Cancel Medium: The Right Way to Protect Your Rights

How to cancel your Medium membership in new zealand and protect your rights

What Medium is and why you might cancel

Medium is an online publishing platform where writers, journalists and independent creators share articles, essays and long-form content with a global audience. You can read freely, or pay for a membership to access exclusive stories, remove ads and support writers directly. For New Zealand readers, Medium offers a straightforward way to discover quality journalism and niche publications, but the membership cost adds up quickly if you no longer use it.

Whether you signed up for a trial, lost interest in the content or found better alternatives, cancelling your Medium membership is straightforward. However, the process differs depending on how you subscribed: through the Medium website, Apple App Store or Google Play. New Zealand consumer law gives you specific protections worth understanding before you act. Tocancel is here to walk you through every step, flag the traps, and show you exactly how to cancel without losing access during your paid period.

When you should cancel Medium

You should cancel if you no longer read enough articles to justify the monthly cost, prefer free news sources, or have switched to other platforms. Many readers cancel after the first month or when a free trial ends and they realise the paywall is not worth it for their reading habits. Do not wait until your next billing date if you have made up your mind: cancel today to stop future charges.

What cancellation means for your access

Cancelling your Medium membership stops future billing immediately, but your access continues until the end of your current billing period. This is a key advantage: you are not locked out on the day you cancel. You can continue reading unlimited ad-free stories through to your renewal date, then lose access unless you resubscribe. Your paid period is protected, so you get full value for money already spent.

Your consumer rights when cancelling Medium

New Zealand consumer law protects you in every transaction, including digital subscriptions and memberships. Understanding your rights is the first step to cancelling with confidence.

Consumer guarantees act protections for Medium

The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 is the law that protects New Zealand consumers when they buy goods or services, including digital memberships like Medium. Under this law, Medium must provide the service with care and skill, ensure it is fit for purpose, and be clear about what you are paying for. If Medium fails to deliver what it promised, you have the right to ask for a refund, repair or replacement.

Your legal position is clear: you are entitled to cancel at any time without penalty, so long as you do so in the method Medium offers (usually through your account settings or app store). If Medium charges you after you have cancelled, or refuses to process your cancellation, you can escalate the complaint to the Commerce Commission, New Zealand's consumer protection authority. Tocancel recommends keeping a record of your cancellation confirmation email, as this is your proof if a dispute arises.

Your right to cancel without hidden barriers

Under New Zealand consumer law, companies must make cancellation as easy as signing up. Medium cannot require you to phone, post a letter, or jump through hoops to stop your membership. If Medium makes cancellation deliberately difficult, that is a breach of the Fair Trading Act 1986. You have the right to cancel swiftly and without obstruction. Tocancel advises taking a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation, as this protects you if Medium later claims they never received your request.

How to cancel Medium on the website

Cancelling via the Medium website is the fastest method and gives you immediate confirmation. Follow these steps carefully.

1. Log into your Medium account at medium.com using your email and password
   • If you have forgotten your password, click "Forgot password?" on the login screen and follow the reset email
   • If you signed up via Google or Apple, use the same method to log in
2. Click your profile photo or avatar in the top right corner of the screen
   • A dropdown menu will appear with several options
3. Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu
   • You will be taken to your account settings page
4. Click on "Membership" or "Subscription" in the left sidebar
   • This section shows your current membership status and billing information
5. Look for the option to "Cancel membership" or "Manage subscription"
   • Click this button to proceed
6. Confirm your cancellation when prompted
   • Medium may ask why you are cancelling; you can skip this or provide feedback
   • Click the final "Confirm cancellation" button to complete the process
7. Take a screenshot of the confirmation page showing your cancellation is complete
   • Save this image and the confirmation email Medium sends you
   • Store both in a folder titled "Cancelled Subscriptions" for your records

Your cancellation is now processed, and you will not be charged in the next billing cycle. You retain full access until your current paid period expires.

How to cancel Medium via apple app store

If you subscribed to Medium through Apple App Store on an iPhone or iPad, you must cancel through the App Store settings, not through Medium itself. Apple handles the billing, so Medium cannot process your cancellation directly.

