How to cancel Scanguru and recover your money under philippine consumer law
What is Scanguru and why cancellation matters
Scanguru is a mobile document scanning application distributed through the Philippines App Store under the developer GM UniverseApps Limited. The app converts paper documents and images into PDF files, offering cloud storage and document organization features. You download it, activate a subscription plan, and gain access to premium scanning capabilities.
The cancellation problem is real. Scanguru's subscription terms are scattered across multiple pages, and the app does not clearly explain auto-renewal rules, trial-to-paid conversion timelines, or what happens to your scanned documents after you cancel. For a paid service charging between ₱199 and ₱3,990, that lack of transparency is a violation of your rights under Philippine consumer protection law.
Most users cancel Scanguru because surprise charges appear on their Apple account long after they believed a free trial had ended. Others discover the app no longer serves their needs, or they find competing document management tools that offer better value. Whatever your reason, Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover their money.
Understanding scanguru's pricing structure
Scanguru offers multiple payment tiers within the Philippines App Store. Knowing which plan you purchased is essential before you cancel, because each option carries different cancellation rules and refund eligibility windows.
| Plan type |
Price (PHP) |
Renewal type |
Cancellation window |
| One-time purchase |
₱199 |
None (one payment only) |
Refund within 14 days |
| Premium subscription |
₱399 |
Monthly auto-renewal |
Cancel before next billing date |
| Unlimited Access |
₱449 |
Monthly auto-renewal |
Cancel before next billing date |
| Lifetime Access |
₱3,990 |
None (one-time) |
Refund within 14 days only |
Why users cancel Scanguru
The most common reason for cancellation is surprise recurring charges. Users believe they are in a free trial, then discover a ₱399 or ₱449 charge hitting their Apple account weeks or months later, with no clear notification before the charge was applied.
Other cancellation reasons include poor document retention after you stop using the app, slow customer support response times, insufficient data encryption, and the discovery that a competitor's app offers superior scanning or cloud storage features. Your right to cancel is absolute under Philippine law, regardless of whether Scanguru's terms suggest otherwise.
Your consumer rights under philippine law
Philippine consumer protection law grants you specific rights that override any subscription terms written by Scanguru or Apple.
The consumer act of the philippines and your cancellation rights
The Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 7394) protects you in three critical ways. First, you have the right to cancel any subscription within 14 days of purchase and receive a full refund, even if Scanguru's terms state otherwise. Second, you have the right to receive clear, truthful, and prominent information about recurring charges before you agree to them. Third, you have the right to pursue a formal complaint if the company refuses to honour your cancellation request.
Yafee emphasizes that the 14-day refund window applies to one-time purchases (like the ₱199 or ₱3,990 lifetime plan) and to the first billing cycle of any subscription. If you cancel a monthly subscription on day 7 of your first month, you are entitled to a full refund of that month's charge under RA 7394.
Your legal position when Scanguru or apple refuses cancellation
If you request a refund and Scanguru or Apple denies it without valid legal reason, you are not stuck. You can escalate your complaint to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Consumer Assistance and Dispute Resolution Office (CARDO). The DTI will investigate whether Scanguru's charge complied with RA 7394 and can order a refund on your behalf. There is no fee to file a complaint with CARDO, and the process is designed to protect consumers like you.
You may also file a case with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) if your charge came through a telecommunications billing channel rather than direct Apple billing. Document all communications with screenshots of the charges, your cancellation requests, and any responses from Scanguru or Apple before escalating to the DTI.
How to cancel Scanguru step by step
Cancellation depends on whether you purchased Scanguru directly through the Philippines App Store or through another billing method.
Step 1: locate your billing method and subscription status
Open the Scanguru app on your device and look for a Settings, Account, or Subscription menu. If you cannot find subscription settings within the app, you are likely being billed through the App Store itself, not through Scanguru's servers.
- Open the Scanguru app and navigate to Settings or Account.
- Look for a menu option labelled "Subscription", "Billing", "Premium", or "Account".
- If you find this menu and it shows an active subscription, note the renewal date.
- If you find no billing settings inside the app, proceed to Step 2 (App Store cancellation).
Step 2: cancel through the app store (most common path)
Most Scanguru users are billed through Apple's App Store, not directly by Scanguru. Cancelling through the App Store stops future charges immediately.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap your Apple ID at the top of the screen.
