Cancel MyFitnessPal: The Right Way

How to cancel MyFitnessPal in south africa and reclaim your rights

What MyFitnessPal is and why south africans cancel

MyFitnessPal is a fitness and nutrition tracking app trusted by millions worldwide to log meals, monitor calories, and record workouts. The platform combines an extensive food database with barcode scanning, exercise logging, and device integrations to help you track your health goals in one place.

Many South African users pay for the Premium subscription to unlock ad-free browsing, advanced macro tracking, voice logging, and deeper goal customisation. Monthly subscription costs in South Africa typically sit around R160.00 ZAR, though pricing varies depending on whether you purchase through the app, the website, or a third-party platform.

Users cancel MyFitnessPal for legitimate reasons: they've achieved their fitness goals, found competing apps more suitable, encountered unexpected auto-renewal charges, or simply no longer need the service. If you're considering cancellation, Tocancel is here to guide you through every step and ensure your consumer rights remain protected throughout the process.

Common reasons users cancel in south africa

You might be cancelling because your subscription renewed without sufficient warning, you switched to a competitor app that better suits your needs, or you found the Premium features don't justify the monthly cost. Some users discover the free version meets their fitness tracking needs perfectly. Others pause temporarily during busy periods and forget to restart. Whatever your reason, cancelling should be straightforward, transparent, and protected by law.

The challenge: subscription fragmentation and confusing cancellation paths

MyFitnessPal's cancellation process differs depending on where you purchased your subscription. If you bought through Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or the MyFitnessPal website directly, each platform handles cancellation, refunds, and account closure differently. This fragmentation creates confusion and leads to costly mistakes. Tocancel has guided thousands of South African consumers through exactly this scenario, ensuring they know precisely which steps to take.

Your consumer rights in south africa

South African consumer protection laws give you real leverage when dealing with subscription services and digital products.

The electronic communications and transactions act (ECTA)

The ECTA grants you a cooling-off period for distance contracts, including digital subscriptions purchased online or through apps. In most cases, you have 14 days from purchase to cancel and request a full refund, provided the service hasn't been fully performed. Your legal position is clear: you can step back from a digital purchase within this window without penalty.

However, MyFitnessPal will likely argue that their service begins immediately upon purchase, which may limit your cooling-off rights under ECTA. This is a grey area in South African consumer law. Tocancel recommends documenting your cancellation request in writing so you have evidence if you need to escalate your complaint later.

The consumer protection act

The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) prohibits suppliers from imposing unfair contract terms. MyFitnessPal's blanket "non-refundable" policy may violate the CPA if it's deemed unreasonably prejudicial to you or excessively one-sided. This gives you grounds to dispute refused refunds, especially if you cancelled within a reasonable timeframe after purchase.

If MyFitnessPal refuses your refund request, you can escalate to the National Consumer Commission (NCC). The NCC investigates complaints of unfair trading practices, misleading advertising, and breach of consumer rights. The NCC can order refunds, compensation, or penalties against MyFitnessPal. Keep all correspondence about your cancellation, screenshots of charges, and records of your communication attempts in case you need to lodge a formal complaint.

Platform-specific protections for app store purchases

If you purchased through Apple App Store or Google Play Store, those platforms have their own refund policies that may override MyFitnessPal's terms. Apple often refunds subscriptions cancelled within 48 hours of purchase, and Google Play typically approves refunds for unused services even after that window closes. Tocancel's research shows these platform refunds succeed more often than direct requests to MyFitnessPal itself, because Apple and Google enforce stricter consumer protection standards.

Pricing and subscription options

Understanding what you're paying for helps you decide whether to cancel or downgrade your plan.

If you're unhappy with Premium but still want to track fitness, downgrading to the free version avoids cancellation altogether. However, if you no longer use MyFitnessPal, cancelling removes the recurring charge entirely. Tocancel recommends cancelling if you haven't logged a meal or workout in the past month.

When you should cancel MyFitnessPal

Deciding whether to cancel depends on your personal fitness goals and whether the app delivers value to you.