1. Open the Apple App Store app on your iPhone or iPad
   • Look for the App Store icon on your home screen
2. Tap the profile icon in the top right corner
   • This is usually a circle showing your Apple ID photo or initials
3. Select "Subscriptions" from the menu
   • You will see a list of all active subscriptions linked to your Apple ID
4. Find "Medium" in the list and tap it
   • The Medium subscription details will appear
5. Tap "Cancel Subscription" or the red "Cancel" button
   • Apple will ask you to confirm; tap "Confirm" to proceed
6. Take a screenshot showing the cancellation confirmation message
   • Apple sends a confirmation email to your Apple ID email address
   • This email is your proof of cancellation; keep it safe

Once you cancel through Apple, Medium will no longer renew at your next billing date. Your access continues until the renewal date passes.

How to cancel Medium via google play

If you subscribed through Google Play on an Android device, Google handles your billing and subscription management. You cancel through Google Play settings, not through Medium.

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android phone or tablet
   • Tap your profile icon in the top right corner
2. Tap "Manage subscriptions" or "Payments and subscriptions"
   • You will see all active subscriptions on your Google Play account
3. Find Medium in the list and tap it
   • The subscription details page will open
4. Tap "Cancel subscription"
   • Google will ask why you are cancelling; you can skip or answer
5. Confirm your cancellation by tapping "Yes, cancel" or the final confirm button
   • Google sends a confirmation to your Google account email
   • Screenshot this confirmation and save the email

Your Medium subscription will not renew after your current billing period ends. You keep full access until that date arrives.

Medium subscription pricing and what you pay

Understanding what you are paying helps you decide whether cancellation is the right move. Here is Medium's pricing structure in New Zealand dollars.

If you subscribed to the monthly plan at $11.99 NZD, cancelling immediately saves you that amount each month going forward. Tocancel recommends calculating how many stories you actually read in a week to decide if the cost is worth it for your habits.

What happens after you cancel Medium

Once your cancellation is processed, several things occur in sequence. Knowing what to expect prevents confusion and worry.

Your access during and after cancellation

When you cancel, your current paid period is sacred. You keep full membership access until your renewal date passes. On that date, your account automatically reverts to the free tier. You can no longer read unlimited stories, and ads return to stories you view. However, you can resubscribe at any time if you change your mind, and new subscribers often receive a discounted trial period.

Your billing and refund rights

If you cancel before your renewal date, you will not be charged again. Medium does not issue partial refunds for unused time in the current billing period, as your access is protected until that period ends. However, if Medium charged you after you cancelled, you have the right to request a refund under the Consumer Guarantees Act. Tocancel advises contacting Medium's support team with your cancellation confirmation email and the proof of wrongful charge. If Medium refuses to refund, escalate to the Commerce Commission.

Your position is strong: you paid for a service and should receive the full benefit of that payment. If you are charged after cancellation, that is a billing error, and you are entitled to recover that money.

Removing Medium from your connected accounts

If you signed up using your Google or Apple ID, Medium has read access to some of your account data. After cancellation, log back into your Medium account once and disconnect these integrations. Go to Settings, click "Connections" or "Linked accounts", and remove Google and Apple. This prevents Medium from accessing your data after you stop using the service.

Common mistakes when cancelling Medium

Cancelling a subscription should not be stressful, but small mistakes can lead to unexpected charges and frustration. Here are the pitfalls to avoid.

Forgetting to cancel before the trial ends

Many readers sign up for a free trial with the intention to cancel but forget until they are charged. Medium's trial periods are typically 1 to 2 months; after that, your payment method is charged automatically. Mark your calendar the day you sign up for a trial, then set a reminder 3 days before the trial ends. Cancel within that window to avoid any charge. Tocancel recommends creating a phone alarm with the exact date and time so you do not miss the deadline.

Cancelling through the wrong platform

If you signed up via Apple App Store, cancelling on the Medium website will not work because Apple, not Medium, controls your subscription. You must cancel where you subscribed. Check your billing emails to confirm whether Medium, Apple or Google charged you, then cancel through that same service. Taking the wrong cancellation path wastes your time and your subscription stays active.

