How to cancel your Windy subscription in south africa and claim your 14-day refund
What is Windy and why cancellation might be your next step
Windy is a subscription-based weather platform trusted by meteorologists, sailors, pilots, and outdoor professionals across South Africa and globally. The service delivers real-time wind models, precipitation forecasts, interactive weather maps, and detailed atmospheric layers accessible via iOS, Android, and web browsers.
The free tier provides basic forecasts, but Windy Pro unlocks advanced features: extended forecast horizons spanning 15+ days, premium map layers including high-resolution radar, satellite imagery, and removal of app limitations that restrict data access. You pay monthly or annually through your app store or directly via Windy's web account.
If you have trialled Windy Pro and determined it does not suit your needs, or if your subscription no longer aligns with your budget or usage patterns, South African consumer law protects your right to cancel and claim a refund within 14 days. Yafee specialises in helping you navigate these rights and execute cancellations across all platforms without losing money to forgotten subscriptions.
Where you access Windy and how billing works
You can use Windy on three distinct platforms: the iOS App Store, Google Play Store for Android devices, and directly via windy.com or account.windy.com on the web. Each platform operates its own billing and cancellation system, handled either by Apple, Google, or Windy directly. This means your cancellation method depends on where you purchased your subscription.
Subscriptions renew monthly or annually on a fixed date tied to your purchase date. You can view your renewal date and active subscription status in your app store account settings or within Windy's web account portal. Knowing your renewal date is critical: you must cancel before that date to prevent the next charge.
Your consumer protection rights under south african law
Before you cancel, understand your legal standing, because it directly affects your refund eligibility and your leverage if Windy refuses your request.
Your 14-day cooling-off right under the consumer protection act
Windy's Terms of Use explicitly acknowledge South Africa's Consumer Protection Act (CPA), No. 68 of 2008, which grants you a 14-day withdrawal right from the date of purchase. This is not a courtesy; it is a statutory consumer right. Within this window, you can cancel your subscription and claim a refund for any unused portion, calculated on a pro-rata basis from your cancellation date.
This right applies universally, whether you purchased via Apple, Google, or directly from Windy. If Windy or the app store platform refuses your refund within 14 days, you have grounds to escalate your complaint to the National Consumer Commission (NCC), South Africa's official consumer enforcement body. Yafee advises you to keep all purchase receipts and cancellation confirmations for this reason.
Your legal position: You have an absolute right to withdraw and receive a refund within 14 days of purchase. The burden is on Windy to prove you purchased more than 14 days ago or that you explicitly waived this right in writing.
After 14 days: your grounds for refund or complaint
Once the 14-day cooling-off period expires, Windy is no longer obliged to refund simply because you changed your mind. However, you retain important protections if the service fails to deliver what was promised:
- The service is materially defective or broken (for example, the app crashes on launch, or forecast data is unavailable).
- The features or forecast accuracy do not match Windy's published description or marketing claims.
- You discover unauthorised or fraudulent charges on your account.
- Windy materially breaches the terms of its service agreement.
After 14 days, your strongest position is demonstrating a defect, misrepresentation, or breach. If Windy refuses to address the issue, contact the National Consumer Commission or your provincial consumer protection office to lodge a formal complaint. Yafee recommends documenting every interaction via email or screenshot to build your case.
How to cancel Windy on android via google play
Google Play manages all Android app subscriptions, so you cancel through your Google account, not through Windy directly.
Step 1: open google play and navigate to subscriptions
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android phone or tablet.
- Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Select "Manage your Google Account" from the menu.
- Tap the "Payments & subscriptions" tab at the top of the screen.
Step 2: find and cancel Windy
- Tap "Subscriptions" to see all active subscriptions linked to your Google account.
- Find and tap "Windy.app" in the list.
- Tap "Cancel subscription" and confirm the cancellation on screen.
- Google Play disables auto-renewal immediately, but your access continues until the end of your current billing cycle.
Pro tip: Take a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation page immediately. If Google Play charges you again despite cancellation, you will have proof to present when requesting a refund or disputing the charge with your bank.
Warning: Uninstalling the Windy app does not stop billing. You must complete the cancellation process in Google Play, or your subscription will auto-renew.
How to cancel Windy on iOS via the app store
Apple's App Store controls all iOS subscriptions, so you manage cancellation through your Apple ID account, not through Windy directly.
Step 1: open settings and access app store subscriptions
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap your name at the top of the screen.
- Tap "Subscriptions" (you may need to scroll down).
Step 2: find and cancel Windy
- Locate "Windy" in your active subscriptions list.
- Tap "Windy" to open its subscription details.
- Tap "Cancel Subscription" and confirm the cancellation.
- Apple disables auto-renewal immediately; your access continues until the end of your current billing period.
