How to cancel Lifesum in south africa: your complete legal guide
What Lifesum is and why you might want to cancel
Lifesum is a Swedish health and wellness app designed to help you track nutrition, exercise and overall wellbeing through meal logging, calorie counting and personalised meal plans. The app operates on a freemium model, offering basic features at no cost and Premium subscriptions for advanced tracking, custom nutrition plans and recipe recommendations.
Many South Africans use Lifesum to monitor their fitness journeys, but circumstances change. You might find the app doesn't fit your goals anymore, prefer a different platform, or simply want to reduce your monthly expenses. Whatever your reason, Yafee is here to walk you through the cancellation process with clarity and confidence.
Core features and what premium unlocks
The free tier of Lifesum includes basic food logging with barcode scanning, simple calorie tracking and access to a recipe library. Premium subscribers gain access to personalised meal plans tailored to your goals, advanced macronutrient tracking, priority customer support and unlimited recipe customisation across all devices.
Subscriptions renew automatically unless you cancel them through the platform where you purchased them. This is critical: cancelling on one platform does not cancel subscriptions purchased elsewhere.
Common reasons to cancel Lifesum
You might cancel because you've reached your fitness goals, found a competing app that suits you better, experienced technical issues or simply need to cut expenses. High subscription costs add up quickly when combined with gym memberships and other wellness services. South African consumers typically spend between R 80 and R 120 per month on fitness apps, and consolidating that spend makes financial sense.
Your consumer rights in south africa
South African consumer protection laws give you specific rights when purchasing subscriptions, and understanding these rights strengthens your position if you encounter problems.
Consumer protection act and the 14-day cooling-off period
The South African Consumer Protection Act (No. 68 of 2008) grants you a 14-day cancellation right (cooling-off period) from the date of purchase for distance transactions, which includes all digital subscriptions. This means you can cancel within 14 days and request a refund for most Lifesum Premium subscriptions without penalty.
This right applies regardless of whether Lifesum's terms and conditions contradict it. Consumer protection law overrides contractual clauses that attempt to strip away your statutory rights. Section 5(3)(c) of the Consumer Protection Act explicitly protects you in this scenario.
Your legal position: If you purchase a Lifesum Premium subscription and change your mind within 14 days, you have an unconditional right to cancel and receive a full refund. Lifesum cannot require you to provide a reason, complete your trial, or accept a credit note instead of a refund.
Who to escalate to if Lifesum refuses your cancellation
If Lifesum or the payment processor refuses to cancel your subscription or denies a valid refund request, you can escalate to the National Consumer Commission (NCC). The NCC investigates complaints against businesses that violate the Consumer Protection Act and can compel Lifesum to refund you.
Keep detailed records of all cancellation attempts, refund requests and communications with Lifesum. Screenshots and email confirmations become your evidence if you need to file a complaint with the NCC.
Lifesum subscriptions must be cancelled through the exact platform where you purchased them-the platform controls all billing, not Lifesum itself.
Cancel via apple app store (iOS)
Apple handles all subscription billing and cancellations for in-app purchases on iOS. Lifesum cannot cancel your subscription for you; you must do this directly through Apple.
- Open the App Store on your iPhone or iPad
- Tap the app icon in your dock, then search for "App Store"
- Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner
- This appears as a small circle with your Apple ID photo or initial
- Select "Subscriptions" from the menu that appears
- Scroll down if you don't see it immediately
- Find and tap "Lifesum" in your active subscriptions
- If you don't see Lifesum listed, your subscription may have already expired
- Tap "Cancel Subscription"
- This button appears below your subscription renewal date
- Confirm the cancellation when prompted
- You may see a retention offer; tap "Cancel Subscription" again to proceed
Timeline: After you cancel, you retain full Premium access until your current billing cycle ends. You then revert to the free tier on your renewal date. No refund is issued for the current billing period, as you retain access until the end of that period.
Cancel via google play store (Android)
Google Play Store manages all subscription billing for Android users. You must initiate cancellation through the Play Store app or website; Lifesum cannot process this for you.
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device
- Tap the app icon on your home screen or in your app drawer
- Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner
- It appears as a circle with your Google profile photo
- Select "Manage subscriptions" from the dropdown menu
- You may need to scroll down to find this option
- Find and tap "Lifesum" in your active subscriptions list
- All active subscriptions are displayed in this section
- Tap "Cancel subscription"
- A confirmation message appears explaining your access end date
- Confirm your cancellation by tapping the final "Cancel subscription" button
- Google may offer retention incentives; select "Cancel" to proceed
Timeline: Google Play cancellations take effect immediately, but you retain Premium access until the end of your current billing cycle. Your free tier access begins on your next renewal date.
