Cancel Udemy: The Right Way

How to cancel Udemy and avoid unwanted charges in malaysia

What Udemy is and why you might want to leave

Udemy is an online learning platform founded in 2010 and based in San Francisco. It offers two distinct purchasing models: individual course purchases (one-time payment) and recurring subscription plans like the Personal Plan (monthly auto-renewal). This distinction matters enormously when you cancel, because the process and your rights differ significantly depending on which type of purchase you made.

In Malaysia, thousands of learners use Udemy to access coding tutorials, business courses, creative skills training, and professional development content. However, many users find themselves confused about subscription auto-renewal, unclear pricing displayed in Malaysian Ringgit, or difficulty locating the cancellation option buried in account settings. If you have decided that Udemy no longer fits your learning goals or budget, you have clear rights under Malaysian consumer law to cancel without penalty.

Udemy's pricing and payment structure

Udemy displays different prices depending on your location, account history, and active promotions. A single course typically costs between RM 20 and RM 250, though promotional discounts frequently reduce this. The Personal Plan subscription costs variable amounts but is advertised at around RM 59 per month (prices vary by region and promotion).

The platform processes payments through multiple channels: directly on udemy.com using your card or PayPal, or through third-party app stores (Apple App Store and Google Play Store). This payment route determines where you must submit your cancellation request. If you subscribed via the Udemy website, you cancel through your Udemy account. If you subscribed through Apple or Google, you must cancel within that app store's subscription management area, not through Udemy itself.

Why malaysian consumers cancel Udemy

You might decide to cancel Udemy for several reasons: you have completed your learning goals, the subscription cost no longer fits your budget, you found a cheaper alternative like Coursera (approximately RM 278 per month) or Skillshare (approximately RM 793 per year), or you discovered that many courses you wanted require additional out-of-pocket purchases despite holding a subscription.

Other users cancel because they enrolled in a free trial, realized the course content did not match their expectations, or they accidentally purchased a subscription when they only intended to buy a single course. Whatever your reason, you have the right to cancel without justification under Malaysian consumer protection law, and you have the right to request a refund within a reasonable timeframe if you have not consumed the service.

Your consumer rights when cancelling Udemy in malaysia

Malaysian law protects your rights as a consumer through the Consumer Protection Act 1999 (CPA 1999), administered by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living. This law covers digital services like Udemy and gives you specific protections when you cancel.

What the law guarantees you

Under the CPA 1999, you have the right to cancel any subscription service within 14 days of the transaction, provided you notify Udemy in writing within that timeframe. If Udemy has already charged you for a subscription renewal, you have the right to request a refund of that charge if you can demonstrate the service was not delivered as promised or that you did not authorize the renewal charge.

Your legal position is straightforward: you own your subscription, Udemy cannot force you to remain subscribed, and any charge that occurs after you have submitted a valid cancellation request is unauthorized. If Udemy charges you after you have submitted cancellation evidence, you can dispute that charge with your bank (chargeback) or report Udemy to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living for unfair contract terms.

The CPA 1999 also protects you against misleading advertising, unfair contract terms, and automatic renewal traps. If Udemy made it deliberately difficult to cancel or buried the cancellation button, that violates the Act. Similarly, if the free trial converted to a paid subscription without your explicit written consent, you have grounds for a refund or to lodge a complaint with the Ministry.

How to enforce your rights if Udemy does not cooperate

If Udemy refuses to cancel your subscription or disputes your refund request, you have formal escalation routes. First, send a written complaint to Udemy's support team via email, stating your cancellation request date, the charge you dispute, and your account email address. Keep this email and Udemy's response as evidence.

If Udemy does not respond within 14 days or refuses your request, contact the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Kos Hidup) or visit the National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC) website to lodge a formal complaint. You can also dispute the charge with your credit card company or bank using the chargeback process, which reverses the payment while the dispute is investigated.

Tocancel understands that navigating these processes can feel overwhelming, which is why we provide step-by-step guidance to help you assert your rights confidently. Your legal protections are real and enforceable, and companies like Udemy rely on consumer hesitation to avoid cancelling.

How to cancel Udemy on the web

If you subscribed to Udemy through the website (udemy.com) using your credit card or PayPal, you must cancel through your web account. The mobile app does not always display the cancellation option, so use a computer or mobile browser instead.

Step-by-step cancellation process

1. Log in to your Udemy account at udemy.com using your email and password.
   • If you have forgotten your password, click the "Forgot password?" link and reset it via your email.
2. Click the profile icon in the top-right corner of the page.
   • This icon usually appears as a small circle with your initials or profile picture.
3. Select "Account" or "Account Settings" from the dropdown menu.
   • You may see options like "Account," "Account Settings," or "My Account"-they all lead to the same page.
4. Look for the "Subscriptions" or "Billing" section on the left sidebar.
   • Scroll down if you do not see it immediately; it often appears below "Account" and "Notifications."
5. Click on "Subscriptions" to view your active plans.
   • You will see the plan name, price, next billing date, and a "Cancel" or "Manage Subscription" button.
6. Click "Cancel subscription" or "Turn off auto-renewal."
   • Udemy may ask why you are cancelling; you can skip this survey or provide feedback.
   • Udemy will then ask you to confirm the cancellation.
7. Confirm your cancellation by clicking the final "Cancel Subscription" button.
   • Do not close the page until you see a confirmation message.
8. Take a screenshot of the confirmation page showing your cancellation was processed.
   • Save this screenshot to your computer with today's date in the filename.
9. Check your email for a cancellation confirmation message from Udemy.
   • This email will contain your cancellation date and your access end date.
   • If you do not receive an email within 2 hours, contact Udemy support to verify the cancellation.