- Select "Subscriptions".
- Find "Scanguru" in the active subscriptions list.
- Tap "Scanguru" to open its subscription details.
- You will see the renewal date, plan name (Premium, Unlimited Access, etc.), and the amount charged each month.
- Tap "Cancel Subscription" or "Edit Subscription".
- The button may say "Cancel" or "Delete" depending on your iOS version.
- Confirm the cancellation by following the on-screen prompts.
- Verify the cancellation.
- Return to the Subscriptions screen; Scanguru should no longer appear in your active list, or it should show "Expires on [date]".
- Take a screenshot of the confirmation for your records.
Step 3: request a refund if you qualify
If you cancelled within 14 days of your first charge or within 14 days of the most recent billing date, you are entitled to a refund under the Consumer Act of the Philippines.
- Open the App Store app on your device.
- Tap the profile icon in the top right corner.
- Select "Purchase history" or "Account".
- Find the Scanguru charge in your transaction history.
- Look for the most recent charge date and the amount (₱199, ₱399, ₱449, or ₱3,990).
- Tap the Scanguru transaction and select "Report a problem" or "Get help".
- Apple will offer you the option to request a refund.
- Select the reason "I did not authorise this charge" or "I want to cancel my subscription", depending on the options shown.
- Submit your request.
- Monitor your email for Apple's response.
- Apple typically responds within 48 hours and approves refunds within 14 days of the charge if you meet the Consumer Act criteria.
Step 4: contact Scanguru directly if the app store route fails
If Apple denies your refund or does not respond within 14 days, contact Scanguru's customer support. Although the app lacks a published contact email, you may reach GM UniverseApps Limited through the app's support form or through the developer's website if listed in the App Store.
- Open the Scanguru app and locate a "Contact us", "Help", or "Support" button.
- This is typically in Settings or the main menu.
- Compose a message stating: "I cancelled my subscription on [date] and request a refund for the charge of ₱[amount] on [date]. My cancellation qualifies under the Consumer Act of the Philippines (RA 7394), which grants a 14-day refund window for subscription charges."
- Attach screenshots.
- Include screenshots of the charge, your cancellation confirmation, and the cancellation date from the App Store.
- Send the message and wait for a response (typically 5-7 business days).
- Keep a copy of your message and the timestamp.
Step 5: escalate to the department of trade and industry if necessary
If Scanguru or Apple refuses your refund without valid explanation, file a formal complaint with the DTI Consumer Assistance and Dispute Resolution Office (CARDO).
- Gather your evidence.
- Compile all screenshots, email correspondence, transaction records, and cancellation confirmations.
- Write a one-page summary: what you purchased, when you cancelled, what you are owed, and why you believe Scanguru or Apple violated RA 7394.
- File a complaint with CARDO.
- Visit the DTI CARDO website (dtistandardscomplaint.gov.ph) or visit your nearest DTI office in person.
- Submit your complaint form (Form No. 1) along with your evidence copies.
- You will receive a complaint number and a scheduled hearing date.
- Attend the hearing or submit a sworn affidavit.
- The DTI will contact Scanguru or Apple to respond to your complaint.
- If either party fails to respond or cannot justify the refusal, the DTI will order a refund in your favour.
What happens after you cancel Scanguru
Cancellation takes effect immediately, but your access status depends on your plan type.
Your access to Scanguru after cancellation
If you purchased a monthly subscription (Premium or Unlimited Access), cancellation stops all future charges, but you retain access to Scanguru until the end of the current billing cycle. For example, if you cancel on day 10 of a 30-day billing month, you can still use Scanguru until day 30, then the app locks premium features.
If you purchased a one-time plan (the ₱199 purchase or ₱3,990 lifetime access), cancellation does not apply to one-time purchases because there are no recurring charges to stop. Instead, you would request a refund through the App Store if you cancelled within 14 days.
What happens to your scanned documents
Scanguru does not automatically delete your scanned documents when your subscription expires. However, you will lose the ability to create new scans and may lose access to cloud storage features. Download all documents you wish to keep before cancellation takes full effect. Export them as PDF files to your device or to another cloud service like Google Drive or OneDrive.
