How to cancel Backblaze and secure your data before you leave
Why you might cancel Backblaze
Backblaze is a cloud backup and storage platform trusted by thousands of South African users to protect their files automatically or host data via B2 Cloud Storage. Life changes-you might migrate to a different provider, downsize your technology needs, or discover that the service no longer aligns with your requirements. Whatever your reason, cancelling Backblaze is straightforward when you follow the correct procedure. At Yafee, we specialise in helping consumers navigate subscription cancellations with precision and confidence, and Backblaze cancellations follow a clear legal and practical framework.
Understanding what Backblaze provides
Backblaze Personal Backup offers unlimited cloud storage for a single computer with automatic daily backups, file version history, and full system restoration capability. B2 Cloud Storage is a separate, pay-as-you-go object storage platform designed for developers and businesses requiring scalable file hosting. Both services operate on subscription models and require deliberate account management to cancel-neither offers a one-click cancellation through app stores.
Common reasons to cancel
You might cancel if you have switched to an alternative backup provider, no longer require data redundancy for that device, or simply wish to reduce recurring monthly expenses. Perhaps you subscribed to B2 Cloud Storage for a temporary project that has now concluded. Yafee recommends you act with intention and follow each procedural step carefully to avoid unwanted charges and guarantee your data remains secure throughout the process.
Backblaze pricing and billing in south african rands
Backblaze displays all pricing in US Dollars, but your payment method will charge you in ZAR at the prevailing exchange rate on your billing date. The table below provides an approximate guide based on a 1 USD to 19 ZAR conversion rate-your exact amount may fluctuate depending on your bank and the specific day you are charged.
| Plan |
Approximate price (ZAR) |
Billing period |
Best for |
| Personal Backup (monthly) |
≈ R170 per month |
Monthly auto-renewal |
Flexible month-to-month protection |
| Personal Backup (annual) |
≈ R1,520 upfront |
Renews yearly |
Budget-conscious; 30-day refund eligibility |
| Personal Backup (2-year) |
≈ R2,850 upfront |
Renews every 2 years |
Lowest cost per month; 30-day refund eligibility |
| B2 Cloud Storage |
≈ R0.19 per GB per month |
Pay-as-you-go |
Developers and businesses; no minimum commitment |
| USB Restore Drive |
≈ R380 one-time |
Physical device (returnable) |
Fast recovery when internet speed is limited |
For precise ZAR charges, contact Backblaze support directly or review your payment method's currency conversion at the moment of billing. Before you initiate cancellation, Yafee advises you to verify any charges with your bank, particularly if you intend to request a refund on an annual or 2-year plan.
Your consumer rights when cancelling Backblaze
South Africa's Consumer Protection Act (CPA) and Payment Association regulations provide you with specific protections when you cancel digital subscriptions. Understanding these rights allows you to act with confidence and clarity.
What the consumer protection act guarantees
Under the CPA, Section 14 grants you the right to cancel a subscription at any time, though the service provider may require reasonable notice-typically up to 30 days. Backblaze's own cancellation policy permits monthly plan terminations without refund, but annual and 2-year plans are eligible for full refunds if you cancel within 30 days of purchase. Should Backblaze decline a legitimate refund claim or deliberately obstruct the cancellation process, you have the legal right to escalate your complaint to the National Consumer Commission (NCC) or your provincial consumer authority. Yafee recommends you document all communication with Backblaze-email confirmations, screenshots, and dates-to strengthen any formal complaint.
Your legal position
You are entitled to cancel any Backblaze subscription without penalty or justification. Monthly subscriptions may be cancelled immediately with no refund obligation. Annual and 2-year plans are refundable in full within 30 days of the initial purchase date, after which Backblaze may retain the fee. If Backblaze fails to honour this policy or ignores your cancellation request within 5 business days, you may lodge a complaint with the National Consumer Commission at www.ncc.org.za or contact your provincial consumer protection office. Keep copies of all correspondence.
How to cancel your Backblaze account
Backblaze cancellations are processed entirely online through your account dashboard-no postal letter or phone call is required. Follow the steps below to terminate your subscription and protect your data.
