How to cancel your Audible subscription in south africa: your complete legal guide
Understanding Audible and why you might want to cancel
Audible is a subscription audio service owned by Amazon that lets you listen to thousands of audiobooks, podcasts and original audio content across your phone, tablet and other devices. You receive monthly credits or access to a curated Plus catalogue depending on which plan you choose, and your library remains yours even after you stop paying. Many South Africans subscribe for access to bestsellers and exclusive content, particularly during promotional periods when prices drop significantly.
However, if your listening habits have changed, if the monthly charge no longer fits your budget, or if you have found an alternative service, cancelling is your right. At Yafee, we understand that subscription management can feel complex, so we have built this guide to walk you through every step without confusion.
Common reasons to cancel Audible
You might cancel because you are not using your monthly credits before they expire, because the R279.99 monthly charge feels too high, or because you prefer a free alternative like library apps. Some subscribers cancel after finishing a promotional deal, such as the R50 for three months offer, when regular pricing kicks in. Others find they simply do not have time to listen regularly. Whatever your reason, you deserve a straightforward cancellation process.
What you will keep and what you will lose
This matters: all audiobooks you have purchased with credits stay in your library forever, even after cancellation. However, unused credits expire immediately when you cancel, so use them before you go. Your membership benefits, such as early access to new releases or exclusive discounts, end at the close of your current billing period. Downloaded content remains on your device but you will not be able to download new titles once your subscription ends.
Your consumer rights under south african law
South Africa's Consumer Protection Act and Electronic Communications and Transactions Act protect your right to cancel subscriptions fairly and without penalty.
The 7-day cooling-off right
If you subscribed to Audible online as a distance contract, you have a 7-day cooling-off period from the date you signed up. During this window, you can cancel and request a full refund with no questions asked and no penalty. This is particularly valuable if you signed up during a promotional offer and changed your mind before the trial ended.
To exercise this right, you must notify Audible in writing within 7 days. Keep your subscription confirmation email as proof of the subscription date. Send your cancellation notice to Audible's UK registered office, as explained in the contact section below.
Your legal position
Under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, you have the right to cancel a distance contract within 7 days without providing a reason. Audible must refund any charges you have paid during this period. If Audible refuses your cancellation request or disputes your eligibility, you can escalate to the National Credit Regulator or your provincial consumer protection office. Furthermore, if Audible continues billing you after you have cancelled, you have the right to dispute unauthorised charges with your bank or credit card company.
Audible pricing and plan options in south africa
Understanding what you are paying for helps you decide whether cancellation makes financial sense for your circumstances.
| Plan type |
Monthly cost (ZAR) |
What you get |
Cancellation impact |
| Premium Plus |
R279.99 |
1 monthly credit, Plus catalogue access, exclusive discounts |
Unused credits expire immediately |
| Premium |
R199.99 |
1 monthly credit, standard catalogue access |
Unused credits expire immediately |
| Audible Plus |
R129.99 |
Unlimited access to Plus catalogue only (no credits) |
Access ends at end of billing period |
| Promotional (first 3 months) |
R50.00 |
Same as Premium Plus for trial period |
Regular price applies if you do not cancel |
If you are on a promotional plan and the regular price will be too high, set a calendar reminder to cancel before your trial period ends. Yafee recommends checking your current plan by logging into your account at audible.com to confirm which tier you are paying.
How to cancel Audible on the web
Cancelling via the Audible website is the fastest and most transparent method, giving you a confirmation screen and email receipt.
Step 1: sign into your Audible account
Go to audible.com and sign into your account using your email address and password. If you have forgotten your password, click "Forgot password?" and reset it via email before proceeding. Make sure you are using the correct email address linked to your subscription.
Step 2: access your account details
Hover over your account icon in the top right corner and select "Account Details" or "Membership". On mobile browsers, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and look for "Account Details" or "Settings". You should see your current subscription plan displayed on this page.
Step 3: find the membership management section
Look for "Manage your Membership" or "Membership and Subscriptions" section. This section shows your current plan, your next billing date and your payment method. Make a note of your next billing date so you understand when your membership will end.
