How to cancel your New Scientist subscription in singapore and protect your refund rights
Why singapore readers cancel New Scientist and what you should know first
New Scientist is a globally recognised weekly science publication delivering news, research insights, and in-depth analysis on technology, health, and environmental topics. In Singapore, you access New Scientist through iOS app subscriptions via the Apple App Store or through direct subscription channels. The magazine attracts curious readers seeking credible science journalism, but subscription costs, shifting reading habits, and subscription fatigue lead many Singapore-based readers to cancel their memberships.
Cancelling a magazine subscription involves more than simply removing an app. You need clarity on refund eligibility, access expiry dates, and your consumer rights under Singapore law. At Yafee, we understand the frustration of navigating opaque cancellation policies, which is why this guide walks you through every procedural step so you can cancel New Scientist with confidence and protect your money.
Common reasons for cancellation
Singapore subscribers cite several reasons for cancelling: content no longer aligns with their reading interests, budget constraints, accumulated unread issues, preference for free science news sources, or overlapping subscriptions to competing publications. Whatever your reason, you deserve a straightforward cancellation process and transparent information about refund eligibility and service termination timelines.
Cancellation routes available to you
You can cancel New Scientist through two distinct pathways. If you subscribed through the Apple App Store on iOS, you cancel directly through Apple's subscription management system. For subscriptions purchased through New Scientist's own website or channels, you contact their customer support team directly via postal mail or email. Each route operates under different refund rules and timelines, which this guide explores in full detail.
Your consumer rights under singapore law
Singapore's Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act provides you with explicit legal protections when you subscribe to digital services like New Scientist.
What the consumer protection (Fair trading) act guarantees
Under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act, you have the right to accurate service descriptions, transparent pricing, and fair contract terms. New Scientist must disclose renewal dates clearly, obtain your explicit consent before charging you, and deliver the service as described. If New Scientist misleads you about renewal dates, charges you without clear consent, or fails to deliver the service in full, you can lodge a formal complaint with the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE).
Crucially, if you cancel within a cooling-off period (typically 14 days for distance contracts), you may be entitled to a refund even if New Scientist's standard subscription terms state otherwise. This cooling-off right is a critical legal protection when dealing with automatic renewal traps or impulse subscriptions.
Your legal position when disputing a charge
If New Scientist refuses to process your cancellation or denies a refund, you hold several enforcement levers. First, document all communication with New Scientist by email or postal mail. Second, lodge a complaint with the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE), which offers free mediation and investigation. Third, contact your bank or credit card issuer and dispute the transaction as unauthorised or undelivered, forcing them to investigate and potentially reverse the charge. Yafee recommends preserving all evidence of your cancellation request, correspondence, and charges before escalating to CASE or your financial institution.
Subscription pricing for singapore readers
New Scientist pricing on the Apple App Store reflects local SGD rates and Apple's currency conversion methodology, which fluctuates monthly.
Current New Scientist rates on the apple app store
Use this pricing table as a reference point rather than a guaranteed fixed rate, as Apple adjusts prices according to exchange rates and regional promotions.
| Subscription plan |
Price (SGD) |
Billing frequency |
Cost per week |
Best for |
| 1 month (in-app) |
S$14.48 |
Monthly |
S$3.62 |
Trial readers testing content quality |
| 3 months (in-app) |
S$39.98 |
Quarterly |
S$3.08 |
Mid-term commitment with modest savings |
| 12 months (in-app) |
S$129.98 |
Annual |
S$2.50 |
Long-term readers seeking best value |
The 12-month plan offers the lowest weekly cost, but only if you remain a committed reader. If you cancel within the first month, the monthly plan minimises your financial exposure.
How to cancel New Scientist on the apple app store
If you subscribed through the Apple App Store, you cancel directly within your iOS device settings without contacting New Scientist customer support.
Step 1: open the apple app store and navigate to subscriptions
- Unlock your iPhone or iPad and launch the Apple App Store application.
- Tap the profile icon in the top right corner of the screen.
- Select "Subscriptions" from the menu options that appear.
Step 2: locate the New Scientist subscription
- Browse the active subscriptions list and find "New Scientist."
- If the subscription is not visible, scroll down to verify you are reviewing active (not cancelled) subscriptions.
- Tap on the New Scientist entry to open its subscription details page.
Step 3: select cancel subscription
- Tap the "Cancel Subscription" or "Edit Subscription" button on the New Scientist details screen.
- Review the final billing date and access expiry date that Apple displays.