Step 1: log in to your Backblaze account
Visit www.backblaze.com and sign in with your email address and password. If you have forgotten your password, click "Forgot Password" and follow the recovery email link. You must have active access to your account dashboard to proceed with cancellation.
Step 2: navigate to your account settings and subscription details
Once logged in, locate the "Account Settings" or "My Account" menu, typically found in the top-right corner or main navigation. Select "Subscription" or "Billing" to view your current plan, renewal date, and payment method. Note your renewal date-this is critical for refund eligibility on annual or 2-year plans.
Step 3: download or export your backup data
Before you cancel, retrieve any files you wish to retain. Backblaze allows you to restore individual files, folders, or your entire system backup. For Personal Backup users, log into your account, select "Restore Files", and download what you need. For B2 Cloud Storage users, download your objects through the Backblaze web interface or use the B2 command-line tool. Allow adequate time for this process-large backups may take hours. Once you cancel, Backblaze will retain your backup for 30 days before deletion.
Step 4: locate and click the cancellation option
In your Subscription or Billing section, look for a button or link labelled "Cancel Subscription", "Downgrade", or "Manage Plan". Click this option. Backblaze may present a retention offer or survey asking why you wish to cancel-you are not obligated to respond. Answer if you wish, but this does not affect your cancellation right.
Step 5: confirm your cancellation request
Backblaze will display a confirmation screen showing your current plan, cancellation effective date, and refund eligibility. Review this carefully. If you purchased within the last 30 days and are on an annual or 2-year plan, the refund amount will be displayed. Click "Confirm Cancellation" or the equivalent button. Do not close the page until you see a final confirmation message.
Step 6: verify the cancellation in your email
Backblaze sends a cancellation confirmation email to your registered address within minutes. This email includes your cancellation date, the final charge date (if applicable), and refund status. Save this email-it is your proof of cancellation. If you do not receive an email within 15 minutes, check your spam folder or log back into your account to verify the cancellation was processed.
Refund eligibility and timeline for Backblaze cancellations
Your refund entitlement depends on your plan type and how long you have been subscribed. Yafee explains the key scenarios below.
Monthly subscription cancellations
Backblaze charges monthly subscriptions on the same date each month. When you cancel a monthly plan, your subscription terminates at the end of your current billing period-you retain access until that date. No refund is issued for the current month, as you have already received service. After the period ends, your account is closed and no further charges occur.
Annual and 2-year subscription refunds
If you purchased a 1-year or 2-year Personal Backup plan and cancel within 30 days of the purchase date, Backblaze issues a full refund to your original payment method. The refund appears in your bank account within 5 to 10 business days. If you cancel after 30 days, no refund is provided-Backblaze retains the full amount. Verify your cancellation email to confirm whether your plan qualifies for a refund before you proceed.
B2 cloud storage refunds
B2 Cloud Storage operates on a pay-as-you-go model with no refunds. You are charged only for the storage and bandwidth you use. When you cancel, no future charges occur, but Backblaze does not refund unused credit or past charges. If you believe you were overcharged, contact Backblaze support with your invoice and usage report.
What to do after you cancel Backblaze
Cancellation is not the final step-you must secure any remaining data and monitor your account to confirm no further charges occur.
Retrieve your data within the 30-day grace period
After you cancel, Backblaze retains your backup for 30 days. Use this window to download or restore any files you may have missed. Log into your account, access "Restore Files", and download whatever you need. After 30 days, all data is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.
Verify no charges appear on your next billing date
Check your bank account or credit card statement on your original subscription renewal date. For monthly plans, this occurs 30 days after cancellation. For annual plans, it occurs one year from your purchase date. If you see an unexpected charge after you have cancelled, contact Backblaze support immediately and request reversal. If Backblaze refuses, escalate to your bank's dispute resolution team and file a chargeback within 120 days of the charge.
Check for backup activity on your devices
If you installed the Backblaze backup client on your computer, it may continue running even after you cancel your account. Uninstall the Backblaze application from your device by visiting Settings > Applications (Windows) or Applications > Utilities (Mac) and removing Backblaze. This prevents the software from attempting to back up files to an inactive account.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling
Cancellations are simple when you follow the correct path-but small errors can delay the process or cost you money. Below are the pitfalls Yafee sees most often.
