How to cancel your Medium membership and keep your reading rights in singapore
What you need to know about Medium
Medium is a digital publishing platform where independent writers and journalists share long-form articles and readers access a curated mix of free and paid member-only stories. A Medium membership unlocks unlimited access to exclusive content from thousands of publications and supports writers directly through your subscription fee.
You subscribe to Medium through three distinct channels: the Medium website using a credit card or PayPal account, Apple's App Store for iOS devices, or Google Play for Android devices. Your billing and account management differ significantly depending on which platform you used to subscribe, so identifying your subscription source is your first critical step. At Yafee, we guide readers through this process regularly and have found that most cancellation issues stem from attempting to cancel through the wrong platform.
How Medium delivers its service to you
Medium operates as a web-based platform accessible at medium.com, with native mobile applications available on iOS and Android. Your subscription status and access to member-only content synchronise across all devices once you log in with your Medium account credentials. However, cancelling your membership on one platform does not automatically cancel subscriptions on other platforms. If you subscribed through both the website and the Apple App Store, you must cancel each subscription separately to ensure you stop all recurring charges.
Why cancellation timing matters to your access
When you cancel your Medium membership, your access continues until the end of your current billing period. If you subscribed monthly on 15 March and cancel on 20 March, you retain full member access until 15 April. After that date, the paywall returns and you see only free stories. Understanding this grace period helps you decide whether to cancel immediately or time your cancellation closer to your renewal date to maximise the value of your final billing cycle.
Your consumer rights when cancelling Medium in singapore
Singapore's Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act protects your right to cancel subscriptions and seek refunds under specific circumstances, regardless of what Medium's terms state about non-refundable fees.
Understanding the consumer protection (Fair trading) act
The Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act grants you a cooling-off period for distance contracts, which includes online subscriptions like Medium. If you subscribed through the Medium website or app, you have the legal right to cancel within a reasonable timeframe without penalty. The standard cooling-off period is 7 days from the date you entered into the contract. After that period expires, Medium's non-refund policy generally applies unless the service was misrepresented or not delivered as promised by Medium.
App Store and Google Play purchases operate under separate terms. Apple offers a 14-day refund window for App Store subscriptions if you request refunds within that period. Google Play allows comparable requests within a similar timeframe. You must contact Apple or Google directly through their respective platforms, as Medium cannot override or accelerate their refund decisions. Yafee recommends keeping your App Store receipt or email confirmation from Google Play to support any refund request.
Your legal position on refunds and non-compliance
Under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act, you can demand a refund if Medium fails to deliver the service or misrepresents what membership includes. If your account is suspended, content is removed without notice, or access is denied despite an active subscription, you have grounds to escalate. Medium's blanket "no refunds" clause cannot override statutory consumer protection rights. Document the date you submitted your cancellation request, the method you used, and any responses from Medium support. This documentation becomes essential if you need to lodge a formal complaint.
When to escalate to the consumers association of singapore
If Medium refuses to honour a refund within the cooling-off period or delivers a service that does not match its published description, lodge a complaint with the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE). CASE mediates disputes between consumers and businesses and can push Medium to comply with consumer protection laws. You do not need a lawyer to file a complaint with CASE. Provide your cancellation request date, Medium's response (or lack thereof), and the amount you paid. CASE has authority to investigate and enforce compliance on Medium's part, making it an effective escalation channel before pursuing legal action.
How to cancel your Medium membership
Your cancellation method depends entirely on where you subscribed, and following the correct steps ensures your cancellation is processed without delay.
Cancel through the Medium website (credit card or PayPal)
If you subscribed directly through medium.com with a credit card or PayPal account, cancel through Medium's website settings. This method is the fastest and provides you with the clearest confirmation of cancellation.
- Open your web browser and navigate to medium.com.
- Log in using the email address and password associated with your Medium account.
- Click your profile icon or avatar in the top right corner of the page.
- Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu.
- In the left sidebar, click "Membership and payments" or "Billing and subscription".
- Locate your active subscription and click "Manage subscription" or "Cancel subscription".
- Select your cancellation reason from the dropdown menu if prompted.
- Click the "Cancel membership" or "Confirm cancellation" button.
- Medium displays a confirmation message. Screenshot this confirmation for your records.
- Check your email inbox for a cancellation confirmation email from Medium within 24 hours.
Cancel through apple app store (iOS subscription)
If you subscribed to Medium through the Apple App Store on your iPhone or iPad, you must cancel through Apple's settings, not through the Medium app itself.
- On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app.
- Tap your name or Apple ID at the top of the screen.
- Select "Subscriptions".
- Find "Medium" in the list of active subscriptions.
- Tap on "Medium".
- Tap "Cancel Subscription".
- Confirm the cancellation when prompted.
- Apple displays a confirmation screen and sends a confirmation email to your Apple ID email address.
- Your Medium access continues until the current billing cycle ends, shown on the same screen.
