Cancel The Times: The Right Way

How to cancel The Times subscription in malaysia and protect your wallet

Understanding The Times and what malaysian readers actually pay

The Times is a premium UK news publisher founded in 1785, owned by News UK, and it operates a global digital subscription business. For Malaysian readers, this means you are paying for unlimited digital access to The Times and The Sunday Times content, delivered across web, mobile, and tablet devices. Your subscription is billed in Malaysian ringgit (MYR), but all customer support, billing disputes, and cancellation procedures follow UK systems and timezones.

What you are paying for each month

The Times offers two main subscription tiers in Malaysia. Your Digital Subscription gives you access to The Times content only, while the premium bundle includes both The Times and The Sunday Times. Pricing data from the Malaysia App Store shows these costs as of the latest update.

The subscription renews automatically at the end of each billing period. The Times terms and conditions state that your subscription will charge again on your renewal date unless you cancel before that date arrives. This means if your next billing date is 18 June, you must cancel on or before 17 June to avoid the charge; cancelling on 19 June will not stop the charge that occurred on the 18th.

How The Times operates for malaysian customers

The Times has no confirmed customer support team in Malaysia or local Bahasa Melayu support channels. This creates two practical problems: cancellation requests can take longer to process (5 to 10 business days), and refund disputes are handled by UK-based teams working UK business hours. Free trials are advertised periodically, but they convert automatically to paid subscriptions if you do not cancel before the trial window closes, which catches many readers by surprise.

Tocancel has identified that Malaysian readers most commonly encounter friction when trying to cancel through the website or when disputing a renewal charge that occurred after a failed cancellation attempt. Always screenshot your account details before initiating any cancellation, because you will need the exact billing date and amount if you need to escalate a dispute to Malaysia's consumer protection authority or your bank.

Your consumer rights when cancelling The Times in malaysia

Malaysian law protects you as a consumer, and understanding your rights is the foundation of a successful cancellation.

What malaysian consumer law says about subscriptions

The Consumer Protection Act 1999 (Malaysia) sets out your rights when you sign up for a paid service like The Times. Under Section 15 of the Act, any subscription agreement must be fair, transparent, and must clearly state the cancellation process. If The Times makes it deliberately difficult to cancel, or if the cancellation process is hidden or unclear, that violates your consumer rights.

Additionally, Regulation 9 of the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Regulations 2012 requires that any online service provider must provide a simple and effective cancellation mechanism. If you cannot find a clear cancellation button or link on The Times account page within three clicks, the company is not meeting this legal standard.

Your legal position is simple: you have the right to cancel your subscription at any time before the next renewal date, and the company must process that cancellation without delay or penalty. If you are charged after you cancel, you have the right to a full refund. If The Times refuses, you can escalate to the Malaysia's Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), which enforces the Consumer Protection Act 1999.

Escalation bodies and how to contact them

If The Times refuses to honour your cancellation or refund request, you have formal escalation channels. Contact the KPDN's Consumer Affairs Division at 03-8000 8000 or lodge a complaint online at www.kpdn.gov.my. You can also file a dispute with your bank or payment card issuer within 180 days of the disputed charge; Malaysian banks will reverse the charge if you provide evidence of your cancellation request.

Tocancel recommends keeping all emails, screenshots, and confirmation messages related to your cancellation attempt. These form your evidence if you need to escalate to KPDN or your bank, and they also protect you if The Times tries to argue that you never submitted a cancellation request.

How to cancel The Times step by step

Your cancellation method depends on where you originally signed up: the main website, Apple App Store, or Google Play. Cancel using the same channel you subscribed through, or your cancellation may fail silently.

Cancel through The Times website

If you subscribed directly on thetimes.co.uk using your email and credit card, follow this process.

1. Go to www.thetimes.co.uk and click "Sign In" at the top right.
2. Enter your email address and password, then log in to your account.
3. Click your account name or profile icon (usually top right), then select "Account Settings" or "Manage Subscription".
4. Look for the "Cancel Subscription" or "End Subscription" button.
   • If you see "Manage Your Plan", click it first to reveal the cancellation option.
   • Do not click "Pause" or "Skip Next Payment" unless you want to delay, not cancel.
5. Click "Cancel Subscription" and confirm the action when prompted.
6. Take a screenshot of the confirmation page or email. The confirmation should show your cancellation date and state "Your subscription ends on [DATE]".
7. Save this confirmation email, which should arrive within minutes.

Processing time: The Times typically processes website cancellations within 24 hours, but you may see the cancellation reflected in your account settings immediately after you confirm.