Step 4: select cancel membership
Click the "Cancel membership" or "Cancel subscription" button. Audible may ask you why you are cancelling, but you are not required to provide a reason. Select your reason from the dropdown menu if you wish, or skip this step.
Step 5: confirm your cancellation
Review the cancellation summary on screen. This will confirm your membership end date and explain what happens to your credits and library. Click "Confirm cancellation" or "Yes, cancel my membership". You will receive a confirmation email at the address linked to your account within minutes.
Step 6: verify the cancellation email
Check your email inbox for a message from Audible confirming your cancellation. Save this email as proof. If you do not receive a confirmation email within one hour, log back into your account to check your membership status, as the cancellation may not have processed.
How to cancel Audible through the mobile app
If you prefer to cancel through the Audible app on your phone or tablet, follow this process.
Step 1: open the Audible app and sign in
Launch the Audible app on your iOS or Android device. Sign in using your email and password if you are not already logged in.
Step 2: access your profile or account settings
Tap the profile icon at the bottom right of the screen (usually your initial or a silhouette). Scroll down and select "Account Details" or "Settings".
Step 3: navigate to membership settings
Look for "Membership", "Subscription" or "Manage membership". Tap to open your current subscription details.
Step 4: cancel your membership
Tap "Cancel membership" or "Cancel subscription". You may be asked to confirm your reason for cancellation. Tap "Confirm" or "Yes, cancel" when prompted.
Step 5: save your confirmation
Take a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation screen and save it to your phone. You will also receive a confirmation email. Save this email for your records.
Note: Some users find that the mobile app cancellation option is not always available. If you cannot find the cancel option in the app, use the web browser method instead, as this is always reliable.
Contacting Audible by post or email for cancellation
If the online methods do not work or you prefer to cancel in writing, send a cancellation notice directly to Audible.
Audible's contact details
Send your cancellation letter to Audible's registered office address in the United Kingdom:
Audible Ltd
Unit 2, Riverside Business Park
County Street
London SE1 7AA
United Kingdom
Include the following in your letter:
- Your full name
- Your email address linked to the Audible account
- Your Audible account number (if you have it)
- Your subscription start date
- A clear statement: "I wish to cancel my Audible subscription effective immediately"
- Your preferred refund method
Send this letter via registered post with proof of delivery. Keep a copy for your records. Yafee recommends also sending a copy via email to Audible's customer service email if available on the audible.com website.
Refunds and what happens after cancellation
Understanding your refund eligibility will help you recover money you are entitled to claim back.
Refund eligibility within the 7-day cooling-off period
If you cancel within 7 days of subscription, you are legally entitled to a full refund of any charges paid. Audible must process this refund within 14 days of receiving your cancellation notice. In practice, refunds appear in your bank account within 5 to 10 business days after Audible approves them.
Cancellation after 7 days
If you cancel after the 7-day cooling-off period, Audible will not refund your current monthly subscription fee. Your membership will end at the end of your current billing period, and you will not be charged again. Consequently, you should time your cancellation to maximise the value of your final month of access.
What happens to your audiobook library
All audiobooks you have purchased with credits remain in your account indefinitely. You can download these audiobooks to your device and keep them even after cancellation. However, if you have a subscription to Audible Plus only, access to the Plus catalogue will end immediately.
Stopping renewal before your next billing date
If you want to keep your current subscription active until the end of the billing period but do not want to be charged again, many users prefer to cancel rather than pause. Audible does not offer a pause function, so cancellation is the only way to prevent the next charge.
What to do if Audible continues billing after cancellation
It can be stressful to see charges appear after you thought you had cancelled, but you have clear legal remedies.
Step 1: check your account status online
Log into audible.com and navigate to your account details. Verify whether your membership status shows as "Cancelled" or "Active". If it shows as active, the online cancellation may not have processed. Repeat the cancellation steps immediately.
Step 2: contact Audible customer service
Use the live chat or email support on audible.com to report the unauthorised charge. Provide your cancellation confirmation email as evidence. Ask for a full refund of the charge and request written confirmation that your account is cancelled.
