Cancel Storyblocks: The Right Way

How to cancel your Storyblocks subscription in south africa

What you need to know about Storyblocks

Storyblocks is a subscription platform that gives you access to a library of royalty-free video clips, music tracks, stock images, templates and creative assets. You pay a recurring monthly or annual fee in South African Rand (ZAR) to download and use content under their licensing agreement. Many creative professionals, content creators and small businesses use the service, but when your needs change, you have the right to cancel.

If you've decided that Storyblocks no longer serves your projects, you're taking control of your subscription spending. At Tocancel, we understand that recurring charges add up quickly, and we're here to walk you through the cancellation process with clarity and confidence. Your right to cancel a subscription is protected by South African law, and we'll show you how to exercise it.

How Storyblocks licensing protects your work

When you hold an active Storyblocks subscription, you receive a license to download and use creative assets for your projects. Here's the important part: the content you download while subscribed remains yours to use after you cancel, even if your membership ends. This means your finished videos, designs and creative work stay intact and legally usable. You do not lose access to content you've already downloaded before the cancellation takes effect.

Why timing your cancellation matters

Storyblocks operates on a recurring billing cycle. Each month or year, on your renewal date, the platform automatically charges your payment method for the next period. If you cancel after your renewal date has passed, you will be charged for the upcoming billing cycle. To avoid unwanted charges, Tocancel recommends that you cancel at least 48 hours before your next renewal date. Log into your account now to check your billing date, then plan your cancellation window around that date.

Your consumer rights in south africa

South Africa's Consumer Protection Act (CPA), administered by the National Consumer Commission (NCC), gives you strong legal protections when managing subscriptions and service agreements.

What the consumer protection act says about subscriptions

Under Section 48 of the CPA, service providers like Storyblocks must provide you with clear, transparent information about cancellation terms at the point of purchase. They cannot deliberately hide cancellation steps, charge hidden fees, or make the cancellation process deliberately difficult or impossible. Your legal position is this: Storyblocks has a duty to make cancellation accessible and straightforward. If they fail to do so, they are breaking the law. If Storyblocks refuses to cancel your subscription, continues charging you after you've requested cancellation, or makes the process unreasonably complex, you have grounds to file a complaint with the NCC.

What to do if Storyblocks refuses to cancel

If you cancel your subscription and Storyblocks continues to charge your payment method, or if the company disputes your cancellation request, contact the National Consumer Commission. You can file a formal complaint by visiting the NCC website (www.thencc.org.za) or calling their consumer hotline. Keep all evidence of your cancellation attempts, including screenshots of your account settings, confirmation emails and bank statements showing unauthorised charges. The NCC has the power to investigate Storyblocks and compel them to issue refunds if they have violated your consumer rights. At Tocancel, we recommend keeping detailed records of every step you take so you have proof if escalation becomes necessary.

How to cancel Storyblocks: your step-by-step guide

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

Cancel directly through the Storyblocks website

If you signed up and paid Storyblocks directly through their website, use this method to cancel:

1. Visit storyblocks.com and log into your account using your email address and password.
   • If you cannot remember your password, click the "Forgot Password" link and follow the reset instructions sent to your email.
2. Look for your account name or profile icon in the top right corner of the page and click on it.
   • A dropdown menu will appear with account options.
3. Select "Account Settings," "Billing," "Subscriptions" or "Manage Subscription" from the menu (the exact label may vary).
   • You may be asked to re-enter your password for security purposes.
4. Locate your active subscription plan in the billing section and find the "Cancel Subscription" button next to it.
   • Do not click any button that says "Pause" unless you want to temporarily freeze your subscription instead of cancelling entirely.
5. Click "Cancel Subscription" and read the confirmation details carefully.
   • Storyblocks will inform you that you retain access to content until the end of your current billing period.
   • The company may offer you a discount to stay subscribed; decline this if you are certain you want to cancel.
6. Click "Confirm Cancellation" or a similar confirmation button to complete the cancellation.
   • Some companies ask you to confirm via a second screen or email link; follow all prompts.
7. You should receive a cancellation confirmation email within a few minutes.
   • If no email arrives within 15 minutes, log back in to verify that your subscription status shows as "Cancelled" or "Active until [date]".

Critical step: Take a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation screen and save the confirmation email in a separate folder. If Storyblocks charges you after this date, you will have proof of cancellation to show to your bank or the NCC.

