Cancel Medium: The Right Way to Manage Your Subscription

How to cancel your Medium subscription in the philippines and protect your reading budget

What is Medium and why filipino readers subscribe

Medium is a membership-based reading and publishing platform launched in 2012 that delivers long-form articles, essays, and niche content on technology, culture, politics, business, and personal growth. The service operates on a freemium model: you can read a limited number of free articles each month, but accessing exclusive member-only stories requires a paid subscription. In the Philippines, Medium charges ₱299 per month or ₱2,999 annually for unlimited reading access, an ad-free experience, and member-only features.

Many Filipino readers sign up because they hit the free article limit mid-month, then discover the subscription renews automatically. Unlike locked contracts, Medium does not impose a minimum commitment period, which means you can cancel anytime. However, automatic cancellation does not trigger a refund for charges already processed. Understanding what you actually pay for helps you decide whether to keep or cancel your membership. At Tocancel, we help thousands of readers navigate these exact situations every month.

The Medium freemium reading model explained

Medium works by mixing free and paid content. As a free user, you reach an article limit (typically 3-5 stories per month), then face a paywall on remaining stories. Once you subscribe, that limit disappears. You unlock every member-only story, enjoy reading without ads, and gain access to writer tools if you plan to publish. This model confuses many users because they join to read one or two exclusive articles, then forget about the renewal.

Medium pricing in the philippines

Medium displays two subscription tiers in the Philippines. Your choice between monthly and annual pricing affects both your total cost and the effort required to cancel.

Exchange rates affect Medium's pricing in the Philippines. If the Philippine peso weakens against the US dollar, Medium may adjust local prices upward. Check your original receipt or email confirmation to see what price you signed up at, especially if you plan to dispute a charge.

Why filipino readers cancel Medium

Your decision to cancel usually follows a clear pattern, and at Tocancel we have tracked the most common reasons.

Common reasons to cancel your Medium subscription

• Forgotten automatic renewals: You subscribed once to read an article, then forgot until the next charge appeared on your card statement.
• Reading habits changed: You joined when learning about a specific topic, but no longer need that content.
• Budget pressure: You are cutting subscription expenses and Medium became the easiest target.
• Content quality decline: You feel the exclusive stories no longer match what you are paying for.
• Switching to library or alternative sources: Your city library now offers digital reading, or you found free alternatives.
• Writer monetization not available: You subscribed expecting to earn as a writer, but Medium's Partner Program is not active in the Philippines.

Should you keep or cancel Medium

Before you cancel, consider whether you actually use what you are paying for. Track your reading habits for one week: log into Medium each day and note how many member-only stories you read versus free articles. If you read fewer than two member-only stories per week, your ₱299 monthly fee works out to over ₱150 per story. Compare that to buying individual books or using your local library. If Medium truly adds value to your week, keeping it makes sense. If not, cancelling removes a recurring charge you can redirect elsewhere. Tocancel empowers you to make this choice with clarity, not guilt.

Your consumer rights and what they mean for you

The Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 7394) protects your right to cancel subscriptions without penalty, provided you follow the correct process within the timeframe the merchant specifies.

Your legal position under philippine law

Under the Consumer Act of the Philippines, you have the right to cancel any subscription service without unnecessary obstacles or hidden fees. Medium must provide a straightforward cancellation method in your account settings, and they must process your cancellation within a reasonable timeframe (typically within 24 to 48 hours). If Medium charges you after you cancel, or if they make cancellation deliberately difficult, you can file a complaint with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The law also protects you against unauthorized charges. If Medium charged your card without clear consent, or if you never received a receipt confirming your subscription, you have grounds to dispute the charge with your bank. Most Philippine banks allow you to file a chargeback within 60 to 90 days of the transaction. Keep all email receipts and billing notifications as evidence.

What happens if Medium refuses to cancel

If Medium does not process your cancellation request, or if they continue charging you after you cancel, escalate your complaint to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Consumer Complaints Division. You can file online at dti.gov.ph or visit your regional DTI office in person with copies of your receipts, emails, and cancellation requests. The DTI has authority to order Medium to refund unauthorized charges and to penalize them for unfair contract practices. This is not a small claim; the DTI takes subscription disputes seriously.

Your legal position is strong if you followed the correct cancellation steps and Medium ignored them. Document everything: screenshots of your cancellation request, emails confirming the request, and bank statements showing charges after your requested cancellation date. This evidence will support your DTI complaint and strengthen any dispute with your bank.

How to cancel your Medium subscription step by step

Cancellation takes less than 5 minutes if you follow these exact steps in order.

