Yafee is an independent certified electronic mail service. We are neither affiliated with, nor partners of, nor mandated by Hotspot Shield, whose name is mentioned solely to identify the recipient of your letter. The trademarks and logos cited belong to their respective owners.
Unlimited Yafee Premium: promotional offer at $1.85 for 48h, then $100.94 per month with no commitment
SLMDJTAC
Over 30,000 users trust us
Cancel your subscription
Hotspot Shield in 2 minutes
A 100% personalised cancellation letter, legally compliant and sent by registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt.
GDPR compliant
Your data is secureFast & effective
Processed within 24hResults guaranteed
Refund if refused48h satisfaction-or-refund guarantee
1Letter type
2Your details
3Payment
100% secure payment
They already cancelled Hotspot Shield
Join thousands of satisfied users
SLMDJTAC30K
over 30,000users trust us
How does it work?
Cancel your Hotspot Shield subscription with zero hassle
1
Fill in the form
Give us your details and those of your Hotspot Shield subscription.
2
We write your letter
Our team drafts a 100% personalised, legally compliant cancellation letter.
3
We send it for you
Sent by registered mail with acknowledgement to Hotspot Shield. Nothing else for you to do.
Legal and compliant
Our letters follow consumer law and GDPR.
Fast
Your letter is sent within 24 business hours.
Real-time tracking
Follow your request from your personal space.
Results guaranteed
Full refund if Hotspot Shield refuses your cancellation.
Frequently asked questions
Cancel Hotspot Shield: The Right Way
How to cancel Hotspot Shield in new zealand and claim your money back
What Hotspot Shield is and why you might want to leave
Hotspot Shield is a virtual private network (VPN) service that encrypts your internet connection and masks your location by routing your traffic through secure servers worldwide. If you've signed up but discovered it does not meet your needs, costs more than you expected, or simply does not deliver the speed and reliability you require, cancelling is straightforward once you know where to look.
At Yafee, we understand that VPN subscriptions can quickly become forgotten expenses on your credit card. Whether you signed up through the Hotspot Shield website, Google Play, or the Apple App Store, this guide walks you through every cancellation method available in New Zealand and explains your consumer rights if the service failed to deliver what it promised.
When cancellation makes sense
You should consider cancelling Hotspot Shield if the app drains your device battery faster than advertised, if connection speeds are significantly slower than you expected, or if you have found a competitor that better suits your privacy needs. You may also want to cancel if you are not using the service regularly enough to justify the monthly cost or if Hotspot Shield's privacy policy has changed in ways that concern you.
The cost of staying subscribed
Hotspot Shield charges between NZ$18.81 per month for Premium and NZ$28.94 per month for Premium Family on monthly plans. Even if you forget about the subscription for just three months, you are paying nearly NZ$57 for a service you have stopped using. Yafee's mission is to help you take control of these recurring costs before they add up.
Understanding your consumer rights in new zealand
New Zealand law gives you strong protections when you buy digital services, and Hotspot Shield cannot hide behind its terms and conditions if the service does not work as promised.
The consumer guarantees act protects you
Under New Zealand's Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, every digital service you buy must be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose, and delivered within a reasonable timeframe. If Hotspot Shield fails on any of these counts, you have the right to demand a refund, a replacement, or repair within a reasonable period.
Acceptable quality means the service should work reliably without frequent disconnections, deliver the promised security features, and not drain your device battery excessively. If your VPN drops constantly, reconnects slowly, or does not encrypt your data as advertised, Hotspot Shield has breached this guarantee.
What you can do if Hotspot Shield fails you
If the service does not perform as described on the Hotspot Shield website or in your region, you can contact the company and request a full refund. If Hotspot Shield refuses, you can escalate your complaint to the Commerce Commission, New Zealand's primary consumer enforcement authority.
Document everything: screenshots of slow speeds, connection failures, and dates when the service did not work. Keep copies of your purchase receipts and all correspondence with Hotspot Shield support. This evidence is crucial if you need to pursue a complaint with the Commerce Commission.
