Cancel Times UK the easy way

What the service includes

Times UK provides digital and print journalism from The Times and The Sunday Times across web, smartphone and tablet apps, plus print delivery options and a puzzles product. Plans include smartphone-only access, full digital access and combinations with weekend or seven-day print delivery.

Who it is for

Times UK is aimed at readers who want premium journalism, long-form reporting and multiplatform access including web, app and print formats. The service offers sharing options for selected plans and subscriber rewards through Times+.

Company facts

Website - Live Chat and account

1. Go to The Times help centre at https://www.thetimes.com/help/articles/how-do-i-cancel-my-subscription.
2. Open Live Chat or sign in to your account and follow the subscription or billing section to cancel.
3. Request a chat transcript or email confirmation for your records.

iOS - Apple App Store

1. Open Settings on your iPhone/iPad.
2. Tap your name, then Subscriptions.
3. Select The Times subscription and tap Cancel Subscription.
4. Keep the App Store confirmation screenshot or email as proof.

Android - Google Play

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

Phone

1. Call Customer Services: 0800 018 5177 (UK) or 1800 949 687 (Ireland) or +44 207 711 1527 (international). Lines are open Mon-Fri 08:00-19:00, weekends and bank holidays 08:00-16:00.
2. State you want to cancel and ask for immediate confirmation and a reference number.
3. Request an email confirmation to keep as proof.

Email

1. Send an email from the address registered on your account to [email protected] with the subject line Cancel subscription and include your full name, account email and subscription details.
2. Keep the sent email and any reply as proof of cancellation.

Post

1. Send a signed letter to Times UK, 1 London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF London, United Kingdom stating your full name, account email, subscription details and request to cancel.
2. Send by registered post and keep the proof of postage; allow time for processing and request written confirmation.

Cooling-off (cancel within 14 days)

If you cancel within 14 days from the day of purchase you are entitled to a full refund of payments made. The subscription access will stop on cancellation and any sign-up benefits must be forfeited. Refunds are processed as soon as possible and no later than 14 days after cancellation. Reference: The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.

End of minimum commitment

If you cancel after the first 14 days you will remain committed to your minimum subscription term when one exists; Times UK states customers are not entitled to a refund of the initial payment after 14 days and remain committed to the minimum term. The exact minimum term is not publicly disclosed by Times UK.

Price increase

If Times UK increases price mid-contract, the right to cancel for that reason is governed by your contract terms. The Times terms and conditions are available at https://www.thetimes.com/static/terms-and-conditions/. Keep written proof of the price change notification and request cancellation if you do not accept the increase.

Death of subscriber

For death of the account holder contact Customer Services by phone or email and provide proof such as a death certificate. The Times does not publish a public step-by-step for this case; provide documentation and request account closure and refund if applicable.

Moving abroad

If you permanently move outside the UK you should contact Customer Services and provide proof of address change. The Times allows cancellation via international Live Chat or the international phone number +44 207 711 1527 for customers outside the UK or Ireland.

Legitimate grounds and required proofs

Acceptable proofs include copies of government documents for moves or death certificates for bereavement. The Times does not publish a definitive list of legitimate grounds; use the Customer Services channels and provide the supporting document requested. Legal basis: Consumer Rights Act 2015 and Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 where applicable.

Before you cancel - negotiate

Times UK publishes introductory offers for new customers (for example Basic Digital and Digital at £1/month for the first 3 months). There is no public record of standard retention discounts available after the initial term. To request a retention offer call Customer Services at 0800 018 5177 and clearly state you are considering cancellation. Ask the agent if there is a reduced rate or a promotional offer and request any offer in writing by email.

What cancelling saves - yearly calculations

Calculate yearly costs from published monthly prices:

• Basic Digital: £20 x 12 = £240 per year
• Digital (Unlimited): £30 x 12 = £360 per year
• Weekend Print + Digital: £43.33 x 12 = £519.96 per year
• Digital + 7 Day Print: £67.16 x 12 = £805.92 per year
• Student Subscription: £9.99 per year

Compare the Digital plan to the cheapest competitor listed: Private Eye at £2.50 per month. Private Eye monthly cost: £2.50 x 12 = £30 per year. Savings when leaving Digital for Private Eye: £360 - £30 = £330 per year. Savings when leaving Weekend Print + Digital for Private Eye: £519.96 - £30 = £489.96 per year.

Cooling-off and refunds

The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 provide a 14-day cancellation period for distance and off-premises contracts with a full refund. Refunds must be made using the same payment method as the initial transaction unless agreed otherwise. Where digital content is supplied and the consumer expressly requested immediate access, the statutory right may not apply for downloaded or streamed content. Source: Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013.

Service quality and unfair terms

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires services to be performed with reasonable care and skill and protects consumers from unfair contract terms. The CMA monitors hard-to-cancel subscriptions and unclear auto-renewal terms as possible unfair practices.

How to escalate

First complain to Times UK Customer Services by phone, email or post. If unresolved, get advice from Citizens Advice and consider chargeback via your card issuer or Section 75 for qualifying card payments. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) handles business practices and may take action on widespread unfair terms.

Check access and final billing

Confirm the cancellation date and whether access ends immediately. If you cancelled within 14 days you will lose access immediately and receive a refund processed within 14 days. If you cancelled after 14 days, check whether you are billed for the next period and confirm any final charge with Customer Services.

Data and accounts

Ask for confirmation of account closure and whether personal data will be retained. If you want data deletion request it explicitly citing your data subject rights under applicable data protection law in the UK. Keep copies of confirmation emails.

Re-activation

To re-subscribe sign in to your account or subscribe again on The Times website. Some introductory offers apply only to new customers and may not be available on re-activation.

Use this checklist to cancel and document the process.

• Find your next billing date and note it.
• Decide the cancellation channel you will use (phone for instant confirmation).
• If cancelling a print delivery, contact at least 2 days before your next billing date; if cancelling a voucher-based print subscription, call at least 15 days before the end of your 13-week voucher book.
• Call 0800 018 5177 or email [email protected] to cancel and ask for written confirmation.
• If cancelling via App Store or Google Play, cancel in the respective store and save the confirmation screenshot or email.
• If sending by post use registered mail to Times UK, 1 London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF London and keep proof of postage.
• Check your bank statement within 14 days to confirm any refund was processed.