Once you have successfully cancelled, your subscription will end on your next scheduled billing date, and you will retain access to all purchased courses until that date. No further charges will appear on your payment method after the cancellation takes effect.

Understanding udemy's cancellation confirmation

After you submit your cancellation, Udemy sends a confirmation email within 1-2 hours. This email states your subscription end date (typically the date of your next renewal charge, which will now not occur). Your access to course materials continues until that end date, even though you are no longer paying for new content after that point.

If you see a confirmation page saying "Your subscription has been cancelled" or "Auto-renewal has been turned off," your cancellation has been processed successfully. If the page shows an error message or loops back to the billing page, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then repeat the process. If the problem persists, contact Udemy support at support.udemy.com with your screenshot of the error.

Cancelling Udemy subscriptions bought through apple or google

If you subscribed to Udemy's Personal Plan through the Apple App Store (on iPhone or iPad) or Google Play Store (on Android), your payment is managed by Apple or Google, not by Udemy directly. This means you must cancel within the app store, not through your Udemy account.

Cancelling an apple subscription

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
   • On Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left, then "System Preferences" or "System Settings."
2. Tap or click your name at the top of the Settings screen.
   • You will see your Apple ID, iCloud storage, and subscription options.
3. Select "Subscriptions."
   • On Mac, this may appear under "Media & Purchases" instead.
4. Find Udemy in the list of active subscriptions.
   • You will see the renewal date and the price you are charged.
5. Tap or click on Udemy to open its subscription details.
   • This screen shows your current plan, next billing date, and cancellation options.
6. Tap "Cancel Subscription" or "Turn Off Auto-Renewal."
   • Apple may offer you a discounted renewal offer; you can ignore this and proceed with cancellation.
7. Confirm your cancellation when prompted.
   • Apple will send you an email confirming the cancellation within minutes.

Your Udemy account will remain active until the current billing period ends, but you will not be charged again after that date. Your access to courses continues until your subscription end date.

Cancelling a google play subscription

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
   • Or visit play.google.com on a web browser if you prefer managing it from a computer.
2. Tap the profile icon in the top-right corner.
   • On the web, this is located in the top-right of the page.
3. Select "Manage subscriptions" or "Subscriptions."
   • You will see a list of all services you subscribe to through Google Play.
4. Find and tap Udemy in the list.
   • This screen displays your plan, price, and next renewal date.
5. Tap "Cancel subscription."
   • Google Play may show a survey asking why you are cancelling; you can skip this.
6. Confirm your cancellation by tapping "Yes, cancel" or a similar button.
   • Google will send you a confirmation email.

Your Udemy access continues until the end of your current billing cycle, and no charges will be processed after your cancellation takes effect. Tocancel recommends saving the confirmation email from Apple or Google as proof of cancellation, in case any dispute arises later.

Requesting a refund from Udemy in malaysia

Cancelling your subscription stops future charges, but if you want your money back for a charge that has already occurred, you must request a refund separately. Udemy's refund policy depends on when you purchased and whether you consumed the content.

When you are eligible for a refund

You can request a full refund if you purchased a subscription or course within the last 30 days and have not accessed most of the course materials. If you subscribed to the Personal Plan and were charged within the last 30 days, you can request a refund of that charge even if your subscription is now cancelled.

If you purchased a subscription through a free trial that converted to a paid charge without your explicit consent, you are eligible for a full refund regardless of how long ago the charge occurred. This falls under unfair contract terms under Malaysian consumer law, and Udemy cannot force you to pay for a trial you did not agree to continue.

How to request a refund

1. Log in to your Udemy account at udemy.com.
   • Use the same email and password you use to access courses.
2. Click your profile icon and select "Account."
   • This opens your account dashboard.
3. Click on "Purchase History" or "My Learning."
   • You will see a list of all courses and subscriptions you have bought.
4. Find the charge you want refunded.
   • Look for the course name or "Personal Plan" subscription charge with the billing date.
5. Click on the course or subscription, then click "Request a Refund."
   • If this button does not appear, the refund window may have closed; proceed to step 6 anyway.
6. Fill in the refund request form explaining why you want a refund.
   • Be specific: "I did not consent to the trial converting to a paid subscription" or "I was charged multiple times for the same course."
7. Submit your refund request and save the confirmation number.
   • Udemy will send you an email confirming receipt of your request within 1 hour.
8. Wait for Udemy's response within 7-10 business days.
   • Udemy will email you to approve, deny, or ask for additional information about your refund.

