Cancel Todoist: The Right Way to Reclaim Your Time

How to cancel Todoist and reclaim your productivity in south africa

Why you might want to cancel Todoist

Todoist is a cloud-based task management platform that syncs across web, iOS, macOS, Android and browser extensions. It helps you organise work, projects and daily tasks without complexity, making it popular with students, freelancers and small teams.

You might decide to cancel for several clear reasons: you've switched to another tool that fits better, the subscription cost no longer suits your budget, you prefer a simpler system, or you simply don't use it enough to justify the monthly charge. Whatever your reason, Tocancel is here to walk you through the cancellation process with clarity and confidence so you understand your rights every step of the way.

Who typically uses Todoist

Todoist appeals to solo professionals managing personal projects, students juggling coursework and deadlines, remote workers coordinating tasks across teams, and small businesses tracking workflows. The platform offers a Free plan with basic features and paid tiers (Pro and Business) that unlock advanced functionality like labels, recurring tasks, reminders and team collaboration.

Pricing in south africa

Todoist offers flexible billing options in South African Rand (ZAR). You can purchase directly through the Todoist website or via your device's app store (Apple App Store for iOS and macOS, Google Play for Android). Pricing varies depending on your chosen plan and billing frequency. Check your Todoist account or the app store listing for current local pricing before you decide to cancel.

Your consumer rights when cancelling Todoist in south africa

South Africa's consumer protection framework gives you clear legal rights when you buy digital services. Understanding these protections ensures you're treated fairly throughout the cancellation process and know exactly where to turn if Todoist refuses to help.

The consumer protection act and your cancellation rights

The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) of South Africa protects you as a consumer of digital goods and services. Under the CPA, suppliers must be honest about their terms, provide clear cancellation and refund information upfront, and act in good faith. This means Todoist cannot hide cancellation options or make the process deliberately difficult.

Your legal position: You have the right to cancel within a reasonable timeframe, the right to clear information about whether you're buying a subscription (recurring charge) or a once-off purchase, and the right to dispute resolution if the company refuses a legitimate refund claim. Todoist's 30-day refund window on yearly subscriptions aligns with consumer best practice, but the CPA ensures you have recourse if you're treated unfairly.

If Todoist's terms are unclear or if cancellation is deliberately made difficult, you have grounds to lodge a complaint with the National Consumer Commission (NCC). Therefore, keeping your cancellation request and any company response in writing is essential.

Escalation options if Todoist refuses to help

If you cancel Todoist and the company denies your refund request without valid reason, you have two clear escalation paths. First, contact Todoist support with written evidence (screenshots of your cancellation, email confirmation, proof of payment) and request a formal response within 7 business days. Use certified email or registered post if possible, as this creates a documented record.

If Todoist ignores you or rejects your claim unfairly, lodge a complaint with the National Consumer Commission (NCC) at ncc.org.za or visit their offices. The NCC investigates complaints against suppliers who breach consumer rights and can order refunds or corrective action. Tocancel recommends keeping all documentation: order confirmations, bank statements showing the charge, cancellation screenshots and any email correspondence with Todoist support. This evidence is invaluable if you need to escalate beyond Todoist's support team.

How you pay determines your cancellation method

Your cancellation process depends entirely on where you bought your Todoist subscription. Each payment channel (Todoist website, Apple App Store, Google Play) has its own cancellation procedure, so you need to follow the correct path for your payment method.

Cancelling a Todoist web subscription

If you subscribed through the Todoist website using a credit card, debit card or other online payment method, follow these steps to cancel directly:

1. Log in to your Todoist account at todoist.com
   • Use your email address and password
   • If you've forgotten your password, click "Forgot password?" and reset it
2. Navigate to your account settings
   • Click the profile icon in the top right corner
   • Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu
3. Find the "Billing" or "Subscription" section
   • Look for the heading that says "Your Plan" or "Billing"
   • Review your current subscription status and payment method
4. Click "Cancel subscription" or "Downgrade to Free"
   • Todoist may ask why you're cancelling (optional feedback)
   • Confirm your decision by clicking "Yes, cancel my subscription"
5. Verify the cancellation
   • Check your email for a cancellation confirmation from Todoist
   • Log back into your account to confirm it now shows the Free plan
   • Save this email as proof of cancellation

This means your subscription will end on your next billing date, and you'll retain access to your tasks until that date. Todoist will not charge you again after cancellation.

