How to cancel Locatemate in south africa and reclaim your subscription rights
Understanding Locatemate and your subscription model
Locatemate is a subscription-based tracking and asset monitoring platform serving individuals and small businesses across South Africa. The service operates through recurring monthly billing, renewing automatically unless you take active steps to cancel. Your subscription charges depend on where you signed up: directly via the Locatemate website or through your device's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play).
You may decide to cancel for legitimate reasons: the service no longer meets your operational needs, a competitor offers better functionality, or you wish to reduce discretionary spending. Yafee has guided thousands of South African consumers through subscription cancellations, and we recognise that understanding both your legal rights and the technical process matters equally. This guide walks you through both.
How Locatemate charges your account
Locatemate bills on a recurring subscription model with plans starting from R49.00 per month for basic individual tracking. Charges continue indefinitely until you initiate cancellation, so each billing cycle renews automatically on the anniversary of your original purchase date. The critical point: your cancellation method depends entirely on where you purchased the subscription.
If you subscribed through the Locatemate website directly, you cancel via your account dashboard or by contacting their support team. If you purchased through an app store, you must cancel through that platform's subscription management interface. Mixing these methods or attempting cancellation in the wrong location will not terminate your subscription, leaving your payments active.
Common reasons for cancelling Locatemate
Users typically cancel because they no longer require active location monitoring, have migrated to a competing platform, or identified integration challenges with existing workflows. Others cancel after discovering the service's feature set does not justify the monthly cost. Regardless of your reason, your legal right to cancel remains identical under South African consumer law.
Your consumer protection rights under south african law
South Africa's Consumer Protection Act (CPA) establishes specific protections for distance transactions and recurring subscriptions; understanding these rights strengthens your position if Locatemate resists cancellation or disputes a refund claim.
The 14-day cooling-off period and your statutory entitlement
The Consumer Protection Act Section 14 grants you the unconditional right to cancel a distance transaction within 14 calendar days of purchase and receive a full refund without penalty. A distance transaction means any agreement concluded online, via email, or through an app store where you did not negotiate face-to-face with the supplier.
Critically, this right applies only if Locatemate provided you with clear written notice of your cancellation entitlement at the moment of purchase or in your confirmation email. If no such notice appeared, your cooling-off period may extend beyond 14 days or override Locatemate's no-refund policy entirely. Retain all purchase confirmations and communications to evidence this point if a dispute arises.
Your legal position: cancellation and refund protections
You are entitled to cancel Locatemate within 14 days of signing up and receive a full refund. This right exists regardless of Locatemate's stated cancellation policy if the company failed to highlight your rights before you completed the purchase. If you cancel after 14 days, you remain entitled to terminate the subscription immediately; however, Locatemate may legally withhold payment for the current billing period under the CPA's rules on partial performance.
Should Locatemate refuse your refund request or fail to respond within a reasonable timeframe (generally 10 business days), you can escalate to the National Consumer Commission (NCC), South Africa's statutory consumer protection authority. The NCC investigates breaches of the CPA and can compel refunds.
Where and how to cancel your Locatemate subscription
Locatemate handles cancellations exclusively through email-based support; the company maintains no physical postal address or in-app cancellation interface listed on their primary website. This means your cancellation method differs based on where you originally purchased your plan.
Cancel if you subscribed directly via the Locatemate website
Direct website subscriptions are managed through Locatemate's account portal or by contacting their support email address.
- Visit the Locatemate website and log into your account using your email and password.
- Navigate to your account settings or subscription management section (usually labelled "Billing," "Plans," or "Subscription").
- Locate the active plan and select the cancellation or "Manage Subscription" option.
- Confirm your cancellation request; Locatemate will typically ask for a cancellation reason.
- If no in-app cancellation option appears, compose an email to Locatemate's support address requesting immediate cancellation and providing your account email address and subscription plan details.
- Request written confirmation of your cancellation and the effective date when your subscription ends.
Cancel if you subscribed via apple app store
Apple manages App Store subscriptions through your device's subscription settings; Locatemate cannot cancel your Apple subscription on your behalf.
- On your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, open the Settings app.
- Tap your name at the top of the screen, then select "Subscriptions."