Pro tip: Screenshot the cancellation confirmation for your records. Apple's subscription system is reliable, but evidence of cancellation protects you if a charge appears on your statement.
Warning: Deleting the Windy app from your iPhone does not cancel your subscription. You must follow the Settings steps above to stop billing.
How to cancel Windy directly via the web account
If you purchased your subscription directly through windy.com or account.windy.com (rather than through an app store), you cancel through your Windy web account.
Step 1: log in to your Windy account
- Navigate to account.windy.com in your web browser.
- Enter your email address and password to log in.
- If you have not yet created a Windy account, you will need to do so to manage your subscription.
Step 2: locate your subscription and billing settings
- Click "Subscriptions" or "Billing" in your account menu (exact label depends on Windy's current interface).
- Review your active subscription and renewal date.
- Look for a "Cancel Subscription" or "Manage Subscription" button.
Step 3: confirm cancellation
- Click "Cancel Subscription" and follow the on-screen prompts.
- Windy may ask why you are cancelling; you can skip this or provide feedback.
- Confirm the cancellation. Windy will send you a confirmation email.
- Your access continues until the end of your current billing cycle.
Pro tip: Save or screenshot the confirmation email from Windy. This is your proof of cancellation date and is essential if you need to claim a 14-day refund or escalate a complaint to the National Consumer Commission.
Refund timelines and how to claim your money back
Your refund eligibility and timeline depend on when you cancel relative to your purchase date and which platform processed your subscription.
Refunds within the 14-day cooling-off period
If you cancel within 14 days of your purchase date, you are entitled to a full refund of the unused portion, calculated on a pro-rata basis. For example, if you purchased a annual subscription on 1 January and cancel on 8 January, you would be refunded 357/365 of your annual fee.
Refunds via app stores (Apple and Google) typically appear in your original payment method within 5-10 business days. Refunds processed directly by Windy may take 7-14 business days. Yafee recommends checking your bank statement or payment account after 14 days; if the refund has not appeared, contact Windy or your app store to escalate.
Refunds after 14 days (defect or breach only)
If you cancel after 14 days but can demonstrate a defect or misrepresentation, your refund is not automatic. You must contact Windy directly and explain the fault. Provide screenshots of crashes, broken features, or inaccurate data. If Windy refuses, escalate to the National Consumer Commission with your evidence.
How to request a refund if it does not appear
- Check your bank or payment account after 14 business days from your cancellation date.
- If the refund is missing, contact the platform (Apple, Google, or Windy) and provide your cancellation confirmation and original receipt.
- Request a refund in writing via email, keeping a copy of your message.
- If the platform refuses or does not respond within 14 days, lodge a complaint with the National Consumer Commission at [email protected].
Common cancellation mistakes and how to avoid them
Cancelling your subscription is straightforward, but small errors can leave you exposed to unexpected charges and refund disputes. Here is how to protect yourself.
Mistake 1: deleting the app instead of cancelling the subscription
Deleting Windy from your phone or tablet does nothing to stop your subscription. The app and the billing are separate. You must follow the platform-specific cancellation steps (Google Play, App Store, or Windy web account) to disable auto-renewal. Otherwise, your renewal date arrives, your card is charged, and you will have to request a refund.
Mistake 2: cancelling after your renewal date
If you cancel on 15 January but your renewal date is 10 January, you have already been charged for the next period. You must cancel before the renewal date to avoid the charge. Check your renewal date in your app store or Windy account settings and set a phone reminder one week before.
Mistake 3: not taking screenshots or saving confirmation emails
Without proof of cancellation, you cannot dispute a charge or claim a refund if something goes wrong. Screenshop the confirmation page immediately after cancelling, and save any confirmation emails from the platform or Windy. Yafee advises keeping these for at least 90 days.
Mistake 4: assuming a refund is automatic
Refunds do not always process instantly, particularly after 14 days. Monitor your bank statement for up to 14 business days. If the refund has not appeared, chase it proactively by contacting the platform. Do not assume you have been forgotten.
What happens after you cancel your Windy subscription
Cancelling your subscription does not terminate your access immediately; understanding what comes next ensures you can still use Windy until your paid period ends.
Your access during the final billing period
After you cancel, Windy (or the app store) disables auto-renewal, but you retain full access to Windy Pro features until the end of your current billing cycle. If your renewal date was 15 January and you cancel on 8 January, you can continue using all Pro features until 14 January. On 15 January, you are downgraded to the free version.
Downgrade to the free version
Once your subscription expires, you automatically revert to Windy's free tier. You can still view basic forecasts, but advanced layers (high-resolution radar, extended forecasts, premium maps) become unavailable. You can re-subscribe at any time if you change your mind.
If you want to reactivate your subscription
If you cancel and later decide you want Windy Pro again, you can re-subscribe through your original platform (Apple, Google, or Windy web). Your payment method and account history remain linked, so reactivation is quick. However, a new 14-day cooling-off period begins from your reactivation date, so you will have another window to cancel and claim a refund if needed.