Pricing and subscription plans
Understanding what you pay each month helps you calculate the true cost of staying subscribed and justifies the refund you should request if performance falls short.
Hotspot Shield subscription costs
| Plan | Billing cycle | Monthly cost (NZD) | Annual equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium | Monthly | $18.81 | $225.72 |
| Premium | Annual | $2.71 | $32.52 |
| Premium Family | Monthly | $28.94 | $347.28 |
| Premium Family | Annual | $4.07 | $48.84 |
| Free tier | N/A | $0.00 | $0.00 |
If you are on a monthly plan and do not cancel within 30 days of your last billing date, you will be charged again. Yafee recommends reviewing your subscription status immediately if you are no longer using the service.
Cancellation methods for each platform
Your cancellation route depends entirely on where you bought Hotspot Shield; each platform handles subscriptions differently, and cancelling in the wrong place will not stop your charges.
Cancel via google play (Android devices)
If you signed up for Hotspot Shield through the Google Play Store on an Android phone or tablet, you must cancel directly through Google Play, not through the Hotspot Shield app itself.
- Open the Google Play app on your Android device
- Tap your profile icon in the top right corner
- Select "Payments and subscriptions"
- Tap "Subscriptions"
- Choose Hotspot Shield from the list
- Tap "Cancel subscription"
- Select your reason for cancellation and confirm
Google Play will process your cancellation immediately. You will retain access to Hotspot Shield until the end of your current billing period, and you will not be charged again.
Cancel via apple app store (iPhone and iPad)
If you subscribed through the Apple App Store, you must cancel through your Apple ID account settings, not through the Hotspot Shield app.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad
- Tap your name at the top of the screen
- Select "Subscriptions"
- Find Hotspot Shield and tap it
- Tap "Cancel subscription"
- Confirm your cancellation
Apple will confirm your cancellation via email within minutes. Your subscription will end on your next billing date, and you will lose access to paid features at that point.
Cancel via the Hotspot Shield website
If you signed up directly through hotspotshield.com and paid by credit or debit card, you can cancel through your account dashboard.
- Visit hotspotshield.com and log in with your email address and password
- Navigate to your account settings or "Manage subscription"
- Select "Cancel subscription"
- Confirm your cancellation request
- Check your email for a cancellation confirmation receipt
Hotspot Shield will send you a confirmation email. If you do not receive one within 24 hours, contact their support team to verify the cancellation was processed.
Your legal position and cancellation timing
In New Zealand, your rights to cancel a digital subscription are governed by the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the Fair Trading Act 1986. You have the right to cancel at any time, though the timing of your refund depends on your subscription plan and purchase platform.
Cancellation rights and timelines
Once you cancel, Hotspot Shield will stop charging you immediately if you cancel before your renewal date. If your payment has already been processed for the next month, you are entitled to use the service until that billing period ends. If you cancel after being charged but believe the service does not meet the standard promised, you can request a refund.
The Consumer Guarantees Act gives you the right to recover money if the service was not of acceptable quality or not fit for purpose. You do not need to wait until your subscription term ends to make this claim.
Requesting a refund from Hotspot Shield
If you believe Hotspot Shield has breached its consumer guarantees or misrepresented its performance, contact the company's support team and request a refund. Explain clearly what features did not work as promised and provide evidence (screenshots, dates, connection logs).
Send your refund request to Hotspot Shield's support email and keep a copy for your records. The company must respond within a reasonable timeframe. If Hotspot Shield refuses or does not respond within 20 working days, you can escalate to the Commerce Commission.
Escalating to the commerce commission
The Commerce Commission is New Zealand's consumer protection authority. If Hotspot Shield refuses your refund or does not respond to your cancellation request, you can lodge a complaint at www.comcom.govt.nz.
