Cancel Highlights: The Right Way

How to cancel your Highlights subscription and keep control of your family budget

Why you might want to cancel Highlights

Highlights is a digital magazine and app designed for children aged 2 to 12, offering stories, puzzles, and learning activities across iOS, Android, and web platforms. Your child may have outgrown the content, your family budget may have shifted, or you may want to explore alternatives. Whatever your reason, you have the right to stop your subscription at any time.

Common reasons families cancel

You might cancel Highlights if your child no longer engages with the material, if you have found a lower-cost educational app, or if you want to pause during school holidays. Some families cancel after the free trial expires rather than commit to a paid plan. Others discover that the content does not match their child's learning style or age. Your decision to cancel is valid, and Tocancel is here to ensure you do it correctly.

What to check before you cancel

Highlights operates across three independent platforms: the App Store (iOS), Google Play (Android), and the official Highlights website. This is critical: each platform manages subscriptions separately. If you subscribed through the App Store, you must cancel through the App Store, not through the Highlights website. This confusion is one of the top reasons families experience unwanted renewals. At Tocancel, we have guided thousands of parents through this exact trap, and we want to help you avoid it.

Highlights pricing and subscription plans

Understanding your pricing helps you decide whether to stay or cancel with confidence.

Current subscription pricing in singapore

Pricing fluctuates by region and promotional offers. Check the official Highlights website to confirm current rates for your subscription type before you make a cancellation decision. This step protects you if you later need to dispute a charge.

Why pricing matters to your cancellation decision

If you are on an annual plan, cancelling early means you may forfeit the unused portion under standard terms. However, Singapore's Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act gives you rights. If you cancel within 14 days of purchase, or if the service fails to meet legal standards, you may have grounds for a partial refund. Therefore, document your subscription start date and cancellation date before you contact support. This evidence strengthens your position if you later need to escalate a dispute to the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE).

How to cancel Highlights on iOS

If you subscribed via your Apple ID, you must cancel through iPhone Settings, not through the Highlights app or website.

Step-by-step cancellation on the app store

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
   • Look for the grey gear icon on your home screen.
2. Tap your Apple ID profile icon at the top of the Settings menu.
   • You will see your name and email address.
3. Select Subscriptions from the list.
   • This shows all apps you pay for via your Apple ID.
4. Find and tap Highlights in your active subscriptions list.
   • If you do not see it, scroll down to check "Expired" subscriptions.
5. Tap Cancel Subscription (not Pause or Edit).
   • Do not tap any other button; choose only "Cancel Subscription".
6. Confirm your cancellation by selecting the final confirmation prompt.
   • Apple will ask you to confirm; tap the confirmation button a second time.

Critical timing for iOS cancellations

Cancel at least 24 hours before your next billing date. Check your last App Store receipt to find the exact renewal date. If you miss this window, Apple will charge you for another month or year. Most users miss this deadline because they cancel on the last day of their billing cycle. At Tocancel, we recommend setting a calendar reminder for 3 days before your renewal date, so you have a safety margin.

How to cancel Highlights on android

If you subscribed through Google Play, you must cancel through the Google Play Store app or website, not through Highlights itself.

Step-by-step cancellation on google play

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
   • Look for the colourful Play Store icon.
2. Tap your profile icon (usually a circle in the top right corner).
   • You will see your Google account email.
3. Select Manage subscriptions from the menu.
   • This displays all apps you pay for through Google Play.
4. Tap Highlights from your active subscriptions list.
   • If you do not see it, check the "Cancelled" or "Expired" section.
5. Tap Cancel subscription.
   • Google will ask why you are cancelling; you can skip or provide feedback.
6. Confirm your cancellation by tapping the final confirmation button.
   • Google will send you a confirmation email within 24 hours.

Timing for android cancellations

Google Play processes Android cancellations more flexibly than Apple. You can cancel up to the moment before billing occurs. Therefore, if you are unsure of your exact renewal date, check your Google Play receipt or email confirmation from when you subscribed. Save this information so you can prove your cancellation date if a dispute arises.

How to cancel Highlights through the website

If you subscribed directly through the Highlights website (not via App Store or Google Play), you must cancel through your online account.

Website cancellation steps

1. Visit the Highlights website and log into your account.
   • Use the email and password you created when you first subscribed.
2. Navigate to Account Settings or Subscription Management.
   • Look for a menu option labelled "Manage Subscription" or "Billing".
3. Find your active Highlights subscription.
   • You will see your plan type and next billing date.
4. Click Cancel Subscription.
   • Do not click Pause, Downgrade, or any other option.
5. Confirm your cancellation and note the cancellation reference number.
   • Screenshot this confirmation for your records.
6. Check your email for a cancellation confirmation from Highlights.
   • If you do not receive an email within 24 hours, log back in to verify cancellation.

What to do after website cancellation

Website cancellations sometimes fail silently; you may not be notified if something went wrong. Therefore, log back into your Highlights account 48 hours after cancellation to confirm your subscription is no longer listed as active. If you see a charge after you cancel, contact Highlights support immediately with your cancellation reference number and date. Tocancel recommends saving all emails and screenshots in a folder so you have proof of your cancellation attempt if you need to escalate to CASE.

Your consumer rights and what they mean for you

Singapore's Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act protects you when you cancel a paid digital service.

