How to cancel Natural Cycles in south africa and protect your legal rights
What is Natural Cycles and why you might want to cancel
Natural Cycles is a subscription-based fertility tracking application that uses your basal body temperature and menstrual cycle data to identify your fertile window, whether you're planning a pregnancy or practising natural family planning. The service operates through a mobile app paired with an optional thermometer, and you unlock premium features only through a paid subscription model.
Users across South Africa rely on Natural Cycles for cycle awareness after discontinuing hormonal contraception, family planning decisions, or synchronising reproductive data with wearable health devices. If the subscription cost has become unaffordable, you've achieved your fertility planning goals, or you've switched to an alternative tracking method, cancelling without unnecessary friction or surprise charges is your right.
Yafee has created this guide to walk you through every cancellation method, explain what happens to your data and access post-cancellation, clarify your refund entitlements under South African consumer law, and highlight the common pitfalls that catch users off guard. By the end of this guide, you'll understand exactly how to cancel and safeguard your legal interests.
Common reasons to cancel Natural Cycles
You might cancel if the subscription cost no longer fits your budget, you've completed your fertility planning objectives, you prefer a free or lower-cost alternative, or the app's feature set no longer serves your needs. Whatever your reason, a straightforward cancellation process is your entitlement.
What this guide covers
We examine your consumer rights under South African law, walk through cancellation procedures for iOS, Android, and web platforms, clarify refund eligibility, address common mistakes, and provide a checklist to ensure your cancellation is finalised. Yafee's approach ensures you act with legal confidence.
Your consumer rights in south africa before you cancel
South Africa's Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 grants you substantial protections that override many company policies, including "no refund" clauses.
What the consumer protection act 68 of 2008 guarantees
Under this legislation, you have the statutory right to receive a service that is fit for purpose and delivered with reasonable care and skill. If Natural Cycles fails to perform as promised-for instance, if the app crashes repeatedly, fertility predictions prove inaccurate, or core features malfunction-you are entitled to a refund or alternative remedy, regardless of the company's stated cancellation policy.
You also hold a 14-day cooling-off period from the date of purchase, during which you may cancel a subscription if you change your mind, provided you follow the correct process and notify Natural Cycles within that window. This right is statutory, not discretionary.
Your legal position: Even if Natural Cycles' terms state "no refunds," the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 takes precedence. You cannot be held to a contract term that contradicts your statutory rights. If the company refuses a legitimate refund claim, you may escalate to the National Consumer Commission.
Misrepresentation, defective products, and escalation
If Natural Cycles misrepresented the app's functionality in marketing materials or on its website-for example, claiming accuracy rates that the app does not deliver in practice-you have grounds to cancel and claim damages. The same applies to the optional thermometer accessory, which must be free from material defects and fit for purpose.
Should the company refuse a valid cancellation or refund request, you may lodge a complaint with the National Consumer Commission, South Africa's statutory authority responsible for enforcing consumer protection law. Yafee recommends documenting any performance failures, error messages, or unmet promises in writing before you escalate, so you have clear evidence.
How to cancel Natural Cycles: step-by-step methods
Your cancellation route depends on where you subscribed: Apple App Store, Google Play, or Natural Cycles' own website. Each platform has distinct cancellation procedures, and using the wrong method can leave your subscription active and your card charged.
Cancel your Natural Cycles subscription on iOS (Apple app store)
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap your name or Apple ID profile picture at the top of the screen.
- Select "Subscriptions" (if you do not see this option, tap "Media & Purchases" first, then "Subscriptions").
- Locate Natural Cycles in your active subscriptions list.
- Scroll through the list until you find "Natural Cycles."
- Tap it to open the subscription details screen.
- Select "Cancel Subscription" at the bottom of the screen.
- Read any retention offers Apple displays.
- Proceed with cancellation if you wish to exit.
- Choose your cancellation reason if prompted (this step is optional and does not affect your legal rights).
- Apple may ask why you are cancelling; your answer is not binding.
- Confirm your cancellation by tapping "Confirm Cancel."
- You will receive an email confirmation from Apple shortly after.
- Your access ends at the end of your current billing period.
Timing tip: Cancel at least 24 hours before your next billing date to avoid being charged for the following renewal period. Apple processes subscription cancellations immediately, but your access remains active until the end of your paid cycle.
Cancel your Natural Cycles subscription on android (Google play store)
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
- Ensure you are logged into the Google account linked to your Natural Cycles subscription.
- Tap the profile icon in the top right corner of the screen.
- This icon typically displays your account profile picture or initials.
- Select "Manage subscriptions" from the dropdown menu.
- A list of all your active subscriptions will appear.
- Find Natural Cycles and tap it.
- The subscription details page will open.
- Tap "Cancel subscription" at the bottom of the screen.
- Google Play may display retention offers; you may dismiss these.