- Confirm your cancellation intent when prompted by Apple.
- Apple will send a confirmation email to your registered Apple ID account.
Step 4: verify cancellation in your apple account
- Return to the Subscriptions menu and confirm New Scientist no longer appears under active subscriptions.
- If you cancelled before your renewal date, New Scientist confirms the active period (e.g., "Active until 15 March 2025").
- Check your email for Apple's cancellation confirmation message within one hour.
You retain full access to New Scientist content until your billing period expires. After the final billing date, your access terminates automatically and you receive no further charges.
How to cancel New Scientist for direct subscriptions
If you subscribed directly through New Scientist's own website or customer channels (not via the Apple App Store), you must contact their customer support team by post or email.
Step 1: gather your subscription account details
- Locate your most recent New Scientist invoice or billing confirmation email.
- Note your subscriber reference number, full name, email address, and billing address exactly as they appear in your account.
- Identify the payment method (credit card, bank transfer, or direct debit) used for your subscription.
- Record the date you wish your cancellation to take effect (ideally your next renewal date to avoid partial-month charges).
Step 2: compose your cancellation request in writing
- Draft a clear, concise email or letter stating: "I request cancellation of my New Scientist subscription effective [date]. Please confirm the final billing date and confirm no further charges will be applied."
- Include your subscriber reference number and full name at the top of the message.
- Specify your preferred final access date (typically your next renewal date).
- Request written confirmation of your cancellation from New Scientist.
- Keep a copy of your outgoing message for your records.
Step 3: submit your cancellation request to New Scientist
- Email your cancellation request to New Scientist's customer support email address ([email protected] or the address listed on your invoice).
- Alternatively, send a signed postal letter to the New Scientist cancellation address (see the address section at the end of this guide).
- If mailing by post, send the letter via registered mail or airmail so you retain proof of delivery.
- Allow 5 to 10 business days for postal correspondence to reach New Scientist's offices in the United Kingdom.
Step 4: confirm cancellation and monitor your next billing date
- Wait for written confirmation from New Scientist's customer support team (typically within 3 to 5 business days for email requests).
- Check your email inbox and spam folder for their response.
- Verify that the confirmation specifies your final billing date and the date access terminates.
- Mark your calendar for your final billing date so you can monitor your bank statement or credit card statement for any unexpected charges.
- If no charge appears by the date specified, your cancellation has succeeded.
New Scientist typically honours cancellation requests within one billing cycle. If you cancel before your renewal date, you usually retain access through the end of your current billing period, and no pro-rata refund applies unless you are within the 14-day cooling-off window.
Refund eligibility and timeline
Your refund rights depend on when you cancel and the legal framework governing your subscription.
When you qualify for a refund
Under Singapore's Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act, you are entitled to a refund if you cancel within 14 days of your subscription purchase and the service has not yet been substantially delivered. If you cancel after 14 days, refund eligibility depends on New Scientist's own subscription terms and the reason for cancellation. Yafee strongly recommends reviewing your subscription contract or the App Store terms of service to determine your specific refund window.
If you cancel due to a service failure (e.g., New Scientist fails to deliver issues, content is inaccessible, or the app malfunctions), you may claim a refund even outside the 14-day cooling-off period under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act.
Timeline for receiving your refund
If you cancel through the Apple App Store within 14 days of purchase, Apple processes your refund directly to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days. If you cancel a direct subscription with New Scientist and qualify for a refund, New Scientist typically issues the refund within 7 to 14 days of receiving your cancellation request. Your bank or credit card issuer may take an additional 1 to 3 business days to post the refund to your account.
What happens if New Scientist refuses your refund
If New Scientist denies your refund request or fails to respond within 14 days, escalate the dispute to the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE). CASE offers free mediation and can investigate whether New Scientist violated the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act. Provide CASE with copies of your cancellation request, New Scientist's response, and your payment evidence. Your bank or credit card issuer can also reverse the charge if you dispute it as unauthorised or undelivered, forcing New Scientist to justify the charge.
What to expect after cancellation
Cancelling New Scientist is final, and understanding the post-cancellation landscape helps you avoid surprise charges or access interruptions.
Access and content availability after cancellation
You retain full access to New Scientist content, archives, and app features until your billing period officially ends. The exact expiry date appears in your cancellation confirmation from Apple or New Scientist. After the expiry date, you lose access to all premium content, though you may retain access to free or limited articles depending on New Scientist's public content policy.
