How to cancel Botan and recover your subscription in new zealand
What Botan is and why cancellation matters
Botan is a digital subscription service offering plant identification, botanical content, and in-app features delivered through iOS and Android platforms. The service charges monthly, quarterly, or annually in USD, converted to NZD at the time of purchase through your chosen app store. If you've signed up and now want to exit your subscription, or if you believe you're entitled to a refund under New Zealand consumer law, Yafee is here to walk you through every cancellation option available to you.
Cancelling a digital subscription requires deliberate action. Unlike physical products, your access will continue until your current billing cycle expires unless you proactively cancel. Understanding your legal rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (CGA) and your cancellation options through Apple App Store, Google Play, or direct contact will ensure you exit cleanly and recover money where you qualify.
Why you might want to cancel Botan
You may cancel Botan for legitimate reasons: the subscription no longer delivers value, you use it infrequently, the service quality has declined, or you've found a better alternative. Other cancellations arise from accidental purchases, unintended auto-renewals, or budget constraints. Whatever your reason, New Zealand consumer law protects your right to cancel and claim refunds under specific circumstances. Yafee ensures you understand those protections before you proceed.
Is Botan worth keeping?
Before cancelling, evaluate your actual usage. Botan's monthly plan costs USD 29.99 (approximately NZD 50 at current exchange rates), which totals around NZD 600 per year. If you open the app occasionally or have exhausted its features, that cost likely outweighs the benefit. Conversely, if you actively use the plant identification tool and check botanical content weekly, the subscription may justify its price. Only you can make that decision, but Yafee empowers you with the information and legal framework to cancel with confidence.
Botan's subscription pricing and billing structure
Botan operates on a subscription model with four pricing tiers, all charged in USD and converted to your local NZD amount by the app store at purchase.
| Plan |
Price (USD) |
Billing frequency |
Auto-renew enabled |
Best for |
| Monthly subscription |
USD 29.99 |
Every 30 days |
Yes |
Trial users |
| Quarterly subscription |
USD 39.99 |
Every 90 days |
Yes |
Moderate users |
| Annual subscription |
USD 22.99 |
Every 12 months |
Yes |
Committed enthusiasts |
| Find my Plant (one-time purchase) |
USD 16.49 |
One-time charge |
No |
Single feature unlock |
Understanding your currency conversion and payment records
Botan prices in USD, so your actual NZD charge depends on the App Store or Google Play's exchange rate at the moment of purchase. Your bank or card statement will display the exact NZD amount debited. When you request a refund or dispute a charge, you'll need to reference both the USD price and the NZD conversion shown on your receipt. Keep screenshots of your App Store or Google Play transaction history for your records and as evidence if you escalate to the relevant authority.
Your consumer rights under new zealand law
New Zealand's Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the Fair Trading Act 1986 grant you specific rights when purchasing digital services like Botan.
What the consumer guarantees act protects
The CGA requires that services supplied by traders be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose, and as described. If Botan fails to provide the features advertised, crashes frequently, or becomes unusable without cause, you have grounds to request a refund or cancellation under the CGA. Additionally, the Fair Trading Act prohibits misleading representations about the service or its cancellation terms. If Botan's marketing or interface obscures how to cancel, or if the company fails to disclose that the subscription auto-renews, you may have a claim.
Your legal position on cancellation and refunds
You have the right to cancel any subscription at any time. However, whether you recover money depends on the reason and timing of your cancellation. If you cancel within 14 days of initial purchase and the service has not been substantially used, you may qualify for a refund under consumer law (known as a "cooling-off" period for digital services, though this is narrower than for physical goods). If you cancel after 14 days, you forfeit the unused portion of the current billing cycle unless the service is defective, misleading, or non-functional. If you believe Botan has breached the CGA or Fair Trading Act, you can lodge a complaint with the Commerce Commission, New Zealand's consumer enforcement body.
How to cancel Botan on iPhone or iPad
Apple App Store subscriptions are managed directly through your device's Settings app, and cancellation takes effect immediately at the end of your current billing period.
Step 1: access your app store subscriptions
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap your name at the top of the screen to access your Apple ID account.
- Tap Subscriptions.
Step 2: find and select Botan
- Scroll through your active subscriptions and locate Botan.