Cancel if you subscribed via apple app store

If you signed up for Storyblocks through an Apple device and pay via Apple App Store, you must cancel through your Apple account settings, not through the Storyblocks app:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone, iPad or Mac.
   • On Mac, click the Apple menu and select "System Settings" instead.
2. Tap your name at the top of the Settings menu to open your Apple ID profile.
   • On Mac, your Apple ID settings are in System Settings.
3. Select "Subscriptions" or "Media and Purchases" (the exact label depends on your iOS or macOS version).
   • You will see a list of all active subscriptions linked to your Apple ID.
4. Find "Storyblocks" in the list and tap on it.
   • If you do not see Storyblocks listed, you may not have an active App Store subscription; check that you are using the correct Apple ID.
5. Tap "Cancel Subscription" or "Remove" to end your subscription.
   • Apple will confirm that your access continues until the end of your current billing period.
6. Confirm your cancellation when prompted.
   • Apple will send you a confirmation email to your associated email address.

Apple does not allow Storyblocks to manage App Store subscriptions on your behalf, so cancelling within the Storyblocks app will not work. You must use your Apple ID settings to cancel.

Cancel if you subscribed via google play store

If you signed up for Storyblocks through an Android device and pay via Google Play Store, you must cancel through your Google account:

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
   • If you do not have the app, download it from the Google Play Store website.
2. Tap the profile icon in the top right corner of the screen.
   • This usually appears as a circle with your profile picture or initial.
3. Select "Manage subscriptions" or "Subscriptions" from the menu.
   • You will see a list of all subscriptions you are currently paying for through Google Play.
4. Find and tap "Storyblocks" in your subscriptions list.
   • If Storyblocks does not appear, verify you are signed into the correct Google account.
5. Tap "Cancel subscription" at the bottom of the Storyblocks subscription details screen.
   • Google will ask you to confirm your reason for cancelling; you can select any reason or skip this step.
6. Confirm the cancellation by tapping "Yes, cancel subscription" when prompted.
   • Google Play will send you a confirmation email to your Google account email address.

Like Apple, Google does not allow Storyblocks to manage Play Store subscriptions directly. Cancelling within the Storyblocks app will not end your Google Play subscription.

Storyblocks pricing and billing in south africa

Understanding what you are paying helps you decide whether to cancel or upgrade. Below is a guide to typical Storyblocks subscription tiers available to South African customers:

Note: Prices in ZAR are approximate and may vary based on current exchange rates and Storyblocks' local pricing strategy. Check your most recent invoice to confirm your exact rate. At Tocancel, we recommend reviewing your billing invoice before you cancel to ensure you are not being overcharged.

What happens after you cancel

Cancelling your Storyblocks subscription does not happen immediately, and understanding the timeline protects you from confusion and unexpected charges.

Your access timeline after cancellation

When you cancel Storyblocks, the company will allow you to keep using the service until the end of your current billing period. For example, if your renewal date is 15 March 2025 and you cancel on 5 March, you retain full access until 14 March. After that date, your login will no longer work and you cannot download new assets. Any content you downloaded before 15 March, however, remains yours to use forever under the license terms. This grace period gives you time to download any final assets you need before your access ends.

Checking your cancellation status

After you cancel, log back into your Storyblocks account within a few hours to verify the cancellation went through. Your account dashboard should display a message like "Your subscription ends on [date]" or "Cancelled effective [date]." If you see no cancellation notice and your subscription still shows as active, contact Storyblocks customer support immediately via their website or email. Keep screenshots of your account status for your records. At Tocancel, we recommend checking your status the day after you cancel to make sure there are no errors.

Monitoring your bank account

After your cancellation date passes, monitor your bank or credit card statements for at least two billing cycles. If Storyblocks charges you again after your subscription has ended, you have evidence of an unauthorised charge. Your bank can dispute the charge and your credit card provider can reverse it. If multiple unauthorised charges appear, document each one and report them to the NCC as part of your formal complaint.

Refund policy and what you can claim

Storyblocks' refund policy depends on when you cancel within your billing cycle.

When Storyblocks will refund you

In most cases, Storyblocks does not offer refunds for the remaining portion of your billing period after you cancel. This is a standard practice in the software-as-a-service industry. If you cancel on the 15th of a month but your renewal date is the 30th, you will not receive a refund for those 15 days. However, under South African consumer law, you may have grounds to request a partial refund if Storyblocks' service has been interrupted, corrupted or unavailable for a significant portion of your paid period. If you experienced technical problems that prevented you from using Storyblocks for weeks, contact their support team and request a refund or credit. At Tocancel, we recommend keeping records of any service outages or problems you experienced.

