Medium, founded in 2012, is the go-to spot for deep dives on everything from tech to personal essays. It feels like every time a new AI tool drops, a dozen 'How To' guides pop up on Medium instantly. But maybe you're done reading and ready to save some cash. Subscriptions run from $5 to $50, and this guide covers canceling on desktop, iOS, and Android, potentially saving you up to $50 a year. Let's get that subscription canceled without the headache.
How to Cancel Medium on iPhone (iOS)
If you subscribed to Medium through the App Store, your subscription is managed by Apple, not directly by Medium. You'll need to cancel it through your iPhone's settings.
1 Open the Settings App
Find and tap the gray gear icon on your iPhone's home screen to open Settings.
2 Tap Your Apple ID
Your name and profile picture are at the very top of the Settings menu. Tap on it to access your Apple ID, iCloud, and other settings.
3 Select Subscriptions
On the Apple ID screen, tap on Subscriptions. This will show you all the active and expired subscriptions linked to your Apple account. It can sometimes take a moment to load.
4 Find and Select Medium
Scroll through the list of your subscriptions until you find Medium. Tap on it to open the details for that specific subscription.
5 Cancel Subscription
At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a red Cancel Subscription button. Tap it and then confirm your choice. Your subscription will remain active until the end of the current billing cycle.
How to Cancel Medium on Android
For Android users who signed up via the Medium app, the subscription is handled through the Google Play Store. Here’s how to cancel it.
1 Open the Google Play Store
Locate and open the Google Play Store app on your Android device. It's the primary place for managing apps and subscriptions.
2 Access Your Profile
Tap on your profile icon in the top-right corner of the screen. This will open a menu with several options.
3 Go to Payments & Subscriptions
From the menu, select Payments & subscriptions. This is where Google manages all your recurring charges.
4 Select Subscriptions
In the next screen, tap on Subscriptions. You'll see a list of all your active subscriptions through Google Play.
5 Find and Cancel Medium
Find Medium in the list and tap on it. At the bottom of the next screen, tap the Cancel subscription button and follow the on-screen prompts to confirm. Honestly, I had to tap it twice before it registered.
How to Cancel Medium on Desktop or Laptop
This is the most direct way to cancel if you subscribed straight from the Medium website, not through an app store.
1 Go to the Medium Website
Open your web browser and navigate to Medium.com. Make sure you are logged into the account with the active subscription.
2 Access Your Settings
Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner of the page. A dropdown menu will appear. Click on Settings from this menu.
3 Navigate to Membership
In the Settings menu on the left side of the screen, click on the Membership tab. This page shows your current plan details.
4 Manage Your Membership
You should see your membership details, including the renewal date. Click on the Manage membership or Change membership link. It can be a little hard to spot.
5 Cancel Your Membership
You will be redirected to a page managed by Stripe, Medium's payment processor. Here, you will see an option to Cancel plan. Click it and confirm your decision. Your access will continue until the end of your paid period.
Before You Cancel: What You Should Know
- Keep Your Access: After you cancel, you can still enjoy your member benefits until the end of your current billing period. So, you don't lose out on what you've already paid for.
- No Refunds for Forgetting: Medium's policy is pretty clear, they generally do not offer refunds, especially if you just forgot to cancel before the renewal date. It's a common frustration shared online.
- Your Content is Safe: Cancelling your membership does not delete your Medium account or any of your published stories or drafts. You just revert to a free user.
- No Pause Option: Unfortunately, Medium does not offer a way to pause your subscription. You either have an active membership or you don't.
Having Trouble Cancelling Your Medium Subscription?
It can be frustrating when you can't find the cancel button. Here are a few things to try:
- Check Where You Subscribed: The most common issue is trying to cancel on the wrong platform. If you can't cancel on the Medium website, you almost certainly subscribed through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Check your phone's subscription settings.
- Try a Different Browser: Sometimes, website glitches happen. Try cancelling from a different web browser or use an incognito/private window to see if that helps.
- Clear Your Cache: Clearing your browser's cache and cookies can resolve unexpected issues with the website's functionality.
- Contact Support Directly: If all else fails, you can submit a request to Medium's support team through their help center. Be aware that responses can take a few business days, so do this well before your renewal date.
Subscription Plans and Pricing (2025)
| Plan | Price (Monthly) | Price (Annually) | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | Read up to 3 member-only stories per month, publish your own stories, and interact with other users. |
| Member | $5 | $50 (saves $10) | Unlimited access to all stories, support writers directly, listen to audio versions of stories, and use the mobile app. |
| Friend of Medium | $15 | $150 (saves $30) | Includes all Member benefits, plus a portion of your fee goes directly to writers you read, and you get a special profile badge. |
How Pine AI Can Help You Cancel Your Medium Subscription
Tired of navigating confusing menus just to cancel a subscription? Pine AI cancels your Medium membership for you. It's fast, secure, and saves you the headache. Let us handle the process so you can be sure you won't get charged again.
Frequently Asked Questions about Medium
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Rachel Adams
Technology & Software Editor
Rachel Adams is the Lead Tech & App writer at Pine AI, where she decodes the complexities of the digital software landscape. With over eight years of experience as a software reviewer and tech journalist, her work focuses on the security, usability, and subscription models of popular apps and SaaS platforms. Rachel's insights empower consumers to make informed decisions, avoid predatory billing, and select software that genuinely adds value.