- Tap on Botan to open the subscription details page.
Step 3: confirm cancellation
- Tap Cancel Subscription at the bottom of the screen.
- If prompted to provide feedback, select a reason for cancellation (optional, but useful feedback for the developer).
- Tap Confirm on the final prompt.
Step 4: document your cancellation
- You will see a confirmation message stating the date your access ends (your next renewal date).
- Take a screenshot of this confirmation as proof of cancellation.
- Your subscription will not renew after this date, and you will not be charged again.
How to cancel Botan on android
Google Play subscriptions are managed through the Google Play Store app on your Android device, and cancellation processes similarly to Apple App Store.
Step 1: open google play store
- Launch the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
- Tap your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen.
Step 2: navigate to your subscriptions
- Select Manage subscriptions from the profile menu.
- You will see a list of all active subscriptions linked to your Google account.
Step 3: select Botan and cancel
- Locate Botan in your subscription list and tap on it.
- Tap Cancel subscription.
- If prompted, provide a reason for cancellation (optional).
- Confirm cancellation on the next screen by tapping Yes, cancel.
Step 4: verify and save proof
- Google Play will display a confirmation with your final access date.
- Screenshot this confirmation immediately for your records.
- The subscription will expire on the date shown, and no further charges will apply.
Requesting a refund for Botan
Cancellation stops future charges, but recovering money for the current billing cycle requires a refund request, which depends on your reason and the timing of your request.
Eligibility for refunds under consumer law
You qualify for a full or partial refund if you cancel within 14 days of initial purchase and have not substantially used the service. If you cancel after 14 days, the app store will typically not refund the remainder of your current billing cycle. However, if the service is defective, misleading, or fails to match its description, you may escalate to claim a refund under the Consumer Guarantees Act. Yafee recommends contacting Botan's support team first to explain your grounds for a refund; if they refuse, you can escalate to the Commerce Commission or your payment provider.
Submitting a refund request through apple app store
- Visit support.apple.com/billing and sign in with your Apple ID.
- Locate your Botan transaction in your purchase history.
- Click Report a Problem next to the charge.
- Select a reason: for example, "The app is not as described" or "I was charged by mistake."
- Provide a clear explanation of your situation and reference your consumer rights under New Zealand law if applicable.
- Submit your request and await Apple's response, typically within 5-7 business days.
Submitting a refund request through google play
- Open the Google Play Store app and go to your profile.
- Select Payments and subscriptions, then Purchase history.
- Find the Botan charge you dispute and tap it.
- Tap Report a problem and select your reason: defective app, misleading description, or accidental purchase.
- Describe the issue and reference the Consumer Guarantees Act if the service is non-functional.
- Submit and monitor your email for Google's response within 5 business days.
Escalating to the commerce commission if the app store refuses
If Apple or Google denies your refund and you believe Botan breached consumer law, lodge a complaint with the Commerce Commission (comcom.govt.nz). Provide your transaction evidence, screenshots of the app's condition, and a written summary of why you believe the CGA or Fair Trading Act was breached. The Commission will investigate and may compel Botan to refund or compensate you if the breach is substantiated.
What happens after you cancel Botan
Cancellation is straightforward, but understanding your post-cancellation timeline and options will prevent confusion and ensure a clean exit from the service.
Your access period after cancellation
Once you cancel through the app store, your subscription does not terminate immediately. Instead, you retain full access to Botan until the end of your current billing period. For example, if you cancel on the 10th of a monthly subscription that renews on the 25th, you can use Botan until the 25th at no additional cost. After that date, your access ends, and the app will prompt you to resubscribe if you open it again. You will not be charged for any renewal.
Recovering your data or preferences
If you've saved plant identification history, bookmarks, or preferences within Botan, export or screenshot this data before your access expires if you want to retain it. Botan does not guarantee that your data persists after cancellation, particularly if you do not reactivate your subscription at a later date. Check the app's settings for any export or backup options.
Reactivating your subscription
If you change your mind after cancelling, you can reactivate your Botan subscription at any time by returning to the app store and purchasing a new subscription. Your previous data may not be recoverable, depending on Botan's retention policies, so confirm this with the company before assuming your history will be restored.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling
Cancelling a subscription is simple when you follow the correct steps, but a few common missteps can leave you confused or charged unexpectedly.