Cancel via the Lifesum website (direct payment)
If you purchased Lifesum directly through the Lifesum website using a credit card, debit card or bank transfer, you must cancel through your Lifesum account settings.
- Visit the Lifesum website and log in to your account
- Use the same email address and password you used to subscribe
- Navigate to "Settings" or "Account Settings"
- This is typically found in your profile menu (top-right corner)
- Select "Subscriptions" or "Billing" from the settings menu
- This section displays your current active subscription and renewal date
- Locate your Lifesum Premium subscription
- The subscription details show your payment method and next renewal date
- Click or tap "Cancel subscription" or "Manage subscription"
- A cancellation form or confirmation prompt appears
- Confirm your cancellation request
- You receive an email confirmation immediately after cancellation
Timeline: Direct cancellations through the Lifesum website take effect immediately. You retain access to Premium features until the end of your current billing cycle, then revert to the free tier.
Lifesum pricing and what you're paying for
Understanding your current subscription cost helps you decide whether cancellation is the right move. Prices vary depending on your location, payment method and any promotional discounts you may have received.
| Subscription tier |
Monthly cost (approximate ZAR) |
Billing cycle |
Key features |
| Free |
R 0 |
Ongoing |
Basic food logging, barcode scanning, recipe library |
| Premium (monthly) |
R 89-120 |
Monthly |
Personalised meal plans, advanced tracking, priority support |
| Premium (annual) |
R 599-799 |
12 months |
All Premium features, discounted per-month rate |
Monthly subscriptions are more expensive per month than annual subscriptions, but offer flexibility. If you're uncertain about long-term use, the monthly option lets you exit within your 14-day cooling-off period.
Refunds and what to expect after cancellation
The refund process depends on where you purchased your subscription and how long ago you made the purchase.
Refunds within the 14-day cooling-off period
If you cancel within 14 days of your original purchase date, you have an unconditional right to a refund. This applies to all payment methods: credit card, debit card, Apple App Store, Google Play Store or direct bank transfer.
Request your refund immediately after cancelling your subscription. Include your order date, subscription details and the words "cooling-off period refund" in any communication with Lifesum or your payment processor. Yafee recommends keeping a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation, as this serves as proof of your cancellation date.
Refund timeline: Credit card and debit card refunds typically appear within 5 to 10 business days. App Store and Google Play refunds may take 7 to 14 business days. Bank transfers may take up to 15 business days, depending on your bank.
Cancellations after 14 days
After 14 days, you do not have an automatic right to a refund. Your cancellation ends your subscription, but you forfeit payment for the current billing period. You retain Premium access until the end of that period, then revert to the free tier.
If you experience technical faults, fraud or misleading marketing, you may still have grounds to request a refund even after 14 days. Contact Lifesum support with evidence of the issue; the National Consumer Commission can investigate if Lifesum refuses.
Tracking your refund status
After you cancel and request your refund, monitor your payment method for the refunded amount. Contact your bank or payment processor if the refund does not appear after 15 business days.
Request a refund reference number from Lifesum or your payment processor. This number allows you to track the refund status and escalate to the NCC if needed. Yafee advises saving all email confirmations and reference numbers in a single folder for easy retrieval.
Common mistakes when cancelling Lifesum
Most cancellations succeed on the first attempt, but several common errors can delay the process or leave you still charged. Being aware of these pitfalls now saves you frustration later.
Mistake 1: cancelling in the app instead of the platform
The most frequent error is deleting the Lifesum app or cancelling it through your phone's settings. This does not cancel your subscription. Your subscription remains active, and you continue to be charged each month until you cancel through the App Store, Google Play Store or Lifesum website.
Always cancel through the payment platform: Apple App Store for iOS, Google Play Store for Android, or the Lifesum website if you purchased directly.
Mistake 2: confusing multiple subscriptions
If you subscribed to Lifesum on both your iOS device and Android device, you have two separate subscriptions. Cancelling one does not cancel the other. You must cancel each subscription independently.
Check all your devices and payment methods. Log into your Apple ID, Google Account and Lifesum account to verify which subscriptions are active.
Mistake 3: missing the 14-day window
The 14-day cooling-off period expires on the 14th day from your original purchase date. After that date, you lose your automatic right to a refund. If you're uncertain about continuing your subscription, cancel within 14 days rather than waiting.
Yafee recommends setting a phone reminder for day 12 if you're on trial or considering cancellation.
Mistake 4: not requesting a refund explicitly
Cancelling your subscription and requesting a refund are two separate actions. Cancelling stops future charges; requesting a refund recovers your payment for the current billing period (if within 14 days). Always send a separate refund request email to Lifesum support after you cancel.