Step 3: dispute with your bank
If Audible does not refund the charge within 14 days, contact your bank or credit card company. In South Africa, your bank is required to investigate disputed charges under the National Credit Act and Payment Card Industry standards. Request a chargeback for the unauthorised charge and provide your cancellation confirmation as proof.
Step 4: escalate to the national credit regulator
If your bank denies your chargeback claim, lodge a complaint with the National Credit Regulator. This is the government body responsible for enforcing consumer credit rights in South Africa. You can file a complaint online at ncr.org.za.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling Audible
Cancellation is straightforward when you follow the steps correctly, but a few common pitfalls can cause frustration or unexpected charges.
Mistake 1: assuming deletion means cancellation
Deleting the Audible app from your device does not cancel your subscription. Your account remains active and you will still be charged. You must follow the official cancellation process described above.
Mistake 2: not using your credits before cancelling
Your unused credits expire immediately when you cancel. If you have a monthly credit, download or purchase an audiobook with it before you submit your cancellation. This ensures you get full value from your subscription.
Mistake 3: cancelling on the wrong day
If you cancel before your billing date, your access will end on your current billing cycle end date, not immediately. Check your billing date carefully. If you cancel on the 15th and your billing date is the 20th, you will still have access until the 20th.
Mistake 4: not saving cancellation confirmation
Save your cancellation confirmation email immediately. If a dispute arises later, this email is your proof that you cancelled on the date you claim. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel their subscriptions successfully by simply keeping this one piece of documentation.
Mistake 5: using a different payment method to cancel
Cancellation happens in your account settings, not through your payment method or bank. You cannot cancel by stopping payments or reversing charges, as this will trigger penalties and damage your credit record.
Timeline and next steps after cancellation
After you cancel, here is what to expect in the days and weeks ahead.
| Timeline |
What happens |
Your action |
| Immediately |
Confirmation email arrives; membership status updates online |
Save the confirmation email |
| Within 24 hours |
Audiobook access may end (if cancelling outside trial); library saved |
Download any audiobooks you want to keep |
| Within 7 days |
Refund (if within cooling-off period) processes to your bank |
Monitor your bank account |
| Within 14 days |
Refund must appear (if eligible) |
If refund does not arrive, contact your bank |
| On next billing date |
No charge appears if cancellation was successful |
Verify your bank statement |
Yafee's cancellation checklist
Use this checklist to ensure you have completed every step correctly and are protected if a dispute arises later.
- I have logged into my Audible account at audible.com
- I have noted my current subscription plan and next billing date
- I have used any remaining monthly credits before cancelling
- I have downloaded any audiobooks I want to keep (for Plus subscribers)
- I have clicked "Cancel membership" and confirmed the cancellation
- I have received and saved the cancellation confirmation email
- I have screenshotted my account status showing "Cancelled"
- I have noted the date I cancelled and my refund eligibility (7-day window or end-of-period)
- I have verified that no charge appears on my next billing date
- I have saved all correspondence with Audible
When to seek legal help or escalate your complaint
In most cases, cancellation is straightforward and your subscription will end without issue. However, some situations warrant formal escalation.
You should escalate if:
- Audible refuses to honour your 7-day cooling-off right
- Audible continues billing you after you cancelled
- Audible disputes your cancellation date
- Your refund does not arrive within 14 days of cancellation
- Audible claims you accepted terms that waived your cancellation right
In these cases, lodge a formal complaint with the National Credit Regulator at ncr.org.za or contact your provincial consumer protection office. Keep copies of all emails, chat transcripts, cancellation confirmations and bank statements as evidence. Yafee recommends documenting everything in writing before escalating, as this creates an official record.
Use this address for all formal cancellation notices and complaints sent by post.
Audible Ltd
Unit 2, Riverside Business Park
County Street
London SE1 7AA
United Kingdom
For online cancellation, visit audible.com and follow the steps described above. For urgent cancellation support, use the live chat feature on the Audible website during business hours. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions like Audible and navigate refund disputes successfully. By following this guide and keeping your cancellation confirmation, you protect your legal rights and ensure your subscription ends on your terms.