Cancel through apple app store (iPhone, iPad)

If you subscribed through the Apple App Store and see the Malaysian pricing in ringgit, cancel via the App Store on your device or on www.appleid.apple.com.

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app.
2. Tap your Apple ID at the top, then select "Subscriptions".
3. Find "The Times" in your active subscriptions list.
4. Tap "The Times" and then tap "Cancel Subscription".
   • Apple will ask you to confirm the cancellation and show you the date your access ends.
   • Do not skip this step; you must tap "Confirm" for the cancellation to register.
5. Take a screenshot of the confirmation screen showing "Subscription Cancelled" and the end date.
6. Verify by going back to Subscriptions; The Times should now show "Expires on [DATE]" rather than "Renews on [DATE]".

Processing time: Apple processes App Store cancellations immediately, and your access ends on the date shown. You retain access until that date even after you cancel.

Cancel through google play (Android)

If you subscribed via Google Play on an Android device, cancel your subscription through Google Play.

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Play app.
2. Tap your profile icon (top right), then tap "Manage subscriptions".
3. Find "The Times" in your subscriptions list and tap it.
4. Tap "Cancel subscription" and select your reason for cancellation.
5. Read the confirmation, then tap "Cancel Subscription" again to confirm.
   • Google will show you the date your access ends (usually at the end of your current billing period).
6. Take a screenshot of the "Subscription Cancelled" confirmation screen.

Processing time: Google Play processes cancellations immediately in the app, though The Times servers may take up to 24 hours to reflect the change.

Important checks to do before you cancel

Many Malaysian readers cancel the wrong way and then are shocked to see another charge. Prevent this by running through these checks first.

Verify your current subscription details

Log into your account (on the website or in the app) and record the following information before you take any cancellation action.

• Current plan name: "Digital Subscription" or "The Times and Sunday Times"?
• Current monthly cost: RM99.90 or RM117.90?
• Next billing date: when will you be charged next?
• Payment method: credit card ending in what digits? Apple ID? Google Play balance?
• How you subscribed: website, App Store, or Google Play?

Screenshot or photograph each of these details. If a charge appears after your cancellation, you will need these facts to prove to your bank or to KPDN that you had an active subscription and when it should have ended.

Check for free trial end dates

If you signed up using a promotional free trial (common offers are 7 or 14 days), look for the trial end date in your account. The Times automatically converts free trials to paid subscriptions unless you cancel before the trial period ends. This catches many readers because they forget the trial deadline and suddenly see a charge appear.

Tocancel strongly recommends setting a phone reminder for 2 days before your trial ends, so you have time to cancel if you decide not to continue.

What happens after you cancel The Times

Cancellation does not end your access immediately; here is what to expect.

Your access window after cancellation

After you successfully cancel, you retain full access to The Times until your current billing period ends. For example, if your next billing date is 15 July and you cancel on 1 July, you keep access until 14 July at 11:59 PM, then access is removed automatically.

This is important: do not assume you have lost access immediately after cancelling. You have paid for access through the end of your current billing cycle, and The Times will honour that. Use this time to download articles, export bookmarks, or save any content you want to keep.

Check your confirmation email

Within 15 minutes of cancelling, you should receive a confirmation email from The Times (from "[email protected]" or your App Store / Google Play account email). This email states the cancellation date and when your access will end.

Save this email permanently. If a second charge appears after your cancellation date, this email is proof that you cancelled on time. Forward it to your bank or to KPDN if you need to dispute the charge.

Monitor your next billing date

Mark your calendar for the date shown in your cancellation confirmation. On that date, log into your account and verify that no new charge has appeared. If your next billing date arrives and you see a charge, contact The Times support immediately and provide your cancellation confirmation email. This is a billing error, and you are entitled to a refund.

Refund eligibility and how to claim

Your refund rights depend on why you are cancelling and when you cancel relative to your billing date.

When you qualify for a refund

You qualify for a refund in these situations:

• You were charged after your cancellation was processed (billing error).
• You cancelled within 7 days of signing up or upgrading, and the company did not clearly display cancellation terms (distance selling rule under the Consumer Protection Act 1999).
• You were charged without your permission or authorisation.
• Your free trial was not clearly labelled as converting to a paid subscription.

You do not qualify for a refund simply because you changed your mind mid-billing cycle, even if you cancel immediately after paying. This is a key legal distinction: once you have used a service for part of a month, that portion is non-refundable, but any charges incurred after cancellation are refundable.