Monitoring your billing account post-cancellation
Check your bank statement or credit card statement for your final billing date. You should see only one final charge, corresponding to your last billing period. If a charge appears after your stated expiry date, contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately and dispute it as unauthorised. Keep your cancellation confirmation email or letter on file for at least 12 months in case you need to prove you cancelled.
Preventing accidental re-subscription
Do not accidentally re-download or re-subscribe to New Scientist from the App Store after cancellation unless you intend to restart your subscription. If you deleted the New Scientist app from your device before cancelling, re-downloading it does not automatically re-activate your subscription, but it presents an easy opportunity to resubscribe. Delete the app completely if you do not plan to use it again.
Common mistakes to avoid during cancellation
Cancellation can feel stressful, but recognising these pitfalls helps you protect your refund and avoid prolonged billing.
Mistake 1: cancelling via email but not following up
Sending a single cancellation email and assuming it was received is risky. New Scientist's customer support may mark your email as spam, lose it in their inbox, or fail to action it promptly. Always request written confirmation of your cancellation within 48 hours. If no response arrives, resend your request and include a subject line like "Urgent: Subscription Cancellation Request - Reference [Your Number]." Yafee advises sending your cancellation request from a Gmail or Outlook account you monitor closely, and save New Scientist's response to a folder for safekeeping.
Mistake 2: cancelling after your renewal date has passed
If you cancel after your subscription automatically renews, you typically forfeit a refund for the new billing period and lose access immediately upon cancellation (rather than retaining access through the end of the period). Always cancel before your renewal date approaches. Set a phone reminder 5 days before your renewal date so you have time to submit a cancellation request if you intend to leave.
Mistake 3: assuming app deletion equals cancellation
Simply deleting the New Scientist app from your iPhone does not cancel your subscription. Your subscription continues in your Apple Account and you are charged on the renewal date. You must explicitly cancel through the Apple App Store Subscriptions menu (as outlined in Step 1 above) or contact New Scientist directly to stop billing.
Mistake 4: not checking the 14-day cooling-off window
If you subscribed fewer than 14 days ago, you are eligible for a full refund under Singapore law regardless of whether New Scientist's terms claim "no refunds." Do not accept a refusal to refund if you are within 14 days of purchase. Escalate immediately to CASE or your credit card issuer if New Scientist refuses to honour this legal right.
Checklist for successful cancellation
Use this checklist to ensure you complete every critical step and minimise the risk of billing surprises or lost refunds.
| Task |
Status |
Notes |
| Locate subscription account details (reference number, email, billing address) |
Pending |
Check your invoice or app settings |
| Identify your cancellation deadline and final billing date |
Pending |
Set a phone reminder |
| Submit cancellation request via email or postal mail |
Pending |
Keep a copy of your outgoing message |
| Request written confirmation of cancellation |
Pending |
Save confirmation email to a dedicated folder |
| Monitor bank statement for final charge on stated expiry date |
Pending |
Flag any unexpected charges immediately |
| Escalate to CASE or your bank if New Scientist refuses refund or disputes arise |
Pending |
Provide all documentation to support your claim |
Key takeaways and next steps
Cancelling New Scientist in Singapore is straightforward once you understand your legal rights and the procedural steps. If you subscribed via the Apple App Store, cancel directly through your iOS subscription settings within three minutes. If you subscribed directly with New Scientist, send a clear written cancellation request by email or post, monitor for confirmation, and flag any unexpected charges to your bank immediately.
Your consumer rights under Singapore's Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act protect you against misleading billing practices, automatic renewal traps, and service failures. The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) enforces these rights and offers free dispute mediation if New Scientist refuses your cancellation or denies a refund.
Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel magazine and digital subscriptions by providing clear, actionable cancellation steps and legal context. Whether you are cancelling due to budget constraints, changing interests, or service dissatisfaction, Yafee ensures you navigate the process with confidence and recover any refunds you are entitled to claim. Visit Yafee today for guides on cancelling hundreds of other subscriptions, and bookmark this page if you plan to resume your New Scientist subscription in the future.
If you need to submit a postal cancellation request or require additional customer support, use the following contact details:
Postal address for cancellation correspondence:
New Scientist Customer Services
The One Building
1 Maclaren Street
London N1 1DZ
United Kingdom
Email for customer enquiries:
[email protected]
When sending correspondence by post, allow 5 to 10 business days for delivery. When emailing, expect a response within 3 to 5 business days during UK business hours. For urgent cancellation requests, Yafee recommends using email rather than postal mail to reduce delay, and request written confirmation of your cancellation within your initial message.