The Commission will investigate whether Hotspot Shield has breached the Consumer Guarantees Act or the Fair Trading Act. You will need to provide documentation of your purchase, copies of all correspondence with Hotspot Shield, and evidence that the service did not perform as advertised.
Refunds and billing after cancellation
Understanding what happens to your money after you cancel ensures you do not lose track of refunds or unexpected charges.
When you will receive your refund
If you have cancelled but still believe the service failed to deliver acceptable quality, Hotspot Shield may refund your most recent charge. The timeline depends on your payment method: credit or debit card refunds typically appear within 5-10 business days, whilst bank transfers may take longer.
If you cancel mid-month through Google Play or the Apple App Store, Apple and Google control the refund policy, not Hotspot Shield. Google Play offers refunds within 48 hours of purchase. Apple provides a 14-day refund window from the purchase date for certain circumstances.
Preventing accidental recharges
After you cancel, log back into your account within a few days to confirm the subscription status shows as inactive or cancelled. If Hotspot Shield recharges you after you have cancelled, contact your bank or card issuer immediately and request a chargeback. Provide your cancellation confirmation email as evidence.
Keep all confirmation emails from Google Play, Apple, Hotspot Shield, or your bank for at least 12 months. Yafee recommends setting a phone reminder to check your bank statement two weeks after cancellation to confirm no unauthorised charges have occurred.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling
Cancelling is simple once you understand the process, but a few common errors can trap you in unwanted charges. You can avoid these pitfalls by following a clear checklist.
Deleting the app does not cancel your subscription
Many subscribers believe uninstalling Hotspot Shield from their phone will stop the charges. It will not. Deleting the app only removes the software from your device; your active subscription remains linked to your Apple ID, Google account, or Hotspot Shield account. You will still be charged on your next billing date.
Always cancel the subscription through the platform where you bought it (Google Play, Apple App Store, or Hotspot Shield's website) before you delete the app.
Cancelling in the app does not work
Hotspot Shield's app does not include a "Cancel subscription" button. Tapping "Cancel subscription" within the app may only turn off notifications or remove your saved login, but it does not cancel your actual subscription.
You must log into Google Play, the Apple App Store, or hotspotshield.com to complete the cancellation.
Not documenting your cancellation
If a dispute arises, you will need proof that you cancelled. Take a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation page before closing it. Save the confirmation email Hotspot Shield sends you. If you cancel through Google Play or Apple, check your order history to confirm the subscription no longer shows as active.
Cancelling too late in the billing cycle
If you cancel on the day before your payment is due, Hotspot Shield or the app store may still process your charge. Cancel at least three working days before your renewal date to be certain no payment is taken.
What happens after cancellation
Once Hotspot Shield confirms your cancellation, your access to paid features will end on your current billing period's final day. Plan ahead so you can find an alternative VPN before your protection expires.
Access and data retention
You will lose access to Hotspot Shield's premium features at the end of your billing period. If you are using the Premium Family plan, all family members will lose access simultaneously. Your saved passwords, browsing history, and VPN connection logs will be handled according to Hotspot Shield's privacy policy; review this policy on their website to understand data retention practices.
Switching to a different VPN service
Before your Hotspot Shield access expires, research and download an alternative VPN service. Yafee recommends comparing features, speed, logging policies, and customer reviews to find a provider that suits your needs. Test the new VPN on your devices to confirm it works before your Hotspot Shield subscription ends.
Monitoring your bank account
Check your bank statement and credit card statements for 60 days after cancellation. If you see any charges from Hotspot Shield, Apple, Google, or associated payment processors, contact your bank immediately. Request a chargeback and provide your cancellation confirmation as evidence of your request to stop the charges.
Cancellation checklist
Use this checklist to ensure you have completed every step and protected yourself from unexpected charges.