Signs you should cancel

• You haven't logged a meal or workout in 30 days or longer
• You've switched to a competing app and prefer its interface or features
• Monthly charges surprise you because you forgot the subscription exists
• The Premium features don't address your fitness tracking needs
• You're taking a break from fitness activities and don't need tracking tools

Reasons to keep your subscription

• You actively use the barcode scanner and voice logging features daily
• The advanced macro tracking and goal customisation directly support your fitness plan
• You integrate MyFitnessPal with other devices (smartwatches, scales) for seamless tracking
• You're building long-term fitness habits and need consistent tracking

If you're uncertain, pause your subscription rather than cancelling entirely. However, MyFitnessPal does not offer a pause function, so you'll need to cancel and re-subscribe if you want to restart later. This means you should only cancel if you're confident you won't need the app in the next 90 days.

How to cancel MyFitnessPal: step-by-step guide

Your cancellation method depends entirely on where you purchased your subscription.

Cancel via apple app store (iPhone or iPad)

1. Open the Apple App Store on your iOS device
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner
3. Select "Subscriptions"
4. Find MyFitnessPal Premium in the list
5. Tap "MyFitnessPal Premium"
6. Tap "Cancel subscription" at the bottom of the screen
7. Follow the prompts to confirm cancellation
   • Apple will offer you a 7-day grace period to change your mind
   • Accept or reject the offer based on your decision
8. Check your email for a confirmation receipt from Apple

Apple typically processes cancellations immediately and removes charges from your next billing date. Your subscription remains active until the current billing period ends, so you won't lose access mid-month. Tocancel advises cancelling before your billing date arrives so the system processes your request in time.

Cancel via google play store (Android)

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner
3. Select "Payments and subscriptions"
4. Choose "Subscriptions"
5. Tap "MyFitnessPal Premium"
6. Select "Cancel subscription"
7. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm your cancellation
   • Google may ask why you're cancelling; your response is optional
   • Review the cancellation summary before confirming
8. Look for a confirmation email from Google within hours

Google Play processes cancellations similarly to Apple: your subscription ends at the next billing cycle, not immediately. You retain access to Premium features until that date passes. If you receive a charge after confirming cancellation, contact Google Play Support within 48 hours for a refund.

Cancel directly via MyFitnessPal website

1. Visit the MyFitnessPal website and log in with your account credentials
2. Click on your profile icon or name in the top right corner
3. Select "Account Settings" or "Manage Subscription"
4. Navigate to the "Subscription" or "Billing" section
5. Find the "Cancel Subscription" or "Manage Plan" button
6. Click to begin the cancellation process
   • MyFitnessPal may ask for feedback about your cancellation reason
   • Some users report MyFitnessPal offers a discount to retain them at this stage
   • Ignore retention offers unless the discount genuinely changes your decision
7. Confirm your cancellation in the final prompt
8. Request a confirmation email if MyFitnessPal doesn't send one automatically

Cancelling through the MyFitnessPal website can be slower than app store cancellations because MyFitnessPal directly handles your request. Tocancel recommends waiting 48 hours to verify the cancellation took effect, then checking your payment method to ensure no new charge appears.

Cancel via email (if website cancellation fails)

1. Draft a clear, professional email to MyFitnessPal customer support
2. Include your full name, email address associated with the account, and account username
3. State explicitly: "I wish to cancel my MyFitnessPal Premium subscription effective immediately"
4. Request written confirmation of the cancellation
5. Send the email to support at MyFitnessPal's official contact address
   • Check the MyFitnessPal website for the current support email address
   • Avoid social media direct messages, as these leave weak evidence
6. Save the email and any response for your records
7. Follow up with a second email if you don't hear back within 5 business days

Email cancellation serves as your paper trail if MyFitnessPal disputes your cancellation later. This method protects you because you have documented proof of your intent to cancel, which strengthens any complaint you file with the National Consumer Commission. Tocancel always recommends email cancellation as a backup if app store or website methods fail.

Refunds and getting your money back

Your refund eligibility depends on how long ago you purchased your subscription and which platform you used.

Refund windows and your rights

Under South Africa's ECTA, you have 14 days from purchase to request a full refund if the service hasn't been "fully performed." Since MyFitnessPal argues their service begins immediately, you may lose refund eligibility after 14 days. However, the Consumer Protection Act allows you to dispute unfair non-refund policies, especially if you've used the service minimally.

If you purchased through Apple or Google, refund requests within 48 hours of purchase almost always succeed. After 48 hours, Apple and Google exercise discretion and may refund unused services if you request within 15 days of purchase. Beyond 15 days, refunds become unlikely unless you file a complaint citing unfair terms.