What the law says about cancellation

Under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act, you have the right to cancel a digital subscription within 14 days of purchase without giving a reason. This applies even if you have already used the service. If Highlights fails to deliver the promised content, or if the app is consistently unavailable, you may also have grounds to cancel and request a refund under the Act's provision for services that fail to meet reasonable standards. Your legal position is strong: you do not need permission from Highlights to cancel; you simply need to follow the correct process for your platform.

Enforcement and escalation

If Highlights ignores your cancellation or continues to charge you after you have cancelled, you have the right to escalate your complaint. Contact the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) at case.org.sg or call 6100 0315. CASE is the official consumer watchdog in Singapore and can investigate unfair billing practices. In practice, mentioning CASE in your first complaint email often prompts a faster response from the company.

Common cancellation mistakes families make

Cancelling should be straightforward, but small errors cost families time and unwanted charges. Here are the traps we see most often at Tocancel.

Mistake 1: cancelling in the wrong place

This is the number one error. You cancel through the Highlights website, but your subscription renews because you actually subscribed through the App Store. The company has not failed; you have cancelled on the wrong platform. Therefore, always confirm where you subscribed before you start the cancellation process. Check your original confirmation email or your payment method statement to see which company charged you: Apple, Google, or Highlights directly.

Mistake 2: missing the renewal deadline

You cancel on the 15th of the month, but your renewal date is the 16th. By the time your cancellation processes, you have already been charged. Therefore, cancel at least 2 to 3 days before your renewal date, not the day before. Set a phone reminder for 5 days before your renewal so you have time to cancel without rushing.

Mistake 3: pausing instead of cancelling

Both the App Store and Google Play offer a "Pause" option. If you pause your subscription, it resumes after a set period, and you will be charged again. If you want to cancel permanently, always tap Cancel Subscription, not Pause. Only pause if you intend to reactivate within the pause period.

Mistake 4: not keeping proof of cancellation

You cancel, but three weeks later you see a charge on your bank statement. Without a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation, you have no proof you tried to cancel. Therefore, always take a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation page and save any confirmation emails. This evidence is essential if you need to dispute a charge with your bank or escalate to CASE.

What to do after you cancel

Cancellation is not the end; you need to verify that it worked and protect yourself against unwanted charges.

Verification steps

Wait 24 hours after you cancel, then log back into your subscription platform (App Store, Google Play, or Highlights website) to confirm your subscription no longer appears in your active subscriptions list. If it still shows as active, cancel again immediately. Some platforms require multiple attempts. Check your bank or credit card statement 5 to 7 days after your scheduled renewal date to confirm no charge appeared. If you see a charge despite cancelling, contact your bank immediately and dispute the transaction. Tocancel recommends keeping a simple log: subscription start date, cancellation date, and the platform used. This record protects you in any future dispute.

Uninstalling the app

After you cancel, uninstall the Highlights app from your device. Uninstalling does not cancel your subscription, but it prevents accidental re-subscription and removes the temptation to reactivate. You can always reinstall if you decide to subscribe again in the future.

When to request a refund

Cancelling and getting a refund are different actions. You have the right to a refund in specific situations.

Refund eligibility under singapore law

If you cancel within 14 days of your first charge, you are entitled to a full refund under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act. This applies even if you used the app. If you cancel after 14 days, you are generally not entitled to a refund for the current billing period unless the service is faulty or unavailable. If your child cannot access the app due to a technical fault, or if Highlights removes content you paid for, contact support immediately and request a pro-rata refund. Always explain the fault in detail and provide dates and screenshots.

How to request a refund

Email Highlights support with the subject line "Refund request for [your email address]". Include your subscription start date, cancellation date, a clear description of why you are requesting a refund (either the 14-day window or a service fault), and any supporting evidence (screenshots, error messages). Give the company 14 days to respond. If they refuse and you believe the refusal is unfair, escalate to CASE with a copy of your email exchange. At Tocancel, we have helped thousands of consumers recover refunds by providing clear, documented evidence of their claim.

Comparison: stay or cancel

Use this table to help you decide whether to keep or cancel your Highlights subscription.

Contact information and support resources

If you need help after cancelling or want to escalate a billing dispute, use these official channels.

Highlights support

Email Highlights support through the app or website contact form. Provide your account email, subscription plan, and a clear description of your issue. Allow 5 to 7 business days for a response.

Consumer protection contact details

If Highlights ignores your cancellation or refuses to refund you, contact the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE). You can lodge a complaint online at case.org.sg, email them at [email protected], or call 6100 0315 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm). CASE handles disputes at no cost to you and has the authority to investigate unfair billing practices. Provide CASE with copies of your cancellation confirmation, bank statements, and all emails to Highlights support.

Your bank or payment provider

If a charge appears on your bank statement after you cancel, contact your bank or credit card provider. Ask them to dispute the transaction or initiate a chargeback. Most banks investigate disputes within 30 days and will reverse the charge if you can prove you cancelled before the billing date.

Your next steps: cancel with confidence

You now know your rights, the correct cancellation process for your platform, and what to do if something goes wrong. Cancelling Highlights is straightforward once you follow the right steps: confirm where you subscribed, cancel on that platform at least 2 days before your renewal date, take screenshots of your confirmation, and verify within 24 hours that the cancellation worked. If you have any doubt about your next move, Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers navigate subscription cancellations in Singapore. Visit tocancel.com to find additional guides, platform-specific FAQs, and tips to protect your family budget. Your right to cancel is non-negotiable. Take action today, stay organised, and keep your financial control where it belongs: in your hands.