How to cancel Epidemic Sound without hidden charges and recover your money

Understanding Epidemic Sound and why cancellation matters in the philippines

Epidemic Sound is a Stockholm-based music licensing platform designed for creators-YouTubers, filmmakers, podcasters, and brands-who require royalty-free music and sound effects for published content. If you live in the Philippines, you must understand one critical distinction: Epidemic Sound is not a streaming service like Spotify. You are not paying to listen to music for personal enjoyment. You are paying for usage rights tied to your account and plan type, which means your subscription serves a specific creative or commercial purpose.

The company operates from Västgötagatan 2, 118 27 Stockholm, Sweden, and handles all cancellations through your online account rather than through a local Philippine office. This geographical factor carries legal weight because if you subscribed through Apple's App Store or Google Play instead of the website directly, your cancellation path changes fundamentally, and many Filipino users become trapped in app-store billing cycles they do not fully control.

At Yafee, we have observed that Filipino creators often overlook this distinction, leading to prolonged subscriptions long after their projects end. Understanding your actual contract-and your cancellation rights under Philippine consumer law-protects you from unwanted charges.

What you actually pay for on Epidemic Sound

Epidemic Sound offers two main paid plans: the Creator Plan and the Pro Plan. Both grant you unlimited downloads and access to millions of royalty-free music tracks and sound effects. The Creator Plan costs approximately 564 Philippine pesos per month (displayed as $9.99 USD on their website), while the Pro Plan costs approximately 960 Philippine pesos per month (displayed as $16.99 USD). Your actual PHP charge depends on your bank's or payment provider's foreign exchange rate, which can add 2 to 5 percent to your bill.

The Creator Plan includes unlimited downloads in 320 kbps MP3 and 48 kHz 24-bit WAV formats, plus licensing for online content you publish. The Pro Plan adds commercial licensing, allowing you to monetize up to 3 channels per platform and publish content for clients and businesses. There is no minimum contract period, which means you can cancel anytime-but timing matters for your billing cycle because charges renew on the same date each month.

How the free trial works and when billing begins

Epidemic Sound offers a 30-day free trial when you sign up. During this trial period, you will not be charged. However, if you do not cancel before the trial expires, you will be automatically charged for the plan you selected, and your subscription will renew monthly on the same date. Once the trial converts to a paid plan, charges already made are generally non-refundable according to their terms, unless you dispute them within your payment provider's dispute window.

This is where vigilance becomes essential: mark your calendar 2 to 3 days before your trial ends. Do not rely on email reminders-take action yourself. Filipino users particularly must watch this, because billing happens in USD, and payment delays or system lags can create confusion about when your trial actually ended. Yafee recommends setting a phone reminder for day 27 of your trial.

Your legal position under philippine consumer law

Your cancellation rights are grounded in the Consumer Act of the Philippines, also known as Republic Act No. 7394, which protects your right to cancel subscriptions and recover charges obtained through misrepresentation or breach of merchant obligations.

What the consumer act of the philippines guarantees you

Under the Consumer Act of the Philippines, you have the right to cancel any subscription service without penalty, provided you comply with the terms of your contract. If Epidemic Sound fails to disclose cancellation terms clearly, charges you after you cancel, or misrepresents the trial period, you may file a complaint with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Consumer Protection Group. The DTI enforces consumer rights and can mandate refunds if Epidemic Sound violates the law.

Furthermore, if you subscribed through Apple's App Store or Google Play, Apple and Google are legally responsible for ensuring merchants comply with Philippine consumer law. You can appeal directly to Apple or Google if Epidemic Sound refuses to honor your cancellation, and either platform may reverse the charges on your behalf.

Your legal position when cancelling

You own the right to cancel at any time during your subscription. Epidemic Sound cannot force you to pay for future months once you cancel. If you cancel before your renewal date, your access typically ends on the last day of your current billing cycle, but you will not be charged again. If Epidemic Sound charges you after you cancel, you may dispute the transaction with your bank or payment provider within 120 days of the charge. The Philippine National Privacy Commission also has jurisdiction if Epidemic Sound fails to stop collecting your data after cancellation.

Yafee advises you to retain proof of cancellation-a screenshot of your account settings showing cancellation, confirmation emails, or transaction records-to support any future dispute.

Common reasons filipino creators cancel Epidemic Sound

Most Filipino creators cancel Epidemic Sound for practical and financial reasons.

Primary reasons for cancellation in the philippines

First, the subscription is a recurring monthly charge in USD, which means your bill fluctuates with the peso-to-dollar exchange rate-sometimes costing you 564 Philippine pesos one month and 610 the next, creating budget uncertainty. Second, many users subscribe for a single project, complete it, and see no reason to keep paying for a service they no longer use. Third, some discover they have overlapping music licenses or find free alternatives like Pixabay Music, YouTube Audio Library, or Bensound that meet their creative needs without subscription costs.