How to request a refund

Act quickly: time strengthens your refund case. Within 48 hours of purchase, contact your payment platform (Apple, Google, or MyFitnessPal) and request a refund citing minimal or no usage. Explain that you discovered the service didn't meet your needs. After 48 hours but within 14 days, reference South Africa's ECTA cooling-off period in writing. After 14 days, file a complaint with the National Consumer Commission if your refund is refused.

If MyFitnessPal or the app store refuses your refund, Tocancel recommends documenting your appeal in writing. Include your account creation date, subscription purchase date, screenshots of your usage (showing zero or minimal activity), and copies of all communication with MyFitnessPal. This evidence strengthens your case if you escalate to the NCC.

After you cancel: what happens next

Cancellation isn't always the end of the story, and knowing what to expect prevents confusion and unwanted charges.

Immediate after cancellation

Once you confirm cancellation through your chosen method, your Premium features remain active until your current billing cycle ends. For example, if you pay monthly on the 15th and cancel on the 10th, you keep Premium access until the 15th arrives. You can continue logging meals and workouts without interruption during this grace period. Your data remains in your account indefinitely, so you can access past logs even after cancellation.

Verify the cancellation worked

After 24-48 hours, log back into your MyFitnessPal account and check your subscription status. You should see "Free" or "No active subscription" displayed. If the Premium badge still appears, contact customer support immediately and reference your cancellation date. After your billing cycle ends, monitor your credit card or bank statement to ensure no charge appears. If a charge does appear after cancellation, dispute it immediately with your bank and file a complaint with the National Consumer Commission.

Your data after cancellation

Cancelling your Premium subscription does not delete your account or historical data. Your meal logs, exercise records, and personal information remain accessible through the free version. If you want to delete your entire account and all associated data, you must request this separately through MyFitnessPal's privacy or account deletion process. Tocancel recommends requesting account deletion in writing if you're concerned about your personal data being retained.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling

Many South Africans make preventable errors that delay their cancellation or cost them money.

Mistake one: cancelling only the app without cancelling the subscription

Deleting the MyFitnessPal app from your phone does not cancel your subscription. Many users believe uninstalling the app stops charges, but the subscription continues billing invisibly. You must explicitly cancel the subscription through your app store or the MyFitnessPal website. Always confirm cancellation in writing before deleting the app.

Mistake two: ignoring the first charge after "cancellation"

If a charge appears after you believe you've cancelled, act within 48 hours. Contact your payment platform or MyFitnessPal immediately and provide your cancellation date. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to dispute the charge. Banks often reverse disputed charges within 30 days if you report them promptly, but your window closes quickly. Keep records of every cancellation confirmation so you can prove you acted in time.

Mistake three: relying on verbal or social media cancellation requests

Cancelling via MyFitnessPal's social media accounts or over the phone leaves no written evidence. If MyFitnessPal later claims they never received your cancellation request, you have no proof to counter their claim. Always cancel through official channels (app stores, website, or formal email) and request written confirmation. This paper trail becomes essential if you need to file a complaint with the National Consumer Commission.

Mistake four: not checking your billing history before cancelling

Before you cancel, download or screenshot your billing history from your app store account. This record proves what you paid, when you paid, and which subscription tier you held. If you dispute a charge later, your payment history supports your case. Tocancel recommends saving this information as a PDF for long-term protection.

Escalating complaints if MyFitnessPal refuses to help

If MyFitnessPal ignores your cancellation request or refuses to refund a disputed charge, you have legal remedies.

Step one: formal written complaint to MyFitnessPal

Send a formal letter (not email) to MyFitnessPal's corporate address stating your complaint. Reference the Consumer Protection Act and demand a response within 14 days. Include copies of all evidence: subscription confirmation, cancellation request, payment receipts, and any prior correspondence. Send the letter via registered mail so you have proof of delivery.

Step two: complaint to the national consumer commission

If MyFitnessPal doesn't respond or refuses your complaint, file a formal complaint with the National Consumer Commission (NCC). The NCC is South Africa's official body for protecting consumer rights in disputes with suppliers. You can lodge your complaint online at ncc.org.za or via post. Include all evidence: emails, screenshots, payment records, and copies of your formal complaint to MyFitnessPal. The NCC investigates free of charge and can order MyFitnessPal to refund you or face penalties.