If you cannot locate the Subscriptions menu, your iOS version may be older. As an alternative, open the App Store app, tap your profile icon in the bottom right, select your Apple ID, tap "Subscriptions", find Medium, and follow the same cancellation steps above.
Cancel through google play (Android subscription)
If you subscribed to Medium through Google Play on your Android device, cancel through the Google Play app or website.
- On your Android device, open the Google Play app.
- Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Tap "Manage your Google Account".
- Swipe to the "Payments and subscriptions" tab.
- Tap "Subscriptions".
- Select "Medium".
- Tap "Cancel subscription".
- Confirm your cancellation reason and select "Yes, cancel subscription".
- Google displays a confirmation and sends an email to your Google account email address.
- Your Medium access continues until the end of your current billing period.
Alternatively, visit play.google.com, log in with your Google account, navigate to "Manage my subscriptions", select Medium, and click "Cancel subscription". Both methods produce the same result. Yafee advises taking a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation page for your protection.
What happens after you cancel your Medium membership
Cancelling your membership does not immediately remove your access, and understanding what occurs after cancellation prevents confusion and unnecessary support contacts.
Your access period after cancellation
Medium grants you a grace period during which you retain full member access until the end of your current billing cycle. Your member status remains active on all devices and browsers where you are logged in. You can continue reading unlimited articles, accessing member-only publications, and supporting writers through your membership until the exact date your current billing period expires. After that date, you cannot access paywalled content and must register or subscribe again to unlock member stories.
Your data and account after cancellation
Cancelling your subscription does not delete your Medium account or your published articles if you are a writer. Your reading history, saved stories, and profile remain intact. If you wish to delete your account entirely, submit a separate request through Medium's account deletion process. Yafee recommends saving or exporting your reading list if you plan not to return to Medium, as your reading history may not be recoverable after account deletion.
Refund eligibility and what to expect
Refund policy depends on when you cancel and which platform you used to subscribe, so your eligibility differs based on these factors.
Refunds for website subscriptions (credit card or PayPal)
Medium's stated policy is that subscription fees are non-refundable. However, if you cancel within 7 days of your subscription start date under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act, you have a legal right to request a refund. Submit a refund request to Medium's support team at [email protected] with the date you subscribed and your payment method. Reference the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act in your email. Medium must respond within 14 days. If Medium refuses, escalate to the Consumers Association of Singapore with your email correspondence and payment receipt.
Refunds for app store subscriptions (iOS)
Apple allows you to request a refund for App Store subscriptions within 14 days of the charge date. Open the App Store app, tap your profile icon, select "Purchase History", find the Medium charge, tap it, and select "Report a Problem". Choose "I would like a refund for this purchase" and provide your reason. Apple reviews your request and typically responds within 48 hours. Refunds are issued to your original payment method (credit card, Apple Gift Card, or Apple account balance).
Refunds for google play subscriptions (Android)
Google Play allows refunds for subscriptions within a similar timeframe, though the exact period depends on whether you are in your initial billing cycle. Open the Google Play app, tap your profile icon, select "Manage your Google Account", go to "Payments and subscriptions", tap "Subscriptions", select Medium, and tap "Cancel subscription". During the cancellation process, Google prompts you to select a reason. Choose "I want a refund" or a similar reason. Google processes refund requests within 48 hours, returning funds to your original payment method.
Common cancellation mistakes and how to avoid them
Cancellation is straightforward once you identify the correct platform, and avoiding these common pitfalls ensures you do not face unexpected charges or service interruptions.
Mistake one: cancelling in the wrong location
Many readers cancel through the Medium app or website but forget they subscribed through the App Store or Google Play. Medium's internal cancellation does not affect App Store or Google Play subscriptions. If you subscribed through multiple platforms, your cancellation takes effect only on the platform where you initiated it. You must cancel each subscription separately. Before cancelling anywhere, identify where your recurring charge appears on your bank or credit card statement: does it show "Apple Inc", "Google", or "Medium"? That source tells you where to cancel.
Mistake two: expecting immediate refunds after cancellation
Cancelling your subscription does not trigger an automatic refund for your current billing period. Your access continues until the end of that period, and no refund is due unless you cancel within the 7-day cooling-off period on the Medium website or within Apple or Google's refund windows. If you cancelled on day 2 of a monthly billing cycle, you have paid for the full month and will not receive a partial refund. Time your cancellation strategically to minimise wasted subscription time.
Mistake three: not saving your cancellation confirmation
Always screenshot or save the cancellation confirmation message from Medium, Apple, or Google. If a charge appears on your statement after cancellation, you need proof that you cancelled within the required timeframe. This documentation is essential if you dispute a charge or escalate to CASE. Email confirmations are also acceptable, so check your inbox and save cancellation emails.