How to request a refund from The Times

If you believe you qualify for a refund, contact The Times support through their website help centre at www.thetimes.co.uk/support or by replying to your cancellation confirmation email. Provide the following:

• Your account email address and account number (if shown).
• Your cancellation confirmation email or screenshot.
• The date of the unwanted charge and the exact amount (e.g., "RM99.90 on 18 June 2024").
• A brief explanation: "I cancelled on [DATE] but was charged again on [DATE]" or "I was not informed the free trial would become a paid subscription".

The Times typically processes refund requests within 5 to 10 business days. If the company denies your refund without justification, escalate to your bank (request a chargeback or reversal), and also lodge a complaint with KPDN.

Common cancellation mistakes and how to avoid them

It is frustrating to cancel carefully, only to be charged again. Here are the most common mistakes Tocancel users report, and how to sidestep each one.

Mistake 1: cancelling on the wrong platform

You signed up through the App Store but tried to cancel on the website. Your App Store subscription remains active because The Times website and App Store maintain separate subscription records. Cancel only through the platform where you originally subscribed.

Mistake 2: confusing "Pause" with "Cancel"

The Times account settings sometimes show both "Pause Subscription" (skip the next charge) and "Cancel Subscription" (end permanently). If you click "Pause", you are still subscribed; a charge will resume after the pause period. Always click "Cancel", not "Pause".

Mistake 3: not saving confirmation details

You see the cancellation page, feel relieved, close the browser, and forget what you saw. Two weeks later, a charge appears and you have no proof you cancelled. Screenshot the confirmation page and save the confirmation email. These are your evidence if a dispute arises.

Mistake 4: cancelling on the wrong date

Your billing date is the 18th of the month. You cancel on the 19th, thinking you have stopped the charge. The charge already went through on the 18th because your account was still active. Cancel between 1 and 17 days before your billing date, not after.

Mistake 5: assuming immediate access removal

You cancel and panic because you still see your subscription active in your account. This is normal; you retain access through the end of your current billing cycle. You have not been wrongly charged; you have paid for access until that date and The Times is honouring it.

Comparison of cancellation methods

Choose the cancellation method that matches where you originally subscribed. This table shows the pros and cons of each.

After cancellation: your to-do checklist

Use this checklist to confirm your cancellation was processed correctly and to protect yourself if a dispute arises.

• Save the cancellation confirmation email or screenshot with the date and your access end date clearly visible.
• Verify that your account settings now show "Expires on [DATE]" instead of "Renews on [DATE]".
• Set a reminder on your phone for your access end date to check that no new charge appears.
• On the date your access ends, log back in and confirm your subscription is no longer active.
• If you paid by credit card or debit card, check your statement 2 to 3 days after your access end date. No charge should appear.
• If an unwanted charge appears, gather your cancellation confirmation email and contact your bank immediately to dispute the charge.
• Keep all cancellation records for at least 2 years (this covers the statute of limitations for small consumer claims in Malaysia).

Why tocancel can help you cancel with confidence

Cancelling a subscription should not require a law degree or hours on hold with overseas support. Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel recurring subscriptions, resolve billing disputes, and recover unwanted charges. Our step-by-step guides, rights summaries, and checklists are designed to translate confusing terms and conditions into clear, actionable steps.

If The Times refuses to cancel your subscription, ignores your refund request, or charges you after cancellation, Tocancel provides the legal context and escalation pathways to hold them accountable. We explain your rights under Malaysian consumer law and point you directly to KPDN, your bank, or the relevant regulatory body.

Visit Tocancel today for more guides on cancelling subscriptions, streaming services, memberships, and insurance policies across Malaysia and beyond. Tocancel is your independent consumer rights resource, and our mission is to make cancellation simple, transparent, and fair for every reader.

Contact and support information

If you need further assistance after cancelling The Times, or if you face pushback from the company, use these contact details.

The Times support channels

• Website help centre: www.thetimes.co.uk/support
• Account cancellation page: www.thetimes.co.uk/account/cancel
• Email: support via the help centre contact form
• Response time: 5 to 10 business days (UK business hours)

Malaysian consumer protection contacts

• Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN): 03-8000 8000
• KPDN website: www.kpdn.gov.my
• Consumer complaint form: submit online at the KPDN portal
• Response time: typically 30 to 60 days for formal investigations

Your bank or payment provider

• Contact your bank or credit card issuer to dispute unwanted charges or request a chargeback within 180 days of the charge.
• Provide your cancellation confirmation email as evidence that you cancelled before the disputed charge date.

Tocancel is committed to making sure Malaysian readers like you understand your cancellation rights and have the tools to exercise them. Cancel with confidence, and do not hesitate to escalate if The Times does not honour your request.