Step three: dispute with your bank or payment platform

If the NCC investigation takes time and you need an immediate resolution, dispute the charge with your bank or credit card issuer. Banks must investigate disputes within 30 days and can reverse charges if you provide evidence of the dispute. This doesn't replace an NCC complaint but provides faster relief while the complaint is being investigated.

Tocancel advises pursuing both routes simultaneously for maximum leverage. The NCC complaint creates regulatory pressure on MyFitnessPal, while the bank dispute protects your money immediately.

Should you cancel or downgrade MyFitnessPal?

Cancellation isn't your only option if you're unhappy with MyFitnessPal Premium.

Reasons to downgrade instead of cancel

Downgrading to the free version eliminates subscription charges while preserving your account and historical data. You retain basic meal and exercise logging indefinitely at no cost. If your fitness goals are modest and you don't need voice logging or advanced macro tracking, the free version may satisfy your needs perfectly. Downgrading takes 30 seconds and avoids the risk of losing your account entirely.

To downgrade, follow the same cancellation steps through your app store or MyFitnessPal website, but select "Downgrade to Free" instead of full cancellation when the option appears. Your Premium features stop at your next billing date, and you'll automatically revert to free access.

When cancellation is the right choice

Cancel entirely if you no longer track fitness or have permanently switched to a competing app. Cancellation removes all billing contact with MyFitnessPal and reduces your digital footprint. If privacy concerns motivate your cancellation, requesting full account deletion alongside subscription cancellation provides stronger protection than downgrading alone.

Protecting yourself: a south african consumer's checklist

Use this checklist to ensure your cancellation proceeds smoothly and your rights remain protected.

• Screenshot your current MyFitnessPal subscription status and billing details before cancelling
• Note the exact date and time you initiate cancellation
• Obtain written or email confirmation of your cancellation from the app store or MyFitnessPal
• Save all confirmation emails and receipts for at least 12 months
• Monitor your payment method for unwanted charges during the next three billing cycles
• If a charge appears after cancellation, dispute it with your bank within 48 hours
• Keep MyFitnessPal's contact details and the relevant app store support pages bookmarked
• Document any customer service interactions with screenshots and dates
• File a complaint with the National Consumer Commission if MyFitnessPal refuses your refund claim

Compare MyFitnessPal to alternatives

If you're cancelling because MyFitnessPal doesn't meet your needs, consider these alternatives before deciding.

Before switching, try the free versions of these apps to confirm they suit your fitness style. This prevents repeating the cancellation process after another unsatisfying subscription.

Contact information and final steps

Knowing where to direct your cancellation request or complaint ensures your message reaches the right team.

MyFitnessPal corporate information

MyFitnessPal operates under the parent company Under Armour. The company's principal office is registered at:

Under Armour, Inc.
100 Congress Avenue
Suite 400
Austin, Texas 78701
United States

For customer support requests and subscription cancellations, use the in-app support chat or email address provided in your MyFitnessPal account settings. This ensures your request reaches the customer support team directly rather than corporate headquarters.

National consumer commission contact details

If MyFitnessPal refuses your complaint, escalate to South Africa's consumer protection authority:

National Consumer Commission (NCC)
Website: www.ncc.org.za
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0861 662 643
Postal address available on the NCC website

File your complaint online through the NCC portal for fastest processing. Include all evidence, your cancellation request details, and MyFitnessPal's response (or lack thereof).

Your final takeaway: act now and protect your rights

Cancelling MyFitnessPal in South Africa is straightforward when you understand your rights and follow the correct steps for your payment platform. South African consumer law protects you through the ECTA's 14-day cooling-off period and the Consumer Protection Act's prohibition on unfair contract terms. If MyFitnessPal refuses your cancellation or refund request, the National Consumer Commission stands ready to investigate and enforce your rights.

Tocancel has guided thousands of South African consumers through fitness app cancellations, refund disputes, and complaints to regulatory bodies. Whether you're cancelling within the 48-hour refund window or disputing a charge months later, documenting your request and keeping evidence protects you legally. Don't accept a refused refund silently: write it down, escalate formally, and file a complaint with the NCC if necessary.

Start your cancellation today using the platform where you purchased your subscription. Save your confirmation, monitor your next bill, and refer back to this guide if MyFitnessPal charges you unexpectedly. Your money and your consumer rights matter. Tocancel is here to ensure you cancel with confidence and clarity.