Pricing, billing cycles, and subscription options at a glance
| Subscription tier |
Billing cycle |
Estimated cost (ZAR) |
Refund eligible within 14 days? |
Auto-renews? |
Best for |
| Windy Free |
N/A (free) |
R0 |
N/A |
No |
Casual users, basic forecasts |
| Windy Pro (monthly) |
30 days |
Approximately R80-R120 |
Yes, within 14 days |
Yes |
Short-term trial or flexible users |
| Windy Pro (annual) |
365 days |
Approximately R800-R1,200 |
Yes, within 14 days (pro-rata refund) |
Yes |
Heavy users, best annual value |
| Windy Plus (occasional) |
One-time purchase or quarterly |
Varies by region |
Yes, if within 14 days of purchase |
No (one-time or manual renewal) |
Users wanting no auto-renewal |
Note: Exact pricing and available tiers depend on your location and the current Windy pricing model. Always check your app store or account.windy.com for the most current rates in South African Rand.
When you should keep your Windy subscription
Cancelling is easy, but before you cancel, consider whether Windy still delivers value to your specific needs and professional use case.
Reasons to keep Windy pro
- You use wind forecasting for sailing, kiteboarding, paragliding, or other sports that depend on precise wind data.
- You are a meteorology student, weather enthusiast, or professional forecaster who relies on detailed atmospheric layers and extended forecast horizons.
- You live in a region where Windy's precipitation and radar data materially improves your daily planning (agriculture, event management, outdoor work).
- You compare Windy to competing weather apps and consistently find Windy's data more accurate or useful for your purpose.
Reasons to cancel Windy pro
- The free version meets your needs, and you cannot justify the monthly or annual cost.
- You have switched to a competitor app that you prefer (for example, Windfinder for sailing, or a national meteorology service).
- You no longer engage in the activity (sailing, paragliding, etc.) that originally motivated your subscription.
- You find the interface confusing or the app unreliable on your device.
- You subscribed on trial and realised the investment is not worth your current usage pattern.
Common comparison: Windy versus alternatives
| Feature |
Windy Pro |
Windfinder |
South African Weather Service |
DarkSky or similar |
| Wind forecast accuracy |
Excellent (global) |
Good (sport-focused) |
Good (local) |
Basic |
| Interactive maps and layers |
Advanced |
Basic |
Limited |
Good |
| Subscription cost |
Approximately R80-120/month |
Often free or lower cost |
Free |
Varies |
| Local South African data focus |
Global priority |
Sport locations |
Excellent (local authority) |
General |
| Best for |
Professional meteorology and detail seekers |
Sailors and kiters |
General South African forecasts |
Casual users |
If you cancel Windy and encounter a problem-a refund does not appear, Windy refuses to honour your 14-day right, or you dispute a charge-you have formal escalation routes in South Africa.
Windy's cancellation and support address
Windy operates from multiple offices. For cancellation requests, disputes, and refund claims, contact:
- Email: [email protected] or [contact form on account.windy.com]
- Web account management: account.windy.com
- Registered office: Windy Offices, Pricova 2076/1, 130 00 Prague 3, Czech Republic (legal entity)
Always send cancellation requests and refund claims in writing (email) and keep copies. Yafee recommends using the email address [email protected] and requesting a written acknowledgment of your request within 48 hours.
Escalation to south african consumer authorities
If Windy or the app store refuses your refund within 14 days, or if you discover an unauthorized charge, escalate to:
- National Consumer Commission (NCC): [email protected] | www.thencc.org.za | Toll-free: 0800 120 413
- Your provincial consumer protection office: Contact details available via the NCC website.
- Your bank or payment processor: Dispute the charge if Windy or the app store refuses to refund within 21 days of your cancellation request.
The National Consumer Commission investigates complaints about breaches of the Consumer Protection Act and can compel Windy or Apple/Google to issue refunds if they have wrongfully denied your 14-day right.
Final summary: protecting yourself when you cancel
Cancelling your Windy subscription is legally straightforward in South Africa, thanks to the Consumer Protection Act's 14-day cooling-off right. However, protecting yourself requires attention to detail: cancel on the correct platform (Google Play, App Store, or Windy web), document your cancellation with screenshots, and monitor for your refund.
Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover refunds by following these exact steps. If you encounter resistance from Windy or your app store, do not assume you are out of options. The National Consumer Commission exists to enforce your rights, and a simple email with your cancellation proof and refund request often prompts a swift response.
Take action today: review your Windy subscription status, confirm your renewal date, and cancel before that date if you no longer need the service. Yafee remains your trusted resource for navigating cancellations, understanding your consumer rights, and escalating disputes to the relevant authorities.