Pricing and billing summary
Medium's pricing structure is standardised across all platforms, though billing currency and local payment methods vary by region.
| Plan |
Monthly cost (SGD) |
Annual cost (SGD) |
Renewal frequency |
Best for |
| Medium membership |
$11.87 approximately |
$118.70 approximately |
Monthly or annual |
Regular readers of member-only content |
| Free Medium account |
$0 |
$0 |
N/A |
Occasional readers of free stories |
| Publication membership |
Varies by publication |
Varies by publication |
Varies |
Readers seeking specific publication access |
Exact SGD amounts depend on current USD exchange rates, as Medium prices subscriptions in US dollars. Your bank or payment provider applies the conversion rate on your billing date. Check your original receipt or Medium's billing page to confirm your exact charge amount.
Why you might want to cancel Medium
Cancellation is the right choice when Medium no longer aligns with your reading habits or budget priorities.
When cancellation makes sense
Cancel if you read fewer than three articles per month, as your cost per article exceeds the value you receive. Cancel if you subscribe through multiple platforms and want to consolidate to one source. Cancel if Medium's content library no longer appeals to your interests or if writers you follow move to other platforms. Cancel if you face financial constraints or are testing free alternatives. Yafee encourages you to be honest about your usage: if you log in fewer than five times per month, cancellation frees up funds for subscriptions you actually use.
When you might want to pause instead of cancel
Some readers benefit from pausing their subscription temporarily rather than cancelling. Unfortunately, Medium does not offer a formal pause feature. Your only options are to remain subscribed or cancel outright. If you expect to return to Medium within 3 months, cancelling and resubscribing may result in lower promotional rates. If you plan to return after 12 months, cancelling is cleaner than maintaining an unused subscription.
Understanding how Medium compares to alternative reading platforms helps you decide whether cancellation is the right step for your reading habits.
| Platform |
Monthly cost (SGD approx) |
Content focus |
Member benefits |
Best for |
| Medium |
$11.87 |
Independent writers, journalism, essays |
Unlimited reads, writer support |
Long-form readers |
| Substack |
Variable (per publication) |
Newsletters, essays, commentary |
Direct publication access |
Specific newsletter subscribers |
| The New York Times (news and opinion) |
$17-20 SGD approx |
News, reporting, opinion |
Full article access, archives |
News-focused readers |
| LinkedIn Premium |
$15 SGD approx |
Professional content, business |
Exclusive articles, networking |
Career-focused professionals |
| Apple News Plus |
$15.99 SGD approx |
News, magazines, journalistic content |
Magazine and newspaper access |
Magazine readers, Apple ecosystem users |
Each platform serves different reading habits. If you primarily read business and technology content, Substack or LinkedIn Premium may offer better value. If you want news from established outlets, The New York Times or Apple News Plus may suit you better. Yafee helps thousands of readers evaluate whether their current subscription matches their actual reading behaviour, and we often find that cancellation followed by a move to a more targeted platform delivers higher satisfaction.
If you encounter issues during cancellation or need to escalate a complaint, use Medium's official contact channels.
Medium support contact information
Email support at [email protected] with your Medium account email address, the date you attempted to cancel, and the platform where you subscribed. Medium support responds within 2 to 5 business days. For billing disputes or refund requests, include your payment method details (do not send card numbers, only the last four digits) and the transaction date from your statement.
When you cannot reach Medium through support
If Medium does not respond to your support email within 7 days or refuses to honour a refund request within the cooling-off period, file a complaint with the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE). CASE accepts complaints at case.org.sg or by phone during business hours. Provide your correspondence with Medium and proof of your subscription payment and cancellation request. CASE investigates and escalates on your behalf.
Cancellation checklist to protect your rights
Use this checklist to ensure your cancellation is complete and documented properly, protecting your legal position if disputes arise later.
- Identify the platform where you subscribed: Medium website, Apple App Store, or Google Play.
- Log in to the correct platform using your account credentials.
- Navigate to your subscription or billing settings on that platform.
- Initiate cancellation and record the date and time you did so.
- Screenshot or save the cancellation confirmation message.
- Save the confirmation email you receive from Medium, Apple, or Google.
- If you subscribed through multiple platforms, repeat steps one through seven for each platform.
- Note the date your access ends (displayed in the cancellation confirmation).
- Set a reminder to verify that no charge appears on your next billing date.
- If a charge appears after cancellation, contact your payment provider immediately and file a dispute.
Final steps and your path forward
Cancelling your Medium membership in Singapore is straightforward when you follow the correct platform-specific steps and understand your consumer rights under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act. Document your cancellation, retain confirmations, and escalate to CASE if Medium fails to honour your request.
Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions confidently by breaking the process into clear, actionable steps and grounding their rights in law. Whether you are cancelling Medium to reduce expenses, consolidate platforms, or shift to another reading service, you now have the legal framework and procedural guidance to act. Review your specific platform cancellation steps above, gather your documentation, and initiate cancellation today. If Medium disputes your cancellation or refuses a refund within the cooling-off period, your documented request and CASE escalation protect your position. Yafee stands ready to guide you through every step of this process at yafee.com.