How to cancel Canary premium and get a refund in the US
What is Canary and why you might cancel
Canary is a home security platform that combines indoor camera hardware with a freemium subscription model. The free tier provides basic live viewing, but the Premium plan unlocks extended cloud storage, advanced incident detection, and location-based automation. You pay $19.99 monthly or $199 annually per device; additional cameras cost $6.99 monthly or $69.99 yearly.
Many US subscribers cancel because Canary's auto-renewal system charges them without adequate advance notice, renewal fees arrive unexpectedly, or the service no longer fits their needs. If your subscription renewed without clear warning, you discovered a cheaper alternative, or customer support failed to resolve billing disputes, cancellation is straightforward-but timing and method matter. Yafee has documented hundreds of cancellation cases and knows the exact legal framework that protects you.
Common reasons subscribers cancel Canary
You might cancel if your subscription auto-renewed without sufficient warning, you upgraded to a paid plan accidentally, cloud storage limits proved inadequate, or you relocated and no longer need home monitoring. Some customers discover Canary's customer support is slow to respond when billing problems arise. Others find that competitive services offer better features at lower cost. Whatever your reason, the law guarantees you a straightforward exit.
How canary's subscription billing works
Canary charges your payment method automatically on your renewal date each month or year, depending on your plan. The company sends renewal reminders, but these often arrive with insufficient notice or lack clarity about how to cancel. Proactive cancellation-completed several days before your renewal date-is your best defence against unwanted charges.
Your consumer rights under US federal law
The Restore Online Shoppers Confidence Act (ROSCA), enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), establishes your legal protections against negative option billing and automatic renewal traps.
What ROSCA requires Canary to provide
Under ROSCA, Canary must obtain your express, informed consent before enrolling you in an auto-renewal subscription. The company must disclose all material terms-price, frequency, cancellation policy-clearly and conspicuously before you pay. Furthermore, Canary must send you a reminder before charging your card for renewal, giving you adequate time to cancel. Most critically, Canary must provide a cancellation mechanism that is as simple and easy as the signup process itself. If you subscribed online, you must be able to cancel online. Consequently, you cannot be forced to call, mail a letter, or navigate unreasonable barriers.
Your right to dispute and request a refund
Your legal position: if Canary charged you after you submitted a valid cancellation request, billed you without clear consent, or failed to honor a cancellation, you have grounds to dispute the charge and demand a refund.
You can request a refund directly from Canary's customer support. If the company refuses or ignores your request, you can escalate to your credit card issuer or bank and file a chargeback dispute-most banks side with consumers in negative option billing disputes. You also have the right to file a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Yafee recommends documenting every interaction: save confirmation emails, note dates and times, record support ticket numbers, and screenshot your cancellation request. This evidence strengthens your position if you need to escalate.
Your cancellation method depends on how you subscribed: direct Canary billing, Apple iTunes, Google Play, or Amazon. Follow the appropriate pathway below.
Canceling through the Canary website (direct billing)
This is the fastest and most direct path for subscribers who signed up directly with Canary.
- Open your web browser and navigate to my.canary.is
- Bookmark this page so you can access your account anytime.
- Log in using your email address and password
- If you do not remember your password, click "Forgot password?" and follow Canary's reset instructions sent to your email.
- Select your location from the dropdown menu if you manage multiple Canary locations
- Each location may have its own subscription plan, so confirm you are canceling the correct one.
- Click "Manage Service Plan" or the equivalent settings option in your dashboard
- This option appears in your account settings or subscription management area.
- Select "Cancel Premium Service"
- Canary may ask you why you are canceling; this feedback is optional but helps the company improve.
- Follow all on-screen prompts to confirm your cancellation
- Take a screenshot of your confirmation message, which will include a cancellation date and reference number.
- Verify your cancellation by checking your email for a confirmation receipt from Canary
- Save this email for your records and to prove cancellation if billing disputes arise.
Canceling an apple iTunes or iOS subscription
If you subscribed to Canary Premium through Apple's App Store, you must cancel through iOS settings, not the Canary app itself.
- On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app
- On iOS 15.1 or later, tap your profile icon in the top-right corner; on earlier versions, scroll to find "iTunes and App Store."
- Tap "App Store" or navigate to your subscriptions
- Your exact path depends on your iOS version.
- Tap your profile icon again and select "Subscriptions"
- You will see a list of all active subscriptions linked to your Apple ID.
- Find "Canary" in the subscription list and tap it
- Do not confuse Canary with other similar-named apps.
- Tap "Cancel Subscription"
- Apple will ask you to confirm and may offer discounts to retain you; decline if you wish to exit.
