How to cancel Magzter in south africa and stop auto-renewal charges
What is Magzter and why you might want to cancel
Magzter is a digital subscription platform that offers unlimited access to over 10,000 magazines and newspapers worldwide on your phone, tablet, or web browser. You pay a monthly or annual subscription to unlock this library, but if your reading habits have changed or the service no longer fits your budget, cancelling is straightforward once you understand the process.
At Yafee, we help South African consumers navigate subscription cancellations with confidence and clarity. Whether you've discovered free alternatives, prefer print editions, or simply need to tighten your spending, we'll walk you through every step to ensure you don't miss a cancellation deadline or incur unwanted charges.
Understanding Magzter GOLD
Magzter GOLD is the platform's primary subscription tier. It delivers unlimited access to digital editions across lifestyle, technology, business, fashion, travel, and entertainment categories. You can download issues offline and read them anywhere, making it convenient for commuters and travellers. Nevertheless, if you find yourself opening the app infrequently or prefer other sources, cancelling is always possible.
Common reasons south africans cancel Magzter
Budget constraints, subscription fatigue, discovery of free alternatives, and a preference for physical magazines are the most frequent reasons for cancellation. Life circumstances change, and your reading habits do too. Yafee understands that cost-cutting during tough financial times is a legitimate reason to reassess your digital subscriptions without guilt or hassle.
Magzter subscription pricing in south africa
Understanding what you currently pay and what billing cycle you are locked into helps you make an informed cancellation decision.
Current subscription rates and billing terms
Magzter pricing varies depending on whether you subscribe directly via their website or through Apple App Store and Google Play. The following table shows typical South African rates as of 2024-2025; your exact charge depends on your subscription date, promotional offers you received, and which platform you used. All prices are in South African Rand (ZAR).
| Plan |
Price (ZAR) |
Billing cycle |
Best for |
| Magzter GOLD monthly |
R79.99 |
Monthly auto-renewal |
Testing the service |
| Magzter GOLD annual |
R549.00 |
Annual auto-renewal |
Regular readers |
| Magzter GOLD (Edgars Club LIFE) |
R349.50 |
Annual auto-renewal |
Edgars loyalty members |
| Individual magazine purchase |
R10-R50+ |
One-time purchase |
Casual readers |
| Free tier |
R0 |
Always free |
Browsing only |
Check your App Store or Google Play purchase history to confirm exactly what rate you're being charged. Prices often differ between the web platform, iOS, and Android.
How to cancel Magzter on iPhone and iPad
If you subscribed through Apple's App Store, you must cancel via your device settings rather than through Magzter directly.
Step 1: access your apple ID subscriptions
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap your Apple ID name at the top of the screen.
- If you do not see your name, tap "Sign in to your iPhone" and enter your credentials.
- Tap "Subscriptions" from the menu (scroll down if needed).
- This section displays all active and expired subscriptions tied to your Apple ID.
Step 2: locate and cancel Magzter
- Find and tap Magzter in your active subscriptions list.
- Tap "Cancel Subscription" (not "Delete").
- Do not confuse "Delete App" with cancelling your subscription; deleting the app does not stop charges.
- Apple will prompt you to confirm cancellation. Tap "Confirm Cancellation".
- You will receive an on-screen confirmation and an email from Apple within minutes.
What happens after you cancel on apple
Auto-renewal stops immediately. You retain full access to Magzter content until the end of your current billing cycle. If your subscription renews on the 15th of each month and you cancel on the 10th, you can read until the 15th at no additional charge. After that date, your access ends.
How to cancel Magzter on android
Android users who subscribed through Google Play must cancel via the Play Store app or the Play Store website, not within Magzter itself.
Step 1: open google play and access your account
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
- Alternatively, visit play.google.com in your web browser on any device.
- Tap the profile icon in the top right corner.
- On the web, click your profile picture and select "Manage your Google Account".
- Select "Subscriptions" (on the app) or "Payments and subscriptions" (on the web).
Step 2: find Magzter and cancel
- Tap or click "Manage subscriptions".
- Locate Magzter in your active subscriptions.
- Tap or click Magzter to open its details page.
- Tap or click "Cancel subscription".
- Google will ask you why you are cancelling; this feedback is optional.
- Confirm your cancellation by tapping or clicking "Yes, cancel".
- You will receive confirmation on screen and a confirmation email.
What happens after you cancel on google play
Your subscription stops renewing on your next billing date. You retain access to downloaded magazines until the end of your current billing period. After that date, Magzter will no longer function without an active subscription.
How to cancel Magzter if you subscribed directly on the website
If you subscribed directly through Magzter's website using a credit card or debit card, you must contact Magzter support to request cancellation.
