Cancel Times Newspaper the easy way

Overview

The Times is a UK national newspaper offering digital and print subscriptions with in-depth news, business coverage and opinion. Subscriptions include Times+ rewards and multi-device access for digital plans.

Offer types

The Times sells digital-only plans, combined print and digital plans and special student pricing. There are limited time introductory offers for new subscribers and in-app purchase variants for iOS.

Company facts

Web - Live Chat (detailed)

1. Go to thetimes.com/help.
2. Open Live Chat or the help centre and choose subscription support.
3. Tell the agent you want to cancel and provide account details (email and billing info).
4. Request a written confirmation by email or chat transcript.

iOS - App Store cancellation

1. On your iPhone or iPad open Settings.
2. Tap your name, then Subscriptions.
3. Select The Times subscription and tap Cancel Subscription.
4. Keep the Apple confirmation email as proof.

Android - Google Play cancellation

1. Open the Google Play Store app.
2. Tap your profile, then Payments & Subscriptions.
3. Select Subscriptions, choose The Times and tap Cancel Subscription.
4. Save the Google Play confirmation email.

Phone cancellation

1. Call 0800 018 5177 (UK) Monday to Friday 08:00-19:00, weekends 08:00-16:00.
2. Provide name, registered email and subscription details.
3. Ask the agent for an immediate confirmation reference or an email confirmation.

Email cancellation

1. Send an email from your registered address to [email protected] with subject Cancel Subscription.
2. Include your full name, postal address, email and last four digits of the card used.
3. Keep the reply email as proof of cancellation.

Post cancellation

1. Write a letter stating you cancel your subscription and include account details.
2. Send by recorded delivery to Times Newspaper, 1 London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF London.
3. Keep proof of postage and request written acknowledgement.

Moving abroad or to an unsupported country

If you permanently move outside the United Kingdom or Ireland and The Times does not offer service in your new country, contact customer service by phone or Live Chat and provide proof of new address such as a utility bill or tenancy agreement. The Times lists availability for United Kingdom and Ireland only.

Applicable law: Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.

Price increase

If The Times increases the price during your contract, review the terms in your subscription confirmation. If the increase is material and not agreed in your contract, raise a complaint with customer service and include your subscription confirmation as proof. If the contract does not permit the change you may be able to cancel without penalty under Consumer Rights protections on unfair terms.

Applicable law: Consumer Rights Act 2015.

Death of the subscriber

To cancel a subscription after the subscriber dies, contact customer service by phone or email and provide proof such as a death certificate and the account holder name and address. The Times will process cancellation on receipt of acceptable documents.

Legitimate grounds accepted by Times

Research shows The Times accepts cancellations for: end of trial within 14 days to obtain a refund, cancellation before next billing date for digital/print if notice given 2 days prior, and voucher expiry rules for print vouchers (contact customer service at least 15 days before expiry of the 13-week voucher book). Provide receipts, voucher details or trial confirmation as proof.

Applicable law: Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.

End of minimum commitment

For the Digital + 7 Day Print plan there is a 3 month minimum contract. To avoid automatic quarterly renewal charges, cancel after the 3-month minimum and give notice at least 2 days before the next billing date. For voucher book print subscriptions, contact customer service at least 15 days before the expiry of the 13-week voucher book supply.

Applicable law: Contract terms and Consumer Rights Act 2015.

Cooling-off period (14 day right to cancel)

If you cancel within 14 days of purchase you have a statutory right to a full refund if you withdraw from the contract and have not consumed paid digital content after giving express consent. If you cancel within 14 days The Times will refund all payments received using the same method of payment. If you choose immediate access to digital content within the 14 day period you may forfeit the right to a full refund for the digital content once streaming or downloads begin.

Applicable law: Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.

Before you cancel: how to negotiate

Trustpilot reviews report that customer service sometimes attempts to retain subscribers and offers retention discussions on calls. Ask the agent directly for promotional offers such as limited introductory pricing for new subscribers or to match a current limited offer. Mention any current offers you have seen like "£1 for 3 months" or "£3 for 3 months" and request transfer to an introductory rate if eligible. If you are a student request the Student Subscription pricing with verification.

What cancelling saves you - yearly calculations

Use these concrete plan prices to compute annual savings:

• Digital standard: £26 x 12 = £312 per year.
• Digital limited time offer: £1 for first 3 months then £30 per month - first year example = (3 x £1) + (9 x £30) = £3 + £270 = £273 for year 1.
• Digital limited time offer (alternate) £3 for 3 months then £26 per month - first year example = (3 x £3) + (9 x £26) = £9 + £234 = £243 for year 1.
• Digital + 7 Day Print: £67.16 x 12 = £805.92 per year.

Cheapest real alternative: The Independent offers free online access (price £0 per month). Switching from Digital standard at £26/month saves £312 per year. Example saving: £26 x 12 = £312 saved by moving to a free alternative.

Key consumer rights

In the United Kingdom your cancellation rights are governed by the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 which provide a 14 day cooling-off period for most online contracts. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires services to be performed with reasonable care and skill and prohibits unfair contract terms.

Auto-renewal and hard-to-cancel subscriptions

The Competition and Markets Authority treats hard-to-cancel subscriptions and unclear auto-renewal terms as potential unfair practices. If The Times makes cancellation difficult you may raise this point in a complaint and escalate as below.

How to escalate

1. Complain to The Times customer service and keep records. 2. If not resolved contact Citizens Advice for guidance. 3. Use chargeback with your card issuer or Section 75 for qualifying card payments if you paid by card and the merchant breached the contract. 4. If required, escalate to the relevant ombudsman depending on sector or Consumer Protection bodies.

Check access and final billing

Confirm the cancellation date and the last billing date. If you cancelled after the 14 day cooling-off period you are likely to keep access until the end of the paid period. If cancelled within 14 days and access was stopped, you are entitled to a refund of payments received.

Data and account cleanup

Remove stored payment methods and, if desired, request account deletion from customer service. Keep copies of confirmation emails and any chat transcripts as proof of cancellation and final billing amounts.

Re-activation

If you want to resubscribe later, use the offers page to check current promotions. In-app purchases on iOS will require re-subscribing through Apple subscriptions and Google Play through your Google account.

Follow this checklist to cancel with minimum risk of extra charges.

• Call 0800 018 5177 and request immediate confirmation, or use Live Chat at thetimes.com/help.
• If you cancel by email, send from your registered email to [email protected] and keep the reply.
• If you subscribed via iOS or Android cancel in your device settings to stop renewals immediately.
• For print voucher books contact customer service at least 15 days before the expiry of the 13-week voucher book.
• Keep proof: phone reference, chat transcript, email confirmation, or recorded delivery receipt to Times Newspaper, 1 London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF London.
• If you cancel within 14 days request a full refund and reference the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013.