Cancelling a Todoist subscription via apple app store (iOS or macOS)

If you subscribed through the Apple App Store on your iPhone, iPad or Mac, you must cancel through Apple settings, not within the Todoist app itself. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your iOS or macOS device
   • For iOS: tap "Settings"
   • For macOS: click the Apple menu, then "System Settings"
2. Navigate to "Subscriptions" (iOS) or "App Store" (macOS)
   • iOS: tap your profile icon, then "Subscriptions"
   • macOS: click "App Store" in the sidebar, then "Subscriptions"
3. Find Todoist in your active subscriptions list
   • Scroll through the list until you see "Todoist"
   • Tap or click on it to open the subscription details
4. Select "Cancel subscription"
   • Apple will offer you the option to extend the trial or cancel
   • Confirm that you want to cancel
5. Confirm the cancellation and save proof
   • Your subscription will end at the end of your current billing period
   • Apple will send you a cancellation confirmation email
   • Screenshot your subscription status as proof

This means Apple, not Todoist, processes your cancellation. You'll lose access to Todoist's premium features at the end of your billing period, and Apple will not charge you again.

Cancelling a Todoist subscription via google play store (Android)

If you subscribed through the Google Play Store on your Android device, cancel through Google Play settings using these steps:

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device
   • Tap the profile icon in the top right corner
   • Select "Manage subscriptions"
2. Find Todoist in your subscriptions list
   • Scroll through your active subscriptions
   • Tap on "Todoist" to open its details
3. Select "Cancel subscription"
   • Google Play will ask you to confirm cancellation
   • You may see options to pause the subscription instead
4. Confirm your cancellation decision
   • Google Play will confirm the cancellation immediately
   • Check your email for a confirmation receipt from Google
   • Save this email as proof
5. Verify in the Todoist app
   • Open Todoist and check that you're now on the Free plan
   • Your premium features should no longer be accessible

This means Google Play, not Todoist, processes your cancellation. Your subscription ends at the end of your current billing period, and you'll automatically return to the Free plan.

Understanding todoist's refund policy

Todoist offers a 30-day refund window for yearly subscriptions only. This means if you purchase an annual plan and cancel within 30 days of the purchase date, you're eligible for a full refund.

When you qualify for a refund

You qualify for a Todoist refund if you purchased a yearly (annual) plan and requested a refund within 30 days of the charge date. The 30-day window begins on the date you were charged, not the date you first received access to the app.

Monthly subscriptions do not qualify for refunds under Todoist's standard policy. However, if you paid for a monthly plan and Todoist failed to deliver the service, or if your cancellation request was refused unfairly, you can still escalate to the National Consumer Commission under the Consumer Protection Act. In practice, this means you must act quickly if you want a refund, and you should keep your bank statement showing the exact charge date.

How to request a refund from Todoist

Follow these steps to request a refund if you believe you qualify:

1. Contact Todoist support within 30 days of your charge date
   • Email [email protected] with your request
   • Include your Todoist email address and the date you were charged
   • Attach a screenshot of the charge on your bank statement or credit card
   • Explain why you're requesting a refund (e.g., "I subscribed by mistake" or "The service did not meet my needs")
2. Wait for Todoist support to respond
   • Todoist typically replies within 2 to 5 business days
   • Check your email (including spam) for their response
3. If Todoist approves your refund
   • They'll process it back to your original payment method
   • Refunds typically appear in your bank account within 5 to 10 business days
   • Keep the approval email as proof
4. If Todoist denies your refund request
   • Ask for a detailed explanation in writing
   • If you believe the refusal is unfair, escalate to the National Consumer Commission
   • Keep all email correspondence with Todoist

This means you must act fast. The 30-day window is tight, so contact Todoist as soon as you decide to cancel if you think you qualify for a refund.

What happens after you cancel Todoist

Cancelling Todoist is not the end of your relationship with the company. Understanding what happens next helps you manage your tasks and protect your data.

Access to your tasks after cancellation

When you cancel Todoist, the timing of your access loss depends on your subscription type. If you subscribed through the Todoist website, your premium features are deactivated immediately after cancellation, but you retain access to your basic tasks until the end of your current billing period. If you subscribed through an app store (Apple or Google), your access ends on your next billing date, not immediately.

This means you should download or export your task list before cancellation if you want to preserve a backup. You can export your Todoist data as a file from your account settings under "Backups" or by contacting support. Once you're on the Free plan, you lose access to features like labels, recurring tasks, reminders and file uploads, but your basic task list remains visible.

Your data and privacy after cancellation

After cancellation, Todoist retains your account data for a limited time. Your account will be downgraded to the Free plan, and your tasks will remain in your account unless you delete them manually. If you do not log in for an extended period (typically 90 days or more), Todoist may delete inactive accounts and associated data in accordance with their privacy policy.

Therefore, if you want to preserve your data permanently, export it before cancellation. You can delete your Todoist account entirely from Settings > Account > Delete Account, but this action is permanent and cannot be reversed. Tocancel recommends exporting your data first if you think you might need it later.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling Todoist

Cancelling a subscription sounds simple, but many people make costly mistakes that delay refunds or result in unexpected charges. Understanding these traps helps you cancel cleanly.