Deleting the app does not cancel your subscription
Removing Botan from your device does not cancel your subscription or stop charges. The subscription exists in your Apple or Google account, not on your phone. You must follow the cancellation steps through Settings or the Play Store to halt billing. Many users accidentally delete the app and assume they've cancelled, only to discover a charge on their statement weeks later. Always cancel through the app store first, then delete the app if you wish.
Ensure you receive and save cancellation confirmation
After cancelling, the app store will display a confirmation message with your final access date. Screenshot this immediately and save it to your email or cloud storage. Without this proof, you cannot dispute a charge if the company mistakenly renews your subscription. Do not rely on memory or assume the cancellation worked without evidence.
Check your statement after each billing cycle
Even after cancellation, monitor your bank or card statement for the next 30 days to confirm no charge appears. Occasionally, technical glitches or billing errors result in accidental renewals. If you spot an unauthorised charge, contact your bank or payment provider immediately and reference your cancellation confirmation screenshot. Yafee recommends setting a reminder on your phone for the date your subscription should have expired, then verifying your statement on that date.
Do not ignore refund denial letters
If the app store denies your refund request, do not accept this as final. You retain the right to escalate to the Commerce Commission, especially if you believe the service was defective or misleading. Keep all correspondence from the app store and Botan, and submit a formal complaint to the Commission with supporting evidence. Persistence often yields results when consumer law is on your side.
Botan cancellation checklist
Use this checklist to ensure you cancel correctly and retain proof of your action.
| Task |
Completed |
Notes |
| Log into your app store account (Apple or Google) |
☐ |
Use the correct account linked to your Botan subscription |
| Locate and tap Botan in your subscriptions list |
☐ |
Do not confuse with other app subscriptions |
| Select "Cancel subscription" and confirm |
☐ |
Tap yes or confirm on the final prompt |
| Screenshot the cancellation confirmation with your final access date |
☐ |
Critical evidence for disputes or refund claims |
| Save confirmation to email or cloud storage |
☐ |
Backup multiple locations for safety |
| Check your statement on the renewal date to confirm no charge |
☐ |
Verify after your final access period ends |
Comparing digital subscriptions before cancelling
If you're cancelling Botan because it no longer meets your needs, you may want to evaluate alternatives before exiting entirely.
| Service |
Primary feature |
Cost (NZD, approx.) |
Best for |
| Botan |
Plant identification & botany content |
NZD 50/month |
Comprehensive plant data |
| Plantix |
Disease & pest identification |
Free with premium tier |
Garden health troubleshooting |
| Seek by iNaturalist |
Visual species identification |
Free |
Casual plant & wildlife recognition |
| Picture This |
Plant identification |
NZD 40-45/month |
Quick visual lookups |
If you need additional support or wish to escalate a cancellation or refund issue, contact Botan's parent company, Still Botanical, directly:
Still Botanical (Botan support)
Auckland, New Zealand
Contact via the Botan app support section or website
When you contact Botan, reference your subscription plan, billing date, and the reason for cancellation. If you're requesting a refund, attach a screenshot of your transaction and your cancellation confirmation. Allow 5-7 business days for a response. If Botan fails to respond or refuses a legitimate refund claim, Yafee advises you to file a complaint with the Commerce Commission (comcom.govt.nz), which enforces consumer law across New Zealand.
Final advice on cancelling digital subscriptions
Cancelling Botan is a straightforward process when you follow the correct steps through your app store and retain proof of your action. New Zealand consumer law protects your right to cancel and, under certain circumstances, to claim refunds if the service is defective or misleading. Whether you cancel because the subscription no longer delivers value or because you believe Botan has breached the Consumer Guarantees Act, act with confidence knowing your legal position is strong.
Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel digital subscriptions, recover refunds, and understand their rights under New Zealand law. If you're uncertain whether to cancel, review your usage patterns and total annual cost; if you're cancelling due to a service fault, gather evidence and escalate to the Commerce Commission if necessary. Yafee is here to guide you through every step, ensuring you cancel cleanly, retain your proof, and recover money where you're legally entitled to it. Start your cancellation today using the steps above, and take back control of your subscription spending.