Not saving your cancellation confirmation

Without proof that you cancelled, you have no defence if Medium claims you never requested it and charges you again. Always screenshot the confirmation page and save the confirmation email from Medium, Apple or Google. Store these in a folder you can access if you need to dispute a future charge. Tocancel uses this method to help thousands of consumers resolve billing disputes with proof of cancellation.

Assuming you lose access immediately after cancellation

Some readers panic when they cancel, thinking they will lose access right away. In fact, you keep full membership access until your next renewal date. Do not re-subscribe thinking you have been locked out; you have not. Your paid period runs to completion, and only then does your account revert to free tier status.

How to get a refund if you were wrongly charged

If Medium charged you after you cancelled, or if you cancelled but the charge went through anyway, you have the right to demand a refund under New Zealand consumer law.

Step 1: contact Medium support with evidence

Email Medium's support team at [email protected] (or use the contact form on their website) with the following information: your account email, the date you cancelled, your cancellation confirmation screenshot or email, and the date of the unwanted charge. Be factual and brief. Request a full refund of the charge. Medium typically responds within 5 to 10 business days.

Step 2: escalate if Medium refuses

If Medium does not respond or refuses your refund claim, you can escalate to the Commerce Commission, New Zealand's consumer protection body. You can also dispute the charge through your bank or payment provider (credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, etc.). Your bank can reverse the transaction if you report it as an unauthorised charge or a service not rendered. Tocancel advises doing both: contact Medium and your bank simultaneously to maximise your chances of recovery.

Step 3: keep records of all communication

Save every email, screenshot and support ticket number. If the dispute goes to the Commerce Commission or your bank, you need a paper trail showing you tried to resolve it with Medium first. This evidence strengthens your claim and speeds up the refund process.

Comparing Medium to similar news platforms

Before you cancel, consider whether another platform might better suit your reading habits. Here is how Medium compares to alternatives available in New Zealand.

If you are cancelling Medium because you find free news sources sufficient, platforms like The Guardian (New Zealand edition), 1News and Stuff offer free access to quality journalism. If you want to support writers directly, Substack may be a better fit. Evaluate your actual reading habits before cancelling, so you switch to a platform you will actually use.

Checklist before you cancel Medium

Use this checklist to ensure you cancel safely and do not lose anything you value.

• Decide which cancellation method applies to you: Medium website, Apple App Store or Google Play
• Log into your account and confirm your current billing date and renewal date
• Check whether you are in a free trial period; if so, ensure you cancel before the trial ends
• Complete the cancellation process on the correct platform
• Screenshot the cancellation confirmation page immediately
• Save the confirmation email sent by Medium, Apple or Google
• Store both files in a folder labelled "Cancelled Subscriptions" or "Billing Records"
• Check your bank or payment method to confirm no further charges appear after your renewal date
• If you are charged after cancellation, contact Medium with your confirmation as evidence
• If Medium refuses to refund, escalate to the Commerce Commission or your bank

Following this checklist protects you from surprises and gives you evidence if a dispute arises. Tocancel recommends completing these steps the same day you cancel.

Key takeaways and next steps

Cancelling your Medium membership is simple, fast and protected by New Zealand consumer law. You have the right to cancel at any time through the method Medium offers (website or app store), and your paid access is protected until your next renewal date. Keep your cancellation confirmation, and if Medium charges you after you cancel, you have the right to demand a refund under the Consumer Guarantees Act.

Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions, navigate billing disputes and understand their consumer rights. Whether you are cancelling because you no longer use Medium, prefer free news sources or have found a better alternative, the steps above guide you safely through the process. Take action today: log into your account, select the cancellation method that matches how you subscribed, and confirm your cancellation in writing. Your rights are clear, and you are in control.

Medium contact details for legal notices

Medium does not maintain a New Zealand postal address for legal notices or cancellation disputes. If you need to escalate a cancellation or billing issue, use the following channels: email Medium support at [email protected] with your account details, cancellation confirmation and the dispute details. If Medium does not respond within 20 working days, contact the Commerce Commission (New Zealand's consumer protection authority) at 0800 943 600 or complaints.commission.org.nz. You can also dispute charges through your bank or payment provider using your cancellation confirmation as evidence.

For escalations related to data privacy or account security, you can contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner at 0800 803 202 or privacy.org.nz. Keep copies of all correspondence, including this guide, to support your claim if needed.