Mistake 1: cancelling in the wrong place

The single most common error is trying to cancel within the Todoist app itself or assuming your app store account is automatically cancelled. If you subscribed through Apple App Store or Google Play, cancelling within the Todoist app does nothing-you must cancel through the app store settings. Conversely, if you subscribed through the Todoist website, cancelling in an app store has no effect.

This means you must identify where you paid first. Check your bank statement to see whether the charge came from "Todoist", "Apple.com" or "Google Play". Log into that platform and cancel there. Tocancel recommends taking a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation as proof.

Mistake 2: missing the 30-day refund window

The 30-day refund window is non-negotiable under Todoist's policy. If you cancel on day 31, you forfeit your refund eligibility, even if you barely used the service. Many people delay their cancellation request and lose this window entirely.

This means you should note your charge date immediately when you subscribe. Set a phone reminder for day 25 or 26 if you're unsure about the subscription. Contact support early rather than waiting, because once 30 days have passed, a refund becomes much harder to obtain.

Mistake 3: not keeping proof of cancellation

Some people cancel but never save the confirmation email or screenshot. Later, when unexpected charges appear, they have no evidence that they cancelled. This makes it nearly impossible to dispute the charge with your bank or escalate to the National Consumer Commission.

This means you must screenshot every step: your subscription status before cancellation, the cancellation confirmation page, and the confirmation email from either Todoist, Apple or Google. Keep these files for at least one year. If a charge appears after you've cancelled, you'll have immediate proof to share with your bank or the NCC.

Mistake 4: confusing cancellation with account deletion

Cancelling your subscription and deleting your account are two different actions. Cancellation stops charges and downgrades you to the Free plan, but your account and data remain. Deletion is permanent and irreversible, and Todoist does not offer a refund when you delete an account.

This means you should only delete your account if you're completely certain you'll never need Todoist or your data again. If you simply want to stop paying, cancel the subscription and keep the Free account.

Pricing comparison and when to cancel versus upgrade

Sometimes cancellation isn't the best option. Understanding the true cost of Todoist and what alternatives exist helps you make a confident decision.

If cost is your main concern, switching to the Free plan is often better than cancelling entirely. This preserves your task history and avoids the risk of losing data. If you're unhappy with Todoist's features, research alternatives like Asana, Monday.com or Microsoft To Do before cancelling. Tocancel helps you compare cancellation options across popular productivity tools, so visit our site to explore whether switching or cancelling is right for you.

Step-by-step cancellation checklist

Use this checklist to ensure you cancel cleanly and keep all necessary proof:

• Identify where you subscribed (Todoist website, Apple App Store or Google Play)
• Check your charge date to confirm you're within the 30-day refund window if applicable
• Export or back up your Todoist tasks if you want to preserve them
• Log into the correct cancellation platform (not the Todoist app)
• Navigate to Subscriptions or Billing settings
• Select "Cancel subscription" and confirm
• Screenshot the cancellation confirmation page
• Save the confirmation email from Todoist, Apple or Google
• Verify within 24 hours that your account status has changed to Free
• Monitor your bank statement for the next 30 days to ensure no further charges appear
• If an unexpected charge appears, contact your bank and file a dispute using your cancellation proof

This means you're protected at every stage. Tocancel's checklist ensures you have documentation if anything goes wrong.

Todoist contact and escalation information

If you need to contact Todoist directly or escalate a dispute, use these official channels:

Todoist support and contact details

Email: [email protected]

Website: todoist.com

Support page: todoist.com/help

Response time: Typically 2 to 5 business days for support emails

Always include your Todoist email address, the date of your concern and any relevant screenshots in your support request. Save copies of all correspondence with Todoist.

National consumer commission (South africa)

If Todoist refuses your cancellation request or denies a valid refund claim, escalate to the National Consumer Commission:

Website: ncc.org.za

Email: [email protected]

Complaint process: File a formal complaint online or by post. Include your cancellation request emails, bank statements and any Todoist responses.

Response time: The NCC typically investigates complaints within 2 to 3 months and has the authority to order refunds or corrective action.

Your next step: cancel with confidence

Cancelling Todoist in South Africa is straightforward when you follow the correct process for your payment method and understand your consumer rights. Whether you're switching to another tool, cutting costs or simply no longer need the service, you now have the knowledge to cancel cleanly, keep your proof and escalate if Todoist refuses to cooperate fairly.

Your consumer rights under the Consumer Protection Act are clear: suppliers must honour cancellation requests, provide refunds where they apply, and treat you in good faith. If Todoist doesn't, the National Consumer Commission has the power to enforce your rights at no cost to you.

Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions, recover refunds and understand their rights when companies refuse to cooperate. Visit Tocancel.com today to access guides for other services, track your subscription cancellations and find expert advice on your consumer rights. Take control of your subscriptions now-your budget will thank you.