- Identify where you bought Hotspot Shield (Google Play, Apple App Store, or hotspotshield.com)
- Log into the correct platform (do not rely on the app itself)
- Navigate to your subscriptions or account settings
- Select Hotspot Shield and tap "Cancel subscription"
- Confirm your cancellation
- Take a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation page
- Save the confirmation email you receive
- Log back in within 3-5 days to confirm the subscription status shows as cancelled
- Monitor your bank statement for 60 days for any unauthorised charges
- If Hotspot Shield charged you despite cancellation, contact your bank and request a chargeback
- If you believe the service breached consumer guarantees, gather evidence and prepare a complaint to the Commerce Commission
Comparing Hotspot Shield with alternatives
If you are cancelling because Hotspot Shield does not meet your needs, understanding what alternatives offer may help you choose a better service.
VPN services compared
| VPN service | Monthly cost (approx. NZD) | Logging policy | Free trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotspot Shield | $18.81 | Minimal logs | 7-day free tier |
| ExpressVPN | $26.00 | No logs | No |
| NordVPN | $15.50 | No logs | 30-day money-back |
| Surfshark | $13.50 | No logs | 30-day money-back |
| ProtonVPN | $14.00 | No logs | Free tier available |
Consider your priority: faster speeds, stricter privacy, larger server networks, or lower cost. Yafee recommends testing a new VPN for at least a week before cancelling your current service to ensure it meets your requirements.
Customer reviews and feedback
Real user feedback can help you understand whether Hotspot Shield's problems are widespread or specific to your setup.
Common complaint patterns
Users frequently report that Hotspot Shield connections drop unexpectedly, that the app consumes significant battery power on mobile devices, and that customer support response times are slow. Some subscribers note that speed degradation is noticeable, particularly when using Hotspot Shield on public wifi networks.
On the positive side, customers praise Hotspot Shield's user interface, ease of installation, and the free tier option. Users who value simplicity over advanced features generally report satisfaction, whilst those prioritising speed and privacy often switch to competitors.
Why users cancel Hotspot Shield
The most common reasons for cancellation are performance issues (slow speeds, connection drops), perceived better alternatives, and cost concerns. Some users cancel after discovering that Hotspot Shield's free tier has significant limitations, or after their trial period ends and they realise the monthly cost does not justify the service quality they experience.
Contact information and escalation
If you cannot cancel through your subscription platform or need to dispute a charge, contact Hotspot Shield directly through their legal notice address.
Hotspot Shield support and contact details
Hotspot Shield operates globally and does not maintain a dedicated New Zealand postal address. All correspondence should be directed to their global legal office. You can find current contact details on the Hotspot Shield website under "Contact Us" or "Legal Information."
For escalation, address your complaint to Hotspot Shield's legal department. Include your account details, subscription dates, and clear explanation of your refund request or service failure. Send correspondence via email with a read receipt enabled, or use registered post to ensure delivery is confirmed.
Escalating to the commerce commission
If Hotspot Shield does not respond within 20 working days or refuses your refund claim, file a complaint with the Commerce Commission at www.comcom.govt.nz. Provide all correspondence, bank statements showing charges, and documentation of the service failures you experienced.
The Commerce Commission investigates breaches of the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the Fair Trading Act 1986. You do not need to pay a fee to lodge a complaint.
Final summary and next steps
Cancelling Hotspot Shield in New Zealand is a straightforward process once you identify the platform where you subscribed and follow the correct cancellation method. Whether you cancel through Google Play, the Apple App Store, or Hotspot Shield's website, you will receive a confirmation within minutes and retain access until your current billing period ends.
Your rights under New Zealand's Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 ensure you can claim a refund if the service fails to meet acceptable quality standards. Document any service failures and keep all receipts and correspondence. If Hotspot Shield refuses your refund claim, the Commerce Commission will investigate your complaint at no cost.
Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover refunds by understanding their legal rights and following a clear cancellation process. Use the checklist above to complete your cancellation today, monitor your bank account for 60 days, and switch to an alternative VPN service that better meets your privacy and speed requirements. For more guidance on subscription cancellation across other services and platforms, visit Yafee.com to access additional cancellation guides and consumer rights resources.