A smaller but significant group cancels because they subscribed through the wrong channel-accidentally through Apple's App Store instead of the Epidemic Sound website-and struggled to navigate app-store billing systems to stop recurring charges. This accidental app-store subscription is the single biggest cancellation pain point for Southeast Asian creators.

Should you cancel or pause your Epidemic Sound subscription?

Before you cancel, ask yourself: will you use Epidemic Sound again in the next 12 months? If yes, you have two options. You can cancel now and re-subscribe later (the 30-day free trial will apply again when you re-subscribe), or you can reduce your plan tier to the lowest-cost option to maintain access without spending heavily. If you are certain you will not return, cancellation is the logical choice. Yafee recommends cancelling if your next project is more than 6 months away, because re-subscribing costs nothing extra and resets your free trial.

How to cancel Epidemic Sound step by step

Your cancellation method depends on where you subscribed: directly through the Epidemic Sound website, through Apple's App Store, or through Google Play.

Cancel directly through the Epidemic Sound website

This method applies if you subscribed at epidemicsound.com and pay via credit card, debit card, or PayPal.

1. Log in to your Epidemic Sound account at epidemicsound.com using your email and password.
2. Click your profile icon or avatar in the top right corner of the page.
3. Select "Account settings" or "Billing" from the dropdown menu.
4. Locate the section labeled "Subscription" or "Plan."
   • You will see your current plan (Creator or Pro) and the date your next renewal charge will occur.
5. Click the button labeled "Cancel subscription," "Cancel plan," or "Manage subscription."
   • Epidemic Sound may ask you why you are cancelling-this is optional feedback, not a barrier to cancellation.
6. Confirm the cancellation when prompted.
   • You will receive an email confirmation within minutes.
   • Your access continues until the end of your current billing cycle.
7. Take a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation page and save the confirmation email to your records.

Cancel through apple's app store (iPhone or iPad)

If you subscribed via the Epidemic Sound app on an Apple device and your payment method is linked to your Apple ID, you must cancel through Apple, not Epidemic Sound.

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app.
2. Tap your name at the top of the screen.
3. Select "Subscriptions."
4. Find and tap "Epidemic Sound" in the list of active subscriptions.
5. Tap "Cancel subscription" or "Turn off auto-renewal."
   • Apple will display your cancellation reason options-you do not need to provide a reason, but may if you choose.
6. Confirm the cancellation when prompted.
   • Apple will send you an email confirmation.
   • Your Epidemic Sound access ends at the close of your current billing period.
7. Screenshot the cancellation screen and retain the Apple email confirmation.

Cancel through google play (Android)

If you subscribed via the Epidemic Sound app on an Android device and your payment method is linked to your Google Account, you must cancel through Google Play.

1. On your Android device, open the Google Play Store app.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
3. Select "Payments and subscriptions," then "Subscriptions."
4. Find and tap "Epidemic Sound" in your active subscriptions list.
5. Tap "Cancel subscription."
   • Google Play will display a confirmation screen explaining when your cancellation takes effect.
6. Confirm your cancellation.
   • Google will email you a confirmation.
   • Your Epidemic Sound access ends on your renewal date.
7. Take a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation and save the Google email.

What happens after you cancel your subscription

Understanding the post-cancellation timeline protects you from unexpected charges and clarifies what access you retain.

Your access and data after cancellation

Once you cancel, your Epidemic Sound account enters a "cancelled" state. You retain access to your account and any tracks you downloaded before cancellation, but you cannot download new tracks or access the full library. Your account remains active (no deletion occurs automatically) for 90 days after cancellation. Consequently, you can re-subscribe at any time within this window and your account will restore without losing download history.

Yafee emphasizes that downloaded tracks remain yours to use in your published projects indefinitely, even after cancellation-the licence granted during your subscription period does not expire. However, you cannot use tracks you download after re-subscribing until you have an active paid plan.

Billing after cancellation

After you cancel, no further charges will occur. Your final charge appears on the date your cancellation takes effect. If you were charged after cancelling, this is an error and grounds for a dispute. Contact your bank or payment provider immediately and reference your cancellation confirmation email.

Refunds and disputing charges after cancellation

Your refund eligibility depends on when you cancel relative to your billing date and whether Epidemic Sound violated your contract.

When you can request a refund

Epidemic Sound's standard policy does not offer refunds for unused subscription time-meaning if you cancel on day 15 of a 30-day billing cycle, you will not receive a refund for the remaining 15 days. However, you have grounds to request a refund if any of the following circumstances apply:

• You cancelled before your free trial ended, yet were charged.
• You cancelled your subscription, but Epidemic Sound charged you again.
• You discovered a billing error or duplicate charge on your card.
• Epidemic Sound failed to disclose cancellation terms or made a misleading claim about your plan.
• You discover that your bank or payment provider charged you in error (fraud or unauthorized transaction).