Step 1: email Magzter support with your request
- Open your email client and compose a new message.
- Send your request to [email protected].
- Use a subject line such as "Subscription cancellation request" to ensure prompt routing.
- Include the following details in your email body:
- Your full name as it appears on your Magzter account.
- The email address registered with your Magzter account.
- Your account ID (if you know it; Yafee recommends checking your confirmation emails).
- The date your subscription renews or the billing date of your last charge.
- A clear statement: "I request immediate cancellation of my Magzter GOLD subscription."
Step 2: await confirmation from Magzter
- Magzter support typically responds within 24 to 48 business hours.
- During weekends and South African public holidays, response times may extend to 72 hours.
- You will receive an email confirming that your subscription has been cancelled.
- This email will specify the exact date your access ends.
- Retain this email for your records in case of future billing disputes.
Step 3: stop future payments if necessary
- If Magzter does not respond within 72 hours or denies your cancellation request, contact your bank or credit card provider.
- Request a stop-payment order or dispute the transaction as unauthorised.
- Provide your bank with a copy of your cancellation request email and the date you sent it.
- Most South African banks will investigate and reverse fraudulent recurring charges within 14 business days.
Your legal position and consumer rights in south africa
South African consumer law provides you with strong protections when cancelling digital subscriptions.
Consumer protection act and direct marketing rules
The Consumer Protection Act No. 68 of 2008 (CPA) governs all subscription services in South Africa, including Magzter. Furthermore, the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA) and the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) reinforce your rights. Under the CPA, Magzter must allow you to cancel without penalty, provided you submit your request before your next renewal date.
Your legal position is clear: you have the unambiguous right to cancel any subscription at any time. Magzter cannot charge you for periods after you have notified them of cancellation. If they do, you can lodge a formal complaint with the National Consumer Commission (NCC), which enforces the CPA and investigates breaches of consumer rights at no cost to you.
Dispute resolution and escalation
If Magzter refuses to cancel your subscription or continues to charge you after cancellation, follow this escalation path:
- Request cancellation in writing via email to [email protected] (as outlined above).
- If Magzter does not respond within 5 business days, escalate to your bank and initiate a chargeback.
- Provide your bank with copies of your cancellation requests and Magzter's (lack of) response.
- If the chargeback fails or Magzter contests it, file a complaint with the National Consumer Commission.
- Visit complaints.ncc.org.za or call 012 428 6000 to lodge a formal complaint.
- The NCC will investigate for free and can order Magzter to refund unauthorised charges and pay administrative penalties.
Refunds and what you can claim after cancellation
Your eligibility for a refund depends on when you cancel and the reason for your cancellation request.
Refunds within your cooling-off period
South African consumer law gives you a 14-day "cooling-off" period from the date you purchased or first activated your Magzter subscription. During this window, you can cancel and request a full refund, regardless of how much you have used the service. Yafee advises that you act quickly if you change your mind shortly after subscribing.
To claim a cooling-off refund, email [email protected] and explicitly state: "I am exercising my 14-day cooling-off right under the Consumer Protection Act. I request a full refund of my subscription fee." Include your purchase date, subscription start date, and the amount charged. Magzter must process this refund within 15 business days.
Refunds after the cooling-off period
After 14 days, Magzter is not legally obliged to refund you simply because you no longer wish to use the service. Nevertheless, you can still request a pro-rata refund if you cancel mid-cycle. For example, if you paid R549 for an annual subscription and cancel after six months, you might receive R274.50, although this is at Magzter's discretion unless they have breached the CPA.
Yafee recommends that you ask for a pro-rata refund politely in your cancellation email. State: "I have cancelled my subscription. Please provide a pro-rata refund for the unused portion of my billing cycle." Magzter may grant this as a goodwill gesture.
Claiming refunds for duplicate charges or service failure
If Magzter charged you twice in one month, failed to deliver access after charging you, or continued billing after you cancelled, you have a legal claim for restitution under the CPA. Contact [email protected] with evidence (screenshots of your bank statements and cancellation emails) and request a full refund plus any late payment fees your bank imposed. If Magzter refuses within 20 business days, lodge a complaint with the National Consumer Commission.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling Magzter
Cancellation is simple if you follow the right process, but small errors can delay your release from the service and lead to unexpected charges.
Mistake 1: deleting the app instead of cancelling the subscription
Many South African users delete the Magzter app from their device assuming this stops charges. It does not. Deleting the app is purely a device action; your subscription remains active and will renew automatically. You must cancel through Apple Settings, Google Play, or email [email protected] before you delete the app. Check your account status on the app before you uninstall to confirm whether your subscription is active.