- Locate "Locatemate" in your active subscriptions list.
- Tap on Locatemate and select "Cancel Subscription."
- Confirm the cancellation; Apple will provide an end date for your service access.
- Screenshot or save Apple's cancellation confirmation as evidence of the termination date.
Cancel if you subscribed via google play
Google Play subscriptions are managed independently of the Locatemate website through Google's subscription portal.
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
- Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Select "Payments and Subscriptions," then "Subscriptions."
- Find Locatemate and tap on it.
- Select "Cancel Subscription" and confirm your cancellation request.
- Google Play will display your final billing date; retain this confirmation for your records.
If cancellation fails or your email receives no response
Should Locatemate's support team ignore your cancellation email or claim they did not receive it, escalate immediately. Send a follow-up email marked "URGENT: Subscription Cancellation Request" and reference your original message date. Copy in the National Consumer Commission's email address ([email protected]) to demonstrate you are prepared to lodge a formal complaint if the company continues to ignore you. This typically prompts a rapid response.
Yafee advises that you send all cancellation communications via email with read receipts enabled, ensuring you possess proof of delivery. Do not rely on in-app messaging or phone calls unless Locatemate provides you with a reference number or written confirmation.
What to expect after you cancel Locatemate
Once you initiate cancellation, the process unfolds according to specific timelines that protect both your interests and Locatemate's operational requirements.
Confirmation and immediate access suspension
Locatemate should provide written confirmation of your cancellation within 24 to 48 hours. This confirmation will specify the exact date your subscription terminates and when your access to the platform ends. If you are mid-billing cycle, you retain access until that cycle concludes; you cannot reclaim payment for unused days in the current period unless you cancel within the statutory 14-day cooling-off window.
Yafee recommends you download or export any tracking data or reports from Locatemate before your access ends. Many users overlook this step and lose historical location data permanently after cancellation.
Refund processing timelines
If you qualify for a refund under the Consumer Protection Act's 14-day cooling-off period, Locatemate must process the refund within 10 business days of your cancellation request. The refund returns to your original payment method (credit card, debit order, or mobile wallet). Check your bank or card provider's transaction history 7 to 10 business days after receiving Locatemate's cancellation confirmation; occasionally refunds appear as "pending" before settling into your account.
If 15 business days pass and no refund has appeared, contact your bank and request a chargeback if Locatemate refuses to honour the refund. Alternatively, lodge a complaint with the NCC, providing evidence of your cancellation request email and Locatemate's failure to refund.
Locatemate pricing and subscription tiers
Understanding Locatemate's pricing structure clarifies what you are cancelling and which refund you may claim.
| Plan tier |
Monthly cost (ZAR) |
Primary use case |
Billing cycle |
| Basic individual |
R49.00 |
Personal device tracking |
Monthly |
| Professional |
R99.00 |
Small business, up to 5 assets |
Monthly |
| Team |
R199.00 |
Medium business, up to 20 assets |
Monthly |
| Enterprise |
Custom quote |
Large organisation, unlimited assets |
Negotiated |
Note that if you are on an annual plan, your monthly cost may be lower due to an upfront discount; calculate your pro-rata refund accordingly if you cancel mid-term.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling Locatemate
Cancellation is straightforward, but small errors create unnecessary delays or prevent your subscription from terminating. Yafee has observed these pitfalls repeatedly and recommends you sidestep them entirely.
Mistake 1: cancelling via the wrong platform
Attempting to cancel your app store subscription while your primary account remains active on the Locatemate website does not fully terminate your service. Both must be cancelled independently. Verify where your payment method is registered and cancel at that location first.
Mistake 2: failing to request written confirmation
If Locatemate's support team verbally confirms your cancellation via chat or phone, insist on written email confirmation that specifies the cancellation date and refund amount (if applicable). Verbal confirmations are difficult to evidence if a dispute arises later.
Mistake 3: assuming silence means cancellation
If you send a cancellation email and hear nothing back for 5 to 7 days, do not assume your subscription has been cancelled. Billing will continue. Send a follow-up email asking for cancellation confirmation and a final bill date. Persistence prevents unwanted charges.