Cancelling Medium on web

1. Open Medium.com in your web browser and log in with your email and password.
2. Click your profile picture in the top right corner to open the dropdown menu.
3. Select Settings from the dropdown options.
4. In the Settings page, look for the Subscriptions or Membership section on the left sidebar.
   • If you see "Manage subscription" or similar text, click it.
   • If you see nothing, scroll down the settings page to find payment or billing information.
5. Look for a Cancel membership or Delete subscription button. Click it.
6. Medium will ask you to confirm the cancellation and may offer a discount to keep you subscribed. Ignore any discount offer and confirm cancellation.
7. You will receive an email confirmation within minutes. Keep this email as proof of your cancellation request.

After you click confirm, your subscription ends immediately and you will lose access to member-only stories at the end of your current billing cycle (not instantly). You will still have reading access until your billing date passes. This is normal and expected.

Cancelling Medium on mobile (iOS and android)

1. Open the Medium app and tap your profile icon (usually in the top left or bottom of the screen).
2. Tap Settings or the gear icon.
3. Look for Membership, Subscription, or Billing options.
4. Tap Manage subscription or Subscription details.
   • On iOS, you may be taken to the Apple App Store subscription settings instead. If so, find Medium in your App Store subscriptions and tap Cancel Subscription.
   • On Android, you will see your subscription status and a Cancel button. Tap it.
5. Confirm your cancellation when prompted.
6. Check your email for a confirmation receipt from Medium or Apple/Google, depending on your payment method.

Mobile cancellations work identically to web cancellations, but the menu layout differs slightly between iOS and Android. If you cannot find the subscription option, try cancelling via the web browser version instead; it is often clearer.

Timeline for your cancellation and refund

Understanding when charges stop and when you lose access prevents frustration after you cancel.

What happens after you cancel

Once you confirm cancellation, Medium stops your subscription immediately in their system. However, your access to member-only content continues until your next scheduled billing date. This is standard practice: you pay for a month or year, and you get to use what you paid for until that period ends. You do not lose access mid-cycle.

For example, if your billing date is the 15th of each month and you cancel on the 5th, you keep full membership until the 15th. On the 16th, Medium removes your member access and you return to free-tier reading. You will not be charged again.

Refund eligibility and timelines

Medium does not offer refunds for unused portions of your subscription. If you paid for a month but cancel after 5 days, you do not receive a refund for the remaining 25 days. This is stated in Medium's Terms of Service and aligns with industry standard for digital subscriptions. However, if you believe you were charged twice, or charged without consent, you have grounds for a refund dispute through your bank.

If you submitted a refund request or dispute with your bank, that process takes 5 to 10 business days. Your bank will investigate the charge and either reverse it (crediting your account) or uphold it. Keep all documentation of your cancellation request and original charge to support your bank dispute.

At Tocancel, we always recommend checking your bank statement 2 to 3 days after your cancellation confirmation email arrives. If you see another charge after that date, contact your bank immediately; you have stronger grounds for a chargeback if you report it quickly.

Common mistakes that delay or prevent cancellation

Cancellation should be simple, but small mistakes often trigger unexpected charges and unnecessary frustration. Here are the traps that catch most readers.

Mistakes to avoid when cancelling

• Cancelling too late: You wait until the day before your renewal to cancel, but processing takes 24 hours. The system charges you before your cancellation registers. To avoid this, cancel at least 3 to 5 days before your billing date.
• Using the wrong account: You signed up with one email but try to cancel from another. You log into the wrong Medium account and never find the subscription option. Check your email receipts to confirm which account you used to subscribe.
• Accepting Medium's discount offer: After you click cancel, Medium offers 50% off to keep you subscribed. Clicking that link cancels your cancellation request. Ignore all offers and click Confirm cancellation only.
• Only cancelling the app, not your actual subscription: You delete the Medium app from your phone, thinking that stops the charge. It does not. Your subscription continues and you are still charged. You must cancel through settings, not through deletion.
• Not saving your confirmation email: You cancel successfully but delete the confirmation email. If Medium charges you again, you have no proof you tried to cancel. Forward your cancellation confirmation to yourself or screenshot it and save to your notes.
• Assuming cancellation is instant: You cancel on the 10th but your next billing date is the 15th. You expect no charge, but the system still charges you because the cancellation request had not fully propagated. Always check your bank 3 days after cancellation to verify no charge occurred.

What to do if cancellation fails

If you followed the steps above and still saw a charge after your cancellation confirmation email, take action immediately. First, log back into Medium and check the Subscriptions section again; sometimes the system shows you as still subscribed despite a cancellation request. If it does, contact Medium's Help Center by clicking the help icon (usually a question mark) in your account settings and submitting a ticket with your confirmation email attached.