- Confirm the cancellation when prompted
- Your subscription will end on your next billing cycle; you retain access until that date.
- Screenshot your confirmation screen for your records
- Apple emails a cancellation confirmation to your registered Apple ID email address.
Canceling through google play
If you subscribe via Google Play on an Android device, follow this procedure.
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device
- Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner.
- Select "Subscriptions"
- You will see all active subscriptions associated with your Google Play account.
- Find "Canary" and tap it to open the subscription details
- Verify this is the Canary Premium subscription you wish to cancel.
- Tap "Cancel Subscription"
- Google may display a retention offer or survey; select "Yes, I want to cancel."
- Confirm your cancellation by tapping the final confirmation button
- Your subscription ends on your next renewal date; you keep access until then.
- Take a screenshot of the confirmation screen
- Google sends an email confirmation to your registered Gmail account.
Canceling through amazon
If your Canary subscription is tied to an Amazon Prime or Amazon account, cancel through Amazon's subscription management portal.
- Visit www.amazon.com and log in to your account
- Use the same credentials as your Canary subscription.
- Navigate to "Account" and select "Your Subscriptions"
- This option is usually in the top navigation or account menu.
- Locate "Canary Premium" in your active subscriptions list and click it
- Confirm you have selected the correct subscription before proceeding.
- Click "Edit subscription" or "Manage subscription"
- Amazon displays your renewal date and billing amount on this screen.
- Select "Cancel subscription"
- Amazon may prompt you to reconsider with discounts; proceed to cancel if you are certain.
- Confirm the cancellation on the final screen
- Your subscription ends on your renewal date; your access continues until that point.
- Capture a screenshot of your confirmation and check your email for Amazon's cancellation receipt
- Save all documentation in a folder for future reference.
What happens after you cancel Canary premium
Cancellation is effective immediately, but you retain access to Premium features until your current billing period ends.
Your access and data after cancellation
Once you cancel, your Canary devices revert to the free tier on your next renewal date. This means you lose extended cloud storage, advanced incident alerts, and location-based automations. Your camera hardware remains usable, but without cloud backup. Canary does not delete your account or recorded footage automatically, though you should download or back up any important clips before your Premium access lapses. Your login credentials remain active so you can reactivate Premium later if you choose.
Refund timeline and what to expect
Canary does not automatically issue refunds for cancellations made after your billing date. However, if you cancel before your renewal date, you will not be charged again. If Canary charges you after you have submitted a valid cancellation request-or if you discover an unauthorized charge-you have 60 days from the charge date to dispute it with your bank or credit card company. Yafee advises filing a dispute immediately if Canary continues billing you after cancellation; most card issuers rule in favor of consumers in these cases.
Canary premium pricing and plan comparison
Understanding your billing structure helps you identify the right cancellation timing and confirms whether the cost justifies keeping your subscription.
| Plan type |
Monthly cost |
Annual cost |
Key features |
| Free tier |
$0 |
$0 |
Live viewing, basic alerts |
| Premium (1 device) |
$19.99 |
$199 |
Extended cloud storage, incident detection, location automation |
| Premium (2 devices) |
$39.98 |
$398 |
All Premium features for two cameras |
| Premium (3 devices) |
$59.97 |
$597 |
All Premium features for three cameras |
| Additional device add-on |
$6.99 |
$69.99 |
Single extra camera Premium access |
| Annual prepay (best value) |
N/A |
Save ~$40/year per device vs. monthly |
Recommended if you plan to keep Premium long-term |
Common mistakes when canceling Canary
Cancellation is straightforward, but these missteps can leave you exposed to unwanted charges or refund denials.
Mistake 1: canceling within the app instead of through official channels
The Canary mobile app does not include a cancellation function. Many users navigate the app looking for a "Cancel" button and assume they have cancelled when they have not. Always use the official Canary website (my.canary.is) for direct billing, or use your device's native settings (iOS, Android, Amazon) if you subscribed through a platform. Document which method you used so you can prove cancellation if disputes arise.
Mistake 2: assuming a complaint email equals a valid cancellation
Emailing Canary's support team to say you want to cancel is not the same as submitting a formal cancellation request through your account settings. Support emails are logged as complaints, not as cancellation instructions. Always cancel through the official process, then email support only if you need to request a refund for a disputed charge. Yafee has seen dozens of cases where customers emailed complaints but continued to be billed because they never formally cancelled.
Mistake 3: canceling after your renewal date has passed
If your renewal date is January 15 and you cancel on January 16, you have already been charged for the next billing period. You cannot recover that charge through cancellation alone; you must request a refund directly from Canary or dispute the charge with your bank. Set a phone reminder 5 to 7 days before your renewal date so you cancel in advance.