What happens after you cancel
Cancellation is final, but you retain access to your account and data for a limited time. Here's what changes immediately after you press cancel.
Access during your final billing period
You retain full Premium access until the end of your current billing cycle. If you cancelled on day 5 of a 30-day cycle, you access Premium features for the remaining 25 days at no additional charge.
Transition to the free tier
On your next renewal date (or immediately, depending on the platform), your account reverts to Lifesum's free tier. You lose access to personalised meal plans, advanced macronutrient tracking and priority support. Your food logs, recipes and fitness history remain visible in the free app.
Reactivating your subscription
If you change your mind, you can resubscribe to Lifesum at any time. Log back into your Lifesum account, select "Subscribe," and choose your plan. A new 14-day cooling-off period applies to your new subscription.
Deleting your account permanently
Cancelling your subscription does not delete your Lifesum account. If you want to remove all your personal data (food logs, profile information, fitness history), contact Lifesum support and request account deletion. Lifesum must comply with deletion requests within 30 days under South African privacy law.
Comparing Lifesum to alternative fitness apps
Before you cancel, consider whether an alternative app might better serve your goals. The South African fitness app landscape offers several credible alternatives.
| App name |
Monthly cost (ZAR) |
Best for |
Platform |
| Lifesum |
R 89-120 |
Balanced nutrition and fitness tracking |
iOS, Android |
| MyFitnessPal |
R 79-99 |
Calorie counting and food database |
iOS, Android |
| Cronometer |
R 84-110 |
Micronutrient tracking |
iOS, Android |
| Fitbit (by Google) |
Free |
Wearable device integration |
iOS, Android |
| Strong Workout Tracker |
R 49 (one-time) |
Strength training and gym logging |
iOS, Android |
If cost is your primary concern, MyFitnessPal and Fitbit offer comparable features at lower or no cost. If you need advanced micronutrient analysis, Cronometer may suit you better. Yafee advises testing a free alternative for 7 days before committing to cancel Lifesum, ensuring a smooth transition.
Checklist for cancelling Lifesum
Use this checklist to ensure you complete every step and leave no loose ends.
- [ ] Identify which platform you used to subscribe (App Store, Google Play, or Lifesum website)
- [ ] Check your current subscription renewal date
- [ ] Calculate whether you're still within your 14-day cooling-off period
- [ ] Log into the correct platform (Apple ID, Google Account, or Lifesum account)
- [ ] Navigate to your subscriptions and find Lifesum
- [ ] Tap or click "Cancel subscription" and confirm
- [ ] Save a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation
- [ ] If within 14 days, send a separate refund request email to Lifesum support
- [ ] Record the date you sent your refund request
- [ ] Monitor your payment method for the refund (5-15 business days)
- [ ] If no refund appears after 15 business days, contact your payment provider
- [ ] If payment provider refuses, file a complaint with the National Consumer Commission
If you encounter resistance when cancelling or requesting your refund, use the following details to escalate your complaint.
Lifesum contact information
Company name: Lifesum AB
Registered address: Repslagargatan 17B, Stockholm, Sweden
Business/visiting address: Valhallavägen 117H, Stockholm, Sweden
Contact method: Use the "Help" or "Contact Us" section within the Lifesum app or website. Lifesum does not publish a direct phone number or support email; all communication occurs through the app portal or web contact form.
National consumer commission escalation
If Lifesum refuses to cancel your subscription or denies a valid refund request within 14 days of purchase, escalate to the National Consumer Commission (NCC).
National Consumer Commission contact details:
Postal address: P.O. Box 55048, Arcadia, Pretoria 0007, South Africa
Physical address: 400 Main Street, Pretoria Central, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 012 428 8000
Website: www.ncc.org.za
File your complaint online at the NCC website or submit it by email. Include your order date, subscription details, all cancellation attempts, refund requests and Lifesum's response (or lack thereof). The NCC investigates free of charge and can compel Lifesum to honour your cancellation and refund.
Final summary
Cancelling Lifesum is straightforward once you understand which platform controls your subscription. Cancel through the App Store, Google Play Store or Lifesum website within 14 days to secure a full refund. Keep records of all cancellation attempts and refund requests, and escalate to the National Consumer Commission if Lifesum refuses.
Yafee has helped thousands of South African consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions, understand their refund rights and recover their money. Whether you're ending your Lifesum subscription or exploring alternative apps, you now have the legal framework, practical steps and escalation routes to protect yourself. Contact Yafee at yafee.com if you need further guidance on your consumer rights, and remember: your 14-day cooling-off period is non-negotiable, regardless of what any service provider's terms claim.