- Confirm your cancellation by selecting "Yes, cancel" when prompted.
- You will receive a confirmation email from Google Play.
- Your access ends at the end of your current billing period.
Timing tip: Like Apple, Google Play processes cancellations immediately, but you retain access until the end of your current paid billing cycle. Cancel before your next billing date to prevent further charges.
Cancel your Natural Cycles subscription via the Natural Cycles website
- Visit the Natural Cycles website and log into your account.
- Use the same email address and password you created during signup.
- Navigate to your account settings.
- Look for a "Settings," "Profile," or "Subscription" menu option.
- This is typically found in the top right corner under your account name.
- Locate your active subscription in the billing or subscription section.
- You will see your current plan, renewal date, and payment method.
- Select "Cancel subscription" or "Manage subscription."
- The company may display retention offers or alternative plans; you may decline these.
- Confirm your cancellation request.
- Complete any required confirmation steps, such as entering your password or verifying your email.
- You will receive a cancellation confirmation email.
Verification step: After cancelling via the website, log out and log back in to confirm that your subscription status shows as "Cancelled" or "Inactive." Yafee recommends taking a screenshot of this confirmation as proof of your cancellation date.
Understanding your refund rights and timeline
Refund eligibility depends on when you cancel, why you cancel, and the terms under which you subscribed. South African consumer law provides several grounds for refunds that override any company policy.
Refunds within the 14-day cooling-off period
If you cancel within 14 calendar days of your initial purchase (or of receiving your first billing cycle), you are entitled to a full refund under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, provided you initiated cancellation within that window. You must communicate your cancellation request to Natural Cycles in writing (email is acceptable) and reference the cooling-off period as your basis.
Count the 14 days from the date you were first charged, not from the date you downloaded the app. If you paid via a credit or debit card and Natural Cycles refuses the refund, contact your bank or card issuer and request a chargeback, citing the cooling-off period protection.
Refunds after the 14-day period: defect and breach grounds
Beyond the 14-day window, you may still claim a refund if the service was defective or Natural Cycles breached its obligations. Examples include:
- The app crashes frequently or fails to record data correctly.
- Fertility predictions are wildly inaccurate or contradict your manual cycle observations.
- Core features advertised on the website or in the app description do not function.
- Natural Cycles made false or misleading claims about accuracy, methodology, or certification.
To pursue such a claim, document the defect with screenshots or video recordings and email Natural Cycles, formally requesting a refund based on breach of contract and the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008. Give the company 14 days to respond. If they refuse, escalate to the National Consumer Commission.
Processing time and method
If Natural Cycles approves a refund, they typically process it within 7 to 14 business days back to your original payment method. If you subscribed via Apple or Google Play, the refund is issued by those platforms, not Natural Cycles. Contact Apple or Google support if a refund is delayed beyond 14 days.
| Refund scenario |
Timeline |
Your action |
| Cancellation within 14 days of purchase |
Full refund; contact Natural Cycles in writing immediately |
Email Natural Cycles with "14-day cooling-off period" in the subject line. |
| Service is defective (e.g., app crashes, inaccurate predictions) |
Document the defect; claim within reasonable time (typically 6 months) |
Gather screenshots and email Natural Cycles formal notice of defect and refund claim. |
| Misrepresentation (e.g., false accuracy claims) |
Claim within reasonable time; may require legal action |
Document false claims from marketing; escalate to National Consumer Commission if rejected. |
| No grounds (cancellation after 14 days, service performed correctly) |
Refund unlikely unless terms state otherwise |
Cancel immediately to avoid future charges; contact support to negotiate if financial hardship applies. |
What happens to your data and access after cancellation
Understanding what occurs after you cancel is essential: your access ceases, but your data may remain on Natural Cycles' servers.
Immediate access loss
Once your cancellation is finalised, you lose access to all premium features at the end of your current billing cycle. You cannot download data, sync with wearables, or view your fertility forecast. If you require your cycle data before cancellation, export it from your account settings immediately; most apps offer an export or download function under "Privacy" or "Data."
Data retention and deletion
Natural Cycles' privacy policy determines how long they retain your data after cancellation. Typically, they keep your data for a set period (often 1 to 2 years) unless you request deletion. If you wish to erase your data entirely, send a formal deletion request to Natural Cycles' privacy team in writing, citing the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) of 2013, South Africa's data protection law. Request written confirmation of deletion within 20 business days.
Yafee advises that you retain a personal copy of your cycle data before cancelling, as deletion cannot be undone.
Common mistakes when cancelling Natural Cycles
Cancellation is straightforward if you follow the correct steps, but small errors can leave your subscription active and your card charged indefinitely.
Mistake 1: cancelling the app instead of the subscription
Deleting the Natural Cycles app from your phone does not cancel your subscription. Your card will continue to be charged on your renewal date. Always cancel the subscription itself through the App Store, Google Play, or the website before deleting the app.