If Medium does not respond within 5 business days, or if they claim you never cancelled, file a chargeback with your bank. Tell your bank: "I cancelled my Medium subscription on [date], I received a confirmation email, but they charged me anyway." Provide your cancellation confirmation email and your bank statement showing the charge. Most Philippine banks will reverse the charge within 10 days. Tocancel recommends always filing the bank dispute if Medium does not refund within one billing cycle after your cancellation request.

Checklist before and after cancellation

Use this checklist to ensure you cancel correctly and do not miss any important steps.

Comparing Medium to other reading platforms

Before you cancel, understand how Medium compares to free and paid alternatives available in the Philippines.

Medium vs. other reading and publishing services

If you read fewer than 3 long-form articles per week, your local library or free services likely cover your needs better than Medium's ₱299 monthly charge. If you love niche writers and depend on Medium-exclusive essays, the subscription remains worth the cost. Tocancel helps you make this calculation clearly and without sales pressure.

What to do if Medium charges you after cancellation

If you receive a charge from Medium after your cancellation confirmation email, you have a clear legal path to recover that money.

Steps to dispute an unauthorized charge

1. Contact your bank or credit card company within 60 days of the charge.
   • Call the customer service number on the back of your card.
   • Tell them: "I cancelled my Medium subscription on [date] and have a confirmation email, but they charged me again."
   • Provide your cancellation confirmation email, your bank statement showing the charge, and the date of the charge.
2. Your bank will open a dispute investigation. This usually takes 5 to 10 business days.
3. During this time, do not accept any refund offer from Medium directly; let your bank handle it. A bank chargeback is stronger legal protection.
4. Once your bank investigates, they will either reverse the charge (crediting your account) or uphold it (you keep paying). Most banks reverse charges when you have cancellation proof.

Escalating to the department of trade and industry

If your bank denies your dispute, or if Medium continues charging you despite multiple cancellation requests, file a complaint with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). You can file online at dti.gov.ph under Consumer Complaints, or visit your regional DTI office in person with copies of your cancellation emails, bank statements, and your bank dispute denial letter. The DTI can order Medium to refund you and to pay penalties for unfair contract practices.

Your legal position is very strong if you have a cancellation confirmation email. The Consumer Act of the Philippines makes it illegal for companies to charge customers after a cancellation request. Do not let medium ignore you; the DTI exists to enforce this law.

Contacting Medium for help

If you encounter problems during cancellation, Medium's Help Center is your first point of contact.

How to reach Medium support

Medium does not publish a direct customer service phone number. Instead, use the Help Center accessible through your account settings. Click the question mark icon (usually in the top right or bottom of the screen), search for "cancel subscription," and submit a ticket describing your issue. Include your full name, email, and the date you tried to cancel. Medium typically responds within 24 to 48 hours on weekdays.

If Medium does not respond or refuses to cancel, escalate to the Consumer Complaints Division of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). At Tocancel, we have seen the DTI resolve Medium subscription disputes effectively; companies respond faster to regulatory complaints than to customer emails.

Corporate contact information

For legal or formal complaints, you can address correspondence to Medium's legal team. This address is appropriate for formal notices:

Medium Corporation
San Francisco, California, USA
(Use this address for legal or regulatory correspondence only. For subscription issues, always use the in-app Help Center first.)

If you live in the Philippines and need to file a formal complaint, the DTI Consumer Complaints Division is your more effective option. Tocancel recommends the DTI over writing to a foreign address; the DTI has authority to enforce Philippine law and can compel Medium to respond.

Summary and next steps

Cancelling your Medium subscription in the Philippines is your legal right and takes less than 5 minutes. You now understand your options, your legal protections under the Consumer Act of the Philippines, and exactly how to avoid the traps that catch other readers. The steps are clear: log in, navigate to subscriptions, click cancel, and save your confirmation email.

If Medium charges you after you cancel, your bank and the Department of Trade and Industry stand behind you. Do not accept unauthorized charges as permanent. Document your cancellation request, file a bank dispute within 60 days, and escalate to the DTI if needed. You have leverage.

Whether you stay or go, make the choice consciously. If you read fewer than 2 member-only articles per week, cancel and redirect the ₱299 monthly fee toward books, your library, or another service that delivers more value. If Medium genuinely enriches your reading life, keep it with confidence. The key is deciding on your terms, not letting auto-renewal decide for you.

Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions across the Philippines with clarity and confidence. Your cancellation is straightforward, your rights are protected by law, and you are in control. Take action today: log in, cancel, and verify your confirmation email. You will reclaim that monthly budget faster than you think.