Mistake 4: deleting the Canary app without canceling your subscription
Uninstalling the app does nothing to stop billing. Your subscription runs independently of the app installation. You must cancel your subscription explicitly, or it will auto-renew and charge your payment method indefinitely.
Mistake 5: losing track of your cancellation confirmation
Always save your cancellation confirmation email and take screenshots of confirmation pages. If Canary continues to bill you and claims it has no record of your cancellation request, these documents prove you cancelled in good faith. Without proof, disputing the charge with your bank becomes harder.
Escalation: what to do if Canary refuses to refund or stop billing
If you cancelled correctly but Canary continues to charge you, federal law provides multiple escalation pathways.
Step 1: request a refund directly from Canary
Email Canary's support team at [email protected] (or use the contact form at help.canary.is) and include your cancellation confirmation number, the date you cancelled, and the unauthorized charges you are disputing. Clearly state that you have cancelled and request a refund for all charges incurred after your cancellation date. Keep a copy of this email for your records. Give Canary 7 to 10 business days to respond.
Step 2: dispute with your bank or credit card company
If Canary does not refund the charges within 2 weeks, contact your bank or credit card issuer. Describe the unauthorized charges and explain that you cancelled but Canary continued to bill you. Provide your cancellation confirmation. Under ROSCA, card issuers must investigate negative option billing disputes and often issue immediate temporary credits while they investigate. The cardholder typically wins these disputes because Canary bears the burden of proving it obtained your consent and provided adequate cancellation mechanisms.
Step 3: file a complaint with the federal trade commission
Visit reportfraud.ftc.gov and file a formal complaint against Canary for violating ROSCA. Include your cancellation proof, all correspondence, and documentation of unauthorized charges. The FTC does not issue refunds directly, but complaints are investigated and can trigger enforcement action against the company. Yafee recommends this step if Canary has charged you multiple times after cancellation or refused to acknowledge your cancellation request.
Step 4: file a complaint with your state attorney general
Most US states have consumer protection divisions within the attorney general's office that investigate subscription billing violations. Search "[your state] attorney general consumer complaints" and file a complaint describing Canary's billing practices and your cancellation troubles. Many states have obtained settlements with subscription services that fail to honor cancellations.
Pricing table and when to cancel
Use this table to evaluate whether Canary Premium remains valuable to you and to determine your ideal cancellation date.
| Scenario |
Premium cost |
Break-even timeline |
Recommendation |
| Switched to a cheaper home security provider |
$19.99/month saved |
Immediate |
Cancel now; no value in staying |
| Moved and no longer need monitoring |
$19.99/month saved |
Immediate |
Cancel immediately upon moving |
| Want to downgrade to free tier temporarily |
$19.99/month saved |
1 month (then reassess) |
Cancel, then resubscribe in 6 months if needed |
| Considering cancellation but unsure about value |
$199/year if annual plan |
60 days of active use |
Use free tier for 60 days, then decide |
| Recently charged for renewal; want to cancel immediately |
Charge already incurred |
File refund request NOW |
Request refund AND cancel to prevent next charge |
| Best practice: Cancel 5-7 days before renewal |
Avoid surprise charges |
Continuous protection |
Set a phone reminder before your renewal date |
Summary and next steps
Canceling Canary Premium is legally straightforward and takes fewer than 5 minutes if you follow the correct pathway for your subscription method. You have strong legal protections under ROSCA, which guarantees you the right to easy cancellation and protection against unauthorized billing.
To summarize your action plan: (1) Identify your subscription method (Canary website, Apple, Google Play, or Amazon). (2) Follow the step-by-step cancellation process for that platform. (3) Save your cancellation confirmation email and screenshot. (4) If you are charged after cancellation, file a chargeback dispute with your bank immediately. (5) If the dispute fails, escalate to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions and recover unauthorized charges by understanding their legal rights and following systematic cancellation procedures. If you encounter delays, rejections, or continued billing after cancellation, Yafee's guides document exactly which federal laws apply and how to escalate. Visit yafee.com to explore your options, file your cancellation securely, and access dispute templates if Canary refuses to cooperate. You have the law on your side; canceling Canary is entirely within your control.
Canary headquarters contact: Canary Inc., customer support available through help.canary.is or [email protected]. For billing disputes unresolved after 14 days, escalate to the Federal Trade Commission (reportfraud.ftc.gov) or your state attorney general's consumer protection office. Yafee stands ready to guide you through every step of the process.