Mistake 2: missing the billing date deadline
If you miss cancelling before your renewal date, you will be charged for the next billing cycle. Most platforms allow cancellation up to 24 hours before renewal; check your renewal date in account settings and set a phone reminder.
Mistake 3: not documenting your cancellation
Take screenshots of your cancellation confirmation email and your account settings showing "Cancelled" or "Inactive" status. If the company claims your subscription is still active, you have written proof that you cancelled.
Mistake 4: ignoring refund eligibility
Many users assume they cannot receive a refund after 14 days, but the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 entitles you to refunds for defective services. Document any performance issues and claim your refund in writing if warranted.
Mistake 5: paying via bank transfer and not updating your payment method
If you set up recurring payments with your bank (rather than through an app store), you must cancel the recurring instruction with your bank as well. Cancelling through Natural Cycles' website alone may not halt bank charges. Contact your bank and explicitly cancel the standing order or recurring debit.
How Natural Cycles compares to alternative fertility tracking services
Before you cancel, you might explore comparable services to ensure Natural Cycles is the right exit decision for your fertility planning needs.
| Service |
Cost (approximate ZAR per month) |
Key features |
Subscription model |
| Natural Cycles |
R80-R120 |
AI fertility predictions, thermometer integration, cycle insights |
Paid subscription required for full features |
| Flo |
R60-R100 |
Period and ovulation tracking, health articles, symptom logging |
Free tier; premium features via subscription |
| Clue |
R50-R90 |
Cycle tracking, educational content, period predictions |
Free tier; premium features via subscription |
| Fertility Friend |
R40-R70 |
Charting, temperature logging, ovulation detection |
Freemium model; premium features optional |
| Kindara (free alternative) |
Free |
Basic cycle tracking, community support, charting |
Completely free, no subscription required |
Cancellation checklist and final confirmation steps
Use this checklist to ensure your Natural Cycles cancellation is complete and irreversible.
- Identify where you subscribed: Apple App Store, Google Play, or Natural Cycles website.
- Export and save a copy of your cycle data to your personal device or cloud storage.
- Cancel your subscription using the correct platform (do not delete the app alone).
- Screenshot your cancellation confirmation email and account status ("Cancelled" or "Inactive").
- Verify your cancellation by logging in 24 hours later; confirm your subscription status.
- Check your bank statement 10 days after the renewal date to confirm no charge was applied.
- If charged despite cancellation, contact your bank or card issuer and dispute the charge immediately, citing your cancellation confirmation.
- Request data deletion from Natural Cycles in writing if you wish to remove your personal information, referencing the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) of 2013.
If you encounter resistance when cancelling or are charged after cancellation, Yafee recommends following this escalation hierarchy.
Direct contact with Natural Cycles
Email Natural Cycles' support team with a clear, factual request to cancel your subscription. Include your account email address, subscription date, and expected renewal date. Request a cancellation confirmation email in reply. Allow 5 business days for a response.
Escalation to the national consumer commission
If Natural Cycles ignores your cancellation request, refuses a valid refund, or continues charging your card after cancellation, lodge a formal complaint with the National Consumer Commission (NCC). The NCC is South Africa's statutory enforcement authority for consumer protection. You may file a complaint online at www.ncc.org.za or by post to the address below. Include copies of all cancellation requests, confirmation emails, and bank statements showing unwanted charges.
Chargeback and payment reversal
If Natural Cycles refuses to process a refund or continues charging your card, contact your bank or credit card company and request a chargeback. Provide your cancellation confirmation email and any correspondence with Natural Cycles as evidence. Your bank has an obligation to investigate and may reverse the charges within 20 to 30 business days.
Send cancellation requests and formal complaints to Natural Cycles at the following address (as provided in their Terms of Service for legal correspondence):
Natural Cycles AB
Legal Department
Address for legal correspondence as stated in their Terms of Service
Email: [email protected] (confirm the current support email before sending)
In your email, include:
- Your full name and the email address linked to your Natural Cycles account.
- Your account registration date and current subscription renewal date.
- A clear statement: "I request cancellation of my Natural Cycles subscription effective immediately under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008."
- If claiming a refund: state your basis (cooling-off period, defect, misrepresentation).
- Request written confirmation of cancellation and any refund processing within 5 business days.
- Send via registered email (most email providers offer read receipt) to create evidence of delivery.
Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions across South Africa by providing clear, legally grounded guidance. Whether you are exiting Natural Cycles due to cost, preference change, or service defects, understanding your rights under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 ensures you reclaim control of your account and your money. Use this guide as your reference: follow the step-by-step cancellation process for your platform, document your actions, and escalate to the National Consumer Commission if the company resists. Yafee's commitment is to empower you with the knowledge to cancel with confidence, not uncertainty. Take action today, and free yourself from unwanted charges.