How to dispute and recover a charge

If you believe a charge is invalid, take these steps in order:

1. Contact Epidemic Sound support directly.
   • Email their support team and describe the charge in detail, attaching your cancellation confirmation.
   • Request a refund and provide your transaction reference number.
   • Allow 5 to 7 business days for a response.
2. If Epidemic Sound refuses or does not respond, file a dispute with your bank or payment provider.
   • Log into your bank's website or mobile app and navigate to "Disputes," "Transactions," or "Billing."
   • Select the Epidemic Sound charge and mark it as "Unauthorized," "Not recognized," or "Billing error."
   • Attach a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation and Epidemic Sound's non-response or refusal email.
   • Your bank will investigate and typically reverse the charge within 10 to 30 days if your claim is valid.
3. If your bank does not resolve the dispute, escalate to the Department of Trade and Industry Consumer Protection Group.
   • File a complaint online at dti.gov.ph or visit your nearest DTI office with proof of cancellation and the disputed charge.
   • The DTI will contact Epidemic Sound and demand a response.
   • If Epidemic Sound fails to comply, the DTI may levy penalties and mandate a refund.

Pricing comparison: creator versus pro plan

Understanding the cost difference between plans helps you decide whether to downgrade instead of cancel.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling

Many Filipino creators accidentally extend their subscriptions or lose important access because they overlook a critical step during cancellation-but these mistakes are entirely preventable.

Mistake 1: cancelling through the wrong platform

If you subscribed through Apple's App Store, cancelling within the Epidemic Sound website will not work. Your subscription remains active because Apple, not Epidemic Sound, controls your recurring charge. You must cancel through your Apple account settings or the Apple App Store app. The same applies to Google Play-cancelling on the Epidemic Sound website leaves your Google Play subscription active. Always cancel where you subscribed.

Mistake 2: failing to confirm cancellation immediately

After clicking "Cancel," wait for the confirmation screen and email before considering the task complete. If the confirmation page loads and you receive an email within 5 minutes, your cancellation is valid. If you do not receive an email within 24 hours, cancel again or contact support. Yafee advises you to screenshot the confirmation screen immediately-this becomes your legal proof if a dispute arises later.

Mistake 3: cancelling too close to your renewal date

If you cancel within 24 hours of your renewal date, your payment may already be processing. Some charges take 1 to 3 days to appear on your statement. Cancel at least 2 to 3 days before your renewal date to avoid this conflict. Check your renewal date in your account settings before cancelling.

Mistake 4: relying on app notifications instead of checking your account

Epidemic Sound sends reminder emails before renewal, but these emails sometimes land in spam or promotions folders. Do not trust that you received the reminder. Log into your account and check your renewal date manually every 2 weeks. This takes 30 seconds and eliminates surprise charges.

Mistake 5: assuming your cancellation stopped all charges

After cancelling, check your bank or card statement 5 to 10 days later to confirm no charge appears. If a charge occurs after your cancellation date, photograph the charge and your cancellation confirmation email, then dispute it immediately with your bank. Do not wait for Epidemic Sound to correct it-your bank can reverse the charge faster than support can respond.

Timeline and key dates for cancellation

Timing is everything when cancelling a subscription, particularly when your renewal date and cancellation date intersect.

How yafee helps you cancel subscriptions

Epidemic Sound is just one subscription many Filipino creators struggle to cancel. Yafee is a contract and subscription management platform built to simplify cancellations and protect your rights. At Yafee, we help thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions, dispute invalid charges, and understand their consumer rights under Philippine law.

Our platform consolidates all your active subscriptions in one place, sends you automatic reminders before renewal dates, and provides step-by-step cancellation guides tailored to your specific service and payment method. If a merchant refuses to honour your cancellation or charges you after you cancel, Yafee connects you with verified escalation contacts and helps you file disputes with your bank and the Department of Trade and Industry.

Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions like Epidemic Sound without hidden charges, recover unauthorized billing, and understand their rights. Sign up at yafee.com to manage all your subscriptions in one secure dashboard.

Contact Epidemic Sound for additional support

If you experience a technical issue during cancellation or have questions about your account, contact Epidemic Sound directly using the following information.

Epidemic Sound headquarters and mailing address

Epidemic Sound AB
Västgötagatan 2
118 27 Stockholm
Sweden

Customer support channels

Epidemic Sound does not maintain a Philippines office or dedicated Philippine phone line. All support requests are handled through their website support portal. Log into your account at epidemicsound.com and click "Help" or "Contact support" to submit a ticket. Response times typically range from 24 to 72 hours. For billing disputes or non-response, escalate to your bank or the Department of Trade and Industry as described in the refunds section above.

Your subscription is your contract, and your cancellation rights are protected by Philippine law. Taking action before your next renewal date ensures you remain in control of your money and your account. Yafee stands ready to guide you through every step of this process.