Claiming a refund from your bank

If you cancel but Storyblocks continues to charge you after your subscription has officially ended, you can contact your bank and dispute the charge. Under the National Credit Act and your bank's chargeback policy, you can reverse unauthorised recurring charges. Call your bank's fraud or disputes department, provide them with evidence of your cancellation (screenshot, email confirmation) and proof of the unauthorised charge (bank statement). Your bank will investigate and typically reverse the charge within 5 to 10 working days. If Storyblocks disputes the chargeback, provide the NCC with all evidence and file a formal complaint.

Common cancellation mistakes and how to avoid them

Many people who try to cancel subscriptions accidentally make mistakes that delay their cancellation or fail to stop the charges. If you are feeling uncertain or frustrated, you are not alone, and these errors are easily prevented.

Mistake 1: cancelling through the wrong platform

If you subscribed through the Apple App Store or Google Play, cancelling within the Storyblocks app will not work. You must cancel through your Apple ID or Google Play settings. Many users cancel in the app, believe they have cancelled, and then get charged because the subscription was never actually cancelled on the platform where payment is processed. Before you cancel, identify where you signed up: on the Storyblocks website, Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Cancel on that same platform.

Mistake 2: missing your renewal date

Storyblocks charges you on the same date every month or year, depending on your billing cycle. If your renewal date is the 1st of the month and you cancel on the 2nd, you have already been charged for the next period. Check your renewal date now by logging into your account and looking at your billing section. Calculate when you need to cancel to avoid the next charge. At Tocancel, we recommend setting a phone reminder for 48 hours before your renewal date so you do not accidentally miss your cancellation window.

Mistake 3: pausing instead of cancelling

Storyblocks offers a "Pause Subscription" feature that temporarily freezes your account for a few months without cancelling it. If you select Pause instead of Cancel, your subscription will resume automatically after the pause period ends and you will be charged again. This feature is useful if you want to take a break but plan to return. If you want to cancel permanently, select "Cancel Subscription," not "Pause."

Mistake 4: not saving your confirmation

After you cancel, take a screenshot of your confirmation screen and save the confirmation email in a folder labelled "Subscriptions" or "Cancellations." If Storyblocks charges you after cancellation and claims they have no record of your cancellation request, you will have proof. Without this evidence, resolving the issue takes longer. Many customers lose their confirmation emails or do not take screenshots and then struggle to prove they cancelled. At Tocancel, this is the single most important step you can take to protect yourself.

Checklist: your cancellation action plan

Use this step-by-step checklist to ensure you cancel Storyblocks correctly:

• Log into your Storyblocks account and verify your current subscription tier and renewal date
• Identify whether you subscribed via the Storyblocks website, Apple App Store or Google Play Store
• Set a phone reminder for 48 hours before your renewal date
• On the day of cancellation, log in using the correct platform for your subscription
• Navigate to your billing or subscription settings
• Click "Cancel Subscription" (do not select "Pause")
• Confirm your cancellation when prompted
• Take a screenshot of your confirmation screen before closing the page
• Save the cancellation confirmation email to your computer or cloud storage
• Wait 24 hours, then log back in to verify your account shows "Cancelled" or "Active until [date]"
• Monitor your bank statements for the next two billing cycles to ensure no further charges appear
• If unauthorised charges appear after your cancellation date, dispute them with your bank and contact the NCC

What customers say about cancelling Storyblocks

Storyblocks currently holds a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars based on user feedback. Many customers praise the platform's library size and video quality, but some users report difficulty cancelling or ongoing charges after cancellation. Common themes in cancellation complaints include confusion about where to cancel (website vs. app), surprise charges after the cancellation deadline, and unresponsive customer support. By following the clear steps in this guide and keeping your confirmation records, you can avoid these pitfalls. At Tocancel, we have helped thousands of consumers navigate confusing cancellation processes, and your experience does not have to be difficult.

Contact details for Storyblocks corporate headquarters

If you need to escalate your cancellation complaint or send formal correspondence, use this address:

Storyblocks (Footage Firm Inc.)
Corporate Headquarters
United States

For customer support inquiries, visit the Storyblocks website contact page or submit a support ticket through your account dashboard. If Storyblocks does not respond to your cancellation or refund request within 10 working days, escalate your complaint to the National Consumer Commission at www.thencc.org.za or call their hotline.

Your next step

You now have the knowledge and the legal backing to cancel Storyblocks with confidence. Your right to cancel a subscription is protected under South African law, and Storyblocks cannot prevent you from exercising that right. Follow the step-by-step method that matches where you subscribed, save your confirmation, and monitor your account. If any problem arises, you have the NCC and your bank to back you up. At Tocancel, we stand beside consumers like you who deserve clarity, transparency and the freedom to manage their subscriptions without hidden barriers. We have helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions, and your cancellation is just as important. Start now, and you will have control of your spending back within the hour.