Mistake 2: missing your renewal date
If you want to avoid an unwanted charge, cancel before your renewal date. If your subscription renews on the 15th of each month, cancel by the 14th. Yafee recommends cancelling at least three business days before your renewal date to allow time for processing. If you miss the deadline and are charged, request a refund from Magzter or your bank immediately.
Mistake 3: not retaining your cancellation confirmation
Always save your cancellation confirmation email. If Magzter charges you again after cancellation, you need proof that you requested cancellation. Keep this email in a dedicated folder for at least 12 months.
Mistake 4: cancelling through the Magzter app (if you subscribed via apple or google)
Some users contact Magzter support to cancel an Apple or Google Play subscription. This is unnecessary and wastes time. You must cancel directly through your App Store or Play Store account settings. If you contact Magzter support about an app-based subscription, they will redirect you to the correct channel. Go directly to Apple Settings or Google Play and cancel yourself.
What to expect after cancellation
Once you have successfully cancelled Magzter, your account transitions through a series of status changes over the next few days.
Immediate after-cancellation period (day 1)
You will receive confirmation of your cancellation via email within minutes (if you cancelled via app store) or within 24 to 48 hours (if you cancelled via email). Your subscription status will change from "active" to "cancelling" or "pending cancellation" in your account settings. You retain full access to all Magzter content until your current billing period ends.
End of billing cycle
On your original renewal date, access will terminate automatically. For example, if you cancelled on 10 August and your next renewal was scheduled for 20 August, your access will end on 20 August. You will not be charged on that date. The Magzter app may show a message prompting you to resubscribe, but this is merely marketing; you are not obligated to act.
Post-cancellation account status
After your access ends, your Magzter account still exists and can be reactivated at any time. Your reading history, bookmarks, and downloads remain on your device. If you ever decide to resubscribe, your previous account data will be available to you. You can delete this data manually by uninstalling the app and clearing your app cache if you prefer to leave no trace.
Checklist: cancellation steps for your records
Use this checklist to ensure you have completed all necessary steps and to retain evidence of your cancellation request.
| Action |
Status |
Date completed |
| Identify your subscription method (App Store, Google Play, or website) |
Completed / Pending |
___________ |
| Check your current renewal date and billing amount |
Completed / Pending |
___________ |
| Submit cancellation request (via app, Play Store, or email) |
Completed / Pending |
___________ |
| Receive and save cancellation confirmation email |
Completed / Pending |
___________ |
| Verify no charge appears on your next expected renewal date |
Completed / Pending |
___________ |
| Delete the app or archive its icon (optional) |
Completed / Pending |
___________ |
Magzter handles cancellation requests and complaints almost entirely via email. Physical postal addresses are published on their website but are rarely monitored for subscription cancellations.
Primary cancellation contact
Email: [email protected]
This email address is the official channel for subscription cancellations, billing questions, and account management requests. Magzter support typically responds within 24 to 48 business hours. Use clear subject lines such as "Subscription Cancellation Request" or "Billing Dispute" to ensure your message is routed to the correct department.
Formal complaints and escalation
If Magzter does not respond to your cancellation request or continues to charge you after cancellation, escalate to the National Consumer Commission (NCC), which enforces consumer protection law in South Africa at no cost to you.
National Consumer Commission (NCC)
Address: 325 Witch-Hazel Avenue, Eco Glades 2, Mulbarton, Johannesburg
Phone: 012 428 6000
Online complaints: complaints.ncc.org.za
File a formal complaint if Magzter breaches the Consumer Protection Act by refusing to cancel your subscription or by continuing to charge you after your cancellation request.
Final summary and next steps
Cancelling Magzter in South Africa is straightforward once you identify your subscription method and follow the correct procedure. If you subscribed via Apple App Store, cancel through iPhone or iPad Settings. If you subscribed via Google Play, cancel through the Play Store app or website. If you subscribed directly on Magzter's website, email [email protected] with your account details and cancellation request.
South African consumer law, specifically the Consumer Protection Act No. 68 of 2008, protects your right to cancel subscriptions without penalty and to receive refunds for unauthorised charges. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers in South Africa cancel unwanted subscriptions, recover refunds, and resolve billing disputes by providing clear, legally grounded guidance and supporting them through escalation to the National Consumer Commission if necessary.
Act now to avoid a surprise renewal charge. Identify your renewal date, submit your cancellation request using the method appropriate to your subscription channel, and retain your confirmation email. If you encounter resistance from Magzter or are charged after cancellation, file a complaint with the NCC. Yafee's legal framework and step-by-step guidance ensure you retain control of your subscriptions and your budget. Visit yafee.com for additional resources on cancelling other services, understanding your consumer rights, and resolving billing disputes in South Africa.