Cancel The Sunday Times the easy way

Overview

The Sunday Times is a British weekly newspaper and digital publisher providing news, investigations, features, opinion and paywalled digital content. It operates under THE SUNDAY TIMES LIMITED and shares digital infrastructure with The Times.

Offerings

The Sunday Times offers digital subscriptions, combined print and digital packs, a dedicated ePaper, puzzles and Times+ subscriber rewards. Digital Pack introductory offers are commonly available for new subscribers.

Company facts

For official subscription terms see Terms and Conditions and the official subscription pages.

Web / Account cancellation - detailed steps

1. Visit the subscriber Help pages: https://www.thetimes.com/help.
2. Log in with the email used to subscribe.
3. Open Manage subscription or Subscription settings and choose Cancel if the option is shown.
4. If no cancel button is available, follow the help article instructions or call Customer Services on 0800 018 5177.
5. Keep any confirmation message or screenshot as proof.

iOS cancellation (App Store)

1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap your name, then Subscriptions.
3. Find The Sunday Times or The Times subscription.
4. Tap Cancel Subscription and keep the App Store confirmation email as proof.

Android cancellation (Google Play)

1. Open Google Play Store on the device used to subscribe.
2. Tap your profile > Payments & Subscriptions > Subscriptions.
3. Select The Times or The Sunday Times subscription and tap Cancel Subscription.
4. Keep the Play Store confirmation email or screen capture.

Phone cancellation

1. Call 0800 018 5177 during the hours: 08:00-19:00 Monday to Friday, 08:00-16:00 weekends and bank holidays.
2. State your name, registered email and that you wish to cancel the subscription.
3. Ask for instant confirmation and a reference number and request an email confirmation to your registered email.
4. Note the date, time and agent name for your records.

Email cancellation (first 14 days only)

1. From the email address used to subscribe, send a clear message to [email protected] stating your full name, subscription details and request to cancel.
2. Attach a completed cancellation form if available.
3. Keep the sent email and any reply as proof of cancellation.

Post cancellation

1. Send a signed cancellation letter to The Sunday Times, London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF London, United Kingdom via recorded delivery.
2. Include your full name, registered email, address and subscription reference number.
3. Keep the proof of postage and the delivery receipt.

Official help and subscription FAQs are on the publisher site: https://www.thetimes.com/subscribe/faqs/ and the cancellation instruction page https://globalstore.thetimes.com/questions/how-can-i-cancel-my-subscription/.

Cooling-off (cancel within 14 days)

Rule: You have a statutory right to cancel a subscription without giving a reason within 14 days from the day of purchase under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013. If you cancel within this period all payments received must be refunded within 14 days of cancellation. Required proof: Your purchase date and a clear cancellation notice sent from the registered email or by phone confirmation. Law: Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013.

End of the minimum commitment term

Rule: If your plan has a minimum commitment (for example Digital + 7 Day Print has a 3-month minimum) you may only cancel after the minimum term unless the plan allows early exit. Required proof: Your contract start date and plan name. The subscriber must call 0800 018 5177 at least 2 days before the next billing date to cancel after the minimum term.

Price increase

Rule: If The Sunday Times increases the subscription price mid-contract, UK consumer law provides grounds to cancel if the change breaches your contract terms. Required proof: Notice of price increase received from the publisher, your original subscription terms, and the effective date. Law: Consumer Rights Act 2015 regarding unfair contract terms.

Death of the subscriber

Rule: Death of the named account holder is a legitimate reason to close the account and stop recurring payments. Required proof: Death certificate and proof of authority (executor or next of kin contact details). Contact Customer Services on 0800 018 5177 to explain and submit documents.

Legitimate ground - service fault or access failure

Rule: If the digital service is not provided with reasonable care and skill you may have grounds to cancel and claim remedies under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Required proof: Examples of failures, dates, screenshots, correspondence requesting fixes and lack of remedy from support.

How to notify

Rule: Cancellation is exercised by notifying the trader. Use phone, registered email or recorded post. Contact Customer Services and keep proof of notification. Law: Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013; Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 Section 264 for cooling-off rights.

Before you cancel: negotiate retention

The Sunday Times and Times often make retention offers to keep subscribers. Research shows introductory offers such as Digital Pack at £1 for an initial period are commonly used to attract new customers. When you call 0800 018 5177 to cancel, state that you are considering leaving and ask the agent for retention offers, discounted monthly rates or a temporary reduced rate. If the agent offers a reduced rate, request that the offer is sent by email or confirmed on your account as proof.

What cancelling saves you - concrete maths

Example maths using the standard Digital Pack monthly price:

Digital Pack standard price: £26 per month.

Yearly cost at £26: 26 x 12 = £312 per year.

Cheapest real alternative named here: The Guardian membership (supporter) at around £5 per month.

Guardian membership annual cost: 5 x 12 = £60 per year.

Yearly saving if you switch from The Sunday Times Digital Pack (£26) to The Guardian membership (£5): £312 - £60 = £252 saved per year.

Other plan comparisons from publisher pricing:

Digital Pack introductory: £1 for initial period (intro offer) then standard £26.

Digital + Weekend Print: £18 per month equals 18 x 12 = £216 per year.

Digital + 7 Day Print: £67.16 per month equals 67.16 x 12 = £805.92 per year.

Main UK consumer laws

Key laws applicable: Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 (14-day cooling-off right), Consumer Rights Act 2015 (services must be performed with reasonable care and skill; unfair contract terms), and Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (Section 264 concerning cooling-off rights).

Cooling-off and refunds

If you cancel within 14 days of purchase you are entitled to a full refund within 14 days using the same payment method. Digital content exceptions apply if you expressly consented to immediate access and lost the right to cancel after download or streaming started. Source: Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 and Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

Auto-renewal and hard-to-cancel concerns

The Competition and Markets Authority treats hard-to-cancel subscriptions and unclear auto-renewal terms as potential unfair practices. If you cannot reasonably cancel using the routes described, retain proof of your attempts and escalate.

Escalation steps

1. Complain in writing to The Sunday Times Customer Services and keep all records. 2. If unresolved, contact Citizens Advice for guidance. 3. Use chargeback or Section 75 via your card issuer if payment qualifies. 4. Report to the CMA or consult the relevant ombudsman if applicable. Cite the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 in your complaint.

Check access and final billing

After cancellation confirm whether access ends immediately or at the end of the current billing period. If you cancelled within 14 days under your cooling-off right, access ends and a refund is due within 14 days. If you cancelled after the minimum term, you may keep access until the end of the paid period but no refund is due according to publisher policy.

Data and account

Delete saved payment details in your account and request data access or deletion via the publisher help pages. Keep screenshots of any confirmation emails or account messages. If you used Apple or Google subscriptions, cancelling in the store stops future charges but your account data at the publisher may persist until you request deletion.

Re-activation

If you re-subscribe later the publisher may not reinstate previous introductory offers. If you accept a retention offer when cancelling, save the email confirmation to ensure the price is applied if you re-subscribe.

Follow these concrete actions immediately when cancelling:

• Call 0800 018 5177 during opening hours and request instant confirmation and a reference number.
• If you used App Store or Google Play, cancel inside the store and keep the store confirmation email.
• Within 14 days of purchase, email [email protected] from your registered email to request a refund and keep sent mail and replies.
• If sending a letter, post to The Sunday Times, London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF London, United Kingdom by recorded delivery and keep the receipt.
• Check your bank or card statement for future charges and contact your card issuer to request chargeback under Section 75 if necessary for qualifying transactions.
• Save screenshots, emails and notes of agent names, dates and reference numbers.