Uninstalling the app
After cancellation takes effect, you may uninstall the Scanguru app. Cancelling the subscription and uninstalling are separate actions; uninstalling the app does not cancel the subscription, so always cancel first through the App Store settings.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling Scanguru
Cancellation is straightforward, but many consumers make errors that delay refunds or prevent them entirely. Yafee encourages you to avoid these pitfalls.
Mistake 1: uninstalling the app without cancelling the subscription
Uninstalling Scanguru from your device does not cancel your subscription or stop future charges. You must cancel the subscription through the App Store settings before uninstalling. Charges will continue hitting your Apple account until you complete the cancellation steps outlined above.
Mistake 2: waiting too long to request a refund
Under the Consumer Act of the Philippines, you have only 14 days to request a refund from the date of the charge. After day 14, Apple and Scanguru are no longer required to honour a refund request, even if you cancelled the subscription. If you were charged on a date and realize days later that you did not authorize it, request a refund within the 14-day window immediately.
Mistake 3: not documenting your cancellation
Take screenshots of every cancellation confirmation, refund request, and response from Apple or Scanguru. If you later need to escalate to the DTI, you will need this evidence. Screenshots with timestamps are far more persuasive than verbal claims in a dispute.
Mistake 4: confusing the trial period with a free trial
Scanguru advertises free trials for premium features, but the trial automatically converts to a paid subscription if you do not cancel before the trial period ends. Do not assume the trial is truly free; mark your calendar with the trial end date and cancel the subscription two days before the end date to be safe.
Checklist: confirming your Scanguru cancellation
Use this checklist to ensure your cancellation is complete and eligible for a refund.
| Task |
Status |
Notes |
| Opened App Store Settings and located Scanguru subscription |
Done / Pending |
Note the plan name and renewal date |
| Clicked "Cancel Subscription" and confirmed cancellation |
Done / Pending |
Screenshot the confirmation screen |
| Checked that Scanguru no longer appears in active subscriptions |
Done / Pending |
It should show "Expires on [date]" or be removed |
| Requested a refund through App Store "Report a Problem" (if within 14 days) |
Done / Pending |
Save your refund request confirmation number |
| Downloaded and exported all important scanned documents |
Done / Pending |
Use email or cloud export to save PDFs |
| Received refund confirmation from Apple or filed DTI complaint (if denied) |
Done / Pending |
Refunds typically appear within 14 business days |
If you need to escalate your Scanguru cancellation or refund dispute, use these official channels.
Department of trade and industry (DTI) consumer assistance and dispute resolution office
Filing a complaint with the DTI is free and does not require a lawyer. Visit the DTI website at dtistandardscomplaint.gov.ph or visit your nearest DTI field office. The DTI has regional offices in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, and other major cities across the Philippines. Bring copies of your transaction records, cancellation screenshots, and proof of your refund request to the office.
National telecommunications commission (NTC)
If your charge was processed through a telecommunications billing channel (e.g., a telco bill), the NTC has concurrent jurisdiction over billing disputes. File a complaint at the NTC office or through their online complaint portal if your App Store charge was routed through a Philippine mobile carrier.
Apple support
For immediate questions about your App Store subscription or refund status, contact Apple Support directly through the App Store app or at support.apple.com. Apple agents can explain your subscription status and process expedited refunds if your case meets Consumer Act criteria.
Why yafee helps you win subscription cancellations
Yafee is a consumer-focused contract law platform that specializes in helping users like you navigate subscription cancellations, refund disputes, and app billing problems. Yafee combines expertise in Philippine consumer law (particularly RA 7394) with step-by-step guidance for every major app and service.
Unlike generic app support forums, Yafee grounds every recommendation in the actual legal framework that protects you. We know that Scanguru's vague terms do not excuse unclear auto-renewal practices, and we ensure you understand your rights before you take action. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel Scanguru and recover their money through the App Store refund process and, when necessary, through formal DTI complaints.
Whether you are within the 14-day refund window or facing a stubborn refusal from Scanguru or Apple, Yafee provides the legal grounding and procedural clarity you need to succeed. Visit Yafee.com today to access our full library of cancellation guides, template complaint letters, and live support from contract specialists who understand Philippine consumer law.