Cancel Showmax the easy way

Overview

Showmax is a streaming service owned by Showmax SA (Pty) Ltd that provides films, series and local African productions. The service is run by a company with ties to MultiChoice and NBCUniversal and targets Sub-Saharan African audiences.

Key offerings

Showmax focuses on local content, partnerships with mobile telcos and a catalogue of licensed international content. Showmax relaunched packages in early 2024 replacing older tiers such as Showmax Pro.

Company facts

Cancel via Website (recommended)

1. Open a browser and go to https://www.showmax.com.
2. Sign in with the email and password on your Showmax account.
3. Go to Account, then Plans and Payment, then Manage Plan or Manage subscription.
4. Select Cancel subscription or Cancel Plan and follow the on-screen prompts.
5. Confirm cancellation. Your account should show cancellation and access will continue until the paid period ends.

Cancel on iPhone / iPad (Apple App Store)

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap your name at the top, then Subscriptions.
3. Find Showmax in the list and tap Cancel Subscription.
4. Keep the Apple confirmation email as proof; Showmax cannot cancel App Store subscriptions for you.

Cancel on Android (Google Play)

1. Open the Google Play Store app and tap your profile icon.
2. Tap Payments & subscriptions, then Subscriptions.
3. Select Showmax and tap Cancel subscription, then follow prompts.
4. Google will send a confirmation email - keep it as proof of cancellation.

Cancel by Email

1. Compose an email to [email protected] from the email linked to your account.
2. Subject the email "Cancel subscription" and include your full name, account email and last four digits of payment method if possible.
3. Request written confirmation of cancellation and state whether you expect access to continue until the end of the paid period.
4. Keep the reply as proof. Allow 48-72 hours for a response.

Cancel by Post

1. Write a signed letter with your full name, account email, date of birth (if used on account) and a clear statement: "I cancel my Showmax subscription."
2. Send the letter by registered post to Showmax, Folgate Street, E1 6BX London, United Kingdom.
3. Keep proof of posting and any delivery receipt. Allow 7-14 days for processing.

Moving abroad or relocating

If you move and Showmax is not available in your new country, send proof of address change such as a utility bill or tenancy agreement plus a cancellation request. Showmax may not publish a formal policy; supply those documents and request confirmation from support. Applicable law for consumer rights: Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

Price increase

If Showmax raises the subscription price at renewal, you can cancel under the renewal cooling-off rules if the increase was not agreed in the original contract. Keep the price-change notice and request an end of contract notice and any refund due. See the renewal cooling-off requirements in the 2024 Act: Section 261, 2024 Act.

Death of the subscriber

If the account holder dies, send a copy of the death certificate and a written request to [email protected] from the executor or next of kin asking to cancel. Include proof of authority if available. The service's handling of refunds is guided by Showmax support; refunds are considered case-by-case.

Legitimate grounds accepted by Showmax (from research)

Showmax may consider refunds or credits for duplicate unused accounts, incorrect billing (double charge), billing without a valid subscription, or if a valid cancellation request was not actioned and no viewing occurred. Provide billing statements, bank or card statements showing the incorrect charge, and a copy of any cancellation request if claiming a missed cancellation. Each refund request is assessed case-by-case by Customer Care.

End of commitment or fixed-term

If you have a minimum term and that term ends, cancel in your account or notify Showmax to stop renewal. Showmax does not publish minimum commitment details for the UK; send a cancellation request if you believe your term has ended and keep any end of contract notice they provide.

Cooling-off (14 days)

Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, you have a 14-day cooling-off right for contracts concluded online. If digital content is supplied immediately with your express consent and you waived the right to withdraw, the right may not apply. For renewal cooling-off rights the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 applies. Cite: Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

Before cancelling: negotiate

There are no published, consistent retention offers reported in the research. To request a retention offer, email [email protected] from your registered account email, state your intention to cancel and ask for available discounts or paused billing options. If your subscription is billed via Apple or Google, contact the store because Showmax cannot change App Store or Google Play-managed subscriptions.

What cancelling saves you

Showmax GBP pricing is not publicly published. Below are yearly costs for real alternatives in the UK so you can compare savings if you switch.

discovery+ at £3.99 x 12 = £47.88 per year

Disney+ at £4.99 x 12 = £59.88 per year

Netflix at £5.99 x 12 = £71.88 per year

NOW Entertainment at £6.99 x 12 = £83.88 per year

Apple TV+ at £9.99 x 12 = £119.88 per year

Math examples: switching from a higher monthly cost to discovery+ saves the difference between the two monthly fees times 12. Use the Apple or Google Play receipts or your bank statement to identify your Showmax monthly charge before computing exact savings.

Key UK consumer laws

Contracts for digital subscriptions are covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013's cooling-off rules (14 days for many online contracts). The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 introduced renewal cooling-off and notice requirements; see the 2024 cooling-off provisions and section 261.

Rights on refunds and unfair terms

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires services to be performed with reasonable care and skill and prevents disproportionate cancellation penalties. The CMA treats hard-to-cancel subscriptions and unclear auto-renewal as potentially unfair. If you believe Showmax applied unfair terms or failed to honour cooling-off or renewal notice duties, escalate the complaint to Citizens Advice and the CMA.

How to escalate

1. Complain to Showmax support at [email protected] and keep copies. 2. If unresolved, contact Citizens Advice for next steps. 3. For payment disputes use the card issuer's chargeback or Section 75 if the eligible card was used. 4. Report potential unfair practices to the Competition and Markets Authority.

Access and viewing

After cancellation your access continues until the end of the paid subscription period; Showmax states access continues until existing subscription days run out.

Data and account

Download any personal data or saved lists before the account becomes inactive. Request account deletion or data export via [email protected] if needed.

Final billing and refunds

Showmax states the Monthly Fee is not refundable for partially used periods. Refunds are considered for duplicate unused accounts, incorrect billing or if a valid cancellation request was not actioned and no viewing occurred. Submit refund requests to [email protected] with evidence such as bank statements and timestamps.

Re-activation

You can re-subscribe by signing in and choosing a plan again via the website or app store. Billing will restart at the then-current price and any promotional entitlements may not be restored.

Follow these steps to make sure cancellation is processed and you keep evidence.

• Sign in to your Showmax account and cancel in Account > Plans and Payment > Manage subscription.
• If subscribed via Apple or Google, cancel in the App Store or Google Play subscriptions.
• Save confirmation emails, screenshots of cancelled status and bank statements showing billing stopped.
• If you mailed a cancellation, keep proof of postage and delivery receipt.
• If you request a refund, attach billing evidence, copy of cancellation request and any error messages.
• If you face a dispute, contact Citizens Advice and consider chargeback or Section 75 for qualifying card payments.