If Udemy approves your refund, the money returns to your original payment method within 5-10 business days. If Udemy denies your refund and you believe the denial is unfair, escalate the complaint to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living as described in the "Your consumer rights when cancelling Udemy in Malaysia" section above.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling Udemy

Cancelling online services can feel stressful, especially when you fear unexpected charges will keep occurring. The good news is that most cancellation mistakes are easily prevented if you know what to watch for.

Mistake 1: cancelling the course, not the subscription

Udemy's interface can be confusing. If you click "Remove from Learning" or "Unenroll," you remove the course from your learning list, but your subscription continues and auto-renews. Removing a course does not cancel the subscription that grants you access to that course.

Always navigate to "Subscriptions" in your Account Settings to cancel the recurring payment itself, not the individual course. If you only remove courses without cancelling the subscription, your next monthly charge will still occur.

Mistake 2: not confirming the cancellation

After you click "Cancel Subscription," Udemy asks you to confirm. Some users click "Cancel" expecting it to be complete, but that click usually triggers a confirmation screen. You must click a second button (usually "Yes, cancel" or "Confirm cancellation") to finalize the request.

Always wait for a confirmation message on screen and watch for a confirmation email from Udemy within 1-2 hours. Without that email, your cancellation may not have been processed. If you do not receive an email, log back in to your Subscriptions page and verify the status, or contact support.

Mistake 3: assuming app cancellation cancels everything

If you subscribed via the Udemy app but later download Udemy on a different app store (for example, you switch from Apple to Android), that new installation does not automatically cancel your original subscription. Your original Apple subscription continues to renew separately from your new Android login.

Manage each subscription separately: if you subscribed via Apple App Store, cancel through Apple Settings. If you subscribed via Google Play, cancel through Google Play. If you later subscribe through udemy.com itself, cancel that separately as well. Tocancel advises keeping a record of all subscriptions you have ever used with Udemy so you do not miss cancelling one.

Mistake 4: not keeping cancellation proof

If a charge appears on your statement after you cancel, you will need to prove you submitted a valid cancellation request. Take a screenshot of the confirmation page immediately after you cancel, and save the confirmation email from Udemy or Apple/Google.

These documents become crucial if you need to dispute the charge with your bank or lodge a complaint with the Ministry. Without proof, your bank may struggle to reverse an unauthorized charge, and Udemy may claim you never cancelled. Store these files in a folder labeled "Udemy Cancellation" so you can find them quickly if needed.

What happens after you cancel Udemy

Cancelling Udemy removes the recurring charge, but you retain access to your courses until your subscription end date. Understanding what you can and cannot do after cancellation prevents confusion and helps you plan your learning timeline.

Your access after cancellation

When you cancel your Udemy subscription, you keep full access to all courses you enrolled in until the subscription end date. You can continue watching videos, downloading course materials, and completing exercises. On the day after your subscription expires, your access to all courses ends, and you can no longer download new materials or view lessons.

If you purchased individual courses (not a subscription), cancelling does not affect them at all. Individual course purchases are permanent: you own that course forever and can access it whenever you log in, even after your subscription has ended. Only subscription-based access expires.

Certificates and completion records

Certificates of completion that you earned before the cancellation date remain yours. You can view and download them from your account even after the subscription ends. However, you cannot earn new certificates on courses you enroll in after your subscription ends, unless you purchase those courses individually.

If you have not completed a course before your subscription expires and want to finish it, either purchase that course individually before the subscription ends, or resubscribe to the Personal Plan later. Tocancel recommends downloading or screenshotting any certificates, course materials, or notes you need before your subscription actually expires, as you will lose the ability to access these items once the subscription ends.

Cancellation address and escalation contact

If you need to send a formal written cancellation notice or file a complaint about Udemy's cancellation process, use the following contact details:

Udemy Support (Digital Contact): support.udemy.com (submit a support ticket through the website)

Udemy Complaints Email: Check support.udemy.com for the current email address, as it may vary by region. Do not send personal payment information via email unless Udemy specifically requests it.

Malaysia Consumer Protection Authority: Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC), Tel: 03-8000 8000, Website: nccc.org.my

If you dispute a charge with your bank, provide them with: (1) your Udemy account email, (2) the charge amount and date, (3) your screenshot of the subscription/cancellation page, and (4) the confirmation email from Udemy showing cancellation. Your bank can then initiate a chargeback investigation.

Summary and next steps

Cancelling Udemy in Malaysia is straightforward once you know where to look. The key steps are: confirm whether you have a subscription or individual courses, locate the correct cancellation page (web account, Apple Settings, or Google Play), submit your cancellation request, and save the confirmation email. No further charges will occur after your cancellation is processed, and you retain access to your courses until the subscription end date.

If you encounter any problems, remember that Malaysian consumer law (CPA 1999) protects your right to cancel any subscription, and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living enforces these protections. You are not locked in, and companies cannot use misleading terms or buried cancellation buttons to trap you into paying.

Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions, dispute unauthorized charges, and recover refunds from online services. Whether you are cancelling Udemy, requesting a refund, or disputing a charge with your bank, we provide clear, step-by-step guidance to empower you to take confident action. Visit tocancel.com today to access our complete cancellation guides and escalation templates, all designed to help you protect your consumer rights and your wallet.