Assuming the backup client has cancelled your subscription
Simply deleting the Backblaze backup application from your device does not cancel your subscription. You must log into www.backblaze.com and cancel through your account dashboard. If you only uninstall the software, your subscription remains active and you continue to be charged.
Cancelling immediately before an annual renewal
If you cancel a few days before your annual plan renews, Backblaze may have already processed the renewal charge. Check your subscription renewal date before you initiate cancellation. If a charge has posted in the last 24 hours, contact Backblaze immediately and request a reversal under the 30-day refund policy.
Failing to download your data within the 30-day grace period
Your backup is deleted permanently 30 days after cancellation. If you need files after that date, recovery is impossible. Before you cancel, download all data you may require in the future.
Not keeping proof of cancellation
Backblaze's confirmation email is your legal proof of cancellation. If a dispute arises-for example, a charge appears months later-you must present this email to your bank and the NCC. Store it in a dedicated folder or archive.
Cancellation options comparison
Below is a summary of cancellation routes and what to expect from each.
| Cancellation route |
Processing time |
Refund eligibility |
Recommendation |
| Online account dashboard |
Immediate |
Full refund if within 30 days |
Use this route first-fastest and simplest |
| Email to [email protected] |
1-3 business days |
Full refund if within 30 days |
Use only if dashboard is inaccessible |
| Payment provider dispute (chargeback) |
30-120 days |
Refund depends on dispute outcome |
Use only after Backblaze refuses legitimate cancellation |
| NCC complaint |
30-60 days |
NCC may order refund if Backblaze breaches CPA |
Use only after direct negotiation with Backblaze fails |
Protecting your data throughout the cancellation process
Your personal files deserve protection even as you leave Backblaze. Plan your data migration carefully to avoid loss or exposure.
Choose an alternative backup provider before you cancel
Do not cancel Backblaze until you have selected and tested a replacement backup solution. Options include Google One (cloud storage and backup), Acronis True Image (disk imaging), or Microsoft OneDrive (cloud storage with version history). Set up your new service, transfer critical files, and confirm the backup is working-then cancel Backblaze. This sequence prevents data gaps.
Export your file metadata and directory structure
Backblaze stores your file history and version information. Before you cancel, note which files you have backed up and their locations. This helps you verify successful migration to your new provider.
Verify your refund has posted before you delete records
If you are eligible for a refund, allow 5 to 10 business days for the credit to appear in your bank account. Do not delete your Backblaze cancellation email or communications until the refund is confirmed and your bank account is reconciled.
Backblaze operates from its headquarters in San Mateo, California, USA. If you experience problems during cancellation, use these contact channels.
Email support
Email [email protected] with your account email, a description of your issue, and your cancellation confirmation (if applicable). Response times are typically 1 to 3 business days.
Online support portal
Visit www.backblaze.com/support and search the knowledge base or submit a support ticket. You may also access live chat during US business hours.
Mailing address for formal complaints
If you wish to send a formal cancellation notice or complaint by post, use this address:
Backblaze Inc.
3324 Westwood Avenue
San Mateo, California 94403
USA
Include your account email, the date you initiated cancellation online, your cancellation confirmation number (if provided), and a clear statement of your request (cancellation, refund, or dispute resolution). Keep a copy for your records.
Summary and next steps
Cancelling Backblaze is a straightforward process when you follow the correct sequence: log in to your account, download your data, confirm your cancellation in the dashboard, verify the confirmation email, and monitor your next billing date. Under South Africa's Consumer Protection Act, you have the legal right to cancel any subscription, and annual or 2-year plans must be refunded in full if you cancel within 30 days of purchase. Yafee has guided thousands of South African consumers through subscription cancellations with clarity and confidence, and Backblaze is no exception to this process. If Backblaze refuses to honour your cancellation or refund claim, escalate to the National Consumer Commission at www.ncc.org.za. Document all communication, keep your cancellation email, and verify that your account is closed and no further charges appear on your bank statement. For additional support tailored to your specific situation, Yafee is here to help you navigate your cancellation and ensure your data remains secure throughout the transition.