Mistake 4: not retaining evidence of your request
Store all cancellation emails, confirmation messages, and screenshots of your subscription status in a dedicated folder. If Locatemate later charges you after cancellation, you will need this evidence to dispute the charge with your bank or lodge a complaint with the NCC.
Comparing Locatemate alternatives and deciding whether to cancel
Before finalising your cancellation, consider whether a different tracking platform better serves your needs. This comparison table highlights leading alternatives available in South Africa.
| Service |
Entry price (ZAR) |
Key feature |
Best for |
| Locatemate |
R49.00 |
Real-time GPS tracking |
Cost-conscious users |
| TrackingMate |
R89.00 |
Geofencing alerts |
Fleet operators |
| AssetWatch Pro |
R129.00 |
Advanced analytics dashboard |
Enterprise tracking |
| MobileTrack |
R59.00 |
Multi-device support |
Family location sharing |
If you are cancelling Locatemate solely due to cost, MobileTrack may justify the R10.00 monthly premium for broader compatibility. If you require advanced reporting, AssetWatch Pro's features warrant the higher tier. However, if Locatemate meets your functional needs but you simply wish to cut expenses, cancellation remains your right.
Your checklist for successful Locatemate cancellation
Use this step-by-step checklist to confirm you have completed every essential action before closing your Locatemate account.
- Verify where you subscribed (Locatemate website, Apple App Store, or Google Play).
- Export or download any essential tracking data or historical reports before cancellation becomes effective.
- Send a formal cancellation email (if required) with your account email and plan details clearly stated.
- Request written confirmation of the cancellation and the final date your subscription remains active.
- Note the cancellation date and expected refund timeline (if applicable) in your personal records.
- Disable any debit orders or payment authorisations linked to Locatemate on your banking app.
- Monitor your bank account or card statement 7 to 10 business days after cancellation for the refund credit.
- If no refund appears within 15 business days, contact your bank to initiate a chargeback or lodge an NCC complaint.
- Retain all cancellation confirmations, emails, and screenshots for a minimum of 12 months.
Escalation and recovery if Locatemate ignores your cancellation request
Should Locatemate fail to honour your cancellation or withhold an entitled refund, South African consumer law provides formal remedies beyond direct contact with the company.
Step 1: formal demand letter
Send a registered letter (or email with read receipt) to Locatemate's support address stating that you cancelled your subscription on [date], that the company has failed to process the cancellation or refund, and that you expect full compliance within 5 business days. Reference the Consumer Protection Act Section 14 and your cancellation request reference number or original email date.
Step 2: chargeback with your financial institution
Contact your bank or card provider and request a chargeback for charges incurred after your cancellation effective date. Provide your cancellation confirmation email as evidence. Your bank will initiate a dispute process with Locatemate's payment processor within 30 days.
Step 3: complaint to the national consumer commission
If Locatemate continues to ignore you or your bank's chargeback is rejected, lodge a formal complaint with the National Consumer Commission at [email protected] or via their online portal at www.thencc.org.za. Include copies of your cancellation request, Locatemate's response (or lack thereof), and evidence of the disputed charges. The NCC investigates CPA breaches and can compel Locatemate to issue a refund.
Yafee emphasises that the NCC process is free and protects you from retaliation by Locatemate. Response timelines typically range from 4 to 8 weeks.
Final summary and next steps
Cancelling Locatemate is straightforward once you identify your subscription source and follow the corresponding cancellation pathway. Your legal rights under the Consumer Protection Act provide a safety net: you can cancel within 14 days unconditionally, and Locatemate cannot prevent cancellation after 14 days, though the company may lawfully charge you for your current billing cycle.
Before you cancel, export your tracking data, confirm your cancellation via email, and retain all confirmations. If Locatemate refuses to honour your request or delays your refund, the National Consumer Commission stands ready to enforce your rights at no cost.
Yafee has helped thousands of South African consumers cancel subscriptions confidently and recover entitled refunds. Visit Yafee.com today to explore additional cancellation guides, understand your consumer rights across other services, and access templates for formal complaint letters. Yafee empowers you to take control of your subscriptions and spending. Your cancellation request matters, and Yafee ensures Locatemate knows it.