
Many customers cancel their subscription through the online portal but forget to email support requesting a refund. Yafee strongly recommends always sending a follow-up email to the company's support team (support.autodesk.com for Autodesk, or the refund request tool within Apple/Google) explicitly stating "I request a refund for my AutoCAD subscription purchased on [date]." This creates a paper trail that protects you if the company later claims it didn't receive your refund request.
Mistake 5: ignoring automatic renewal after the trial ends
The free 30-day AutoCAD trial automatically converts to a paid subscription (typically the monthly plan at NZ$305) on day 31 unless you cancel before the trial expires. If you ignore the trial reminder emails and don't cancel by day 30, you'll be charged NZ$305 on day 31. You can still claim a refund if you cancel and request it within 15 days of that charge, but prevention is easier.
After your cancellation is confirmed
Once Autodesk or your payment processor confirms your cancellation, your access to AutoCAD will end on your next renewal date or immediately (depending on the company's policy). You have completed the cancellation successfully.
What happens to your files and data
Your AutoCAD files remain on your local computer or in your Autodesk cloud storage account for 30 days after cancellation. Autodesk will then delete cloud-stored files automatically. Before your subscription expires, download or export any designs you wish to keep to your local drive. Files stored only in Autodesk's cloud (not on your device) may become inaccessible once your subscription ends.
Retaining your autodesk account
Cancelling your AutoCAD subscription does not delete your Autodesk account. Your login credentials, profile and purchase history remain in your account for future reference. If you ever want to resubscribe to AutoCAD or purchase other Autodesk software, you can use the same account without re-registering.
If your refund doesn't arrive
If 15 business days have passed since you requested a refund and the money hasn't appeared in your account, follow up with the company in writing. Include your original refund request email, confirmation of cancellation, and your order number. If the company doesn't respond within 5 more business days, or refuses to process your refund without legal justification, contact the Commerce Commission at consumer.org.nz or file a formal complaint. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers escalate unresolved disputes, and the Commerce Commission takes subscription refund complaints seriously.
Comparison table: cancellation method by channel
This table summarises your cancellation options, refund windows and escalation routes by purchase channel.
| Purchase channel |
Cancellation method |
Refund window |
Escalation route if refused |
| Direct from Autodesk |
Autodesk account dashboard or support email |
30 days (annual); 15 days (monthly) |
Autodesk support, then Commerce Commission |
| Apple App Store |
Apple Settings > Subscriptions > Cancel |
30 days from purchase |
Apple Report a Problem tool, then Apple Support |
| Google Play |
Google Play Store > Subscriptions > Cancel |
30 days from purchase |
Google Play support, then Commerce Commission |
| Reseller or VAR |
Contact reseller support with order number |
Reseller's policy (typically 30 days) |
Escalate to Autodesk, then Commerce Commission |
If Autodesk refuses to process your cancellation or refund, you have clear escalation paths under New Zealand law.
Autodesk support channels
Contact Autodesk support at support.autodesk.com or call their New Zealand support line (listed on your invoice). Email is slower but creates a documented record; phone calls are faster but harder to prove. Always follow up a phone call with a confirmation email summarising what the support agent promised.
Escalating to the commerce commission
If Autodesk refuses your refund or cancellation without legal justification, the Commerce Commission is New Zealand's primary consumer dispute resolution authority. You can file a formal complaint at consumer.org.nz or call 0800 943 600. The Commission investigates breaches of the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and can order Autodesk to refund you if they find the company has violated your rights.
Alternative: dispute resolution through your bank
If you paid by credit card or debit card, you can also request a "chargeback" from your bank (disputing the transaction). Your bank will investigate your claim and may reverse the charge within 30-90 days. However, use this option only after Autodesk has refused your refund; chargebacks are a last resort.
Key takeaways and checklist for cancelling AutoCAD
Before you cancel, ensure you have completed every item on this checklist to protect your refund eligibility and avoid delays.
- Locate your original purchase receipt or invoice; note the exact purchase date.
- Confirm which channel you used to buy AutoCAD (Autodesk, Apple, Google or reseller).
- Check the current date and confirm you are within the refund window (30 days for annual, 15 days for monthly).
- If cancelling a trial subscription, act before day 31 to avoid any charge.
- Download and save all your AutoCAD files to your local computer before cancelling.
- Log in to your account on the correct platform (Autodesk.com for direct purchases, Apple Settings for App Store, Google Play for Android).
- Follow the cancellation steps for your channel (listed above).
- Take a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation page.
- Send a follow-up email to support requesting your refund explicitly, including your order number and purchase date.
- Monitor your bank account for the refund credit within 5-10 business days.
- If no refund arrives after 15 business days, follow up with the company and escalate to the Commerce Commission if necessary.
Why yafee is your trusted guide for cancelling software subscriptions in new zealand
Subscription software can feel locked-in, but New Zealand consumer law is clear: you have the right to cancel and claim a refund if the company breaches its obligations or if you act within the stated window. Yafee has helped thousands of New Zealand consumers cancel AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft 365 and countless other SaaS services, securing refunds and stopping unwanted charges. Our expertise covers the legal framework (Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, Consumer Rights Act 2015 and Commerce Commission enforcement), the practical cancellation steps for every platform, and the escalation routes if a company refuses your request.
If you're unsure whether you qualify for a refund, or if AutoCAD's support team has given you conflicting advice, Yafee provides clarity and confidence. At Yafee, we translate legal rights into action, ensuring your cancellation succeeds and your money is protected. Visit Yafee.com today to confirm your cancellation options and secure your refund.